Emily, why do we need a baby? Ethan asked his wife one evening. Were perfectly fine as we are. A child would bring endless sleepless nights, constant care, and Id probably lose my shape and put on weight. Do we really want that? Lets postpone having a child for another six years.
For five years Ethan and Emily lived together as a married couple, and at first everything seemed like a fairytale. Gradually, however, Ethan began to steer the conversation toward parenthood. Emily tried to delay the idea, and then, unexpectedly, declared that she didnt even want to hear about children. Their relationship grew strained, arguments erupted, and Ethan resorted to desperate pleading. Emilys refrain grew louder each month:
Ethan, whats the point of a bundle of spit and snot? Sleepless nights, endless nappies, a postbirth body the size of a cow, and perpetual fatigue. Ive just listed the easiest drawbacks! I dont want to waste my youth on all that. Lets wait.
Ethan felt her words like thunder striking a clear sky. Before they married, Emily had dreamed of a big family and had promised him:
Of course, love, well have lots of childrenat least three! But not right away, okay? First well settle in, get a home, and then well have them.
Five years later Emily suddenly announced that she wasnt ready for children yet. Ethan, who had always longed for an heir, tried to convince her that the time had long passed:
Emily, weve been together eight years, five of those as a married couple. Its time to think about the next generation! We have a flat in Manchester, a car, savings for maternity leave, and a nestegg for a baby. What are we waiting for?
What makes you think now is the right moment? Emily snapped. I still want to live for myself. I have plans, so many things I want to achieve. A child doesnt fit into any of them. Arent we fine as a pair? We have everything we need. Why do we need a third person?
What do you mean by third person? Are you treating a child like a stranger? Ethan retorted. When will you ever be ready? In a proper family there should be children. I want to be a father, period! I dont understand why youve changed your mind so abruptly. Before we wed you said something completely different.
Because its easy for you to talk about it! Emily exploded. You dont have to endure nine months of a growing belly, morning sickness, or the extra weight after. Ive spent five years at the gym! And now you expect me to give it all up? I wont lose my shape, and Im not abandoning my lifestyle. A baby would mean five years without friends, shopping, a normal life. Why would I want that?
Everyone lives like that, Emily, Ethan tried to reason. Its not a disasterchildren grow up, and youll get back to your hobbies. Ill help with everything.
Lets revisit this in five or six years, Emily pleaded. Im not ready now. I dont want us to argue. Its my body, after all, and I have the right to decide what I do with it. I certainly dont want to become ugly.
At first Ethan tried all the usual tactics. They watched films about happy families, strolled through parks and childrens playgrounds, and he even arranged for Emily to spend time with his sisters newborn fourth child, hoping the sight would spark a maternal instinct. Emilys reaction was flat; she seemed uncomfortable even touching the infant, as if the instinct simply wasnt there.
Having exhausted every gentle approach, Ethan finally drew a line:
If you dont want children with me, then were on different paths. Lets separate. Youll find someone who shares your view, and Ill find mine. I wont be left alone.
Emily was taken aback; she had never even considered divorce. She worked from home and Ethan helped with the household. A split would mean looking for a new job and a new flat.
Ethan, wait! she begged. What are you talking about? Divorce? Would you really throw away everything for this?
Its not a joke, Ethan replied. I grew up in a full housebrothers, sisters. I believe a marriage without children is incomplete. Were wasting time. You told me before we married that you wanted kids, and now youre hiding that because you fear gaining weight. Its absurd!
But why cant we just enjoy life as we are? A child is a huge expense. It means giving up a lot. Youd be fine, but Id have to change my whole routine! I couldnt leave the house, Id be on call 24/7, sleepless, exhausted. Im not prepared for that. Isnt that hard to understand?
Ill hire a nanny, a housekeeper, my parents will helpwhats the problem? Ethan shouted. The issue is your attitude toward a child. Theres not a hint of tenderness in your eyes. Emily, tell me what you truly want. What future do 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 who could fund that lifestyle. Though she still cared for Ethan, financial security was high on her list.
She found no support. Her aunt, ever outspoken, declared:
Emily, youre behaving disgracefully! Youve forgotten youre married! Youre flitting from bar to bar while your husband works! Stop shaming the family!
What am I doing wrong? Emily retorted. Ethan knows where I go. Its not every day Im out. When the weekend comes Im home, locked in. Give me advice, not criticism. We argue constantly about childrenhe wants them, I dont. Why now? Maybe you could talk to him? He respects you.
I wont talk to him! the aunt snapped. Hes right. You should be having a baby already. Thatll put your mind back on track.
Emily refused to back down. She decided to pretend she would agree to Ethans terms, just to keep the peace. One day she dramatically threw a pack of nappies on the floor and declared:
Fine, Ethan, Ill have a babyon one condition: a nanny will raise him while I pursue my own life.
Ethan believed her, while Emily secretly kept taking birthcontrol pills and, to keep Ethan offbalance, visited a familiar doctor who brushed off their worries:
I see no problem. Just relax. Forget about the baby for a while. Ive seen couples who waited for years and then things fell into place naturally.
Six months later, the unexpected happened: Emilys pregnancy test showed two lines. She panickedwhat now? Give birth and ruin the life she had built?
Ethan walked into the bathroom unexpectedly. Emily tried to hide the test, but it was too late.
Whats that? he asked, stepping closer.
Emily stared at the floor, silent. Ethan snatched the test from her hand.
Emily! Are you pregnant? Im going to be a father! he shouted, pulling her into his arms and twirling her around the bathroom. Thank you, love! This is the happiest day of my life!
Emily forced a smile. What now? How to navigate this new reality?
They celebrated the news at a restaurant in Leeds. A new ring glinted on Emilys finger, Ethan sat opposite her in a crisp suit, beaming and repeatedly saying:
Well be the best parents in the world! I promise youll never want for anything! Thank you, love!
That night Emily lay awake, Ethans joyful face replaying in her mind. Dark thoughts crept in:
Could a child actually improve our life? Am I just scared of change? I could lose weight, stay fitwomen do it. And its my husbands child, after all For the first time in years, her heart fluttered with an unfamiliar feeling. Maybe she had made the right choice after all.
Nine months passed quickly. Ethan doted on Emily, fulfilling her every whim. He chose the maternity hospital, they attended parenttobe classes together. Emily tried to support him, yet anxiety about labour and motherhood lingered.
When the due date arrived, Emily gave birth to a healthy boy. As the midwife placed him on Emilys chest, she saw his tiny face, a little, wrinkled bundle that bore an uncanny resemblance to Ethan. He let out a soft, comical cry. All her fears melted away.
My Emily whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
They named him Samuel. From his first breath, Emily immersed herself in motherhood. She fed him, sang lullabies, strolled with him in the park. She even felt a pang of jealousy when Ethan held Samuel, and each evening by the cot she asked herself how she could have ever doubted the joy a child brings. She realised that had she known sooner, she would have welcomed that happiness earlier.
In the end, Emily learned that lifes greatest gifts often arrive wrapped in uncertainty, and that true partnership means embracing change together, even when it challenges our deepest comforts. The lesson lingered: love grows not just by having more, but by daring to share the journey, however unexpected.
