One Daughter for Two
The spark between Emma and William ignited instantly, the very moment they met. Theyd been dating for a month when William surprised her at dinner:
Emma, will you marry me? he said, catching her off guard.
How? Married? But weve only been together for a month, she replied, shocked.
So what? It only took me this month to realise youre my destiny Theres nobody else for me, youre the only one I want.
Oh, William, well, actually, I do agree, she murmured, laughing softly as she leaned into his chest.
Emma, are you sure you havent rushed things? her mother quizzed her about her sudden decision, youre not pregnant, are you?
Mum, really! Of course not. William just says he cant live without meand I feel the same Its just love, Mum.
Before long, the ones who doubted their speedy marriage saw clearly that Emma and William were made for each other. Everything seemed wonderful between them, and you could tell by how tenderly William treated his wifeand how lovingly Emma cared for him.
Their love was genuine and without pretense, but one issue cast a long shadow. Both desperately wanted children, but month after month, pregnancy eluded them.
William, we should see a doctor. Maybe theres a reason I cant get pregnant, Emma expressed.
I agree, her husband said without hesitation.
They tried everything: hopes, appointments, travel, prayersbut nothing worked. Emma simply couldnt conceive.
Emma, Ive been thinking Maybe we should go to an orphanage, adopt a child, and raise them as our own, William suggested gently.
Yes, lets do it, Emma blurted out, relieved that William shared the dream shed kept quietly for so long. Ive thought the same.
Alright, well go. Theres one I pass when I travel for work, William replied.
When William and Emma visited the orphanage, among dozens of anxious and weary children, a fair-haired girl with bright blue eyes rushed to Emma and wrapped her arms around her knees.
Mummy! the little girl cried out joyfully, and Emma couldnt bear to let her go.
Thats how Lucy, their lively three-year-old daughter, came into their lives. The house filled with her laughter, and Emma finally felt the true happiness of motherhood. Her love for Lucy was beyond words, and William doted on their girl just as much.
Life was good. They settled in a small village where everyone knew each other. Most residents, especially neighbours, knew Lucy was adopted. There were no problems while Lucy was young, but as she grew older and began school, someone eventually told her she was not their biological daughter.
Lucy was fourteen when she marched home from school, furious.
Mum, why didnt you and Dad tell me I wasnt your real daughter? I found out you adopted me from an orphanage!
Lucy, sweetheart, calm down. We wanted to tell you, but we thought it best to wait until you were olderso it wouldnt hit you so hard. But we were always worried it might come out unexpectedly
Lucy wept and shouted, then became withdrawn and angry. Her teenage years were turbulentshe slammed doors, spoke harshly, and sometimes even snapped at her parents.
Then something devastating happened. William died suddenly. Emma couldnt process the news that her husband had died in a car accident, returning from a business trip in London just before Christmas during a terrible snowstorm.
William often travelled for work, sometimes for a week or longer. When he was delayed, hed send a postcard as there were no mobile phones then. Emma was forty-six at the time. Instead of comforting her mother, Lucy seemed to be completely out of controlshed disappear from home, ignore Emma, and behave rudely.
Emma tried with all her strength to reach Lucy, crying and pleading, but she never once shouted at her daughter. Thats how they lived. Lucy matured quickly. One day, after finishing school, she told Emma:
Im moving to the city, Lucy declared firmly.
Emma looked up, weary and holding onto her tea towel.
Will you be studying, Lucy? she asked.
No, Im going to search for my birth mother
Emma felt her breath catch, fear and confusion filling her words:
But why, Lucy? Arent I your mum?
Lucy turned to gaze out the window and was silent for some time.
I need to know who she is. I have to understand why she left me, why she abandoned me. Its my right, Mum.
It is your right, Lucy, Emma sighed, knowing nothing could persuade her otherwise.
Lucy was nearly nineteen. She quickly packed her few belongings into a small bag, kissed Emma on the cheek, and promised to visit sometimes. Lucy walked out to catch the bus, and Emma watched her leave, sorrowful and alone.
Time dragged on. The days were long and empty. Emma was now retired; she spent the slow winter evenings sorting through Williams old postcards, kept in a ribbon-tied chocolate box. There werent many postcards, and the last one, faded and decorated with fir branches, read on the back: Emmy, running three days late, missing you and sending hugs, your William.
Emma ran trembling fingers over the postcard and pressed it to her heart, as if hugging her late husband. Many years had passednearly twenty-five since Williams death.
Sitting by the window, memories weighed heavily on Emma. Shed grown frail and rarely ventured outside, except for a quick trip to the village shop.
The windows were draped, the letterbox empty, and the house silent. Only Pepper, her faithful cat, occasionally interrupted the quiet with his leaps and purrs. Emma fed Pepper, sipped her tea, and decided today shed go for groceries. She glanced at Williams photohe was holding little Lucy, both beaming.
Oh, William, you left too soon, you left me all alone, Emma whispered to the photo. So lonely now.
The house was still, except for Peppers occasional rumbling, as he jumped from the windowsill or rubbed against her leg. Emma finished her tea when someone rattled the gate.
She remembered how Lucy announced she was leaving for the city to find her birth mother. Emma relived that dull, quiet morning: she had made tea and was sitting in the kitchen when there was a knock at the garden gate.
Emma slipped on her shoes, wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and stepped outside. She opened the latch and found a woman, much younger than herself, standing nervously.
Hello Are you Emma? The strangers voice trembled.
Yes, and you are? Emma asked.
The woman fidgeted, shifting from foot to foot.
Im Lucys mumwell, her other mumactually, biological mum. My names Victoria I suppose you understand what I mean, she stammered.
Emma felt icy dread inside her. Lucy had only just left, and now her birth mother was herehow had she found her?
Waithas something happened to Lucy? Is that why youre here? Did she find you?
Victoria spoke fast, stumbling over her words:
Lucys in hospital In Birmingham. Somethings wrong with her stomach We were walking in the park when she suddenly clutch her tummy and sat on a bench, pale as a sheet. I called the ambulance right away.
They stood in silence, searching each others faces.
Lucy found me a while ago but was afraid to tell you, Victoria said, choking back tears.
Oh, goodness, why are we standing outside? Come in, please, Emma said, waking from her shock, lets go inside.
She poured Victoria some hot tea, and once seated at the table, Victoria opened up:
I was barely out of school when I had Lucy. My parents were strict and forced me to give her up. My fiancé vanished as soon as he heard I was pregnant, and my parents threatened to throw me out. I signed the papers at the hospital Ive carried that pain all these years Oh, but nows not the time Lucy wants you to visit her in hospital.
Emma jumped up.
Why didnt she call me?
Her phone was stolen, actually her whole bag. While the ambulance came they took her things. When I returned, the bag and all her documents were gone
My poor girl, Emma murmured.
She gave me your address, told me: Find my mum.
The women fell silent, their eyes meeting with compassion and weariness.
Lets go, Emma said, locking the door, lets hurry.
The old bus crept along, and Emma and Victoria at first rode in silence, but eventually talked.
Im on my own too, Victoria said softly. My husband died three years ago, after a long illness. We were together a long time, but I couldnt have more children. I suppose its punishment for giving Lucy up. Its just my fate
So, apart from Lucy, neither of us have anybody else, Emma remarked.
Thats right One daughter between us, Victoria said, sadness in her voice.
At the hospital, the nurse asked:
Who are you here to see?
To see Lucy Brown, Emma and Victoria answered in unison.
And you are?
Were her mums, they replied together, then glanced at each other and laughed.
Two mums? Well, alright, go ahead.
Lucypale, hooked to a driplooked up with a bright smile.
Mumand Mum, she whispered.
Emma kissed her first.
Easy, sweetheart. Im here,” she soothed. Victoria sat quietly beside her.
Everything will be alright, darling, youre not alone, Victoria said, adjusting Lucys blanket.
They stayed with Lucy for hours, speaking about life and everything in between.
From then on, Lucy had two mums. Eventually, she found a husband and had two sons. For Emma and Victoria, there was forever one daughter between them. They still meet altogether now and then.
Thank you for reading and for all your support. Wishing everyone luck and happiness.
