A Difficult Decision
Walking through the park, Emily climbed onto the bridge and suddenly stopped, leaning over the railing to peer down. The river below was cold and darkmaybe not deep, but if she were to fall… She shuddered at the thought and hurried on.
She was coming back from her friend Sophies, where shed spent the night after a terrible row at home. Sophies mum, Auntie Helen, had been unbelievably kind, welcoming her without question.
«Come in, love, come inSophies in her room,» shed said, not asking why Emily had turned up on their doorstep so upset. She could tell something was wrong. She fed the girls dinner, made them tea with biscuits, and sent them off to bed. The next day was Sunday, and though Emily felt awkward overstaying her welcome, she decided to go home.
«Thanks, Auntie Helen, Id better head backmum and dad must be worried,» she said before leaving.
Crossing the bridge, Emily noticed a small churchstrange, shed never paid it any mind before, even though shed walked this way countless times with Sophie. Compelled by something inside her, she stepped inside.
A service was underway, the pews sparsely filled. She walked forward, glancing aroundit was her first time in a church. A large painting caught her eye, a young woman cradling a baby tenderly. Emily couldnt look away. After a while, an elderly woman in a headscarf whispered beside her:
«Dont even think twice, lovehave the baby. Itll all work out.»
Emily startled.
«How did you know?» she whispered back.
«Ah, pet, Ive lived long enough to see whats in a persons heart,» the woman smiled gently. «Trust me, itll be alright. Youre not the first, you wont be the last. No woman ever regretted having a child. Ive seen plenty like you in my time. Have your baby, and dont listen to anyone else.»
The vicar recited a prayer; the old woman crossed herself and bowed. Emily lingered a little longer before stepping back out into the sunlight, heading home.
«Whatever happens, happens,» she decided. The old woman was right.
The day before, after classes, Emily and Sophie had sat on a park bench, dreading going home. Emily was distraught.
«So what are you gonna do, Em? Keep the baby? Have you told Ethan?» Sophie bombarded her with questions. «What about your parents?»
«Soph, slow downyoure not even letting me answer,» Emily sighed.
Her mind was a fog. She was only in her second year at university, and now this. She didnt know how to tell her parentsespecially her mum. Margaret was tough and unpredictable. Shed never approve.
«Mumll kill me,» Emily muttered. «Ethan said he doesnt want the babytold me hes not ready to be a dad. Said not to call him again. I never thought hed do something like thisweve been together since secondary school.»
Sophie cursed Ethan under her breath, furious at his betrayal.
«Auntie Marg will shout, of course…» Sophie said, less confidently, remembering how strict Margaret could be. «But what do *you* want?»
«What do *I* want?» Emily wiped away a tear. «Im in my second year, Ethans bailed, Mumll lose itits not even up to me.»
«Alright, Soph, lets go home. Ill tell them tonight.»
That evening, all hell broke loose. Margarets voice was sharp with disbelief.
«How could you? Second year of uniwheres your head? Dont you know how to be careful? Theres no way youre keeping it. Youre *not* throwing your life away.»
«Marg, are you out of your mind?» her dad, James, cut in, voice firm. «What kind of thing is that to say to your own daughter?»
«James, stay out of it,» she snapped. «She needs to finish her degree, not wash nappies. And Ethans gonewhos gonna want her now? A single mum with no education? Shes *not* keeping it.»
«Marg, what are we here for? Well help raise our grandchild. Honestly, you shock me.»
«Oh, sure, *youll* helpbecause *youll* be the one up all night, wont you? Not like youve got a job. *I* work too. And Im not spending my forties playing grandma to a newborn!»
Emily sat frozen, then quietly slipped out while her parents shouted. They didnt even notice she was gone. She went to SophiesAuntie Helen always understood.
When she returned home, the house was silent. Her dad was scrolling on his phone, her mum clattering in the kitchen.
«Oh, youre back,» her mum said coldly.
«Love, youre homegood,» her dad said warmly. «You were at Sophies?»
«Yeah, Dad.»
She stood in the middle of the room, voice steady so her mum could hear.
«Im keeping the baby. Thats my decision.»
The words hung in the air. Even her mum stayed quiet.
Time passed. Things settled. Emily and Sophie were back on their park bench when Ethans mum, Catherine, approached. Emily tensedCatherine was kind, but still.
«Girls, helloEmily, could we talk?»
«Hi,» Emily said softly as Sophie excused herself.
Catherine sat beside her. «I know youre expecting. Sophie called meshe did the right thing. I want you to keep the baby. Ill help you, I promise.»
Emily hadnt expected *that*.
«I know my sons a coward. Hes not readybut *I* am. This is my grandchild. Ill support youfinancially, emotionallywhatever you need.»
«Why?» Emily asked.
«My eldest cant have children. And Ethan… well, God knows if hell ever settle down. This babys my only chance. Please.»
Emily believed her.
Tommy was born at the start of Emilys third yeara chubby, smiling little boy. Grandad James adored him, and so did Grandma Catherine, who visited often. The only shadow was Margaret. Near the due date, she packed her bags.
«Enjoy your sleepless nights. Im not becoming a glorified babysitter.»
She moved in with a colleaguea long-term affair everyone but James had known about. He was devastated.
Emily didnt take time off. Between her dad and Catherine, she managed her studies. Catherine took leave to help with Tommy, and by the time he turned one, things were easier.
«Ethans been called up,» Catherine mentioned once. «Maybe the armyll knock some sense into him.»
Later, she added, «Hes staying ondoesnt want to come home.»
Years passed. Tommy grew. Margaret never called.
One evening, Emily told her dad, «Im seeing Oliverfrom work. Hes lovely.»
«Bring him round, then.»
Oliver, tall and warm, shook Jamess hand. «Good to meet you, sir.»
They hit it off instantlysame university, same interests.
«Hes a good man, Em,» James said later. «And Tommy *adores* him.»
Soon, Tommy had a dad, and James, a son-in-law. Even Catherine was happy for themthough she worried shed see less of Tommy. She neednt have.
One day, walking in the park with Oliver and Tommy, her hand resting on her swollen belly, Emily smiled.
«That old woman in the church was right.»
No woman ever regretted her child.
And Emily was happy.
