When the phone rang at seven in the morning, I already knewit was Edward. Only hed call at such an ungodly hour with the enthusiasm of someone who thought the day began at five.
Yeah? I grumbled, barely awake.
Charlotte, sorry to wake you, but I need a massive favour.
I sat up in bed. With him, a massive favour usually meant either disaster or madness.
Spit it out, then.
Ive got a business trip to London. Two weeks. And Sophias six months alongthe doctors told her to rest more
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 yourself, Edward?
I do, 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 married to her husband and still isnt sure shes entirely over him.
I hung up, but twenty minutes later, I was at their doorstep. Sophia opened the doorwearing a pyjama set dotted with tiny ducks, her hair a mess, her bump beautifully round.
Charlotte! I didnt want to bother you, this was all Edwards idea, she said, flustered.
Relax, I dont bite. Wheres your globetrotter?
In the bedroom, hunting for socks. Navy blue. Failing, as usual.
Oh, I knew that struggle well.
You actually came? Edward peered out.
Yes, but Ive got conditions.
He stiffened. Which are?
No calling every five minutes. Dinner at the fanciest restaurant when youre back. And buy Sophia some Belgian chocolatesshes been craving them since yesterday.
Howd you know? Sophia blinked.
Pregnancy radar, I said, grinning. Some things never change.
When he finally left, we were alonethe ex-wife and the current one, both a bit lost.
Weird, isnt it? Sophia said, pouring me tea.
Very. But Ive gotten used to lifes odd turns.
We fell into a rhythm. Mornings together, breakfasts, chores. We binged telly, laughed, talked about everything.
Be honest do you still love him? she asked quietly one day.
I couldve lied. But not to her.
Yes. Just not like before. Its love for a memory. It aches, but it doesnt cut.
She nodded.
I was afraid you hated me.
Believe me, I tried, I laughed. But youre too lovely to hate.
At her next scan, when the tiny heartbeat flickered on the screen, she squeezed my hand.
See? Thats him.
And I dida little life born from a past Id once shared with Edward. It hurt and yet, it didnt.
Proper handsome, I said.
Dyou think Edward will cry when he sees the photo?
Without a doubt. He wept at the end of *Love Actually*.
We laughed. We cried. We became friends.
One evening, while cooking, Sophia asked, Why did you two really split?
I set the knife down.
We were opposites. Meorder, himchaos. Mequiet, hima storm. We loved but couldnt live together.
And with me?
With you, hes balanced. You steady him. I just fuelled the fire.
She smiled through tears.
Youre incredible, Charlotte.
No. I just learned to let go.
When Edward returned, Sophia nearly bowled him over. He showered me in thanks.
Youre an absolute saint.
A saint who wants dinner at a Michelin-starred place, I reminded him.
They laughed, and watching them, I realizedyes, I still loved him. But now, it was love without demands. Love that could rejoice in their happiness.
This little ones got the best auntie in the world, Edward said, staring at the scan photo.
Auntie? Sophia echoed.
Course, I smiled. After two weeks, Im officially part of this mad little family.
Sure you want in on this chaos? he teased.
Too late to back out now, I said. Someones got to stop you naming the kid Peregrine.
Whats wrong with Peregrine?! Sophia protested.
We all burst out laughing.
So I became Auntie to my ex-husbands childand his wonderful wifes. And you know what? I wasnt lonely anymore.
My story mightve sounded like a bizarre soap opera, but it had everythinglaughter, pain, tenderness, forgiveness. And when, months later, Sophia called and said, *Charlotte, we want you to be his godmother,* I just laughed and said,
Well, now Im stuck with you lot for life.
