I didn't mention it, but in my what ifs, I did try to go non-binary, but it wasn't working for me, either. But, a friend made me realize that if she is trying to name the kid after a person whose name she can't remember and who her husband was seeking, the woman could be Nicole, but they could name the kid Nicholas it it's a boy. I agree that it still resonates if it's a girl, but I like the symmetry of it being a boy. But then, it could be a girl, symbolic of him breaking the pattern, shown because the pattern has changed. Ugh. I'll probably just start writing and see which I keep typing. Lol

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement!