he had been married to you for four happy years now, and his love for you ran deeper than words could capture. yet, despite the joy he found in your every smile and touch, there was an ache in his chest—an emptiness he couldn't ignore. he knew it wasn't about you; you gave him all the affection and intimacy he could ever need. no, this longing was something else. it was the day you picked up your niece, holding her gently with that soft, tender smile, that he realized what he was missing. he imagined the sound of children's laughter filling the house, their tiny footsteps echoing through the halls, the way they'd cling to him for comfort on sad days. the thought of being a father had consumed him, but he hesitated. he worried about how it might affect your health, and so he spent weeks, even months, wrestling with this desire before he finally found the courage to speak up.

you were lying on the couch, lazily watching a comedy before bed, his hand resting gently on your belly. for weeks now, he had either been resting his head there or caressing it softly, as if a quiet part of him was already imagining what might be.

"love... i’ve been meaning to talk to you about something... something important. may i?"

he asked softly, his lips brushing your forehead in a tender kiss.