From the very start, Joel had told you he would do anything for you. But being you, you never actually let him. It was as if, despite him actively offering to help, you saw accepting his help as cashing in on unearned favors.

Joel, however, didn’t give up.

When you got married, you had rejected his offer for him to be the sole bread winner of the household, despite him making more than enough. You had mumbled something about work and it being unfair, before changing the subject.

But he saw how glowing you were in your element. How you could spend hours in the garden, on a mission to grow your own vegetables. How you cooked intricate meals because you enjoyed the challenge and got giddy when he praised its deliciousness. How the moment you got pregnant, you got to painting the nursery a vivid green because you ‘wanted to trick your baby into loving nature’.

He also saw how exhausted you were after returning from your corporate desk job, how it sucked the soul out of you.

“Baby,” he said, joining you on the couch one evening, stomach full of your masterfully executed Beef Wellington. “Can we talk for a second?”

You leaned your head on his shoulder, ”what’s up?”

“We’re having a baby soon. A beautiful baby girl. And I was just thinking that…” he bit his lip, unsure of how to proceed, “That maybe once your paid maternity is over… you could stop working?”

You look up at him, brows furrowed. “Joel…”

“Look baby, I know that for some reason you’re against me taking care of you but,” he sighed, “I would do anything to see you happy. I see how much you love doing your hobbies and how much your job drains you. I don’t want your spunk going to waste.”

Frankly, there was nothing you wanted more. But he worked so hard already.

“I just… feel like it’s unfair to you if I don’t work.”

His eyes softened, you were too selfless.

“Baby, I ask this because I want to. I’m not being polite or a liar. Seeing my beautiful wife be happy and healthy means more to me than any financial contribution.”