It was far too late when Laura Whitaker walked out of the gynaecologists clinic, her mind in a fog. She stared at the printed note, read it once more: Pregnancy seven to eight weeks. How could this have happened? Why hadnt I felt a thing? she thought, shuffling toward her car. Did I forget a pill? What am I to do now? Give birth at fortythree? This is absurd.
She drove home lost in thought. At a traffic light she barely noticed the cars inching forward, only jolting awake when a driver behind blared his horn. Back at her flat she busied herself with the chores, hoping the domestic bustle would drown the uneasy thoughts.
After lunch her daughter Emma popped in for a brief visit, eager to share news.
Mum, Ive got a surprise for you! she chirped, taking a seat at the kitchen table.
Come on then, dont keep me waiting, Laura replied, eyes alight with curiosity.
Emma, Jack proposed to me! the girl announced, beaming. And I said yes!
Lauras eyes welled. Congratulations, my dear! she said, wrapping Emma in a hug.
Jack was a sensible, ambitious twentyfiveyearold, wellmannered and educated, earning a decent wage for his age and already living independently. He and Emma had been together for almost three years, and Laura had seen enough of his steadiness to trust his intentions toward her daughter.
What about the wedding? Laura asked, pouring steaming tea into their cups.
We havent set a date yet, Emma shrugged. Probably next summer.
Will you tell your father? Laura pressed, looking intently at her.
I dont know, Emma frowned. Honestly, I dont even want to
Emma, you cant do that, Laura chided gently. Hes your father, he loves you. I know youre hurt, but people do part ways; its no reason to cut him out. Ive forgiven him, and you should too. Dont hold a grudge, and do invite him to the wedding.
Mother, how can you be so so forgiving? Emma snapped. He left you for another woman, and you forgave him! He spent a whole year seeing his secretary behind your back! How could you possibly forgive that?
Laura sighed. Michael and I were together for twentytwo years. We raised yousmart, beautifulthose were happy years, and Im grateful to him for that. But he fell in love with someone else. You cant command a heart, Emma What could I have done? Throw a fit, smash dishes, nurse a grudge? Hate him to the end of my days? For what? Because his feelings cooled? That would be foolish, Emma, dont you see?
I dont understand, Emma muttered, shaking her head. If Jack had done this to me, Id I dont even know what Id do!
Laura said no more; Emmas fiery temper would not be soothed. Youth sees such betrayals differently, she thought.
When Emma left, Laura returned to the kitchen, washed up, and pulled a joint of meat from the freezer for dinner. The surprise pregnancy swirled in her mind, a knot of fear and longing. To bear a child at her age, alone, was daunting; yet the thought of being a mother again, of caring for a tiny life, tugged at her heart.
She fetched an old photo album from the loft, filled with pictures of Emma as a baby in a romper, smiling up at her grandmother. Then a shot of Emma a few years later in a pretty dress at the gates of the town park, where she had once fallen from a swing, the scar on her knee barely visible. Another picture showed her firstgrade self, clutching a bouquet beside her parents and Michael, his expression solemn.
Laura remembered the day she, a slender young woman in a light suit and highheeled sandals, had cut her own hair into that odd bob.
A later photograph captured Emma at a school play, SnowGirl, dressed in a silver frock and rabbitfur stole that Laura had sewn herself over three sleepless nights. The result was stunning.
A family shot on a sunkissed beach in Spain showed Laura, Michael, and a grownup Emma, all bronzed and smiling.
Sadness crept in. Once Laura believed her family was the strongest on earth. Michael and she had shared dreams, plans, a home they finally finished, a car, countless holidays. Laura even opened a boutique tailors shop, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. It seemed nothing could ever break the spell.
But fate had a cruel sense of timing. After Emma, Laura could not carry another child to term. The first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, the second was halted at fourteen weeks when severe fetal abnormalities were discovered. She spent a night sobbing in a hospital ward until dawn, then resolved never to try again.
Looking back, Laura saw bitter irony. In her prime she possessed youth, a loving husband, prosperity, and the burning desire for another child. Yet the universe denied her. Now, with all that stability gone, an unplanned pregnancy arrived as if to mock her.
When Michael announced he was leaving, it was hardly a shock. She had suspected his affair for some time, though he dismissed her concerns as fanciful. She launched a frantic campaign to win him back, even suggesting a family therapist, which Michael refused, calling it nonsense. She tried every ploy she could think ofhearttoheart talks, even a cheeky stripteasebut to no avail.
A month later he packed his bags, filed for divorce, and Laura finally understood it was over. Their parting conversation lingered for days; she could not grasp why Michael had chosen the young, attractive secretary Clairesiliconeenhanced lips, long false lashes, a daring neckline. Laura had begged him to replace her, but he shrugged, Laura, I dont care what she looks like; shes efficient, sharp, I cant spare the time to find another.
Laura realised that Michael had swapped her for a pretty façade, shattering years of shared life. Yet she had to move on. Michael left her the city twobed flat she still occupied, while he moved to a country house with Claire. The thought that a stranger now lived in the home where their childhood memories lingered infuriated Laura, though she had agreed to stay in the city for work and to be near Emma and Jacks flat.
The following Saturday, a day off, Laura visited her old friend Margaret, whom shed known since their children were in the same nursery. Margaret greeted her with a bottle of whisky. Lets have a dram, Lara, she said, winking, Ive cooked a roast, perfect with a nip.
Thanks, Margaret, but Ill pass, Laura replied. Im pregnant, you see.
Margarets eyebrows rose. You and Michael are split, arent you? Or have you taken a lover? she teased.
No lover, Margaret. Its Michaels child. We had one night together a couple of months agocandles, wine, lacetrimmed nightdress and that was it. She placed a hand on her belly for emphasis.
Good grief, youre brave, Margaret murmured, shaking her head. What will you do?
I have no idea, Laura sighed. Just learned this yesterday. Im at a loss.
Margaret warned, Youre getting on a bit, love. Giving birth at your age, raising a child alone Itll be a battle. Maybe claim maintenance? But who knows? Emma might soon be married herself, grandchildren on the way. Its a gamble, honestly.
Laura nodded, the words echoing her own doubts.
She left Margarets house and drove to Emmas flat.
Hey, Mum! Emma called, beaming. Come in. Want a cuppa?
No, thank you. I need to talk. Is Jack home? Laura asked.
Hes at his parents helping with repairs, Emma replied.
Laura, her voice trembling, told Emma about the pregnancy.
Do you actually want the baby? Emma asked.
Very much, Laura whispered, but Im scared.
What does the doctor say?
He says everything looks fine, the babys developing normally. I lost two children before and never got a clear cause. Im nervous about repeating that, especially at my age. Ive read horror stories onlinepeople say its dangerous after forty. Im not sure Im ready.
Emma reached across the table. Mum, you must get proper checkups, not rely on the internet. Medicine has come a long way. Many women have babies after forty now. If youre healthy, why not?
Laura nodded. Youre right. Ill think about it.
She later visited the doctor; no serious health issues emerged, and she decided to keep the baby. Should I tell Michael? she wondered, Hes not in my life anymore; does he even need to know?
She saw Michael only a couple of times, when he collected a few belongings from the flat. Six months passed without contact, until one afternoon he turned up at her boutique.
Lara, Im here for some paperwork on the house, he said, eyes flicking to her rounded belly. Ive tried calling, you never answered. I went to the city flat but couldnt get in. Did you change the locks?
I did, Laura replied calmly. Do you think you can just wander into my home whenever you feel like it? Were done. I have no documents to give you.
Michael smirked, So you havent married again, I see.
No, Sam, I havent and I wont. My life is my own business.
He muttered something as he left, the thought of a newborn son lingering in his mind. Whats the gestation? Could she have found someone else quickly? I cant believe Laura would do this.
Just then Claire sauntered in, pouting.
Darling, Im hungry, lets go out to dinner, she cooed, perching on the edge of his desk.
Im busy, Claire, Michael replied, distracted.
Come on, you cant always put work before me! she huffed and left.
Later, Laura gave birth to a healthy boy she named Daniel. The midwife assured her everything was fine. Days slipped by in a blur of feeding, changing, and sleepless nights, but Laura felt a quiet joy. Emma often stopped by, holding Daniel while Laura rested, or theyd stroll together in the nearby park.
Look at you, Emma, practising mothering already! Laura teased. One day youll have your own children, and youll be a pro.
Its wonderful! Emma replied, eyes shining.
A few months later, a knock sounded at Lauras door. Michael stood there, a bouquet in hand.
Hello, Laura, he said, extending the flowers, which she refused.
What brings you here? she asked, arms crossed.
I know Daniel is my son. Nina, your friend, told me.
And what does that matter now? she snapped.
Im sorry, Laura. I was a fool. I realized what Ive thrown away. I want to be part of our sons life. Will you let me?
Laura recalled an old saying: A thief whos stolen once will steal again. She shook her head. No, Sam. Its too late. Dont come back. She stepped back and slammed the door, locking it.
He shouted, I have a right to see my child! and returned several times, trying to intercept her in the park with the pram, pleading for forgiveness. Laura remained steadfast. He did attend Emma and Jacks wedding, stayed briefly, handed over a generous sum of money, and left.
Through mutual acquaintances Laura learned Michael had married Claire, but that marriage lasted only a few months before she left him for someone else.
Thus the years passed, marked by loss, unexpected hope, and the quiet certainty that life, however tangled, moves on.
