The choice did not make me trust him.
It did make me notice.
Later that evening, Alexander called through Daniel and asked whether he could speak with me about the birth.
I said yes.
The doctor had explained that my due date was approaching and that the baby’s first examination should take place at the hospital.
If the baby needed specialist care, the team would be ready.
Alexander asked whether I wanted him present when I went into labor.
The question had been waiting between us for weeks.
He did not phrase it as a right.
He did not invoke our marriage.
He did not say the baby belonged to him.
He asked.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
“I know you’re deciding what will make you feel safe. I don’t want to make it harder.”
“You are the baby’s father.”
“Yes.”
