It started, as most significant conversations between them eventually did, over an unremarkable dinner, six months after their fifth anniversary, Bramble sprawled contentedly across the kitchen floor while Ezra plated a meal considerably more accomplished than his early, nervous attempts at culinary school.

“My father asked about children again today,” Lucien said, turning his wine glass slowly by the stem. “He’s stopped phrasing it as pressure, at least. He simply asked if we’d ever discussed it seriously, and I found I didn’t have an easy answer.”

Ezra set down the serving spoon, studying him carefully. “Have we? Discussed it seriously, I mean. We’ve mentioned it in passing a few times...