Too late
Laura stepped out of the obstetrics clinic, her mind a tangled knot of disbelief. She stared at the paper in her hands and read it again: Pregnancy 7 to 8 weeks. How could this have happened? Why didnt I feel a thing? she thought, heading toward her car. Did I forget a pill? What nowgive birth? Im fortythree, and this?
She drove home lost in a storm of thoughts. At a red light she barely noticed the traffic creeping forward; only a blaring horn from the car behind snapped her back to reality.
Inside her flat, Laura threw herself into chores, trying to drown the uneasy whisper in her head.
After lunch, her daughter Emily burst in, cheeks flushed with excitement.
Mom, Ive got a surprise for you! she announced, dropping into the kitchen chair.
Come on, spill it, Laura replied, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Emily, Sam proposed to me! the girl beamed, her smile bright as a sunrise. And I said yes!
Congratulations, love, Laura said, tears blurring her vision as she embraced Emily.
Sam was everything Laura could hope fora smart, driven, levelheaded young man with just enough ambition to keep him grounded. At twentyfive he earned a respectable salary, lived independently, and had been with Emily for nearly three years. Laura had watched him prove his seriousness countless times.
Emily, whens the wedding? Laura asked, pouring steaming tea into mugs.
We havent set a date yet, Emily shrugged. Probably next summer.
Will you tell your father? Laura pressed, eyes fixed on her daughter.
Im not sure, Emily frowned. Honestly, I dont even want to
Emily, thats not right, Laura scolded gently. Hes your father, he loves you. I know youre hurt, but people do separate, and it doesnt mean you should cut him out. I forgave him, and you should too. Dont hold a grudge, and invite him to the wedding.
Mom, how can you say that? Emily snapped, anger flashing. He left you for another woman. Hes been seeing his secretary behind your back for a year! How could you ever forgive that?
Lauras voice softened. Simon and I were together for twentytwo years. We raised youwhat a brilliant, beautiful girl you turned out to be. Those were happy years, and Im grateful to him for them. But then he fell in love with someone else. You cant command the heart, Emily What would you have me do? Throw a tantrum? Keep the resentment? Hate him till my dying day? That would be foolish, wouldnt it?
I dont get it, Mom, Emily shook her head. If Sam did this to me, Id I dont even know what Id do!
Laura let the argument go; Emilys fiery temperament would never see eye to eye with hers. Youth sees things differently, after all.
After seeing Emily out, Laura returned to the kitchen, washed the dishes, and pulled a roast from the freezer. The surprise of her own pregnancy gnawed at her, and she wrestled with what to do. Giving birth at her age, and alone, terrified her; yet the yearning to be a mother again, to nurture, to walk that difficult but joyous path, was strong.
She opened a dusty photo album from the attic, flipping through snapshots of Emily as a baby in a onesie, smiling wide in her grandmothers arms. A later picture showed a slightly older Emily in a pretty dress at the city park gatesLaura remembered the day shed fallen off a swing, the trip to the doctor, the stitch in her knee that left a fine, almost invisible scar. Another photo captured firstgrade Emily clutching a bouquet, standing beside her parents, with Simon looking solemn.
In that picture Laura was a slender young woman in a lightcolored trouser suit, highheeled sandals, and a long fringe that now seemed absurdly fashionable. Further on, fifthgrade Emily performed as the Snow Maiden at the school Christmas show; Laura had sewn her a silver dress and a rabbitfur stole after finding nothing suitable in any shop. Shed spent three sleepless nights at the sewing machine, and the result was stunning.
A family holiday snap showed Laura, Simon, and a grownup Emily on a sunkissed beach in Thailand, all bronzed and laughing. The memory made Lauras heart ache; she had once believed her family was the strongest, most united in the world. Theyd shared dreams, built a home, bought a car, travelled often. Laura had finally opened her own bridalgown boutique, a lifelong ambition realized.
But beneath the joy lay a painful truth: after Emily, Laura could never carry another child to term. The first pregnancy had ended in miscarriage, the second in a 14week loss, and a third was halted when severe fetal abnormalities were detected. Shed wept through a night in the hospital, the doctors eyes heavy with pity, and decided she would no longer try.
Looking back, the irony struck her. Once shed had youth, a loving husband, stability, and a burning desire for another child. Yet fate now offered her a late, unexpected pregnancy as a cruel joke.
Simons decision to leave had not surprised Laura. Shed long suspected an affair, but he denied it, calling her imagination wild. When she first panicked, she launched a fullscale campaign to win him backcounseling, soulsearching talks, even a home striptease. He refused to see a therapist, calling it a waste of time, and dismissed her concerns as baseless. A month earlier he packed his things and filed for divorce. Their final, grueling conversation left Laura reeling; she could not understand what Simon saw in the young secretary, Oliviaa striking woman with silicone lips, long false lashes, and a neckline that seemed to swallow the room. Laura had begged Simon to replace her, but he brushed her off:
Laura, I dont care what she looks like. Shes efficient, smart, I cant afford to lose her now. The business is already in chaos.
Laura sensed there was more than professionalism; later she discovered Simons suspicions were right. He had swapped her for a cheap thrill, shattering years of shared life in an instant.
Simon left her a modest twobedroom flat in the city and moved with Olivia to a country house. The thought of a stranger living where Laura and Simon had once built memorieswhere Emily had played as a childgnawed at her. Yet Laura had agreed to the arrangement; the city flat kept her close to work, and Emily and Sam lived nearby. Still the sting lingered.
The next day, a Saturday, Laura visited her old friend Nina, whom shed known since their children were in the same nursery. Nina greeted her with a bottle of whiskey.
Come on, Laura, lets have a couple of measures. Ive got a roast ready, perfect with a nip, Nina winked, pulling out glasses.
Thanks, Nina, but I cant. Im not supposed to, Laura replied.
Whats that about? Pills or something? Nina asked.
Nothing, just Im pregnant, Laura said, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Ninas eyebrows shot up. Wait, you and Simon are split, right? Or have you taken a lover? she teased.
No, Nina! This is Simons child. We had a night together about two months agocandles, wine, lace and now heres the proof, Laura gestured to her belly.
Nina laughed, Well, youre a proper drama queen! What are you going to do?
I dont know, Laura sighed. I just found out yesterday. I have no idea what to think.
Nina, ever pragmatic, warned, Laura, youre pushing fifty. Raising a child alone at that age is hard. You might have to think about maintenance payments Maybe you should wait until Emily gets married and has grandchildren to look after you.
Laura nodded, Youre probably right; its too late.
She left Nina and drove to Emilys flat.
Hey, Mum! Emily greeted, Come in, want a coffee?
No, love, Im not in the mood. I need to talk. She asked, Is Sam home?
No, hes at his parents helping with some renovation, Emily replied.
Laura, nervous, confessed, Emily, Im pregnant.
Do you actually want this baby? Emily asked.
I do, but Im scared, Laura whispered. The doctor says everythings fine, the baby is developing well, but Ive lost two children before and never got a clear answer why.
Ive read horror stories online, Laura continued, and at my age they say its dangerous. Im terrified of complications.
Emily placed a reassuring hand on her mothers arm. You need proper checkups, not internet forums. Medicine has come a long way; many women give birth after forty now without issue. If youre healthy, why not?
Laura nodded, Maybe youre right, maybe I should try.
Emily promised, Whatever you decide, Sam and I will support you. Youre not alone.
The medical examinations uncovered no serious health concerns, and Laura resolved to keep the baby. She wondered whether to tell Simon. Should I tell Simon? Hes irrelevant now; I dont need him, and the child isnt his, right?
Theyd only met a few times since the splithed stopped by to collect a box of old paperwork. One afternoon he turned up at Lauras boutique.
Laura, Im here to collect the house documents. I called, you didnt answer. I went to the city flat but couldnt get in. Did you change the locks? Simon asked, eyes flicking to her rounded belly.
I did, Laura replied coolly. What did you think, Id let you wander in whenever you liked? Were over.
Looks like you havent been waiting around, Simon smirked. Got married?
No, Simon, Im not getting married and I dont need your drama. Ive got work, Im busy, Laura snapped.
Simon left, muttering something about the babys due date, wondering if he could claim it as his.
Later, in his office, he kept seeing Lauras silhouette in his mind. Whats her gestation? Could she have found someone? Shes always been stubborn, he mused.
Just then, Olivia breezed into his office, hips swaying.
Hun, Im starving. Lets go eat out, she cooed.
Later, Olivia, Im swamped, Simon said, eyes glued to his screen.
Olivia huffed, storming out.
Months later, Laura gave birth to a healthy baby boy she named David. At the hospital, Emily and Sam, Nina and a few of Lauras seamstresses gathered, eyes wide with wonder. Sam cradled the infant, whispering, Hes so tiny, its terrifying to hold.
Emily cooed, Hes gorgeous, just like you, Mum.
Laura laughed, Exactly like you, love.
Back home, Laura entered to find Emily and Sam had transformed a spare room into a nurseryrainbow garlands, balloons, a handpainted sign over the cot reading Happy Birthday, David!
She felt a surge of joy. Days slipped by in a blur of diaper changes and lullabies. Emily often visited, taking David to the nearby park so Laura could rest.
Looks like youve got a rehearsal for motherhood, Emily! Laura teased, watching her sisterly affection.
It feels right, Emily replied, eyes sparkling at Sam.
Two months later, a knock sounded at the door. Simon stood there, a bouquet in hand.
Hello, Laura, he said, extending the flowers, which she ignored.
What brings you here? Laura asked, arms crossed, voice icy.
I know everything now. Nina told me David is my son, he blurted.
Even if thats true, does it matter now? Laura replied.
Please, Im sorry. I was a fool. I want to be part of his life. Will you let me? Simon pleaded, guilt darkening his eyes.
Laura stared at him, remembering the promise shed made herself a year ago. No, Simon. Youve had your chance. Its far too late. Dont come back. She turned away, slamming the door and locking it.
Let me see my son! Simon shouted, pounding on the wood.
He returned a few more times, lingering in the courtyard when Laura pushed a pram, begging for forgiveness, for a second chance. Laura stayed firm. At Emily and Sams wedding, Simon made a brief appearance, handed a generous cheque, and left.
Later she learned he had married Olivia, only for the marriage to crumble after a few months when she left him for someone else.
The story closed on Laura, standing on her balcony, cradling David, the night wind ruffling her hair. She had survived betrayal, loss, and the shock of an unexpected pregnancy. The future was uncertain, but she faced it with the fierce resolve of a mother who had finally found her own peace.
