The Deal Breaker...

So things were going along great in my relationship with Joe...until a few weeks ago. After a year and half, I was thinking that maybe something else would happen with us; a ring, asking me to move in or just some moving forward. Things are comfortable, but there are times when I feel like things need be pushed, so I pushed it.
From the beginning Joe has known that I want to have kids someday and in the early stages, he was fine with that. His response was that he didn't have a pressing desire either way, it would be great to have them, but it wouldn't matter if he didn't either. To me, that was acceptable it wasn't a flat out "no way" and it was something to work with. Well I pushed the envelope a few weeks ago and brought it up again. And then...the indifference came out as a now, I am not sure. He explained that the entire thought of being a dad scares the crap of out of him and he's not sure he could handle it. He said that on a daily basis, he has a hard enough time talking to people and what the heck would he talk to a 3 year old about? Oy Vey...is what I was thinking. Really? That is what freaks you out? That's not even a big deal in my opinion.
Then the conversation went elsewhere, because I was asking him a bunch of questions so I could get a handle on where his head is at. Basically, I asked him, why are doing what you do everyday? Meaning, like what's the purpose of working, saving money, having a house, etc. and he couldn't come up with an answer. Which for me is frustrating...I know why I am doing what I am doing and what goal I am trying to reach and then to be in a relationship with someone who can't answer that, makes me worry.
I don't want to beat a dead horse in the questions department, but I need answers and I need them soon. I don't want this to end...but I refuse to give up on what is important to me.