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"Yes."

"Before we talk about it with other people." He hands me a glass. "Can we talk about it ourselves?"

I dry the glass. "Yes," I say. “And…sorry. For saying it like that. At the table."

"No need," he says. Simply. He hands me another glass. "I know you meant it."

He is quiet for a moment. Then: "Do you want children."

I look at him. At Jan, who has asked the question directly with the directness he brings to all things that matter.

"Yes," I say. "I do."

He nods. Continues washing.

"Do you?" I say.

He is quiet for a moment. Not hesitating, thinking. There is a difference with Jan.

"I didn't used to see myself as a father," he says. "For a long time I didn't see myself in any of those… the domestic things, the long-term things." He pauses. "Up until relatively recently I also didn't see myself in a relationship with the most extraordinary person I have ever met."

I put the glass down.

I look at him.

He is looking at the washing up with the expression of someone who has said a true thing and is waiting for the room to adjust.

"Jan," I say. My voice is not what it usually is.

"I'm not finished," he says.

I wait.

"I can picture it," he says. "Having children. With you." He glances at me. "You would be… exactly what you said you'd be. I know that about you. And I think I would find it… I think I'd be better at it than I currently believe." A pause. "I'm just afraid of not being good enough."

I cross the kitchen. I put my hands on his face. He goes still.

"Jan," I say.

"Yes," he says quietly. Not entirely steady.

"You are going to be the best father." I look at him steadily. "Possibly better than me. Which is saying something because I was right the first time."

The corner of his mouth. The real one.

"We should go step by step," he says.

"Obviously," I say. "I wasn't suggesting we call an adoption agency tonight."

"Good," he says. "It's late."

"It's nine-thirty."

"Still." He looks at me. "But it's good to know we want the same thing."

I nod. "It's very good to know."

He picks up the cloth again. Continues with the washing up. I pick up my glass.