Hey mate, its James here. You know, sometimes I think about just how lucky I’ve been. Ive managed to become a dad and a husband, which is honestly all I ever wanted. I married Emily we met back when we were both in school, and I was completely head over heels for her. She waited for me all through my time away in the RAF, and when I came back, we tied the knot straight away.
First, our eldest, Jack, was born. Three years later, we had another boy, Benjamin. But honestly, I was really hoping wed have a daughter one day. Even when Emily was pregnant the first time, Id tell everyone, I can’t wait for a little girl. Everyone seemed a bit taken aback apparently, most blokes want sons, but I always pictured having a daughter. But life had other plans; first Jack, then Ben arrived.
Emily and I had a good life together. Our lads were growing up quick. Then one day out of the blue, Emily told me she was pregnant again. I was gobsmacked, to be honest a third wasnt in our plans by that point! But after the shock, I was absolutely chuffed.
Right, youre definitely giving me a little girl this time! I said, cracking a grin. Emily laughed, Im certain were having a girl this time!
Both our mums were convinced you know how mums have these odd hunches and the scans seemed to back it up as well. We all started getting excited about finally having a daughter join the family. Jack and Ben even picked out a name for their little sister!
When the time came, I drove Emily (at breakneck speed, of course) to the hospital. I barely slept that whole night couldnt get any rest, worrying about Emily and this new baby. The next morning, I rang up the hospital, and they told me, Congratulations, youve got a son. Weighed 7lb 1oz, 54cm long.
I was floored. I honestly thought thered been some sort of mix-up! We were so certain it would be a girl. But, no we had another little lad. None of us saw that coming. I couldnt get my head around how the sonographer couldve got it so wrong! When I managed to call Emily, still a bit sleep-deprived, I joked, You sure the neighbours not involved? Emily groaned, Oh for goodness sake, what are you on about? It was meant to be a girl! I said as lightly as I could. She said, Youve lost the plot! and hung up on me.
Once Emily was home and I met our new baby, she unwrapped him from the blanket and I saw this tiny bundle, all scrunched up and perfect I fell for him straight away. We called him Charlie, and over the next four-and-a-half years, I taught him to ride a scooter and all that. He didn’t really look like me at all, to be honest a fair bit more like Emily, actually. Whereas Jack and Ben, you could instantly spot they were mine.
One day, I overheard some of the old dears in the street having a natter. They were gossiping: Doesnt Charlie look rather like Simon from number twelve? I felt a bit hurt, not going to lie. I ended up asking Emily, probably far too bluntly, who Charlies dad really was.
Oh, here we go again! How could you even think that? I cant believe youd ask me something like that! she snapped. I just need to know the truth, I insisted. After all, Simon once gave you a lift home! She shot back, I was already pregnant when that happened! I was feeling rubbish and struggling home with enough shopping to feed an army. Since when has a lift been a hanging offence? But the look of Charlie not resembling me at all needled away at me.
So, in true British fashion, one misunderstanding led to another and we had an almighty row. Emily was furious, but eventually agreed to do a DNA test, threatening to divorce me afterwards if it would finally get me to drop it.
Then a couple of weeks later, I happened to bump into Simon while I was putting the rubbish out. He was thirty-five already, still hadnt settled down. I looked at him, then thought of Charlie, and you know what? They didnt look alike in the slightest.
I went back inside, deep in thought, sat quietly in the kitchen. Suddenly, Charlie climbed onto my lap for a cuddle and started prattling on about something, and honestly, my heart felt so light. What was I even thinking? I didnt need a piece of paper to know he was my boy. I scooped him up, went to Emily, and said, Lets forget the daft test.
She crossed her arms, a bit wounded, But I was ready to prove it to you! To show you I never strayed!
I spent that week begging her to forgive me, regretting having doubted her. Eventually, she forgave me, and life ticked on as usual. The boys grew up; our eldest, Jack, got married and soon after, his wife had a little girl we finally had a granddaughter! Emily and I are proper grandparents at last, and Ive never been so delighted. I know Ill absolutely dote on her, just like I do on all three of my lads.
