He made a noise of frustration. “That’s not what I mean. I’m not trying to force you into high heels to serve me pot roast on Sundays or something. I just want you to feel like I can take care of you.”

“And I appreciate that! I truly do,” she said, her voice shaky. “But, well, your mom chose a path that made her happy, and that’s the same luxury I want. I want to choose my own path, a path that makes me happy. I want you to take care of me, but not be so focused on the material part. Take care of my heart, my well-being, and I’ll do the same for you.”

Ethan shoved his glasses up onto his forehead and ground fists in his eyes. “Can’t you see how hard I’m working to take care of your well-being? And our son’s! And, now, the baby! Don’t you see how much I love this family?”

“I get that, but I need you to get something too.” She swallowed. “Don’t you remember who I was when you met me? When you fell in love with me? I was the woman who stayed at her desk working until six thirty, seven o’clock every night, the one who looked forward to tough problems and creative solutions. I’m still that same person, that same ambitious woman you fell in love with. It’s not like the second I pushed Lincoln out, I suddenly changed.”

He nodded but remained quiet.

“I know it seems counterintuitive, but I believe I would be a better mom if I got that part of myself back. I wouldn’t feel like I was always drowning. Plus, Lincoln is the perfect age to start at Little Acorns. He can go to preschool while I’m at work. I figure we can find part-time sitter help for the new baby, and I can carry him or her around in the Björn on other days.” She reached for Ethan’s hand. He let her take it. “Please say something.”

“I mean…wow. It’s just, things are a little unpredictable right now…” He scooted his chair away from the table, stood, and gently placed his plate in the kitchen sink.

“Unpredictable?” she repeated. “Because of the baby?”

Something else—anxiety, uncertainty?—flashed through Ethan’s eyes, but he eventually nodded. “Yeah, exactly. We don’t know what it’s going to be like juggling two little ones. It’s just…I’m excited for you, sweetheart. I really am. I can see why this would be a really wonderful thing for you, for us, but I need a little time to process.”

She nodded. She got that.