More Than Friends

Chapter 36: Showin' Love

After Devin finally opened up about wantin' kids, Nicole found herself thinkin' about it more than ever. She had always been on the fence, unsure if she wanted to take on the responsibility of raisin' a family. She loved the life she and Devin had—the freedom, the focus on their careers, and the simplicity of just bein' together. But now, knowin' how much it meant to him, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had been too stuck in her own fears.

One thing that weighed heavy on her heart was the fact that Devin had kept his feelings inside for so long. He had always been the one to put her happiness first, and it hurt her to think that he had been silently sacrificin' somethin' so important to him. She couldn't let that continue. She needed Devin to know that their marriage was about both of them bein' honest, open, and workin' together to build a life they both loved.

So Nicole made up her mind. She wanted to do somethin' special for Devin, somethin' that showed him how much she loved him and that he never needed to hold back his desires again. Whatever he wanted—whatever was in his heart—she wanted to know, and they would face it together.

A Plan in Motion

A few days later, Nicole put her plan into action. She decided to surprise Devin with a special date night, one that would remind him how much she valued their relationship and that she was willin' to work through anything with him, even if it meant facin' her own fears about kids.

That evenin', when Devin got home from work, Nicole had the house all set up. She had candles lit, soft music playin', and dinner ready. The lights were dimmed, and the whole place felt warm, intimate, and full of love.

When Devin walked in, his eyes widened in surprise. "What's all this?" he asked, grinnin' as he took in the scene.

Nicole smiled, walkin' over to him and takin' his hand. "Just wanted to do somethin' special for you. I been thinkin' about a lot since our talk, and I realized I needed to show you how much you mean to me."

Devin's grin softened into a warm smile, and he leaned down to kiss her gently. "You didn't have to do all this, Nic."

"I know," Nicole whispered, pullin' him toward the table. "But I wanted to."

Dinner and a Heartfelt Conversation

As they sat down for dinner, the atmosphere between them was light and full of warmth. They talked and laughed like always, but Nicole could tell Devin was still carryin' a bit of tension from their last conversation. She knew he didn't want her to feel pressured, but deep down, she could feel the weight he was carryin' about wantin' kids.

After dinner, Nicole decided it was time to have the conversation she had been buildin' up to all week. She reached across the table, takin' Devin's hand in hers.

"Dev," she began softly, her eyes full of love, "I been thinkin' a lot about what we talked about—the kids thing."

Devin tensed slightly, but he didn't pull away. "Yeah?"

Nicole nodded, squeezin' his hand. "I feel bad that you held it in for so long. You should never feel like you have to keep somethin' like that to yourself, especially not from me. Our marriage is about us bein' honest, right? About us both makin' each other happy."

Devin sighed, his shoulders relaxin' a bit. "I know, Nic. I just didn't want you to feel like you had to change your mind for me."

Nicole shook her head, her voice firm but gentle. "That's not how this works. I want you to tell me what's in your heart, no matter how you think I'll feel. We're in this together, and I need to know what you want, even if it's hard for me to hear. I don't want you sacrificin' somethin' that matters to you."

Devin's eyes softened as he listened to her, the tension in his body meltin' away. "I just...I didn't wanna make you feel bad. I know how much you value the life we have now, and I didn't wanna mess that up."

Nicole smiled, her heart swellin' with love for him. "You're not messin' anything up, Dev. I love the life we have, but I also love you. And if kids are somethin' you really want, then I'm willin' to think more about it. I just need you to promise me somethin'—don't ever hold back from me again. No matter what. If there's somethin' you want, I wanna know. We'll figure it out together, no matter what."

Devin looked at her, his heart full. He had always known that Nicole was the one for him, but hearin' her say those words, seein' how much she cared about his happiness, made him fall in love with her all over again.

"I promise," Devin said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I'll never hold back again."

Nicole smiled, leanin' over to kiss him gently. "Good. 'Cause we're a team, Dev. Always."

A Step Forward

As the night went on, they continued to talk, openly and honestly. Nicole told Devin that while she was still unsure about havin' kids, she was willin' to keep the conversation goin'. She wasn't sayin' no, but she needed time to figure out if it was somethin' she could see for their future.

And Devin, for the first time in a long while, felt like the weight he had been carryin' was finally lifted. He knew they had a lot to figure out, but he also knew they would face it together, as a team.

That night, as they lay in bed, Nicole curled up beside him, her hand restin' on his chest. Devin stared up at the ceiling, feelin' a sense of peace he hadn't felt in weeks. He knew the conversation about kids wasn't over, but for now, he was just grateful to have a wife who understood him, who loved him, and who was willin' to work through anything with him.

Whatever came next, Devin knew they would face it together, and that was all he needed.