“I just dont understand you, love. Youre a woman, after allwhats that poor little girl done wrong? So shes from another womanso what? Youll raise her, and shell call you Mum soon enough. Thats just how its turned out, but youve got to be the bigger person. If you love your husband, love his daughter too.”
The call from social services came out of the blueJames had a daughter he never knew existed.
“Emily, sit down, love. Theres something I need to tell you,” James sighed.
“Social services rang today. My daughters in foster care.” Emily gasped, then blinked.
“Your *what*? Since when? Are you joking?”
James shook his head. “No, Em. Not joking. About six years ago, before you and I got serious, I was seeing a woman named Lucy. When things got serious with you, I ended it with her. A year later, she tracked me down and said shed had a girlSophie. I didnt believe her at first, but one look at the kid and well, no DNA test needed. No idea what happened to Lucy after that. They just called and asked if Id take Sophie in or not.”
Emilys first instinct was to snap, *”No, I dont want some strangers child!”* But the look in Jamess eyes made her say something else entirely.
“Alright. Lets go meet her first. Together.”
James brightened, and by the next morning, they were on their way. Emily studied the little girltiny for five, clutching a threadbare teddy bear, hiding her face in its fur whenever spoken to. If she was honest, Sophie didnt charm her. Pity, yes. But resentment? That too. Whatever jealousy shed felt for Lucy had now shifted to this quiet child.
Turns out, Lucy hadnt been much of a mothertoo fond of nightlife and the bottle, never sparing a thought for her daughter. But shed named James as the father, and that was that.
James was adamant about bringing Sophie home. Emily argued, but he finally lost his temper. *”If you cant give me children, at least dont stand in the way of me raising my own. If you dont like it, leaveIll manage on my own.”*
The words stung. But harsh as they were, he wasnt wrong. James wanted kids. And Emilywell, a childhood illness had left her unable to have any. Besides, she loved him. Hardworking, barely touched a drink, provided for the househow many women would snap him up in a heartbeat?
When Sophie came home, James warned Emily: *”You mistreat her, and were done.”* So Emily played the partbathed the girl, scrubbed her thin little frame (though not without a pang of guilt), dressed her in a pretty frock, even braided her hair.
But Sophie was odd. Quiet. Sat in the corner whispering to her teddy. *”Shes feral,”* Emily complained to the neighbours. *”Doesnt even respond to James unless she has to.”*
James changed too. Once, hed swept Emily into hugs the moment he walked in. Now, all that affection went to Sophie. At first, the girl shied away, but soon she trailed after him like a duckling.
Of course, Emily seethed. And when James grumbled one day, *”You treat her like a stray catno warmth, no love. She needs a mum, not a stand-in,”* she snapped.
*”Im not her mother, and I never will be! If youre so mad, Ill leave. Go live your perfect little life with her!”*
She stormed off, expecting James to chase her. He didnt. A week passed. Then another. Emily sobbed to her own mother, who finally scolded her.
*”Honestly, lovewhats the poor child done? So shes not yours by bloodyoull raise her, and shell be yours in every way that matters. Love your husband? Then love his daughter too.”*
Emily returned home to find James tinkering in the garage, Sophie giggling beside him with her teddy. He spotted Emily and frowned. She frozeuntil Sophie stood, took Jamess hand, and led him over.
*”Make up,”* she said, pressing their hands together.
*”Im sorry,”* Emily whispered.
James pulled her into a one-armed hug, then tugged Sophie close. Emily hugged the girl too, tears streaming. They stood like that for agesuntil Sophie piped up, *”Me and Teddy are hungry!”*
James and Emily exchanged a glance. Then, laughing, they all went inside.
Finallythey were a family.
