Now that youll finally have a child of your own, its high time she goes back to the orphanage.
When is my son going to get his heir, I wonder? Margaret Stone shot an irritated glance at her daughter-in-law, seated at the kitchen table.
You know as well as I do that weve been trying for a child for three years now, Emily said, exhaling dramatically. Every encounter started with the same inquisition. What was she supposed to do? Doctors had all solemnly agreed: neither she nor Ben was the problem.
Precisely. Three years married and not even a whiff of a child, sniffed Margaret, twisting her lips into a smirk. Perhaps you had a rather colourful past.
Mrs Stone, what is this supposed to mean? Emily couldnt take it anymore and snapped her laptop shut. Any dreams of getting work done that afternoon vanished. Have I ever given you any reason to think such a thing? Honestly, could you not speak to me in this tone?
Oh really, and what if I dont stop? Margaret raised an eyebrow in faux surprise. Youll run to Ben and tattle on me? Not worried hell take my side? I am his mother, after all.
The only reply was the thunderous slam of a door. Naturally, Emily had not the slightest intention of involving Ben. Not that he would necessarily leap to his mothers defence, but honestly, she hated burdening him with it.
********************************************
Emilys relationship with her mother-in-law had been on the rocks from their very first cup of tea. Margaret disapproved of, well, everything. Her appearance was far too plain, her clothes all wrong, her cooking edible at best the list could wrap around Buckingham Palace twice. Margaret did her best to torpedo the relationship, haranguing her son at every turn. Fortunately, Ben possessed the patience of a saint and a stubborn streak to match.
Eventually, there was a wedding. Margaret seemed to begrudgingly settlewell, a little. Moving a fair distance away from the parental home no doubt helped.
But within half a year, Margaret unearthed a brand new angle for her nagging: the couples childlessness.
For a while, Emily tried to brush her off with jokes: Were still young! Want a couple years to ourselves. Besides, theres careers to build! Margaret, however, declared with the certainty of a Royal Proclamation that babies ought to arrive sooner rather than later. In fact, plural would be nice.
Under the constant barrage, Emily reluctantly gave in. And thats when things started getting complicated. Three long years of tests, pills, and doctors galoreall to no avail.
One doctor delicately suggested that perhaps stress was the issue. Margaret, in response, merely hooted, advising a much less fluffy GP.
****************************************
After this latest round with her mother-in-law, Emily attempted to zone out by scrolling through her social feed. Baby photos everywhere squeezed her heart tightyes, she truly wanted a child. Not for Margarets benefit, heavens no, but for herself.
Suddenly, a post caught her eye. A woman was sharing about her work with children in care. So many youngsters out there, with no mum or dad in sight…
Emily paused. Could she love someone elses child as her own? Then her mind conjured the image of a smiling, red-cheeked tot reaching out to her. Without another thought, she pulled the keyboard closer and started hunting for information.
Yes, paperwork galore. Health checks, home visits, and an army of bureaucracy awaited herbut the wish for a child was far stronger than her loathing of red tape.
She just had to get Ben on board. Emily was nervous about his reaction, but to her relief (and slight annoyance), he barely batted an eyelid. He simply suggested they ask for a baby from the nursery. Deal done.
Not long after, their tiny family grew by one: a five-month-old girl named Daisy. Both Emily and Ben fell in love at first sight. The only person wholly opposed waspredictablyMargaret, but no one paid much attention. Ben even announced hed move the family to Scotland if his mother didnt pipe down. Margaret had to swallow her pride andat least in publiccoo over her new granddaughter.
Seven years rolled by. Daisy finished Year One with a string of friends and glowing reports. Emily couldnt have been prouder.
That summer, the whole family trotted off to the seaside. Kindly British sun, bracing waves, sand that managed to get absolutely everywhere pure bliss. Bliss made even better by Margaret being hundreds of miles away and unable to ruin anyones day.
Toward the end of the trip, Emily started feeling a bit off. She didnt mention itno need to worry anyone. But on returning home, she decided to nip to the GP.
Of course, despite her stealth, Ben noticed she wasnt herself and insisted they head back from the seaside early (promising a return visit at Christmas). Emily reluctantly agreed.
The news at the surgery was a bombshell, but a delightful one: she was pregnant! Daisy was over the moon at becoming a big sister; she practised bossing her imaginary sibling daily.
Margaret only discovered the truth when Emilys growing middle became unmissable. Picking a time when Ben was out, she swooped in like an avenging magpie.
I wont ask why you kept it a secret this time, Margaret announced as she inspected Emilys stomach, but I do have another question.
Yes? Emily had a sense of impending doom.
When are you sending Daisy back to the care home? Margaret continued, absolutely stone-faced. Now youll have one of your own, its time for the charity case to return.
Emily was momentarily speechless. Was this woman actually serious? About a child who was now as much a part of them as the family dog (if theyd had one)?
You cant honestly mean that?
I do, and I think its perfectly sensible. Margaret stared expectantly. So when?
Out! Emily hissed, barely holding herself back. And dont ever come round again!
She bundled the dumbfounded Margaret out the door before collapsing in shock. Call Ben? He had a crucial meeting but theyd have to discuss it eventually.
*********************************************
Margaret, fuming, marched straight to Bens office. She brushed past the receptionist like a storm cloud in tweed, barging through the door.
Your precious wife just threw me out like some common criminal!
Hello to you, too, Ben sighed. What on earth did you say to make my long-suffering wife lose her cool?
I only asked when youre taking that girl back to the care home, Margaret huffed, plopping herself into a chair. Soon youll have your own childone wholl need time and, frankly, a lot of money.
How could you even think such a monstrous thing? Ben snapped a pen in half. We are not sending Daisy anywhere. Shes my daughter, end of story.
Since when? Shes just an adoptee. Shell understand if you explain, especially now shes older.
If you so much as say a word to her Ben hurled the mangled pen aside and slammed his fist on the desk. Do you understand me?
And what, precisely, will you do to stop me? Margaret retorted as she swept out. She will never be family, not while Im aliveand I will see to it.
Ben stared at the door long after shed gone. His secretary crept in, apologising for letting Margaret barge through, but he barely heard. He was already thinking what hed need to do next.
Decision made, Ben reached for the phone.
****************************************
Emily ambled through the park, grinning as Daisy buzzed around her toddler brother like a miniature tornado. Shed taken her role as big sister with the seriousness of a knighted Dame.
On a nearby bench, two women gossiped about their own daughters-in-law. Emilys thoughts drifted to her mother-in-lawnot fondly.
After Margarets catastrophic visit, they hadnt seen her since. Within a week, Ben relocated the entire family halfway across England, realising it was the only way to keep Daisys world unbrokenMargaret wouldve happily announced to everyone in town that Daisy was adopted.
Now, life was blissfully peaceful. A wonderful daughter and a cheeky little boyand before long, a third on the way.
Ben sometimes rang his dad and discovered Margaret was now focusing her maternal critique on his recently married sister. Ben pitied her, but apparently his sister didnt mindyet.
Well, their life was their own, and his was his. Watching his smiling family, Ben felt utterly content. He wished the same happiness to everyone elseif only theyd let themselves have it.
