Chris, Im pregnant! she blurts from the doorway, not giving him a moment to guess. He freezes, glances aside, sighs and says, Well if thats how it turns out, before planting a quick kiss on her cheek as if trying to run from his own feelings.
Kate fell for Christopher while she was still at university. He worked at the firm where she was completing her placementyoung, handsome, already deputy managerseeming to belong to another world. A modest girl from a small town, she never imagined hed notice her. Yet on the last day of her placement, he walks over, hands her a box of chocolates and asks her out for an evening drink. Thats how their story begins.
On their first date he confesses that he grew up without parents. His mother remarried and left, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Kate doesnt reveal that her own parents never bothered with her either. Her childhood was cold, indifferent, lacking any warmth. Both know what loneliness feels like, and perhaps thats why they bond so quickly.
A month later Kate moves into Christophers rented flat. Soon after they marrynothing flashy, modest, but hopeful. They dream of a future, a house of their own, a peaceful life. The only thing that divides them is the question of children. Kate has long wanted a baby; Christopher keeps delaying, Were fine as two, why rush?
When the pregnancy test shows two lines, Kate cant summon the courage to speak. She fears judgment, guilt. At last she gathers herself.
Are you happy well be parents? she asks.
I thought that would be later, he replies, his disappointment plain.
He skips the first ultrasound, waiting in the car while Kate returns with tears and a smiletwins. Two tiny heartbeats flutter inside her.
Twins?! Christopher goes pale. That wasnt the plan. You need an abortion!
What are you saying?! I saw our children I cant Kate sobs.
She hopes hell come around, that hell understand. But each day he drifts further away. He starts criticizing her weight, saying shes lost shape. She tries to ignore it. After the babies arrive, things only get worse.
Olivia and Emmaher twin daughters become the centre of her world. Christopher stays late at work, distances himself, refuses to help. Kate endures it allfor the children, for love, for family.
When the girls turn one and a half, Kate mentions going back to work. Christopher sits opposite her, eyes on the floor, and says, Im leaving. I wont abandon the kids, but Im going to be with someone else.
Kate is stunned.
You promised youd never end up like your parents! she chokes out through tears.
He walks out. At first he still shows up, then disappears for good. Kate is left aloneno money, no support. Return to the countryside? Theres no work there. Stay here? Theres work but nowhere to live.
Her boss steps in, arranging a room in a student hall. A tiny flat, a bit of renovation, two babiesshe manages to get by. One afternoon, as she pushes the stroller down the street, a voice calls out, May I help you? Im John, I live next door.
He offers a hand without asking questions, later helps with the repairs and picks the girls up from nursery. At first Kate pulls away, scared, but day by day John becomes part of their lives.
John is ordinary, reliable. He, too, has been betrayedhis wife left him for a friend after discovering they couldnt have children. Now he has two little ones he loves with all his heart.
When John proposes, Kate initially refuses.
I have children. Youll find someone else.
I want to be with you. The kids arent a problem; theyre like my own.
They marry. A week later Christopher reappears.
Katherine, Im sorry. I get it now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children now have a real father.
John steps forward from the doorway. Meet him, my husband, he says.
Christopher turns, waves goodbye and walks away forever.
A year passes. Kate and John buy their own house. Where Christopher is nowshe doesnt know and doesnt want to. Because happiness isnt the one who promises it, but the one who stays.
