A Tough Decision
As Emily walked through the park, she climbed onto the bridge and suddenly stopped, leaning slightly over the railing to look down. The river below was cold and darkmaybe not deep, but if she fell She shuddered at the thought and hurried on.
She was coming back from her friend Sophies place, where shed spent the night after fleeing home during a terrible argument. Sophies mum, Auntie Claire, had been incredibly kind, welcoming her without question.
“Come in, love, come inSophies in her room,” shed said, not pressing Emily about why shed turned up so upset late in the evening. Claire knew something serious had happened. She made sure the girls ate, gave them tea and biscuits, then sent them to bed. The next day was a Sunday, and though Emily felt bad overstaying her welcome, she decided to go home.
“Thanks, Auntie Claire. I should head backmy parents must be worried,” she said before leaving.
After crossing the bridge, Emily noticed a small church. Oddly, shed never paid it much attention before, even though shed walked past it countless times with Sophie. Something pulled her inside.
A service was underway, but the crowd was thin. She moved forward, glancing aroundthis was her first time in a church. Her eyes settled on a large painting of a young woman gently cradling a baby. Emily couldnt look away. After a while, an elderly woman in a headscarf whispered beside her,
“Dont even think twice, dear. Have the baby. Everything will be alright.”
Emily startled. “How did you know?” she whispered back.
“Love, Ive lived a long lifeI can see whats weighing on someones heart,” the woman smiled warmly. “Trust me, itll be fine. Youre not the first, and you wont be the last. No woman ever regrets having her child. Ive seen many like you in my time here.”
The vicar continued his prayers; the old woman crossed herself and bowed. Emily stayed a little longer, then left, heading home with a quiet resolve. “Whatever happens, happens,” she thought. The old woman was right.
The day before, after classes, Emily and Sophie had sat on a park benchEmily couldnt bear going home, too upset to think straight.
“So, what are you going to do, Em? Keep the baby? Have you told Adam?” Sophie fired off questions. “And your parents?”
“Sophie, slow downyoure not letting me get a word in,” Emily sighed. Her mind was a mess. She was only in her second year at university, and now this. How would she tell her parents, especially her mum? Margaret was strict and unpredictableshed never approve.
“Mumll kill me,” Emily muttered. “Adam said he doesnt want the baby, that hes not ready to be a dad. Told me not to call him again. I didnt expect that from himweve been together since sixth form. He was my first.”
Sophie ranted about Adams betrayal, furious on her friends behalf.
“Auntie Margaret will shout, of course” Sophie said uncertainly, remembering how stern she could be. “But what do *you* want?”
“What does it matter? Second year, Adams ditched me, Mumll be against itits not even up to me,” Emily wiped away a tear.
“Alright, Sophie, lets go home. Ill tell my parents tonight.”
That evening, chaos erupted. Margarets eyes widened in shock as she shouted,
“Have you lost your mind? Second year at uniwheres your head? Didnt you think to be careful? Therell be no baby. Youre finishing your degreeI wont let you ruin your life!”
“Margaret, think what youre saying,” her father, George, cut in sharply. “Is this really how you treat your own daughter?”
“George, stay out of this! She needs to study, not wash nappiesespecially when the fathers vanished! Wholl want her with a child and no degree? Shes going to the clinic, and thats final!”
“And what about us? Emilys our daughterwell help raise our grandchild. Honestly, Margaret, youre shocking me.”
“Oh, sure, Georgeits not *you* wholl be up all night or changing nappies. I work too, and at forty, I wont be stuck playing granny. I refuse!”
Emily sat frozen, then bolted from the house as her parents kept yelling, not even noticing shed gone. She headed to SophiesAuntie Claire would take her in.
Later, Emily returned home to silence. George scrolled through his phone; Margaret busied herself in the kitchen.
“Oh, youre back,” Margaret snapped.
“Of course she is, love,” George said gently. “You were at Sophies?”
“Yeah, Dad.”
Standing in the middle of the room, Emily raised her voice so her mum would hear.
“Im keeping the baby. Ive made my decision.” Her tone was so firm even Margaret stayed quiet.
Over time, things settled. One afternoon, as Emily and Sophie sat in the park after lectures, Adams mother, Helen, approached. Emily tensedthough Helen was always kind.
“Girls, helloEmily, can we talk?”
“Hi, Mrs. Wilson,” Sophie said, then excused herself.
Helen sat beside Emily, who braced herself.
“I know about the babySophie called me. And she did the right thing. Emily, Im begging youkeep it. Ill help you.”
This was the last thing Emily expected.
“My sons a coward, abandoning you like thishes not ready for any of it. But I promise you supportemotional, financial, whatever you need.”
“But why?”
“My eldest daughter cant have children. Adam well, Ive no faith hell ever settle down. This baby is hismy grandchild. I want to be part of their life.”
Emily saw the sincerity in Helens eyes.
Little Toby was born at the start of Emilys third yeara chubby, rosy-cheeked boy who smiled at everyone. Grandad George adored him, and so did Grandma Helen, who visited often.
The only shadow was Margaret, who packed her bags just before Emilys due date.
“Stay here with your nappies and sleepless nights. I wont be a grandmother. Im leaving.”
She moved in with a colleague, a man shed been seeing for yearssomething George had been oblivious to until now. The betrayal shattered him.
Emily didnt take a gap year. With George and Helens help, she managed her studies. Helen even took leave to help with Toby, and Emily finished her third year. By the time Toby turned one, things were easier.
“Adams been called up for service,” Helen mentioned later. “Maybe the army will knock some sense into him.”
When his service ended, she added, “Hes staying ondoesnt want to come home.”
Years passed. Toby grew. Margaret cut all ties.
One day, Emily told her dad, “Im seeing Oliverwe work together. Hes great”
“Im happy for you, love, but youll have to introduce us.”
That evening, Olivertall, charming, and three years oldershook Georges hand warmly.
“Good evening, Mr. Carter.”
“Good to meet you, son.”
To Emilys surprise, they hit it off instantlyshared interests, even the same alma mater.
“Em, I like him. Hes solid, smart, and Toby clearly adores him.”
Soon, Toby had a wonderful father, and George, a son-in-law. Helen was thrilled for Emily, though she worried shed see less of Toby. But nothing changedthey remained close.
One afternoon, walking in the park with Oliver and Toby, her hand resting on her growing belly, Emily smiled.
“That old woman in the church was right. No one ever regrets their child.”
Emily was happy. Oliver adored her. And soon, their little girl would arrive.
