Youre forty-one and still thinking of having a baby! Richard shouted at Emily. Most women your age are grandmothers! Emily, dont be ridiculous. You can ignore us all you want, I get that. But have you even considered the child? I dont want to be leaning on a walking stick at her wedding! And what if something happens to us while shes still young? Sort this out, or Ill divorce you!
Emily had been married to Richard for twenty years. Shed married him young, still a university student. All this time, shed believed he was her closest confidant, her rock. It never crossed her mind hed ever turn against her.
Recently, their family had been torn apart by the sudden news of a late pregnancy. Richard was adamantly against it.
Emily, have you lost your mind? Deciding to become a mother at your age? Weve got three wonderful sonsJames is already at uni, and Oliver and Thomas are finishing Year 9. Isnt that enough? What will the boys think? That their parents have gone mad?
Richard, Ive always dreamed of a daughter, Emily insisted. If Gods sent us this child, why shouldnt she be born?
And if its another boy, will we keep trying for a fifth? Richard snapped.
I just know its a girl.
Even the boys didnt support her. When they heard about the baby, Oliver and Thomas flatly refused to share their room. James, the eldest, voiced his concerns too.
Mum, arent you scared at your age? What if something happens to you?
Everything will be fine, Emily reassured him. Im not that old!
This wasnt the first time Richard had objected to a pregnancy. When Emily was expecting the twins, money was tight. They lived with Richards parents, and Emily often clashed with her mother-in-law. But when the doctor announced twins, everything changed. Richards mother gave them money for a house deposit, and he became more attentive. Oliver and Thomas turned out to be calm babies, and James adored helping with his brothers.
This time, Emily hoped things would magically fall into place. But by the third week, she was overwhelmed with morning sickness. A nail technician for over a decade, she was used to the strong smells of polishes and oilsnow, just the sight of them made her nauseous. Medication didnt help, and she had to quit work.
Too weak to cook or clean, Emily spent her days in bed. Groceries became an extra burden, and Richard, a paramedic, worked double shifts to make ends meet. James switched to evening classes, picking up shifts at an electronics shop. Even her parents disapproved, saying it was too late and dangerous. Neighbors whispered behind her back.
At her second-trimester scan, the sonographer studied the monitor intently, murmuring numbers to the nurse. Emily lay perfectly still, afraid to even breathe. After half an hour, she finally asked, Doctor, is it a boy or a girl?
A girl. But theres a problem.
Emilys stomach dropped. Whats wrong?
A neural tube defect. Normally, it should be closed by now, but hers isnt. She could be disabled.
Emily broke down. Isnt there anything we can do?
The doctor looked away in silence.
Numb, Emily stumbled home. Richard was heating leftovers in the microwave. The boys were out.
I had the scan today, she began. Its a girl. But theres something wrong.
Richard tensed. What?
A neural tube defect.
What did Dr. Wilson say?
Nothing. He suggested termination, but I refused. I cant do that, Richard. Shes still our daughter!
Youre insane! Do you even understand what this means? Shell be disabledif she survives at all. Tomorrow, were going back. Ill get the referral myself.
Im not going. And dont try to change my mind.
Then dont expect my support! I wont watch you sufferor that child!
Richard stormed off, packing a bag.
Youre leaving? Emily sobbed. Running from this? Shes yours too!
I wont indulge this! Think about our boyshave you ever seen what raising a disabled child is like? My mother had a brother with a congenital defect. He lived six months. I still remember the horror. She never wanted more kids. Neither do I. And Im taking the boys.
He walked out.
Richards mother, Margaret, was startled when he arrived with his bags.
Whats happened? A fight with Emily?
More than that. Shes insisting on keeping a disabled baby. My opinion means nothing.
Its her body, Richard. And the babys.
He sank into a chair. Mum, would you have had Uncle Peter if youd known?
Of course! I prayed for a miracle. And ultrasounds arent foolproofremember when Mrs. Carter was told her baby had a heart defect? Hes perfectly healthy now.
Richard paused. Dr. Wilson had a reputation for mistakes. The next morning, he went to the cliniconly to find the ultrasound machine broken. The receptionist sighed. Third time this month. Cheap equipment.
Doubt gnawed at him. A friend worked at a private clinic, and Richard decided to take Emily there.
She was shocked when he returned, demanding they leave immediately. At the clinic, the doctor examined Emily carefully before smiling.
Everythings normal. Your daughters perfectly healthy. Would you like to hear her heartbeat?
Tears streamed down Richards face as the tiny pulse filled the room. Emily asked about the previous diagnosis.
The tube is closed. Shes developing right on schedule.
Relief washed over them. Emily had follow-up scansall confirming the babys health.
When little Charlotte was born, even the skeptics visited.
She looks just like you, Margaret whispered, cradling her granddaughter. Look at those blue eyes. Im so proud, Richard.
He adored Charlotte from the start, spending every free moment with her.
Fancy watching telly with me? Emily teased.
Later, hed say, grinning. Charlotte and I have important business. Dont we, love?
Even the boys, whod sworn they wanted nothing to do with a baby, set up a rota for walking her. Emily trusted them completely.
Sometimes, the greatest blessings come when we least expect themand the deepest love grows where we feared it couldnt.
