INT. JO AND LINK'S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jo and Link are lying in bed. The lights are off except for a bedside lamp. Jo is on her side, one hand resting on her belly. Link is half propped on a pillow, reading a book.

JO
We haven’t even talked about the names.

Link exhales dramatically, drops the book on his chest.

LINK
We have to find two. Like one isn’t hard enough. 

JO
(smiles faintly)
I’ve been thinking about one for a while… but I’m not sure you’ll like it.

Link closes the book, sets it on his nightstand, and turns toward her carefully, leaning on his good shoulder.

LINK
Try me.

JO
Okay.
(after a beat)
Harriet.
After my home ec teacher. Mrs. Schmidt.

Link blinks.

LINK
Which one is that?

JO
I told you about her.

He gives her an apologetic half-smile.

JO
The one who let me into school early so I could shower.
She came to my graduation.
She was the only adult who ever believed in me when I was growing up.

LINK
Yeah. The one who gave you the watch?

JO
Yeah. 

A quiet settles between them.

LINK
Hmmm.

He hesitates.

LINK (CONT’D)
I’m just… not sure I feel it.

JO
Why not?

LINK 
I don’t know. It gives me… old lady vibes.

Jo exhales, half amused, half disappointed.

JO
Did you tell Jackson that?

LINK
Nobody asked me.
And would you really name your daughter the same name as your friend’s kid?

JO
I’d call him first but—

LINK
I don’t know. I just… don’t feel it.
If one of my friends named their kid the same as mine, I’d find it weird.

A beat.

JO
It’s the first name I ever imagined giving a daughter.

That lands.

LINK
I know.
I just… want to feel that too.

She nods, but it’s the kind of nod that absorbs something.

JO
Hattie then. That’s the diminutive. That’s cute.

Link tests it quietly under his breath.

LINK
Hattie.

He tilts his head.

LINK
Better… but I’m still not there.

He shifts closer, carefully maneuvering his sling so he can rest his hand over her belly.

LINK (CONT’D)
I want to love it when I say it.

Jo watches him. He means it.

JO
Yeah.
I guess I already do.

It’s soft. Honest. Not accusatory.

He looks at her. He hears that.

LINK
What about Brooke?

JO
Absolutely not.

A beat. 

JO
I hate when people name their kid after themselves. It’s weird.

LINK
You’re not Brooke anymore.
(flirting)
And it could be a nod to your resilience. Your beauty. Your grit.

Jo smiles. Then it fades.

JO
Yeah, right.
Or a daily reminder of how crappy my childhood was.

LINK
You kept Brooke as your middle name. 

JO
Because I didn’t want to forget where I came from.
But I don’t want it in my face every single day.

Link immediately softens. 

He brushes his thumb gently across her stomach.

LINK
Okay. No Brooke. 

A small beat.

LINK
(lightly)
What about Melody? We love music.

JO
Seriously?

She narrows her eyes at him.

JO (CONT’D)
This conversation is going nowhere. 

LINK
We are brainstorming. That’s how it works.

JO
Let’s table it. I’m tired.

LINK
(teasing)
Fine. But I’m not giving up on Melody.

JO
Stop. Be serious.

She taps his chest and he winces.

Pain flashes across his face.

JO
(apologetic)
Babe, I’m sorry!

LINK
(laughing through it)
It’s okay. I’m being dramatic.

JO
No, I’m sorry.

They laugh, but it’s softer now.

He shifts closer, resting his forehead gently against hers.

LINK
Whatever their names…

He glances down at her belly.

LINK (CONT’D)
Those girls are going to have the best genes.

JO
I don’t know anything about mine.

He doesn’t joke this time.

He pulls her closer carefully.

LINK
If they’re anything like you…
I’m confident they’ll be the strongest, smartest, most beautiful girls— 

JO
(doesn't let him finish)
Nice save.

LINK
I’m serious.

He kisses her shoulder.

They look at each other — soft, steady — and kiss gently. 

But when she settles back against the pillow, her eyes stay open a moment longer.

Thinking.
The name still there.
Unsettled.

FADE OUT.