**The Realisation**
“Al,” Kate entered the room, hands behind her back, a mysterious smile lighting up her face.
Alex grinned, expecting good news or maybe a little surprise.
“What’ve you got there?” He sat forward on the sofa, curiosity tugging at him. “Come on, don’t keep me waiting.”
“Here.” Kate extended her hand, something resting on her palm. Alex’s smile faltered as he squinted, not quite understanding.
“What is it?” He leaned back, suddenly uneasy.
“Look!” Kate stepped closer, still holding the small object. “I’m pregnant!” she burst out, voice trembling with barely contained joy.
*Pregnant.* The word echoed in Alex’s mind. His grin vanished. He stared at her like she’d turned into a stranger.
Kate’s smile dimmed, like stage lights fading before a play begins. She clenched the pregnancy test in her hand and slowly lowered it.
“You’re not happy?” Her voice wobbled, this time not from excitement but from tears held back.
“Kate, we agreed—we were waiting,” Alex snapped, anger sharpening his words. “Did you stop taking the pills?”
“I missed one, just once, and then—” Kate sank onto the sofa beside him. Alex shifted away, as if afraid of catching something.
“What were you thinking? Why didn’t you tell me? You really want nappies and sleepless nights? You’re still a kid yourself.” He stood, pacing the room.
“Kate, let’s talk about this properly—”
“I’m not getting rid of it,” she said. Tears shone in her eyes. “I know it’s a boy. He’ll look like you.”
Her words pinned Alex to the spot. Kate stared at him with desperate defiance. A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Listen,” Alex sat beside her again, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. *Screaming won’t help. Be gentle, coax her…*
Kate shoved his hand away and jumped up as if she’d heard his thoughts.
“I. Won’t. Get. Rid. Of. It.” Each word was sharp, deliberate.
“Kate, I didn’t say that. I was just shocked. I’m sorry.” He caught her hand, pulling her onto his lap. “Silly girl, I love you so much.” He stroked her arm. “Don’t cry, it’s not good for the baby.”
“Are you really happy?” she whispered, wiping her cheeks.
“Of course,” Alex said lightly, though his mind raced. *Nine months—almost a year. Anything could happen…*
—
Weeks passed. Alex noticed no changes in Kate. Maybe the test was wrong—weren’t they sometimes? But then the sickness started. She grew pale, barely ate, barely left the house. Gone were their nights out—cinema, dinners, drinks with friends. Now Kate lay curled up, rejecting even the smell of meat.
“Kate, it’s Rob’s birthday Saturday,” Alex said carefully.
“Go alone. I wouldn’t last five minutes at the table,” she muttered, facing the wall.
Alex hid his relief. He’d hoped she’d refuse, but not this easily.
At the party, he revelled in freedom—jokes, drinks, laughter. He stumbled home late. Kate was still curled up, unmoving.
Then her belly swelled. She tossed and turned at night, sighing, snapping, refusing him in bed. His frustration grew with her waistline.
“When are you finally getting married?” His mum asked during a visit. “Just sign the papers. I warned you—”
“Don’t start!” Alex cut her off. “I’ve had enough.”
On the way home, he stopped at a pub. He’d barely closed his eyes when Kate shook him awake.
“Al! Wake up!”
“What?” he mumbled, eyes still shut.
“It hurts. My back, my stomach—I think it’s time.”
Alex jolted upright, fumbling for his phone. Dead. He grabbed Kate’s. “I’ll call a cab. Get dressed.”
In the hallway, Kate sat hunched on the stool, a coat thrown over her nightdress, a bulky bag at her feet.
“Got your papers? Let’s go.”
They shuffled downstairs, stopping when the pain gripped her. The taxi waited outside.
“St Mary’s, quick,” Alex ordered as they climbed in.
Kate gasped, hands clutching her belly. In the cramped car, she seemed enormous, biting her lip against the pain.
“Hold on,” Alex murmured, forcing calm into his voice.
At the hospital, he half-carried her inside, hammering on the reception window.
“Oi, quiet!” A midwife’s tired face appeared. “Come in, love,” she said to Kate, taking the bag. “You—wait outside. Call this number.” The door slammed in Alex’s face.
Through the glass, he watched the midwife lead Kate away, bent double.
“Kate!” She didn’t turn.
Four hours later, his son was born. Dazed, Alex went to his mum’s.
“Congrats, Dad. Let’s shop.”
They cleared half the baby store, barely squeezing the haul into a cab. That evening, Alex drank with mates, laughter drowning out their warnings about sleepless nights.
“Celebrating without me?” A familiar voice purred in his ear. Soft hands touched his shoulders. “Missed you, handsome.”
“Nat?” He turned, grinning.
“Careful, love—he’s a dad now!” A mate handed her champagne.
Alex remembered nothing else. He woke in an unfamiliar room, head pounding.
“Rise and shine, Papa.” Nat smirked from the doorway.
“Your place? Why am I—?”
“Relax. You stayed faithful.” She perched on the bed. “I missed you. Expected gratitude.”
Alex flinched as she leaned in. “Nat, don’t.”
“Breakfast? Or just leaving?”
Dressing quickly, he ignored her offer to stay.
“I’ll wait,” she called as the door shut.
—
Three days later, Alex arrived at the hospital with roses, his mum, and Kate’s mother.
“Here you go, Dad.” The midwife handed him a bundle. He expected a chubby, poster-perfect baby. Instead, a tiny, red, wrinkled face peered from the blankets. He felt nothing but distaste.
At home, silence lasted minutes before the wailing began. The women fussed. Alex felt useless.
Night after night, the screams continued. Kate withered; Alex stumbled through work, craving sleep.
Autumn came. Leaves crunched underfoot as Alex left the office. A car honked—Nat’s.
“Hop in. Family life treating you rough?”
“Exhausted,” he admitted.
“Come sleep at mine. No funny business.”
He woke refreshed. Nat had made breakfast.
“Thanks, Kate,” he mumbled through toast.
“Nat,” she corrected lightly.
“Did I—? Sorry, gotta run.” He kissed her cheek.
“Come back anytime.”
Days later, he stood at her door again.
“Knew you’d come.” She pulled him inside.
Alex woke to silence—no screams, just Nat’s steady breathing. He slept deeply.
“Can I stay?” he asked next morning.
“Stay,” she said, smiling.
On his way to work, Alex rehearsed telling Kate he wouldn’t return. He didn’t want this. *She* chose the baby. He sent a voice note—angry, final.
Then, stuck in traffic, he saw a man tossing a giggling toddler while a young woman watched. Something about her reminded him of Kate.
He imagined his son—walking, laughing. Had he missed it all?
“Nat… why don’t you want kids?”
Silence. Then—
“I do. But I can’t. Bad abortion years ago.” Her voice turned bitter. “Men want to hear ‘no kids.’ You said it too. Then I saw Kate—pregnant. I hated you. Wanted to ruin it all.”
She slammed the steering wheel. “Why her? Not me?”
Alex stared. “Nat, I—”
“Just go.” Her voice cracked. “You still love her. Go.”
“Nat—”
“Leave!”
He stepped out. The Audi sped away.
Alex ran, swerving into a shop to grab a stuffed bear. At Kate’s flat, he rang the bell, suddenly fearing he’d wake the baby.
The door opened. Kate—hair piled up, healthier, lovelier—said nothing, just walked away.
No men’s shoes by the door.
Inside, she sat on the floor, stacking blocks with a toddler. The boy squealed as they toppled.
“Bear,” Alex said, crouching. The boy reached for it.
He tossed his son gently. The boy shrieked with laughter, two tiny teeth gleaming.
“Careful!” Kate gasped.
“He’s fine,” Alex whispered, catching him. “My dad did this with me… the only thing I remember.”
He kissed the boy’s head. “Marry me?” His voice broke. “Kate met his gaze, tears in her eyes, and softly whispered, “Welcome home.”
