Too late
Laura stepped out of the gynaecology clinic in utter bewilderment. She unfolded the paper, read it again: Pregnancy 7 to 8 weeks. How on earth did that happen? Why didnt I notice a thing? she thought, walking to her car. Did I forget a pill? What nowhave a baby? Im already 43, and this?
She drove home lost in thought. At a traffic light she barely saw the cars lurch forward, only jolting awake when the driver behind blared his horn.
Back in her flat, Laura threw herself into chores to keep the worry at bay. After lunch her daughter Molly dropped by for a quick visit and to share the latest news.
Mum, Ive got a surprise for you! she announced cheerily, settling at the kitchen table.
Spill it, love, dont keep me hanging, Laura replied, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Mum, Sam proposed! Molly beamed, and I said yes!
Congratulations, my girl! Laura sobbed, hugging her. Sam was exactly the sort of bloke shed hoped forsmart, driven, steady, ambitiously modest, wellbehaved and welleducated. At twentyfive he earned a decent salary, lived on his own, and had been independent for years. Hed been dating Molly for almost three years, and Laura had seen plenty of proof that he meant business.
So, whens the wedding? Laura asked, pouring steaming tea into mugs.
Dont know yet, Molly shrugged, we havent set a date. Probably next summer.
Will you tell Dad? Laura pressed, eyeing her daughter.
I dont think so, Molly frowned, to be honest, I dont even want to
Dont be like that, Laura chided gently, hes your father, he loves you. I get that youre angry, but people split upits not a reason to cut ties. Ive forgiven him, and you should too. No hard feelings, and invite him to the wedding, please!
Mum, how can you be so calm about it? Molly snapped, He left you for another woman, and you forgave him! He spent a whole year seeing his secretary behind your back! Can you really forgive that?
Sweetheart, Simon and I were married for twentytwo years. We raised youwhat a brilliant, beautiful girl. Those were happy years, and Im grateful to him for that. But then he fell for someone else. You cant command a heart what would you have expected me to do? Throw a tantrum, hide the hurt, hate him forever? Because his feelings cooled? Its absurd, Molly, dont you see?
No, Mum, I dont get it, Molly shook her head, if Sam treated me like that Id I dont even know what Id do!
Laura stopped arguing; an emotional, quicktempered Molly would never see her point. Youth sees things differently, after all.
After seeing Molly off, Laura returned to the kitchen, washed the dishes, and pulled out a roast from the freezer. Her mind kept looping back to the unexpected pregnancy and what to do about it. Giving birth at her age, and without a husband, was terrifying, yet the idea of being a mother again, of caring for a little one, tugged at her heart.
She fetched an old photo album from the loft and leafed through pictures of Molly as a baby, grinning with her grandmother, then a schoolyard snap in a pretty dress by the town parks gate. Laura recalled the day Molly fell off a swing, the trip to the doctor, and the tiny stitch that left a barely visible scar on her knee.
Another picture showed firstgrade Molly with a bouquet, Simon looking solemn beside her. In that photo Laura was a slender twentysomething in a light trouser suit, skyhigh heels, and a bangscut that now seemed ridiculous.
A fifthgrade shot captured Molly playing SnowGirl at the Christmas concert, wearing a silver dress Laura had sewn herself after nothing decent turned up in the shops. Shed spent three nights at the sewing machine, and the result was a hit.
A family holiday snap displayed Laura, Simon, and a grownup Molly on a sunny beach in Thailand, all bronzed and beaming.
A wave of melancholy washed over Laura. Shed once believed she had the most solid, loving family. Simon and she had trusted each other, shared dreams, a joint life. Years passed, Molly blossomed, Simons career took off, they built a house, bought a car, travelled often. Laura opened a boutique specialising in wedding gownsher longheld dream realised. It all seemed endless.
But there was a dark spot: after Molly, Laura could no longer carry a child. Shed suffered early miscarriages, once reaching fourteen weeks only to learn the baby had severe defects, forcing a heartbreaking termination. One night in the hospital she sobbed until dawn, then resolved never to try again.
Looking back, irony struck her. Shed once had youth, a loving husband, financial security, and a burning wish for another childyet nothing came together. Now, with that stability gone, fate tossed her a surprise pregnancy as if to mock her.
When Simon announced he was leaving, Laura wasnt shocked. Shed suspected he had a lover; he always dismissed her concerns as wild imagination. She launched a desperate campaign to win him back, even considering a household striptease, but Simon flatout refused counselling, calling it nonsense and accusing her of creating problems out of thin air. She tried every forum tip, from heartfelt talks to seductive dancesnothing worked. A month earlier Simon packed his things and moved out, later filing for divorce, confirming Lauras worst fear.
She never understood what he found in his new secretary, Oliviaa young woman a shade older than Molly, with siliconeenhanced lips, dolllike lashes, and a plunging neckline that made Lauras skin crawl. Laura had begged Simon to replace her, but he brushed it off:
Lara, I dont care how she looks; shes efficient, not stupid. I cant waste time recruiting anyone else when the office is in chaos.
Laura sensed Olivia wasnt the golden employee Simon claimed, and later discovered her suspicions were rightSimon had swapped his marriage for a siliconefilled fantasy, shattering years of builtup trust.
Simon left Laura a modest twobed flat in the city; he moved with Olivia to a country house. The thought of a stranger living where Laura, Simon, and Molly once created happy memories infuriated her. Shed agreed to the split because the city flat was convenient for work and close to Mollys rented flat, but the lingering sting never faded.
The next day, a Saturday, Laura visited her longtime friend Nora, whom shed known since their children were in the same nursery. Nora greeted her with a bottle of whisky on the table.
Lets have a good fiftygram pour, Laura. Ive cooked a roastperfect with a nip of whisky! Nora winked, pulling out shot glasses.
Thanks, Nora, but Ill pass. I cant, Laura said.
Why not? Are you on meds? Nora asked.
No, just pregnant, Laura replied with a halfsmile.
Noras eyes widened. Hang ondid you and Simon split? Or have you already found a lover?
Not a lover, Nora! This baby is Simons. We had one night a couple of months agocandles, wine, lace and then Laura gestured toward her belly.
Nora shook her head, My word! What will you do?
Im at a loss, Laura sighed. I learned yesterday, and I still cant decide
Nora, ever blunt, said, Youre a bit old to be giving birth now. Raising a child on your own at fiftysomething is tough. Maybe claim maintenance? Though with Molly about to marry, you might end up as a grannyinlaw. I wouldnt risk it if I were you. But the choice is yours.
Laura nodded, Probably youre right, its late.
She left Nora, headed to Mollys flat.
Mum, hi! Come in, want a coffee? Molly greeted.
No thanks, love, I need to talk. Is Sam home? Laura asked, hoping for a private chat.
Hes at his parents helping with a renovation, Molly replied.
Laura, nervous, told her about the pregnancy.
Mum, do you actually want this baby? Molly asked.
Yes, very much, Laura whispered, but Im scared
Mum, what does the doctor say?
Everything looks fine, the babys developing normally. Ive lost two children before, and the reasons were never clear. Maybe the doctors werent the best Im terrified of going through that again. At my age, they say its risky, and the baby could have problems. Ive read horror stories onlinedont even get me started! Im not sure Im ready.
Mum, listen to me. You need thorough checkups; your health comes first. Go to reputable doctors, not random internet forums. Nowadays many people have babies after forty; its not that rare. If youre fit, why not?
Laura nodded, Youre right, maybe I should try.
The decision is yours alone, but know well support you, youre not alone, Molly said. Will you tell Dad?
No, not worth it, Laura replied.
Medical tests showed no serious health issues, and Laura decided to keep the baby. She wondered whether to tell Simon. Should I mention it? He probably doesnt need to knowIm not his priority now, nor is the baby.
Shed only seen Simon a couple of times since the split, when he collected a few belongings. Six months later he turned up at her boutique.
Laura, Im here because I cant find the house papers. They must be with you. I called, you didnt answer. I went to the city flat but couldnt get in. Did you change the locks? Simon asked, eyes flicking to her rounded belly.
I did, Laura replied calmly, and what did you expect, wandering into my house whenever you feel like it? Weve settled that. I have no documents.
You havent lost any time, have you? Married again? Simon smirked.
No, Simon, not married and not planning to. My life isnt your concern, Im busy, Laura snapped. I have work, no time for chitchat.
Simon muttered something and left. He returned to his office, haunted by Lauras image. Whats her gestation? Could she have found a new man already? I cant believe shed decide to have a baby now, he mused.
At that moment Olivia breezed in, hips swaying.
Darling, Im starving, lets go out for dinner! she cooed, perching on the edge of his desk.
Later, Olivia, Im busy, Simon replied, distracted.
Come on, Simon, cant you put work aside for me? she pouted.
Go alone if you must, he said, and she huffed out.
A few weeks later, Lauras baby was welcomed by Molly, Sam, Nora, and several girls from the boutique. Sam gently cradled the newborn in a blue blanket.
Good heavens, hes tiny! Scary to hold! he whispered, rocking the infant.
Hes adorable, looks just like me, right, Mum? Molly cooed, eyeing her baby brother.
Yes, just like you, Laura laughed.
Returning home, Laura gasped: while shed been out, Molly and Sam had turned a spare room into a nursery, draping colourful garlands and balloons, and writing in glitter Happy Birthday, Danny! on the wallLauras chosen name for the boy.
Danny was born healthy, and Laura felt wonderfully well. Days blurred into feeding, changing, and the occasional park stroll with Molly, who often took Danny out to give Mom a breather.
Well, Molly, this is a rehearsal for motherhood! Laura joked as she watched her daughter handle the baby like a pro. One day youll have your own kids, and you already know the ropes!
Mum, I love it! Molly replied, winking at Sam.
A couple of months later, a knock sounded at Lauras door. Simon stood there, a bouquet in hand.
Hello, Laura, he said, extending the flowers, which she declined.
Simon, what brings you here? she asked coolly, arms crossed.
I know everything nowDanny is my son. Nora told me, he blurted.
And that changes nothing, Laura replied.
Please, Im sorry, I was a fool. I realised what Ive done. I want to raise our son together. Will you take me back? Simon pleaded, eyes guilty.
Laura stared at the man who had once been her husband and thought of the promises shed have made just a year ago. No, Simon. Youve had your chance. Its far too late. Dont come back, she said, stepping back and slamming the door, locking it.
Let me see my son! he shouted, pounding on the wood.
He kept turning up, lurking in the park when Laura pushed the pram, begging for forgiveness and a fresh start. Laura remained unmoved. At Molly and Sams wedding, Simon appeared only for a brief toast, handed them a generous cheque, and left.
Later Laura learned from mutual friends that Simon had married Olivia, but the marriage lasted only a few months before she left him for someone else.
