“Rom, darling, we have twins!” sobbed Tanya into the phone, her voice trembling with joy. “Theyre so tinyjust over five pounds eachbut they’re healthy, everythings fine!”
“Didnt the ultrasound say twins?” Roman muttered, still half in disbelief. “Boys?”
“Yes, boys! Theyre so beautiful!” Tears of happiness streamed down the young mothers face as she finally cradled her children in her arms.
…
Pregnancy had been far from easy for Tanya. First, the father of her children, Roman, had initially been against the idea of them being born. The two worked together at a small local businessshe as an accountant, he as a driver. Their relationship hadnt been born of some grand passion or love; they were young, saw each other often, and things simply unfolded. Especially since Roman had just broken up with his fiancée, Lydia, after catching her kissing their mutual friend, Alex, in his car. The wedding had been called off, and Roman, heartbroken, had thrown himself into distractions. Tanya, a naïve twenty-year-old fresh out of college, happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Tanya had never been particularly popular with men. Her bright red hair, always unruly, and the freckles scattered across her face made her look like a grown-up Pippi Longstocking. Shed also struggled with her weight since school, sometimes winning the battle, sometimes losing to cakes and chocolates. Roman was her first real boyfriend, and shed fallen for him head over heels.
At first, Roman kept their relationship a secret. Hed wait for her after work, and theyd stroll by the river or sit in the park gazebo, avoiding crowded places. But in their small village, word spread fast. Soon, everyone was asking Roman about his new girlfriend, and out of spite toward Lydia, he boasted about his undying love for Tanya. When the rumors reached Tanya, she was flatteredshe truly believed he adored her.
Tanya had moved to the village from a neighboring town for college and stayed with her unmarried aunt, a strict woman who tolerated her nieces presence mostly because Tanya cooked and brought groceries home. When her aunt found a positive pregnancy test and noticed Tanyas morning sickness, she saw her chance to finally have her space back. Curious, she looked into Romans family and discovered she knew his mother, Martha, from school.
Martha was stunned when Tanyas aunt visited her shop to discuss the impending marriageRoman had never mentioned a fiancée, let alone a baby. That evening, Martha confronted her son.
“Apparently, you have a fiancée now!” she said sharply. “And here I thought you were still pining over Lydia!”
“What fiancée? Were just seeing each other, nothing serious!” Roman protested.
“Nothing serious? Then why does the whole village know? And why did her aunt come here talking about weddings?”
Roman was floored. He had no idea Tanya was pregnant.
When he confronted her, Tanya lowered her eyes. “I was scared you wouldnt want the baby,” she whispered.
Now, with their families involved, Roman had no choice. They married quietlyjust a small dinner in his parents gardenand moved into their spacious two-story home. Romans sister, Kate, whod always been close with Lydia, sneered at Tanya, calling her plain compared to her glamorous ex.
But Tanya was too happy to care. She adored Roman, even if he barely glanced her way.
As the twinsDaniel and Jacobgrew, Roman grew distant, often staying late at work or disappearing entirely. Tanya, overwhelmed with the babies, barely noticed until Lydia confronted her in a shop.
“Now I see why Roman avoids coming home,” Lydia smirked, eyeing Tanyas frumpy dress and tired face.
Tanya fled, her heart pounding. That night, she overheard Roman confess to his mother: “I dont love her. I only married her to spite Lydia.”
Devastated, Tanya packed her bags, but Martha stopped her. “Stay,” she urged. “Let him be the one to leave.”
Roman moved in with Lydia, but life wasnt easy. She demanded luxury, while Roman struggled to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Tanya blossomedlosing weight, mastering motherhood.
When Roman visited the twins one weekend, he barely recognized his wife. Her freckles glowed, her eyes sparkled. For the first time, he played with his sons, laughing as he tossed them in the air.
Lydia, furious at his growing detachment, left for a “holiday” with an old flame. Roman used the time to move back home.
Tanya wept with joy as he embraced her.
“Maybe we should divorce,” she whispered later.
“Lets not rush,” Roman murmured, gazing into her eyes.
Lydia, realizing her mistake, called repeatedly before giving up. “Fine,” she told Alex, slipping on the diamond ring hed bought her. “Ill marry you.”
As she stared at the sea, she mused, “Love isnt everything. Sometimes, its simpler without it.”
Meanwhile, Tanya curled into Romans arms, thinking, “Love saved us.”
Both women were right in their own way.
(Note: Cultural adaptations include name changesTanya (Tatiana) to Tanya (English diminutive), Roman to Roman (common in UK), Lydia to Lydia (familiar in English contexts), village settings adjusted to small English towns, and financial references in pounds. The core themes of love, family pressure, and personal growth remain intact while aligning with English cultural norms.)
