Youll finally have a child of your own, so its time to send her back to the orphanage.
When is my son finally going to give me a grandchild? Margaret Johnsons voice, sharp with impatience, cut through the stillness at the dining table. Her narrowed eyes fixed on her daughter-in-law seated opposite.
You must know as well as I do that weve tried for three years now, Emma said, her voice weary. Every visit began the same way, like a well-rehearsed monologue she dreaded. What more could she say? The doctors, after all, insisted there was no reasonnone at allwhy either she or David shouldnt be able to have children.
Precisely. Married this long, and still nothing to show for it, Margaret replied, her lip curling in a smug smile. Perhaps your youth was rather eventful?
Emma lost her composure, slamming her laptop shut with a snap. Working was impossible now, anyway. What is that supposed to mean? Ive never given you reason to talk to me this way. I wish youd stop.
Oh, and what will you dorun to David? Are you not afraid hell take my side? After all, I am his mother.
All Emma could do was answer with the bang of the kitchen door behind her. She would never tell David about his mothers latest insult; not because she feared hed take Margarets side, but to spare him from yet more family strife.
**************************************************
Emma and her mother-in-law had never managed to get along, not since the first meeting. Margaret disapproved of everything about herher quiet appearance, her sense of style, her cooking. The list was endless. She had tried everything to drive a wedge between Emma and David, but fortunately, David had learned to stand his ground.
Eventually, they married. With a bit of luck and determination, the young couple moved into their own flat, miles from the stately Johnson family home.
Yet, barely six months passed before Margaret found a new bone to picktheir lack of children.
At first, Emma laughed it off, claiming they wanted a little more time for themselves, the chance to focus on their careers. Margaret, however, was relentless: you must have children as soon as possible. More than one, if you can.
Under the pounding pressure of her mother-in-law, Emma relented. But then the problems began. For three years, Emma saw specialist after specialist, tried different medicationsnothing worked.
One doctor tentatively suggested that the problem might be psychological, a possibility that made Margaret laugh out loud. She told Emma to get a new doctor instead.
******************************************
After every difficult talk with Margaret, Emma found herself scrolling absently through social media to distract herself. The endless stream of baby photos tugged at her heart. She wanted a childdesperately. Not to please her mother-in-law, but for herself.
Her attention was caught by a post from a woman who worked at a childrens home. There were so many children in the world with no one to call Mum or Dad
Emma paused, lost in thought. Could she truly love another womans child as her own? And then she imagined a childs warm arms thrown around her neck and her resolve sharpened. She pulled the laptop close and began researching. Yes, the process was dauntingendless forms, medical checks, red tapebut her longing drowned out any fear.
All that remained was Davids agreement. Emmas stomach tightened at the thought of suggesting it to him, but to her reliefand surprisehe smiled and said yes. He even suggested adopting a baby, straight from the childrens home. They agreed.
Before long, their little family grew by one. From the moment they saw baby Gracefive months old with curious blue eyesboth of them fell in love instantly. Margaret, however, raged at the very idea, but no one listened to her anymore. David even threatened to move far away if she didnt stop with her tantrums. At last, Margaret was forced to bite her tongue and, in front of others, pretend to love her granddaughter.
Seven years went by. Grace finished her first year at school, made a crowd of friends, and grew bright and kind. Emmas heart brimmed with pride every time she looked at her daughter.
That summer, the family went holidaying on the Dorset coast. Sun on their faces, warm sand beneath their feet, the gentle British seawhat else could a family want? Especially with Margaret safely stranded back in London, too far away to meddle.
As the holiday drew to a close, Emma started feeling unwell, but said nothing to anyonewhy worry them? Back home, though, she went straight to the GP.
David, attentive as ever, noticed something wasnt right and insisted on leaving early, promising a return trip during the Christmas holidays. Emma could only agree.
The news from the hospital came as an enormous, joyful shocka miracle, almost. Emma was pregnant. Of everyone, Grace was the most jubilant; shed always wanted to be a big sister.
Margaret found out a few months later, when Emmas condition became too obvious to hide. She picked her moment, waiting until Emma was home alone before storming round.
I wont ask why no one told me sooner, Margaret declared, barely through the front door, her gaze fixed pointedly on Emmas rounded belly. Im here to ask something else.
Emmas chest tightened. What is it?
When will you send Grace back to the childrens home? Now that youll have a child of your own, its time for the fosterling to go.
Emma could hardly breathe, the words sounding like a death sentence. How could anyone say that about a child, about a girl who was family?
Are you honestly serious?
Absolutely, Margaret huffed, her eyes cold and demanding. So?
Get out, Emma spat, trembling with fury and anguish, barely resisting the urge to lash out. And dont ever come back.
She shoved Margaret outside and slammed the door, then slumped against it to steady herself. Should she call David? He had an important meeting today; she hated to disturb him but they would have to speak.
*********************************************
Margaret, seething, marched straight to Davids office. Ignoring the secretarys protests, she barged into his room.
Your wife has just thrown me outmeout of the house like a common criminal!
Hello to you too, Mum, David replied with a deep, exhausted sigh. What could you possibly have said to make Emma, the most patient woman I know, behave that way?
I simply asked when you two were sending that girl back to the home, Margaret replied, lowering herself primly into a chair. At last, youll have your own childand theyll need all your care, and frankly, your money.
Has it ever occurred to you how vile that sounds? David snapped, crushing his pen in his hand, snapping it in two. Grace is my daughter, whether you like it or notand were never sending her anywhere.
Dont be ridiculous. Shes just adopted. Old enough to understand, if you bothered to explain.
You mustnt dare say a word to her, David warned, flinging the broken pen aside and slamming his fist on the desk. Do you understand me?
And what will you do to stop me? Margaret sneered, rising to leave. Theres no place in this family for that girl. Ill see to it.
David watched the door swing closed, breathing hard. The secretary poked her head in, apologising for letting his mother through unannounced, but he didnt hear her. He was lost in thought, weighing difficult choices. Then, he reached for the phone and dialled.
****************************************
Emma strolled slowly through the park, her eyes dancing as she watched Grace spinning joyfully around her toddling baby brother. Grace had embraced her role as big sister with utter devotion.
On a nearby bench, two elderly ladies gossiped about their daughters-in-law, and Emmas thoughts drifted unwillingly to Margaret.
Since that ugly encounter, Margaret had vanished from their lives. Within the week, David had packed up the family; they moved hundreds of miles away from London, knowing it was the only way to protect Grace from rumour and spite. Margaret, after all, would think nothing of telling the world the child was adopted.
Life was peaceful now. They had their sweet daughter, their lively little son, and before long, would be welcoming a third child.
David kept in touch with his father, who let slip that Margarets fury hadnt subsided; now she had turned her attention to Davids newlywed sister. Poor womanDavid was sorry for her, but she didnt seem to mind.
Everyone finds their own happiness, David thought, looking at his little family, happiness blooming in his heart. And he wouldnt want anything morefor them, or anyone else.
