"That sounds reasonable," Nick agrees, then pauses. "Are we really talking about having another baby?"
"We're talking about maybe talking about it," I clarify. "Someday. If we both want to."
"Do you want to?" he asks quietly.
The question hangs between us for a moment. Eighteen months ago, one baby seemed overwhelming. Now, watching Emma grow and change every day, the idea of doing it all again—the pregnancy, the late-night feedings, the first smiles and words and steps—doesn't seem overwhelming at all. It seems like the natural next chapter.
"Yeah," I say honestly. "I think I do. Not immediately, but...yeah."
"Good," Nick says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. "Because I've been thinking about it too. Emma needs someone to boss around."
"She bosses us around perfectly well."
"True, but siblings are different. Built-in playmates and co-conspirators."
"Are you hoping for a boy next time?"
"I'm hoping for healthy," Nick says immediately. "But if we had a boy who looked exactly like you, I wouldn't complain."
"And if we had another girl who turns out exactly like Emma?"
"Then we'll have two tiny tornados and probably need to invest in better home insurance."
I laugh, picturing our house filled with the chaos of two small children. It should be terrifying, but instead it feels like promise. Like all the dreams I never let myself have are actually within reach.
"We have time to figure it out," I say, already drowsy from the day's excitement and the familiar comfort of Nick's arms around me.
"All the time in the world," Nick agrees, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
As I drift toward sleep, I think about the journey that brought us here—from that first accidental heat to this house full of possibility. From best friends fumbling through the most complicated situation of our lives to partners who can talk about future babies and mortgage payments with equal enthusiasm.
From the monitor on the nightstand, we can hear Emma's soft breathing and the occasional rustle as she settles deeper into sleep. Our daughter, in her perfect nursery, in our home, surrounded by family who loves her unconditionally.
Tomorrow we'll finish unpacking. We'll hang pictures and arrange furniture and probably discover that we have way too much stuff and not enough storage space. Emma will exploreevery corner of her new domain, Diana will bring more "necessities" that we definitely don't need, and Jason will find new ways to make Emma laugh until she hiccups.
But tonight, we're exactly where we belong—the three of us, in our house, with our whole future ahead of us.
And it's perfect.