Chris, Im pregnant! she announced the moment she walked through the front door, not giving me a second to wonder what she meant. I froze, glanced to the side and let out a sigh. Well if thats how it turned out, I said, quickly planting a kiss on her cheek, as if trying to hide the rush of feelings inside.
Emma had fallen for Mark back when she was still a university student in Manchester. He worked at the firm where she was doing her placement young, goodlooking, already deputy department manager practically royalty compared to a modest girl from the countryside. Shed never imagined hed even notice her. Yet on the last day of her internship, he walked over, handed her a box of chocolates and asked if shed like to join him for drinks that evening. And thats how their story began.
On their first date he confessed hed grown up without parents. His mother remarried and moved away, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Emma didnt tell him that her own parents had never bothered with her either a childhood of cold indifference, no warmth at all. Both knew what loneliness felt like, and maybe thats why they clicked so fast.
A month later Emma moved into Marks rented flat in Leeds. Soon after they tied the knot a modest ceremony, no big show, just hope. They dreamed of a future together: a house of their own, a quiet life. The only thing that kept them apart was the question of children. Emma had wanted a baby for ages, while Mark kept putting it off: Were fine as we are, why rush?
When the pregnancy test showed two lines, Emma hesitated to tell him. She feared judgement, guilt, everything. Finally she gathered the courage.
So were going to be parents, you happy? she asked.
I thought that would be later he replied, disappointment clear in his voice.
He didnt go to the first ultrasound, waiting in the car while Emma came back with tears and a grin twins. Two tiny heartbeats beating inside her.
Twins? Mark went pale. That wasnt the plan. We need to think about an abortion!
What are you saying?! I saw our babies I cant Emma sobbed.
She hoped hed eventually understand, that the shock would wear off. Instead, each day he drifted further away. He started critiquing her weight, saying shed lost shape. She tried to ignore it, but after the babies arrived things only got worse.
Lucy and Grace the twins became the centre of her world. Mark, meanwhile, stayed late at work, kept his distance, and refused to help. Emma endured it all for the children, for love, for family.
When the girls turned one and a half, Emma mentioned she wanted to return to work. Mark sat across from her, staring at the floor.
Youll see Ive met someone else. Im leaving. I wont abandon the kids, but I want a life with her.
Emma was left speechless.
You said youd never end up like your parents! she choked out through tears.
He walked out. At first he still turned up occasionally, then vanished for good. Emma was left on her own, no money, no support. Go back to the village? No jobs there. Stay here? There were jobs, but nowhere to live.
Her boss stepped in, arranging a spot for her in a student hall. A tiny room, a bit of renovation, two babies she managed somehow. One afternoon, as she was trying to push the pram down the narrow hallway, a voice called out:
Can I give you a hand? Im John, I live next door.
He helped without asking any questions, then offered to lend a hand with the repairs. He started picking the twins up from nursery. At first Emma kept her distance fear, doubt but day by day John became part of their lives.
He was ordinary, reliable. Hed been cheated on himself his wife left him for a friend after learning they couldnt have children. And now he had two little ones who loved him with all their hearts.
When he proposed to Emma, she first said no.
Ive got kids. Youll find someone else.
I want to be with you. The kids arent a problem; theyre like my own.
They married, and a week later Mark showed up again.
Emma, Im sorry. I get it now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children have a real father now.
From the doorway, John stepped forward.
Meet him, thats my husband.
Mark turned, gave a halfwave and walked away forever.
A year passed. Emma and John bought their own flat in Sheffield. Where Mark is now, Emma doesnt know and doesnt want to. Because happiness isnt the one who promised it, but the one who stayed.
