Happiness is having family behind you
When Edward returned from the army, he was even fitter than when he’d left. The youngest in a big family—his parents had four sons—Edward seemed to have inherited the best from all of them. Tall, broad-shouldered, with fair hair and kind blue eyes, he was always ready to help, and, well, let’s just say God hadn’t skimped on strength either.
Three days after coming back to his village, Meadowbrook, he’d already caught up with all his relatives and friends. On his way back from the shop, he spotted Emily. He froze, staring at the beautiful girl—though she was a bit on the short side.
“Blimey, we’ve got some stunners around here. Did I miss something, or did all the girls grow up while I was away?” He grinned as he greeted her.
“Hello, gorgeous. Can’t say I remember you—whose daughter are you?”
She laughed. “Hello! I’m my mum and dad’s daughter, obviously. You wouldn’t remember me; I’m not from around here.”
“I’m Edward. And you?”
“Emily. Emily Carter. I’m a primary school teacher—moved here a year ago.”
“Ah, right. Well, I’ve just got back from the army.”
They stood chatting like old friends, so long that the neighbours started giving them looks. In a village, that’s as good as an engagement announcement. And truth be told, Edward and Emily hit it off so well neither wanted to leave.
That evening, Edward couldn’t stop thinking about her.
“Mum, where’s that new teacher Emily staying?”
His mother raised an eyebrow. “The old cottage by the church—Mrs. Wilkins’ place. She passed years ago, but the house is still solid. Why? Fancy her already?”
“Suppose I do,” he admitted before heading off.
Soon enough, they were courting, and before long, Edward proposed. Emily said yes. The wedding was the talk of the village. Some of the local girls weren’t pleased.
“Why’d he go and marry an outsider? Plenty of pretty girls right here!”
But over time, they warmed to her—especially since Emily was so good with the children at school. The kids adored her, and so did their parents.
Edward moved into Emily’s cottage—his family home was already packed with one of his brothers and his brood. He was handy, could turn his hand to anything, and had the strength to match.
“Em, I’ll build us an extension. Bit tight in here, especially when we have kids,” he announced one evening.
She smiled. “Sounds perfect.”
A few years later, their house was the envy of Meadowbrook—big, sturdy, just like Edward himself. Emily was thrilled. Life was good—except for one thing. No children.
Emily loved kids, poured herself into teaching, but their own never came.
“Why can’t I get pregnant?” she’d wonder, worried Edward might leave if she couldn’t give him a family.
“Maybe it’s me,” Edward would think, equally afraid she’d walk away.
Neither dared see a doctor—too scared of the verdict. Then one night, watching telly, Emily saw a programme about adoption.
“What if we took in a child from foster care?” she blurted over dinner.
Edward nearly choked. “Blimey, you read my mind. I’ve been thinking the same but didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“I’m so glad!” She flung her arms around him.
After some research, they drove to the city. The children’s home was tucked behind a high fence near the hospital. The director, Mrs. Bennett, welcomed them warmly.
“Take a seat. I imagine this will be a long chat.”
She explained everything, asked about them, and finally led them to meet the children.
There weren’t many. Emily’s eyes landed on a seven-year-old boy—stocky, blue-eyed, a bit like Edward. The boy noticed them too.
Mrs. Bennett whispered, “That’s Oliver. He’s got a little brother, George. We can’t separate them.”
Emily took one look at Edward’s faint smile and knew.
“Yes,” they said together.
Mrs. Bennett beamed. “Children don’t raise themselves. It’s hard work—but then, you’d know that, being a teacher.”
“Absolutely,” Emily agreed. “And every child deserves love.”
Soon, Oliver and George came home. Oliver, already in first year, proudly walked to school with Emily. One day, he told George, “These are our mum and dad now. The best ones.”
Emily cried happy tears later, and Edward’s eyes weren’t exactly dry either.
The boys thrived, fishing with Edward, helping around the house. Then one day, Mrs. Bennett called.
“Would you consider taking in a little girl?”
Edward and Emily exchanged glances.
Two-year-old Eva, orphaned and alone, looked just like Emily.
“She’s ours,” Edward said instantly.
“I always wanted a daughter,” Emily admitted. “Someone to braid hair for, to dress up, a little helper.”
Eva fit right in. Oliver carried her in, announcing, “Mum, our family just got bigger!”
Years flew by. Oliver joined the army, then signed up full-time. He called often, sending love to “the littles”—George and Eva.
And so, in their big house in Meadowbrook, Edward and Emily lived happily, surrounded by love. Because happiness, after all, is having family behind you.
