Emily stepped out of the gynaecology clinic feeling utterly bewildered. She stared at the printed report once more: Pregnancy 7 to 8 weeks. How could this have happened? How did I not notice a thing? she thought, walking to her car. Did I miss a pill? What nowshould I have a baby? Im fortythree, and this?
She drove home lost in thought. At a traffic light she didnt even realise the cars had started moving until the driver behind her blared the horn. Back at her flat, Emily busied herself with chores, trying to keep the anxiety at bay.
After lunch her daughter, Natalie, dropped by for a quick visit.
Mum, Ive got a surprise for you! she announced cheerfully as she took a seat at the kitchen table.
Come on, spill it, Emily replied, eyes twinkling.
Natalie, Sam proposed! the daughter beamed. And I said yes!
Emilys eyes welled up. Congratulations, love, she said, hugging Natalie tightly.
Sam was exactly the sort of young man Emily had hoped for her daughter: intelligent, ambitious yet levelheaded, wellmannered and welleducated. At twentyfive he earned a comfortable salary and had long been independent of his parents. Natalie and Sam had been together for almost three years, and Emily had repeatedly seen that his intentions were genuine.
So, whens the wedding? Emily asked, pouring steaming tea into mugs.
Dont know yet, Natalie shrugged. We havent talked about it. Probably next summer.
Will you tell your father? Emily pressed, looking intently at her daughter.
Im not sure, Natalie frowned. Honestly, I dont even want to.
Emilys voice softened. Hes your dad, and he still loves you. I understand youre hurt, but people split up; thats no reason to cut him out. Ive forgiven him, and you should too. Dont hold a grudge, and do invite him to the wedding.
Natalie snapped, Mum, how can you say that? He left you for someone else! He was cheating with his secretary for a whole year! How could you ever forgive him?
Emily sighed. Natalie, your father and I were together for twentytwo years. We raised youlook at what a bright, beautiful woman youve become. Those were happy years, and Im grateful for them. But he fell in love with another woman.
She tried to explain, What could I have done? Throw a tantrum, smash dishes, nurse a lifelong hatred? Its absurd to stay angry forever just because his feelings cooled.
Natalie shook her head. If Sam treated me like that, Id I dont even know what Id do.
Emily gave up arguing; Natalies fiery temperament would not be soothed. Youth sees things differently, after all.
When Natalie left, Emily returned to the kitchen, washed the dishes and pulled a slab of meat from the freezer for dinner. Her mind kept returning to the unexpected pregnancy, weighing the options. Giving birth at her age, and alone, frightened her, yet the yearning to become a mother again, to nurture a child, tugged at her heart.
She opened a dusty photo album on the top shelf, flipping through pictures of Natalie as a baby in a onesie, smiling in her grandmothers arms. Then a shot of a slightly older Natalie in a pretty dress at the city park gateEmily recalled the day Natalie fell from a swing, broke her knee and was left with a thin, barely visible scar. A school photo showed firstgrade Natalie with a bouquet, standing beside her parents, while her brother Samnow a seriouslooking boystood beside them. Emily remembered being a slim, brightsuited young woman with highheeled sandals and a fringe that fell just below her eyebrows. Later, a picture of Natalie in Year5 playing the Snow Maiden at the Christmas show appeared; Emily had sewn a silver dress and rabbitfur coat herself after finding nothing suitable in stores. Shed spent three sleepless nights at the sewing machine, and the result was a masterpiece.
Another photo showed the whole familyEmily, Simon, and grownup Natalieon a sunny beach in Spain, all tanned and laughing. A pang of sadness hit Emily; she had once believed her family was the strongest ever. They had shared dreams, bought a house, a car, traveled widely, and she had finally opened her own bridaldress boutique, a lifelong ambition fulfilled. Yet one shadow lingered: after Natalie, Emily could never carry another pregnancy to term. Shed suffered miscarriages, the last at fourteen weeks when severe fetal abnormalities forced a termination. That night, after a long vigil in the hospital, she resolved never to try again.
Looking back, Emily saw the cruel irony. Once she had youth, a loving husband, financial security, and a burning desire for another childyet nothing worked out. Now, when all stability had vanished, fate tossed her an unexpected pregnancy like a cruel joke.
When Simon announced he was leaving, it was no surprise. Shed long suspected he kept a mistress, but he always dismissed her concerns as imagination. She launched a desperate campaign to win him back, even suggesting couples therapySimon flatly refused, calling it nonsense. She read countless forums, tried heartfelt talks, even performed a cheeky striptease at home. Nothing moved him. A month earlier he packed his bags, filed for divorce, and left. Their final conversation was painful; Emily could not understand what had drawn him to his new secretary, Oliviaa young woman with plumped lips, long false lashes and a plunging neckline that made Emilys blood boil. Shed repeatedly asked Simon to replace her, but he shrugged, Lara, I dont care how she looks. Shes efficient, sharp, and I cant afford to lose her now. Yet Emily sensed Olivia was merely a convenient façade.
The truth was harsher: Simon had swapped his faithful wife for a glamorous façade, shattering years of building in an instant. He left their twobedroom city flat to Olivia, moving with her to a country house. Emily was forced to stay in the flat because it was closer to her boutique and Natalies apartment, yet the thought of a stranger inhabiting the place where their daughter had grown up gnawed at her.
The next day, a weekend, Emily visited her old friend Nina, whom shed known since their children were in the same nursery. Nina greeted her with a bottle of whisky. Come on, Lara, lets have a couple of glasses. Ive cooked a roastperfect with a nip of whisky! Nina winked, pulling out glasses.
Thanks, Nina, but I cant, Emily replied. Im pregnant.
Nina laughed, Oh, right! You and Simon are split, arent you? Got a lover now?
Emily snapped back, No lover, Nina. The babys Simons. We had a night two months agocandles, wine, lacey nightdress and thats it. She placed a hand on her belly. What do you think I should do?
Nina shook her head, Youre already in your fifties, love. Raising a child alone at this age is tough. Maybe just claim child support? By the time Natalie marries, youll have grandchildren. I wouldnt risk it.
Emily sighed, Maybe youre right, its too late. Ninas words seemed to confirm her doubts.
She left Ninas flat and drove to Natalies place.
Hey, Mum, come in! Want coffee? Natalie called.
No, love, Im not in the mood. I need to talk. Is Sam home? Emily asked.
No, hes at his parents helping with renovations.
Emily confessed the pregnancy.
Do you actually want the baby? Natalie asked.
Yes, I do, but Im scared.
Whats the doctor say?
It says everything looks fine, the baby is developing normally. Ive lost two before and never got a clear cause. Ive read horror stories online about late pregnanciescomplications, risks. Im terrified.
Natalie took her hand, Mum, you need thorough checkups, not internet horror. Modern medicine now supports births after forty. If youre healthy, why not?
Emily nodded, Maybe youre right.
Whatever you decide, Sam and I will support you. Youre not alone.
The reassurance steadied Emily. Medical exams found no serious issues, and she chose to keep the baby. She wondered whether to tell Simon, but felt he no longer mattered. They met only a couple of times when he collected a few things from the flat. Six months later, he turned up unexpectedly at her boutique.
Lara, Im here because I cant find the house papers. They must be with you. I called, you didnt answer. Did you change the locks? he asked, eyes flicking to her rounded belly.
I did, Emily replied coolly. What did you think, you could just wander in whenever you felt like it? Were done.
He smirked, So you havent married again?
No, Simon, and I dont need your life. I have work, I have my child.
He muttered something as he left. Later, he imagined what week she might be in, wondering if shed found someone else. He tried to call, but she shut the line.
At the hospital, Natalie and Sam arrived with a small group of friends from Emilys boutique. Sam cradled the newborn in a blue blanket, whispering, Hes tiny, Im scared to hold him.
Natalie cooed, Hes gorgeous, just like you, Mum.
Emily laughed, Exactly like you, love.
Back home, they had turned a spare room into a nursery, hanging a banner that read Happy Birthday, Daniel! the name Emily chose for her son. The baby was healthy, and Emily felt a new vigor. Natalie often babysat, taking Daniel to the nearby park, giving Emily a chance to rest.
Looks like youve already practiced motherhood, Natalie! Emily joked. When its your turn, youll be ready.
Natalie grinned, I love it.
A few weeks later, a knock sounded at Emilys door. Simon stood there with a bouquet of roses.
Hello, Emily, he began, extending the flowers. She didnt take them.
What brings you here? she asked, arms crossed.
I know Daniel is my son. Nina spilled the beans.
And what does that matter now? she replied.
He pleaded, Im sorry, I was a fool. I want to be part of his life. Will you let me?
Emily thought of the promise shed made herself a year ago. No, Simon. Its far too late. Dont come back. She shut the door, locking it.
He shouted, I have a right to see my son! and returned several times, even lurking in the park when she pushed the stroller, begging for forgiveness. Emily remained firm. At Natalie and Sams wedding, Simon appeared briefly, handed them a generous cheque in pounds, and left. Later she learned he had married Olivia, but that marriage lasted only months before she left him for someone else.
Emilys journey taught her that life can hand you unexpected gifts even when you think the page is closed. She learned to trust her own strength, to let go of past betrayals, and to welcome new beginnings with open arms. In the end, the greatest lesson she carried was that lovewhether for a partner, a child, or oneselfdoesnt abide by age or timing; it simply finds a way when we are brave enough to accept it.
