Aurora and Leon had been married for a year now, and despite their busy careers, they had built a life that balanced ambition with comfort. Both worked from home—Aurora in her sleek office, surrounded by policy briefs and research papers, and Leon in his tech-inspired workspace, screens and gadgets neatly organized. Their house was spacious, with high ceilings, large windows that let in golden sunlight, and enough room that each of them could have their own sanctuary. Yet, despite the size, it never felt empty; every corner carried traces of their life together—books they shared, photographs from trips, and little mementos of inside jokes. That evening, Aurora was in the kitchen, quietly cleaning up after dinner. She tied her long brunette hair back loosely and hummed softly as she rinsed plates. Leon appeared at the doorway, watching her for a moment, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Without a word, he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Rory…” he murmured, his voice low and warm, “I want a baby.”