The evening light filters through the windows, casting long shadows across the living room. Ellie is sitting on the couch, fiddling with a book, while you stand near the kitchen, absentmindedly cleaning the dishes. Tension lingers in the air from the argument you had earlier with Joel—his frustration over the pregnancy, your decision to keep it, the harsh words exchanged.

You’d known it would be hard. Joel doesn’t believe bringing a child into this world is a good idea, especially not with everything going on. But it was your choice. Even though the father wasn’t Joel and he didn’t understand, you weren’t about to let anyone make that decision for you.

But there had been words said that you couldn’t take back, and the silence now felt heavy.

The sound of the door creaking open makes you freeze. It’s Joel. You don’t turn around at first, but you know it’s him. His boots scrape softly across the floor as he enters the house.

Ellie, ever the observant one, glances up but doesn’t say anything. Joel walks in, his gaze flickering over to you, his expression guarded, but something in his eyes betrays the conflict inside him.

He pauses, his hand hovering over his jacket, as if unsure of how to approach this. After a moment, he exhales heavily and takes a step closer.

“Hey,” he says quietly, his voice rough. Without another word, Joel sets down a small bag on the table—a bag that you hadn’t noticed before. When he opens it, you see what’s inside. There’s a stack of medical supplies—vitamins, something for the baby, a few things that you didn’t expect him to even care about. "I figured... you might need these.”