The weight of his sleeping son against his chest was a deep comfort that Scott needed. The boy was the brightest thing in his life, and he had no regrets about it. He and his ex-girlfriend had not been compatible, and it had been a mutual decision to end it. However, they still managed to make something beautiful together. Their son had not been planned, but they both loved him dearly. Scott's deepest hurt was that he couldn't spend more time with the boy but was determined to be the best father he could and raise his son to be a fine young man. He didn't care if his son turned away from planes, didn't follow into the family business or decided to carve his own way in the world. Scott just wanted him to be happy and healthy.
He placed a kiss into the still damp hair, breathing in the sweet strawberry scent as he lowered himself to the floor beside the boy's bed. With one hand, he pulled the cover aside, before gently lying his son down on the mattress. His son wiggled in his sleep as he got comfortable, turning over when Scott had tucked the cover beneath his chin. A smile crossed Scott's face as his son's brown hair splayed out across the pillow. It was going to be a pain to tame in the morning. He knew he should leave, turn on the monitor and head to the living room to join his brothers. Scott resisted the desire to reach out and stroke the sleeping form. Watching the steady rise and fall of the covers was what Scott allowed himself. Right now, he just needed the reassurance that his son was real, there and alive.
Scott had spoken with Virgil earlier, reflected a little on the events the day, but he knew he was just delaying the processing. The reality was it had chilled him. Losing young lives had always been hard, but now he had become a father, it seemed to cut deeper. On bad nights Scott would wake up in a cold sweat, shaking at the thought of losing his own child. He was grateful his ex-girlfriend had given him access to her baby monitor, on the condition he got counselling, so he could see his son when he needed. He would sit up and stare at the screen, searching for signs of movement and life from the boy. Only once he had confirmed he was safe and alive, could Scott lie down and attempt to go back to sleep.
It's why he had rushed to get his son, pulling the boy out of day care early so he could hold him. To know that he was safe. Scott didn't want to leave the room. Standing, he headed to the door, only to pause with his hand above the baby monitor. Torn between his desire to stay close, and the knowledge that he also needed to talk with his brothers or father. The hesitation continued until Scott stepped back into the room and closed the door. Creeping over to the bed, he carefully lowered himself onto the mattress next to his boy. The toddler moved but continued to sleep. Scott shifted until he was comfortable. His body curled up in the leftover space. The fact that he was too big for the bed never stopped him.
Gazing at the boy, he let his body relax into the soft covers. His nap earlier had worked wonders, but his body was still exhausted. The physicality of the rescue had left his muscles sore. Scott hadn't let it stop him, or slow him down, but now he was feeling it. Slowly, his eyes became heavier, until he finally succumbed to a dreamless sleep.