**Diary Entry 12th October**
I still dont understand you, my girl. Youre a woman, after all. Whats that poor little lass done wrong? So shes from another womanwhat of it? Youll raise her, and one day shell call you Mum. Things turned out this way, but youve got to be wiser. If you love your husband, love his daughter too.
Then the call camesocial services, saying he had to take in his own child, one he never knew existed.
Emily, sit down. Theres something I need to tell you, Daniel sighed.
I got a call today. My daughters in care. Emily gasped, stunned.
What daughter? From who? Are you joking? She couldnt believe it.
Daniel lowered his head. No, Em. Im not. About six years back, before we met, I was with a woman named Sarah. When things got serious between us, I left her. A year later, she tracked me downsaid we had a little girl, Lily. I didnt believe her, but when I saw the child no test needed. Shes mine. No idea what happened to Sarah after that. Just got the call asking if Id take Lily in or not.
Emilys first instinct was to shout, I dont want some strangers child! But the look in his eyes made her say something else entirely: Alright. Lets go see her first. Together.
Relieved, Daniel agreed, and they went the next day. Emily studied the girlsmall for five, thin, clutching a worn teddy bear. Whenever spoken to, she buried her face in its fur. Truth be told, Emily didnt like her. Pity, yes, but the jealousy shed felt for Sarah now settled on the child.
Turns out, Lily was taken from Sarah, whod lived wildlydrinking, late nights, barely remembering she had a daughter. Shed named Daniel the father, and that was that.
Emily saw his resolve. She argued, begged, but one day Daniel snapped: You cant give me a child, so dont stand in my way. I wont abandon my own flesh and blood. Dont like it? Leave. Ill manage alone.
It stung, but he wasnt wrong. He wanted children; she couldnt have them. Health issues in her youth had seen to that. And she loved himhardworking, sober, devoted. Women would line up for a man like him. Where would she find better?
When he brought Lily home, his warning was clear: If I see you mistreat her, its over. Emily forced herself to carebathed her, dressed her in a pretty frock, braided her hair. The girl was quiet, almost withdrawn, whispering to her teddy in corners.
Shes odd, Emily complained to the neighbours. Hardly speaks, even to Daniel. Just nods or shakes her head. Sometimes I wonder if theres something off about her.
Daniel changed too. Once, hed come home kissing Emily hello. Now, his attention went straight to Lily. At first, the girl shied away, but soon she followed him like a shadow.
Emilys jealousy festered. One evening, while Lily played outside, Daniel muttered, You treat her like some unwanted doll. Never a kind word. She needs a mother, not a stranger.
That set her off. Im not her mother! Shes nothing to me, and I wont pretend otherwise. Im leavinggo live happily ever after, just the two of you!
She stormed out, expecting him to chase her. He didnt. A week passed. Then another. Emily wept; her mother tried soothing her, but she wouldnt let her daughters marriage crumble.
Youre a woman, love. Whats that child done to deserve this? So shes another womansso what? Raise her, and shell call you Mum one day. Love your husband? Then love her too.
Emily returned to find Daniel tinkering in the garage, Lily beside him, giggling as she played with her bear. He spotted Emily, eyes guarded. She frozethen Lily stood, took his hand, and led him forward.
Make up, she said, joining their hands.
Forgive me, Emily whispered, tears falling.
Daniel pulled her close with one arm, the other around Lily. Emily wept harder, hugging the girl too. They stood like that until Lily piped up, Me and Teddy are hungry!
Daniel and Emily exchanged a glance. Then, together, they walked inside. At last, they were a family.
*Lesson learned: Pride makes a cold bedfellow. Sometimes love means embracing the unexpected.*
