Oh, you wouldnt believe this storyits one of those moments that just sticks with you. So, Lydia and her husband, James, were over the moon when they found out they were expecting their first baby. James had been doting on her the whole nine monthsdriving her to uni, making sure she was safe, especially when it was icy out. But then, right before the birth, he got sent off for work. Couldve said no, honestlyhe was planning to quit anyway once the baby came. Who wants to be away on shifts when theres a little one at home?
Well, wouldnt you know it, the moment James was gone, Lydia went into labour. Pain like nothing shed ever felt, and no husband by her side. Not exactly how shed pictured welcoming their firstborn. The baby was healthy, thank goodness, but Lydia? She didnt even want to call James. Let him hear it from someone else, she thought.
She glanced around the ward. Across from her was Natalie, a woman in her forties. Next to her, a young girlEmilywas glued to her phone. And by the door? A woman named Hannah, crying silently into the wall.
After everything shed just been through, Lydia collapsed onto the stiff hospital pillow and fell straight into a deep sleep. Like nothing else in the world existed.
*”Are we feeding the baby?”* The voice cut through Lydias sleep, and she turned, half-expecting it to be for her. But noit was the nurse, standing over Hannah, who still hadnt moved.
*”Come on, love. At least hold her. Look how beautiful she is.”* Hannah stayed frozen.
*”Some people are quick to spread their legs, but slow to take responsibility,”* the nurse muttered before bustling off.
Natalie was the first to speak up, not holding back. *”You think I wanted this? Im forty-three! My sons marriedIm about to be a grandma, and now this? But whats done is done. The babys innocent. If you didnt want her, you wouldnt have kept her. Now shell be tossed around care homesdid you even think about that?”*
Hannah sobbed harder, like a dam had burst.
*”Whats crying going to solve?”* Natalie pressed. *”Take your baby, feed her, and stop being daft.”*
*”Maybe she was assaulted,”* Emily chimed in, finally looking up from her phone. *”Or what if the fathers someone close? A stepdad, even?”*
Lydia listened, her heart aching like it was her own fault. Here she was, with a loving husband, doting parentsand still finding reasons to sulk. Meanwhile, this woman had no one. And neither did the tiny girl whod just come into the world, already unwanted.
That baby would grow up angry. Maybe her mum drank. Maybe the man who promised to marry her bolted the second he found out. No balloons, no flowersjust a mum with nowhere to go and a baby in her arms.
Lydia couldnt stand it. *”If you had somewhere to go would you take her?”*
Hannah stared at her like shed lost her mind. *”Of course. But thats never happening.”* She turned back to the wall, done talking.
A few hours later, Lydia announced, *”Youll stay in the halls. My mums the warden. You can clean, and theyll give you a room.”*
*”Oh!”* Emily piped up. *”Ive got a spare going-home outfit. Ill call my husbandweve got two, why do we need so many?”*
*”Ill bring clothes,”* Natalie said. *”From my daughterused, but good as new. Washed and pressed. We dont need themIve got a son. Grandkids get everything brand-new anyway.”*
By the next day, women from other wards were stopping by with giftsa pram, a crib, a blanket. *”Ive got nothing to give,”* one young mum said, *”but Ill buy formula. Just in case.”*
Hannah broke downnot from despair now, but sheer joy. *”Ill pay you back, Ill work”* she mumbled. The mums just patted her shoulder. *”Pay it forward someday.”*
That night, drifting off, Lydia smiled. Itd all worked out. Hannah would be okay. Shed find someone good. And her little girl? Shed have her mum. What more could she need?
Ever had a story like that? One where everything just falls into place?
