Another Child
Emma trudged back to her flat after work, stepping into empty rooms that echoed with silence. She would switch on the telly straight away, turning up the volume to pretend someone was home. Her daughter, Sophie, had already married and moved out. And her husband well, David had left her for a younger woman.
Emma still couldnt believe David had betrayed her. Twenty-four years together, happy and without a single real argument. Theyd even dreamed of celebrating their silver wedding anniversary at a nice restaurant. But fate had other plans, and all those dreams had crumbled.
“Mum, I never thought Dad would do something like this,” Sophie had sobbed. “Im furious with himI wont speak to him again.”
“Sweetheart, you mustnt do that,” Emma had urged. “He left me, not you. Youre still his daughter, and he loves you just the same. Dont cut ties with him.”
She didnt want Sophie to resent her father. If anything, Emma blamed herself. Maybe she hadnt loved him enough, hadnt paid enough attention. Perhaps shed focused too much on her career and not enough on family.
David had met a younger woman in a café while having pints with his mates after work. Their eyes had lockedhers were hazel, full of playful sparks. For some reason, that look had stuck with him, and hed gone over to introduce himself. Alice hadnt minded, and before he knew it, he was at her rented flat. Then everything spiraledhe fell hard.
He couldnt keep lying to Emma for long. The confrontation was painful, but hed confessed honestly. “Em, Ive fallen for someone else. I know Ive hurt you terribly, but I wont lie about it.” It was awful, but Emma had tried to hold herself together.
One evening, shed just changed out of her work clothes when her phone rang. It was her sister, Lucy.
“Em, you home? Need to talkIm coming over.”
“Course, see you soon,” Emma had replied, relieved not to spend another evening alone.
Lucy arrived, loud as ever, arms full of shopping bags. She unpacked gourmet treats and a bottle of wine while Emma watched, confused.
“Lu, whats the occasion?”
“Occasion? More like disaster,” Lucy sighed. “My Lilys pregnant. Barely eighteenbloody idiot.”
“Seriously?” Emma gasped. “But she turns eighteen in a few months, doesnt she?”
“Exactly! And shes too far along to do anything about it. Raised her right, or so I thought, and now she cant even marry properly. The bloke shed been seeing dumped her the second he found out. She doesnt want the baby, and neither do I,” Lucy snapped, pouring wine.
Emma listened, uneasy.
“Come on, Em, drink up. Need to take the edge off. My heads spinning. Lilys been clubbing every night, coming home at dawn. No wonder the lad walked away.”
Lucy downed half her glass while Emma took a cautious sip.
“Heres the thing,” Lucy continued. “Weve decidedonce Lily gives birth, well leave the baby at the hospital. But Im worried what if the kid grows up and comes looking? Starts demanding things?”
Emma stared at her sister, horrified. “Lucy, are you mad? How could you even think that? Shes your blood!”
“Oh, dont preach, Em. Youve always been the sensible one. We dont want this baby. Lily needs to finish college, not play mum. And Ive got my own life to sort out.”
Emma fell silent, thinking hard. “How far along is she? Have they done a scan?”
“Yeah, its a girl. Probably just as wild as her mother,” Lucy muttered, lighting a cigarette.
“Lucy give her to me. Once shes born, dont leave her there. Ive got a good job, a proper salary, this flat”
“Oh, brilliant,” Lucy scoffed. “And when she grows up, youll tell her everything?”
“No. I swear shell never know. Shell be my daughter. Unless you or Lily blab, she wont find out.”
It took hours of pleading, but Lucy finally agreed. Then came another problemadoption required a stable family, and David was gone (though they hadnt divorced yet). Emma didnt want to ask himhe had his new life now.
Lily gave birth to a healthy baby girl and signed the papers without a second glance. Emma arranged guardianship with help from an old friend who handled such cases. She named the little girl Ruby.
Bringing Ruby home, Emma took leave but refused to quit her well-paid job. She rang her mother, Margaret, who lived nearby.
“Mum, I need to talkurgently.”
“Alright, love, Ill be right over.”
When Margaret arrived, she froze at the sight of the newborn in the crib.
“Emma whose baby is this? When did this happen?”
Lucy had never told her about Lilys mess, and Emma had kept quiet too.
“Sit down, Mum,” Emma said, handing her a cup of tea. “Let me explain.”
Margaret was stunned. “How could Lucy let this happen? We raised you both the sameloved her even more, being the youngest!”
Once her shock faded, Emma made her plea. “Mum, Rubys your great-granddaughter. Youre still healthycould you look after her while I work? Id rather not hire a stranger.”
“Love, you dont even need to ask. Of course Ill help. Youll make a wonderful mother.”
They avoided mentioning Lucy, who never called about the baby. But when Sophie visited, she was overjoyed. “Rubys my little sister! Shes gorgeous!”
Ruby grew up bright and kind. By four, she could play chess with Emma, knowing every piece.
Then, on Rubys fifth birthday, as Emma tucked her into bed, the doorbell rang.
David stood there, looking wretched.
“Hi can I come in?”
“Sure,” Emma said. Ruby darted into the hallway. “Its my birthday! Who are you?”
“Ruby turned five today,” Emma explained. “My daughter, in case you didnt know.”
“Sophie told me.” He stepped out briefly, returning with a massive dollhouse.
“Wow! Thank you!” Ruby beamed, dashing off.
Over tea and cake, David hesitated. “Em, youre more beautiful than ever. Could I visit sometimes? I left Alice two years ago. She wasnt right for me.”
“Ive got a daughter nownot yours,” Emma said.
“Thats why I love you even more. If youd let Lucy abandon Ruby, Id feel differently. Id give anything for her to call me Dad.”
After a pause, Emma agreed. David visited often, helping financially and emotionally. He took Ruby swimming and to dance classes.
One evening, after Rubys recital, they sat laughing over tea. Suddenly, Ruby piped up: “Daddy, Im so glad you and Mummy came today.”
Davids breath caughtshed called him Daddy for the first time. He spun her around. “Were a family now, arent we, Em?”
“Hooray! And youll never leave again?” Ruby giggled.
“Never. Youre my girls.”
They made it official, adopting Rubyjust in case Lucy or Lily ever changed their minds.
Life had given Emma a second chance, and love had found its way back home. Sometimes, the family you choose is the one that heals you.
