"I don't know. Maybe... Stellan? Or Lars? Those are both strong warrior names."
"Stellan Malone." RJ makes a face.
"What about Erik? That's Norse but it doesn't sound too foreign. Erik the Red was one of the greatest Viking explorers."
"Erik Malone." He considers it, rolling it around in his mind. "I don't hate it."
"High praise."
He laughs, pulling me closer. "What if we do both? A Norse first name, an Irish middle name. Or the other way around. That way he gets something from both sides of his family."
"Cillian Erik Malone?"
"Or Erik Cillian Malone."
We look at each other, neither one convinced.
This is how every name conversation ends—with a dozen options and no decisions.
We've been through countless lists, baby name books, family trees on both sides.
Nothing quite feels right yet.
"What about something that works in both traditions?" I suggest. "There has to be some overlap."
"Like what?"
"I don't know... Finn? That's Irish but it sounds Nordic."
"Finn Malone. That's actually not bad." He props himself up on one elbow. "Finn means 'fair' or 'white' in Irish. What does it mean in Norse?"
"No idea. I'd have to look it up." I make a mental note to text my dad later. He'd know.
"We have time," I say finally. "Four more months to figure it out."
"Four more months," he agrees. "We'll figure it out."
We'll figure it out.
That's become our mantra, the answer to every impossible question.
Where will we live? We'll figure it out.
How will we balance two careers and a baby? We'll figure it out.
How do two people with complicated pasts and dangerous families build a normal life?
We'll figure it out. Together.
RJ's hand traces lazy circles on my belly, following the movement of our son beneath the skin.
The baby has been active today—kicking and rolling, making his presence known.
The doctor says he's healthy and strong, measuring right on track. A fighter, just like his parents.
"I still can't believe this is real," RJ says quietly. "Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and I have to check. Make sure you're still here. Make sure I didn't dream all of this."
"I'm still here."
