Emily, love, why do we even need a baby? my wife would say, Were perfectly fine as just the two of us! Kids bring a load of headaches sleepless nights, roundtheclock care, my figure will go downhill, Ill end up a bit heavy Do we really want all that? How about we push the idea of having a child for another six years?
***
Ethan and Emily had been married for five years, and at first it felt like a fairytale. Then Ethan started gently nudging Emily toward the thought of motherhood. She kept putting it off, and eventually she flatout said she didnt even want to hear the word kids any more. Their relationship went offtrack, they started arguing a lot. Ethan even slipped into pathetic blackmail, while Emily spent the last months muttering:
Ethan, whats the point of a little bundle of spit and snot? Sleepless nights, endless diapers, a body that looks like a cow after calving, and perpetual exhaustion. And thats just the harmless side of it! I dont want to waste my youth on that. Lets wait a bit longer!
For Ethan, Emilys words hit like a thunderclap. Before we tied the knot, Emily dreamed of a big family and kept telling him:
Of course, darling, well have loads of children! At least three! But not right away, okay? Lets enjoy a few years for ourselves, get settled, then well start dreaming of babies.
Five years later, Emily suddenly declares shes not ready for children. Ethan, whos always wanted an heir, tries to convince her that the time is long overdue:
Emily, weve been together eight years, five of those married. I think its time to think about a family! Weve got a flat, a car, a decent stash of pounds saved for maternity leave and all the baby gear. What are we waiting for?
Emily snaps, Why do you think nows the right moment? I reckon we still need a few years for ourselves. I have a mountain of plans I want to tick off! A baby just doesnt fit into that. Isnt it fine just the two of us? We have everything! Why do we need a third person?
Ethan, a bit stunned, asks, What do you mean third person? Are you talking about the baby as a stranger? When will you ever be ready? Hes furious. In a normal family there should be kids. I want to be a dad, period! I dont get why youve changed your mind so suddenly. Before we married you said the exact opposite!
Emily fires back, Because its easy for you to talk about it! You dont have to spend nine months with a growing belly, you dont have to suffer morning sickness, you dont have to battle the extra weight! Ive been hitting the gym for five years! And now you want it all to go down the drain? Im not ready to lose my shape or give up my lifestyle! After a baby Id have to put my friends, shopping, a normal life on hold for at least five years! Why would I want that?
Ethan tries to soothe her, Everyone goes through this, love. Itll be fine, the child will grow and youll get back to your hobbies. Ill help with everything!
She retorts, Lets revisit this in five or six years, okay? Im not ready now. I dont want to argue, just understand my side. In the end, this is my body and I get to decide what to do with it. I definitely dont want to look terrible.
At first Ethan tried all the usual tricks. They bingewatched feelgood movies about happy families, strolled through parks and around playgrounds, even visited Ethans cousin whod just welcomed a fourth baby, hoping Emily would catch the babybug. She never showed any enthusiasm; she even seemed uncomfortable touching the little one. The motherinstinct just wasnt there.
***
Having exhausted every tactic, Ethan went to the extreme:
Emily, if you dont want kids from me, were just not meant for each other. Lets divorce and go our separate ways. Youll find someone whose views match yours, and I I wont be left alone.
Emily panicked. She hadnt even considered divorce. She worked from home, and Ethan helped her with the business. Splitting up would mean finding a new job and a new flat.
Ethan, wait! she pleaded. What are you talking about? A divorce? Youd actually lose me over this?
Its not a joke! Ethan replied. I grew up in a full family with brothers and sisters. I believe a marriage without kids is doomed. Were wasting time. You told me you wanted children before we married, and now you say its all about not getting fat. Its ridiculous!
Emily countered, Cant we just live for ourselves? A child is a huge expense. Wed have to give up a lot. Youd be fine, but Id have to completely change my lifestyle! With a baby you cant go out, you cant leave the house. Youre on call 24/7, sleepless, exhausted. Im not ready for that.
Ethan shot back, Ill hire a nanny, a housekeeper, our parents will help! Whats the problem? Its your attitude toward the baby. Theres not a hint of tenderness in your eyes! Emily, tell me what you really want, what future you see for us.
Emily couldnt admit that she had no plans for children. She wanted to travel, buy designer things, and needed a husband whod foot the bill. She still cared for Ethan, but money was a major factor.
She got no support. Her aunt blurted out, Emily, youre behaving disgracefully! Youve forgotten youre married! Youre hopping from bar to bar while your husband works! Stop embarrassing the family!
Emily retorted, Aunt, what am I doing wrong? Ethan knows where Im going. Its not every day! When the weekend comes Im home, locked in. Give me some advice instead of shaming me. We keep fighting about kids. He wants them, I dont. Why now? Maybe you could talk to him? He respects you, maybe hell listen.
The aunt snapped, I wont talk to him! Hes right. You should be pregnant already, then youll get a clear head!
Emily refused to back down. In the end it was her body, her choice. To distract Ethan she pretended to agree. One day she dramatically tossed a packet of pregnancy tests and said, Alright, Ethan, Ill have a baby but only if a nanny raises it while I do my own thing. Ethan believed her. Meanwhile she kept taking covert pills and, to keep Ethan oblivious, she took him to a doctor friend who just shrugged and said, No problem, just relax. Forget about the baby for a while. Ive seen couples who wait years and it works out naturally.
***
Six months later the surprise Emily feared finally hit: the test showed two lines. She stared at the result, panicking. What now? Give birth? Ruin the life Ive built?
Ethan walked into the bathroom unexpectedly. Emily tried to hide the test behind her back, but it was too late.
Whats that youve got there? Ethan asked, getting closer.
Emily lowered her head. Ethan snatched the test from her hand.
Emily! Youre pregnant? Oh my God, Im going to be a dad! He scooped her up, spun her around the bathroom, shouting, Thank you, love! This is the happiest day of my life! Emily forced a smile, wondering how shed get out of this mess.
They celebrated at a nice restaurant. A fresh ring glinted on Emilys finger, Ethan sat opposite her in a crisp suit, grinning and repeating, Well be the best parents ever! Ill make sure you never lack anything! Thank you, love!
That night Emily lay awake, Ethans happy face dancing in her mind. Dark thoughts crept in: Maybe a child will actually improve our life? Maybe Im just scared of change? I can lose weight, stay fit women manage it. And its my partners baby, after all. For the first time in years her heart fluttered with a strange, new feeling. Maybe shed made the right choice?
***
Nine months flew by. Ethan doted on Emily, fulfilled all her whims, chose the hospital, and they attended parenttobe classes together. Emily tried to stay supportive, but the fear of labour and motherhood never left her.
When the due date arrived, Emily gave birth to a healthy baby boy. As the midwife placed him on her chest, she saw his tiny, wrinkled face uncannily resembling Ethan, with a funny little squeak. All her doubts vanished in an instant.
My, Emily whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
They named him Sam. From day one, Emily dissolved into motherhood. She breastfed, sang lullabies, took him to the park. She woke with him at night, cradling his small body close, no longer minding the lost sleep. Ethan watched in quiet wonder as Emily bloomed in ways hed never imaginedher hands gentle, her voice soft, her laughter returning, richer now, woven with a new kind of joy. Weekends once spent shopping or out with friends were filled with tiny socks, baby baths, and walks under the spring sun, Sam giggling in his stroller. One evening, as she rocked him to sleep, humming a tune shed made up, Ethan kissed her forehead and whispered, Youre amazing. Emily smiled, tears in her eyes, and for the first time, she believed it.
