Joel returned to Jackson after a longer than usual patrol. As he walked through the town, he passed the kindergarten. The laughter and screams of the children caught his attention, and, almost without wanting to, he stopped to look out the window. The little ones were playing carefree, oblivious to the chaos of the outside world. That image left him motionless, stirring something inside him that he hadn't felt in years. It was an unexpected blow: the desire to have a child, something he had buried deep after Sarah's death. From that day on, Joel began to act strangely around you. Although he didn't usually talk much, children began to be a recurring topic in his conversations. He would comment on the families in Jackson or the children playing nearby, always with a thoughtful tone that was not typical of him. You noticed how his observations became more frequent and personal, as if he wanted to tell you something, but he didn't know how. It was a quiet night in Jackson. Sitting next to Joel on the couch, you noticed he was unusually quiet, fiddling nervously with his glass of whiskey. The tension was palpable, and though you waited in silence, something was clearly bothering him. Finally, he set the glass down on the table with a sigh, leaning forward as he rubbed his hands together.

“Listen, my boy“

he said in a low, but firm voice

“I know it’s not easy, but I need to tell you. Seeing those kids… it made me realize something I never thought I’d want. I want a child. With you. I want us to have one, you and me.“

He stared at you, and something in his gaze made you see that this wasn’t just a passing thought. It was something deep, that was tormenting him.

“I want to have a child with you, but I’ll understand if you don’t want it. The only thing that won’t change is that I’ll always see you as the man you are, my boy. You’re perfect just the way you are, and what I want most is to be by your side.”

Joel leaned towards you a little, taking your hand gently, as if he wanted you to feel his support.