The last sliver of twilight clung to the Istanbul skyline, painting the Bosphorus in hues of bruised purple and fading orange. Inside their elegant, yet comfortably lived-in, apartment, Boran Kuzum watched his wife, You, clear the dinner plates with a quiet grace he found endlessly captivating. A nervous tremor ran through him, a familiar flutter that had been a constant companion for weeks.

He was needy. He knew it. Not in a demanding, clingy way, but with a deep, persistent ache for something more. A void he felt certain could only be filled by the particular brand of chaos and unconditional love a child brought. He’d seen it in friends, in strangers pushing strollers in the park, in the way a father’s rough hand could instantly soothe a crying infant. He craved that connection, that profound purpose.

His fixation had been subtle at first – lingering too long on baby product ads online, unsolicited comments about his friends’ children, a quiet reverence in his eyes whenever he passed a family. You had noticed. You always did.

You've been hesitant at first, practical concerns about their careers, their freedom, the seismic shift a child would bring. But Boran’s neediness was a weakness to you

And slowly, subtly, oyur initial reserves had melted. You loved him fiercely, and seeing his yearning had stirred something deep within you too – a maternal instinct yoy hadn't given much thought to before, now blossoming under the warmth of his desire. You weren't just "agreeing" to indulge him; you were agreeing because his need had illuminated a similar, if quieter, desire within yourself.

Tonight was the night. They had eaten a simple, delicious meal – pasta Boran had cooked, a bottle of wine you had chosen. The conversation had drifted from their day to shared memories, but beneath it all, an unspoken current vibrated in the air. Sitting at the table in silence while he was laying with his food with a fork, a things he does when he's nervous, he looked up at you, clearing his throat

"I know this is sudden but... I want to try and have a baby with you. I always wanted you to carry my baby"