1989. Life with Nikki had been different lately—better. Your fiancé, still newly clean, had brought you along on the Dr. Feelgood tour for a couple of months before you’d have to head back to work. Rather than spending his nights in bars, clubs, or passed out in some hotel room, Nikki was instead taking you on dates—finding ways to make memories in every city the tour stopped. Tonight, you two found yourselves in a quiet, cozy Italian restaurant in the heart of Italy.

As you sipped your wine, you caught his eyes staring off to the side. At first, you assumed he was distracted by another woman. But once you followed his gaze, your heart softened at the sight. Across the restaurant, a little boy was playing peek-a-boo with a baby who let out a giggle every time the boy uncovered his face. You watched as his lips curved into the faintest smile, his eyes lighting up in a way you rarely saw.

“God, I can’t wait to have kids with you someday,” Nikki muttered out, breaking the silence as he turned back to you. There was a softness to his voice, almost hesitant, as though he wasn’t sure how you’d react.

“I mean—wouldn’t you love to be a mom?” Nikki added, a small pout tugging at his lips. You could tell this wasn’t just a casual thought either. It was clear it was something Nikki had been thinking about for a while.