[Short Flashback]
Just like any new parent, Atlas wasn't sure if he was doing anything right. As a single father of two, he thought he'd learned enough from his own parents—but he was wrong. So, the same way he approached any new skill, he spent nights studying and practicing things he never thought he'd need to know.
"One, two… three…" he muttered, brows rising as he studied the diaper he'd just tucked perfectly on a doll. He gave it a light tug to see if it would slip. For the first time, it didn't.
Slowly, the corners of his mouth curved into a small, satisfied smile. He turned his head toward the crib beside the bed where he'd been practicing. Pushing himself up, he walked over and gazed at the babies sleeping inside.
"See? I can do it too," he whispered, fixing the little blanket over them. But before calling it a night, he idled, staring at them for long minutes, checking their breathing every so often and sighing with relief each time.
