When my phone rang at seven in the morning, I already knewit had to be Oliver. Only hed call at that hour with the energy of someone who thinks the day starts at five.
“Yeah?” I mumbled, barely awake.
“Emma, sorry to wake you, but I need a massive favour.”
I sat up in bed. With him, “massive favour” usually meant either disaster or madness.
“Spit it out then.”
“Ive got a work trip to London. Two weeks. And Sophias six months pregnantthe doctors told her to take it easy”
“So you want me to look after your pregnant wife?” I cut in.
Silence on the other end.
“Just make sure she eats properly, gets to her appointments, doesnt stress”
“Do you hear how this sounds, Oliver?”
“I know,” he sighed. “But youre the only one I trust. And Sophia adores you. Says youre the sister she never had.”
Brilliant, I thought. The sister who used to be his wife and still isnt sure shes completely over him.
I hung up, but twenty minutes later, I was at their doorstep. Sophia answeredwearing a panda-print pyjama set, hair tousled, her bump round and lovely.
“Emma! I didnt want to bother you, this was all Olivers idea,” she said, flustered.
“Relax, I dont bite. Wheres your globetrotter?”
“Upstairs, hunting for socks. Navy blue. Unsuccessfully, as usual.”
Oh, I knew that routine well.
“You actually came?” Oliver peeked out.
“Yeah, but Ive got conditions.”
He tensed. “Like what?”
“No calling every five minutes. Take me to the fanciest restaurant when youre back. And get Sophia those Belgian chocolatesshes been craving them since yesterday.”
“How did you know?” Sophia blinked.
“I can tell,” I grinned. “Pregnancy cravings dont lie.”
Once he finally left, it was just usthe ex-wife and the current one, both a bit awkward.
“Weird, isnt it?” Sophia said, pouring me tea.
“Very. But Im used to lifes odd turns.”
We fell into a rhythm. Mornings together, breakfasts, chores. Binge-watching shows, laughing, talking about everything.
“Be honest,” she asked quietly one day. “Do you still love him?”
I couldve lied. But not to her.
“Yes. Just differently now. Like loving a memory. It aches, but it doesnt hurt.”
She nodded. “I was scared you hated me.”
“Believe me, I tried,” I laughed. “But youre too lovely to hate.”
At her next scan, when the tiny heartbeat flashed on screen, she squeezed my hand.
“See? Thats him.”
And I dida little life born from a past Id once shared with Oliver. It stung but also felt peaceful.
“Proper cute,” I said honestly.
“Dyou think Oliver will cry when he sees the photo?”
“Without a doubt. He cried at the end of *Love Actually*.”
We laughed. We cried. We became proper mates.
One evening over dinner prep, Sophia asked, “Why did you two really split?”
I set the knife down.
“We were opposites. I needed order; he thrived in chaos. I was quiet; he was a storm. We loved each other but couldnt *live* together.”
“And with me?”
“With you, he found balance. You calm him. I just fuelled the fire.”
She smiled through tears. “Youre amazing, Emma.”
“Nah. I just learned to let go.”
When Oliver returned, Sophia nearly bowled him over. He showered me in thanks.
“Emma, youre an absolute saint.”
“Saint who still wants that Michelin-starred dinner,” I reminded him.
They laughed, and as I watched them, I realisedyes, I still loved him. But now it was a love without demands. One that could cheer for their happiness.
“This little ones got the best auntie in the world,” Oliver said, staring at the scan photo.
“Auntie?” Sophia teased.
“Course,” I grinned. “After two weeks, Im basically family now.”
“Sure you want in on this madness?” he joked.
“Too late to back out,” I said. “Someones got to stop you naming the kid *Benedict*.”
“Whats wrong with Benedict?!” Sophia gasped.
We all cracked up.
So I became “Auntie Emma” to my ex-husbands kid and his wonderful wife. And you know what? I didnt feel lonely anymore.
My story mightve sounded like a bizarre rom-com plot, but it had everythinglaughter, pain, tenderness, forgiveness.
And when, months later, Sophia called and said,
“Emma, we want you to be our sons godmother,”
I just laughed and said,
“Well, now Im officially stuck with you lot for life.”
