Emma and her husband Oliver burst into her parents house, breathless.
“Mum, Dad, you asked us to come overwhats happened?”
The truth was, it had been coming for a while. Mum had been unwell, battling a serious illness, stage two
Shed undergone chemotherapy, then radiotherapy. There had been remission, and her hair had even started growing back. But now, it seemed the worst wasnt overMum was getting weaker again.
“Emma, Oliver, come in,” Mum said softly, pale and thin as a child.
“Sit down, both of you. Weve got an unusual requesthear your mother out,” Dad said, sounding uncertain.
Emma and Oliver perched on the sofa, eyes fixed on Mum. Margaret sighed, glancing at her husband, William, as if searching for strength.
“Emma, Oliver, dont be shocked, but Ive got a rather odd favour to ask. The thing is were begging you.”
Adopt a little boy for us, please. Were too old now, and there are other reasons too.
Silence.
Emma was the first to speak.
“Mum, youll be surprisedweve actually been thinking the same thing. Weve always wanted a son, but weve got two daughters already, your granddaughters. And theres no guarantee a third would be a boy.”
But it wasnt just thather health wasnt what it used to be. After two C-sections, doctors advised against more pregnancies. So adoption had crossed their minds too.
Then you go and suggest the same thing! How did you even think of this?
“Emma, I dont know where to start,” Margaret said, nervously running a hand over her short hair. “The truth is, Ive worsened again.”
Then her old friend, Auntie Nancy from work, came byremember her? She used to have that mole over her eye.
Doctors had warned her to remove it, said it might turn dangerous. But when Nancy visited, the mole was goneshe looked radiant.
Shed gone to see Granny Rose in the countrysidesome sort of healer. And now Nancy wouldnt stop insisting I go too.
Emma and Oliver listened, puzzled.
“So, kids,” Margaret continued, “when we got there, Granny Rose asked me something strange’Do you have a son?'”
When I told her I only had Emma and two granddaughtersSophie and Lilyshe pressed further: “And before your daughter?”
I was stunned. No one knew about the late-term miscarriage except Dad and me. There shouldve been a sonmy firstborn, before you, Emma.
He didnt make it. Margaret twisted the hem of her blouse.
“And then?” Emma whispered, wide-eyed.
“Granny Rose said, ‘Adopt a boy.’ Just like that. Then she walked off. I wept like Id failed him somehowlike I owed another little boy the love I couldnt give him.”
And the more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. Not to get betterjust to give some lonely child a home. Do you understand?
Emma threw her arms around her mother, crying. “Mum, I do. Lets do this.”
Soon, Emma and Oliver arranged to visit an orphanage, paperwork already in motion. Margaret and William came too.
In the playroom, toddlers sat on the rug, stacking blocks.
“Mum, lookthat little blond boy, hes so focused, tongue sticking out. He reminds me of you!” Emma pointed.
Margaret smiledhe was sweet. But then, from the corner of the room, a quiet voice.
A slightly older boy stood apart, eyes sad. He muttered something under his breath.
“Are you talking to us?” Margaret asked gently.
He stepped forward. “Please, maam, take me. I promise you wont regret it.”
The adoption went smoothly. Sophie and Lily adored their new brother, Noah. He visited Granny and Grandpa oftenthey lived close by.
Oddly, he called Margaret “Mum Margaret.” She never corrected him.
When doctors urged stronger treatment, Noah clung to her.
“Mum Margaret, why are you sick? I want you to get better.”
“I dont know, love. But Ill tryI promise.”
Surgery was riskyfifty-fifty odds. On the day, tension filled the house.
William found Noah in the bedroom, clutching Margarets dressing gown, crying.
“Mum Margaret, dont go. I cant lose you again. Please stay with me.”
The phone rang. The surgeons voice was weary.
Williams heart dropped. Had they lost her?
“Mr. Thompson? The surgery was difficult, but she pulled through. Frankly, it was a miraclelike something was keeping her here. Shes got more to live for, clearly.”
Noah clung to William, sobbing.
“You heard? Shes alive!” William held him tight. “Thank you, son. Thank you for praying for her.”
Sometimes love finds its way back in the most unexpected forms. And sometimes, the heart knows exactly who it belongs toeven before the mind catches up.
