Andy wants children.

Rhysand doesn't. Yet.

*

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Andy chirps, waving in big gestures as the kids tell her goodbye in loud voices, some even hugging her around her legs before they bounce off with their little backpacks in tow.

Andy picks up the books on the table and leaves the room, shutting off the light. As she walks along the hallway toward the faculty, she sees the kids running up to their parents with their little legs, leaping into their arms.

Andy stops walking. She watches this mother, face lined with exhaustion and days of little to no sleep, smile and brighten when she sees her kid running up to her, shouting, "Mommy!"

Andy swallows thickly and looks away.

It's not a secret Andy wants to be a mother. She's always wanted to be one since she was a kid—knew she wanted to be the kind of mother she's always wanted but never had. Even before meeting Rhysand, she's dreamed of days in her future with a faceless partner and a cute little baby, smothering the child with love and adoration and Andy has known, since she was old enough to figure out that her mother left her, that she'll be the best damn mom to her child. Children. She wants two, at least.

But she knows what Rhysand's going to say: not now.

Andy sighs heavily, opening the door to the faculty room, and her co-teachers smile at her and greet her cheerfully.

Seated at her cubicle, Andy stares at the photos on her desk—there's one of Rhysand and Biscuit, one of her and Rhysand, and two with Sabina and MJ. She left a space beside her picture with Rhysand for a picture with their future children.

"Why so glum, chum?" Kairi, who owns the cubicle beside her, asks without looking up from her computer. "Any of the kids give you trouble today?"

Andy manages a small smile and shakes her head. "No." She leans back against her seat and pouts. "No, it's nothing."

Kairi gives her a pointed look, raising her eyebrow. "You know you can talk to me about anything, Andy, right? We're not just co-workers here."

She smiles at her gratefully. "Yeah, I know, and same goes to you. Thank you, Kairi."

But it's not something she wants to talk about with any of her friends, because it's a talk between her and Rhysand.

During dinner, while Elena's hanging the clothes from the laundry (even though Andy insisted she'll do it, the woman forbade her from stepping in the mudroom), Andy pokes at her food with her fork.

Rhysand glances at her, chewing. "Didn't have a good day, baby?"

Andy smiles at him and shakes her head once. "I did. It's always a good day at school. And the bakeshop is doing well, and we're on time with the shelter. Everything's good."

Her husband picks up his glass and takes a drink before he takes her hand and quietly asks, "Sunshine, what's wrong?"

Andy puts down her fork and faces him with a purse of her lips. It's not the first time she's bringing this up, and she's scared of Rhysand's reaction, but he's asking, and she wants to be honest. "Rhys...I want to be a mom."

Rhysand doesn't blink. He stares at her, pausing, and says, "Sunshine," he mutters, taking his hand away and looking at his plate.

"Not right now, I know," Andy says quietly.

"I know you want kids," Rhysand quickly tells her, meeting her eyes. "But now...I'm traveling every other week to meet clients, and you're the owner of a bakeshop and a shelter, and I just—"

Andy doesn't know what compels her to say, "Are you sure it's because of the timing and not because you're afraid?"

Rhysand stares at her. "What?"

Andy looks down at her fingers. "I know you've never thought of marriage before me. And I'm sure you never thought of being a father before me. I don't...I guess what I'm asking is—do you really want one? Or do you just want one because I want them?"

Her husband is quiet for a few moments.

Andy doesn't know if she hurt him. She can't read his blank face. Quickly, she mutters, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything—"

"It's true that I'm terrified," Rhysand admits, looking away. His fingers clench into fist on his thigh. "I don't know how to be a good father. All I know is from what I've seen Trey and Allan and Simon do, and even then...seeing is different from doing." Rhysand inhales shakily. "But I do want them, Andrea. I do want to have kids with you. Please don't doubt that just because I'm scared, or because I think now's not a good time."

Andy slides off her chair and stands in between his legs, winding her arms around his neck. To his ear, she whispers, "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Rhysand whispers in return, arms wrapping around her waist.

"I don't know how to be a good mother, either," Andy admits quietly, squeezing him. "But I know I'll be a good one because I have you. And we'll have them at the right time."

Rhysand nods in her shoulder. "If we have a daughter, I'm going to pass out."

It makes Andy laugh. She pulls back to stroke his face lovingly. "You'll be a good father, Rhys. You'll love our kids, and they'll love you."

His mouth curves upwards, and he leans forward to kiss her.

He may not believe it right now, but Andy does, and she'll say I told you so when the time comes.