Forty was the perfect age!
“Irene, what’s taking so long? Have you fallen asleep? We’re going to be late for work!”
“Coming!” Irene startled slightly, glancing back at the bathroom door.
She knew she was taking longer than usual, but there was a reason. All week, she’d felt queasy in the mornings, and though she’d brushed it off at first, now it frightened her. A suspicion nagged at hersomething she dared not name. Shaking the thought away, she stepped out.
“Sorry,” she murmured to her husband. “Couldnt get my eyebrows right the first time.”
“You do those in the bedroom!” Edward frowned at her.
“Oh, right!” She didnt argue, hurrying to the kitchen to make coffeetheir usual routine. But today, the smell alone turned her stomach.
“Are you alright?” Edwards voice softened with concern.
“Fine. Just not in the mood for coffee,” she muttered.
“Really?” He studied her. “You looked positively green. Are you ill?”
Irene wrapped her arms around herself, trembling at the unspoken possibility. Edward reached out, pressing a hand to her forehead.
“No fever Maybe stay home today? Call in, say youll recover over the weekend. Last thing we need is you falling sick. Weve still got the mortgage to pay”
Once hed left, Irene sank onto the sofa, mind racing. She knew what she had to dobuy a test, confirm her fears. But the idea terrified her. A child would change everything.
“Just got that promotion, and Edwards rightthe mortgage, the holiday weve been saving for” She groaned. Once, theyd dreamed of childrenback when they were newlyweds, barely twenty, and life seemed bathed in golden light. But it never happened, and with time, the longing faded. Shed grown content with their quiet life. Edward never mentioned it either.
Now, a baby would disrupt everythingsleepless nights, endless expenses Wasnt it too late?
Yet, unable to bear the uncertainty, she bought the test. The result left her stunned. Pregnant. Her hand drifted to her belly, though it was too soon for any change. A strange thrill coursed through hera tiny life, depending entirely on her. Fear and joy warred within her.
“Youll be the most wonderful baby,” she whispered.
Then doubt surged back. Forty was too old. What would Edward say? What if he was angry? What if hed changed his mind?
By evening, shed worked herself into a panic. She had to tell himbut when he returned, all she managed was, “Fancy supper?”
“Of course! Starving as a hunter.”
Edward watched her scurry to the kitchen, frowning. Something was differenther eyes gleamed oddly. He bit back his unease, waiting for her to speak.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. Had a napdid me good. Work said not to worry, its a short day anyway. The companys anniversary do is coming updoubt they even noticed I was gone.”
“When is it?”
“Tomorrow. They wanted tonight, but the restaurant fell through. Boss wants it perfect.”
“Will you go?”
She nearly said yesthen remembered. “No, best skip it. Better to miss one party than risk getting poorly, right?”
“Your call.” His frown deepened.
This wasnt like her. Irene never missed a celebration, least of all with her “girls.”
“Didnt you just get promoted? No toast with the ladies?”
“Not in the mood.” She shook her head. “Lets have a walk tomorrow, just us?”
He nodded. “Make us some tea?”
“Of course.” She rose, moving slower than usualgraceful, unhurried. Edwards gut twisted. Only one thing explained this change.
He stood abruptly. “Who is he?”
“What?” Fear flashed in her eyesconfirming his dread.
“The man youve fallen for.”
“Edward, what on earth?”
Her confusion seemed genuine, but he didnt believe it. He turned to leave, then forced himself to face it.
“Look at you. Glowing. Dancing around like youve won the lottery. Irene, I love youbut if youve found someone else best of luck.”
He stormed out. Irene stood frozen, then raced after him.
This wasnt how shed planned to tell himno candles, no soft words. But time had run out.
Edward was shrugging on his coat when she blurted, “Eddie, Im pregnant!”
“What?” He staggered back.
She placed his hand on her belly. “Your son or daughters in there.”
A storm of emotions crossed his face. Then he pulled away, turned, and fled.
Irene stood alone, heart breaking. Once, hed longed for this. Now, hed run.
Tears blurred her vision as she mechanically tidied the kitchen. Without Edward, how could she raise this child?
A faint hope lingeredthat hed return, that theyd be three. But the chance seemed slim.
Half an hour later, huddled in the dark parlour, she jumped at the doorbell.
Too late for visitors. Edward had his key. Wiping her eyes, she forced a smile and opened the door.
A vast bouquet of roses filled her visionher favourites. Behind them, Edward grinned.
“Here, love.”
He stepped inside, sheepish. “Forgive me for running. I was stunned. Couldnt speak. Irene, Im overjoyed! If its a boyThomas. A girlCharlotte. We must ring your parents, book the midwife”
He babbled on, then stopped. “Why are you crying?”
She buried her face in his shoulder. “I thought youd left for good that you didnt want it. That forty was too old”
“Never.” He cupped her face. “Im not going anywhere. And fortys the perfect age.”
“But the mortgage, my promotionall our plans?”
He sighed, meeting her eyes firmly. “None of it matters like this does. The mortgage will wait. You can work after if you want. My salary will cover us. And sleepless nights?” He grinned. “Bring them on.”
Irene exhaled, leaning into him. However daunting the future, theyd face ittogether. All three of them.
