Forty is the perfect age!
“Emma, whats taking so long? Did you fall asleep? Were going to be late for work!”
“Coming!” Emma flinched slightly, glancing at the bathroom door. She knew shed been in there longer than usual, but she had her reasons. All week, shed felt queasy in the mornings, and though shed brushed it off at first, now it terrified her.
She had a suspicion why, but the thought of being pregnant was too frightening to entertain. Shaking off the idea, she stepped out.
“Sorry,” she muttered to her husband. “Couldnt get my eyeliner right.”
“You do that in the bedroom!” James frowned.
“Oh, right!” Emma didnt argue, hurrying to the kitchen to make coffee. They both loved it, but today, even the smell turned her stomach.
“Are you alright?” James asked, concerned.
“Fine, just not in the mood for coffee,” she mumbled.
“Really? You looked disgusted. Are you ill?”
Emma wrapped her arms around herself, trembling at the thought of a baby. James touched her forehead.
“Youre not feverish. Maybe stay home today? Call in sicksay youll catch up over the weekend. We cant afford you being ill, not with the mortgage due soon”
Once James left, Emma sank onto the sofa, overwhelmed. She knew what she had to dobuy a test. But the idea terrified her. A baby would make it all real.
“I just got that promotion,” she thought. “James is right about the mortgage, and we were saving for a holiday” Years ago, theyd dreamed of children, especially after their wedding, when everything felt rosy and they were just twenty. But it never happened.
Over time, Emma stopped thinking about it. Shed grown used to life with James, and hed stopped mentioning children too. Now, a baby felt like an interruptionsleepless nights, endless expenses, their plans upended.
Groaning at the timing, she finally bought a test. To her horror, it was positive. She placed a hand on her stomach, imagining it already swelling, though it was too soon.
A sudden wave of awe hit herthis tiny life inside her, depending entirely on her. Fear and joy tangled in her chest.
“Youll be the best little one,” she whispered.
But doubt crept back. She wasnt young anymore. What would James say? Would he be angry? Did he even want this? He was older too.
By evening, shed worked herself into a panic. She had to tell him, but when he returned, she asked only, “Fancy some dinner?”
“Of course! Im starving!”
James watched as she hurried to the kitchen. Something was differenther eyes brighter, her movements slower. He bit back suspicion, waiting for her to explain.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. Had a nap. Work said not to worryits a short day anyway. The companys anniversary partys tomorrow. They barely noticed I was gone.”
“You going?”
Emma almost said yes, then remembered.
“Probably not. Better to skip than risk getting sick, right?”
“Your call.” James studied her. Emma never missed celebrations, especially with her girls.
“Didnt you just get promoted? Wont your friends want to celebrate?”
“Not tonight. Fancy a walk together tomorrow?”
James nodded. “Make us some tea?”
“Sure.” Emma moved carefully, unlike her usual brisk self.
James could think of only one reason for the change. It hurthe loved her. Did she not love him anymore?
Unable to stay silent, he stood, voice low. “Who is he?”
“What?”
“The man youve fallen for.”
“James, what on earth?”
“Youre glowing, Emma. If youve found someone else just tell me.”
He turned to leave, but Emma caught his arm.
Shed wanted to tell him beautifully, but there was no time.
“James Im pregnant.”
“What?”
He stepped closer, stunned. Emma placed his hand on her stomach.
“Our babys in here.”
A whirl of emotions crossed his face before he pulled away and left.
Emma stood frozen, heartbroken. The man whod once longed for fatherhood had run.
She mechanically washed dishes, fighting tears. Without James, how would she raise this child?
Half an hour later, sitting in the dark, the doorbell rang.
Expecting no one, she wiped her tears and answeredto find James grinning, holding a bouquet of her favourite roses.
“Sorry I bolted,” he said, stepping inside. “I was just overwhelmed. Em, Im thrilled! A baby! If its a boyOliver. A girlSophie. Well call your parents, book the midwife”
He stopped, noticing her tears. “Love, whats wrong?”
“I thought you didnt want this that forty was too late.”
“Never, Em. Im not going anywhere. Fortys perfect.”
“But the mortgage, my promotionour plans?”
James cupped her face. “This is more important. Well manage. My salary covers us. Sleepless nights dont scare me.”
Emma leaned into him, relieved. Together, theyd handle anything.
Because love, like life, finds its wayeven at forty.
