**To Bring Back at Any Cost**
On a cold winter’s day, with thick snowflakes swirling in the air, a young father named Thomas named his daughter *Holly*. “Just as soft and delicate as these snowflakes,” he thought, driving to the hospital where his wife, Elaine, had just given birth.
Elaine adored the name—it suited their fair-haired, gray-eyed little girl perfectly.
Holly grew up surrounded by love. Her parents doted on their little *Snowflake*, as her father often called her. She was nearly six now, convinced she was far too grown-up for nursery. Even Granny Mabel, the sweet old woman who lived across the hall, called her “little one” just to tease her.
“I’m **not** little!” Holly would protest, and Granny Mabel would only smile and nod.
One restless night, Holly lay awake, listening to her parents’ hushed conversation. She loved eavesdropping—it always revealed something interesting. This time, they were talking about the baby boy Elaine was expecting. Holly had already named him *Teddy*, after her favorite boy at nursery—because all Teds must be good, right?
Then came words she didn’t understand—something about a *C-section*.
“I’ve heard babies born that way might develop a bit slower,” Thomas murmured. “And you’ll have to go to the hospital early. Who’ll look after Holly?”
“Let’s not worry yet,” Elaine sighed. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The next time she eavesdropped, they were discussing her birthday.
“Let’s get her gold stud earrings,” Elaine suggested. “We’ve already had her ears pierced.”
“But isn’t that too extravagant?” Thomas hesitated.
“She’ll be a big sister soon—she deserves something special.”
Holly beamed and finally fell asleep. The days crawled until her birthday arrived. That morning, Elaine, one hand resting on her swollen belly, handed her a tiny velvet box.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
Thomas grinned beside her. “Our little Snowflake.”
But just as Holly gasped at the earrings, Elaine suddenly doubled over in pain.
“Thomas—the car! We have to go now. Drop Holly at Granny Mabel’s.”
Holly’s heart sank. Her special day, and now she had to stay with Granny Mabel? No—she’d refuse. Let the old woman come to **her**.
But her parents were gone in minutes. Granny Mabel fed her, checked in all day, but by evening, she’d had enough.
“I’m too old for this back-and-forth. You’re sleeping at mine tonight. Your dad will fetch you later.”
Morning came. Thomas returned—haggard, hollow-eyed.
“Elaine?” Granny Mabel gasped.
He nodded, tears choking his voice.
“Daddy, where’s Teddy?”
“Gone,” he whispered. “Both of them.”
That night, the man who’d never let Holly sleep in their bed now pulled her close, tucking her under the covers where Elaine had once lain.
The funeral blurred in her memory. At the hospital, she’d played in the courtyard while Thomas went inside. Later, she glimpsed Elaine—pale, lifeless. No Teddy.
Days after, Holly clutched her ears—one earring was missing. She wept. That gift from Mummy was everything.
Three months passed. Thomas was haunted. He’d never admitted it, but in his grief, he’d refused his son.
“Are you certain?” the hospital matron had pressed. “You’re in shock, but there are solutions—family, a nanny… You don’t have to take him today.”
“I can’t. I’ve got a six-year-old girl to raise alone.”
“You’ll regret this,” she warned. “Once he’s adopted, you’ll never get him back. What did you plan to name him?”
“Teddy. That’s what Holly wanted.”
Now, guilt gnawed at him. He returned to the hospital, begging for answers. The matron refused.
As he trudged away, a nurse caught up to him.
“I—I know something about your son.”
Hope flared.
“The night your wife died, another woman lost her baby. They… gave her yours.”
“Do you know her name? Address?”
“Only her first name—Holly.”
His breath hitched. The same as his daughter.
He wandered until a jeweler’s shop caught his eye. Holly still wore the remaining earring on a cord around her neck. He’d buy her a chain.
Inside, a young woman stepped up to the pawn counter.
“Can I pledge this earring? I found it—I’ll buy it back later.”
The pawnbroker’s voice carried: “Holly Sinclair?”
Thomas froze. **Holly.**
She turned—ordinary, pretty. In her palm: his daughter’s missing earring.
“Excuse me,” he said. “My little girl lost one just like that. Would you sell it to me?”
She blinked. “I found it near the hospital. I just needed quick cash.”
He paid her generously. Outside, she hesitated.
“I have to go—my baby’s with a neighbor. My little Teddy.”
**Teddy.**
“How old is he?”
“Three months. The nurses said he looked like a little bear.”
His pulse roared. “Where do you live?”
“A student flat. I’m in nursing school. My father would disown me if he knew, so I’m just… managing.”
The pieces fell into place.
“Holly… I have a spare room. My daughter and I live alone. Stay with us—no rent. Just bring Teddy.”
She agreed, bewildered. They collected the baby, returned home. Holly shrieked with joy—her earring was back! And now a *brother*?
A DNA test confirmed it: Teddy was Thomas’s son. A year later, he married Holly Sinclair.
“Now I’ve got two Snowflakes,” he’d say, grinning.
Holly adored her new mother—she was sure Elaine had sent her. On her first day of school, Thomas and Holly walked her there, baby Teddy in a pram.
Holly marched ahead, her long blonde hair in braids, a giant bouquet in hand.
Thomas watched, heart full. His son was toddling now, greeting him with a grin every evening.
They were happy. Finally whole.
