“Forty-one and still thinking of a child!” James shouted at Emily. “Most women your age are grandmothers. Emily, dont be ridiculous.
Fine, I see you dont care what I think. But have you even considered the child? I dont want to be hooked up to an IV at her wedding! What if something happens to us while shes still young? This is your decision. Either you change your mind, or Ill leave!”
Emily and James had been married for twenty years. She had wed him young, still a university student. All this time, shed believed him to be her rock, her closest confidant. Never had she imagined he would turn against her.
Recently, a fierce argument had erupted in their homeover the unexpected late pregnancy. James was adamant:
“Emily, have you lost your mind? Deciding to be a mother now? We already have three wonderful sons. Jacks at university, and Oliver and Thomas are finishing Year 8. Isnt that enough? What will the boys think? That their parents have gone mad?”
“James, Ive always dreamed of a daughter,” Emily insisted. “If God has blessed us, why shouldnt she be born?”
“And if its another boy, will we try for a fifth?” James snapped.
“I know itll be a girl.”
The boys didnt support her either. When they heard about the pregnancy, the twins, Oliver and Thomas, refused outright to share their room. The eldest, Jack, voiced his doubts:
“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. When she was expecting the twins, James had been just as reluctant. Jack was only three, money was tight, and they lived with Jamess parents. Emily often clashed with her mother-in-law.
But when the doctor said it was twins, everything changed. Her mother-in-law gave James money for a house deposit. He became more attentive. Oliver and Thomas, surprisingly, were calm babies, and Emily even got some rest. Jack adored having playmates and helped with his brothers.
Now, Emily hoped that, as if by magic, things would work out again. But by the third week, troubles beganshe felt ill at work.
For over a decade, Emily had been a nail technician, accustomed to the strong smells of polishes and oils. Now, just the sight of the bright bottles made her nauseous. Pills didnt help, and she had to quit.
She spent her days bedridden, unable to wash dishes, let alone clean. The family had to buy takeaway, which didnt please James or the boys.
With her income gone, finances grew tight. James, a paramedic, worked double shifts. Jack switched to evening classes, working at an electronics shop by day.
Emilys parents disapproved, saying it was too late and dangerous. Neighbours whispered behind her back. She felt utterly alone.
At her second-trimester scan, the doctor frowned at the monitor, murmuring numbers. Emily lay still, afraid to breathe.
Finally, she asked, “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A girl. But theres a problema neural tube defect. Its serious. By now, it should be closed. Your daughter may be disabled.”
Emily burst into tears. “Cant anything be done? Are there treatments?”
The doctor looked away.
Stumbling out, Emily drove home in a daze. She sat in the car, sobbing.
Inside, James was heating dinner. The boys were out.
“I had the scan today,” she said. “Its a girl. But theres a problema neural tube defect.”
James tensed. “What did Dr. Harris say?”
“Nothing. He suggested termination, but I refused. I cant do it, James! Shes still my daughter!”
“Youre insane! Do you know what this means? Shell be disabledif she survives. Tomorrow, were going back. Ill get the referral myself.”
“I wont go.”
“Then dont expect my support! I wont watch you sufferor her!”
James stormed off, packing a bag.
“Are you leaving me?” Emily cried. “Running from this? Shes yours too!”
“I wont tolerate this! I agreed when you wanted to keep it, thinking itd be fine. But I wont indulge your recklessness. Have you thought about the boys? Have you ever seen a disabled child? My mother had a son after mehe lived six months. I remember the horror. She never wanted more. Neither do I. Im taking the boys.”
He left.
Jamess mother, Margaret, was shocked to see him at her door.
“Fallen out with Emily?”
“Worse. Shes insisting on keeping a disabled child. Its her choice, but I wont stand for it.”
“James, a mother and child are one. The decision is hers. Calm downlet me make tea.”
He sighed. “Mum, would you have had Ivan if youd known he was ill?”
“Of course! I hoped till the end. Back then, they couldnt operate. And scans arent infallible. Has Dr. Harris never made a mistake?”
James remembered their neighbour, KateDr. Harris had warned of a heart defect, but her son was born healthy. Complaints about him werent rare.
The next morning, James went to the clinic. The ultrasound room was closedthe machine had broken again.
Doubt gnawed at him. An old colleague worked at a private hospital. He decided to take Emily there.
She was stunned when he returned. “Get ready,” he said. “Were going private.”
The doctor there smiled. “Everythings normal. Your daughters perfectly healthy. Would you like to hear her heartbeat?”
James wept. Emily asked about the earlier diagnosis.
“The neural tube is closed. Shes healthy. Heres the report.”
Relief washed over them.
Emily had further scans, all confirming her daughters health.
Little Daisy was born perfectly well. At the hospital, even those whod urged termination came.
“She looks just like you,” Margaret told James, cradling Daisy. “Look at those blue eyes. Im proud of you, son.”
James adored her, spending every free moment with her.
“Fancy watching telly with me?” Emily teased.
“Later,” hed say. “Daisy and I have things to do.”
The boys, whod sworn they didnt want a baby, set up a rota for walks with their sister. Emily trusted them completely.
Sometimes, the greatest blessings come when we least expect themand the hardest choices lead to the sweetest rewards.
