Tom, Im pregnant! Lucy blurted out the moment she stepped into the hallway, giving her husband no chance to guess what was coming. He froze, glanced sideways and sighed, Well if thats how it turned out, before planting a quick kiss on her cheek, as if trying to dodge his own feelings.
Lucy fell for James back when she was still a university student. He worked at the firm where she was doing her placement young, goodlooking, already deputy manager practically a Prince Charming straight out of a glossy brochure. A modest girl from a small town, Lucy never imagined anyone would notice her. Yet on the very last day of her placement, James walked over, handed her a box of chocolates and asked her out for drinks. And that, dear reader, is how their story began.
On their first date he confessed hed grown up without parents. His mother remarried and left, leaving him in his grandmothers care. Lucy didnt mention that her own parents had never bothered with her either a childhood of cold indifference, not a single warm hug. Both knew what loneliness felt like, and perhaps thats why they clicked so fast.
A month later Lucy moved into Jamess rented flat. Soon after came the wedding modest, no fireworks, but full of hope. They dreamed of a house, a quiet life, a future together. The only thing they disagreed on was children. Lucy had wanted a baby for ages; James kept stalling, Were fine as we are, why rush?
When the pregnancy test showed two pink lines, Lucy hesitated to tell him. She feared judgment, the inevitable guilt trips. At last she gathered the courage.
Are you happy well be parents? she asked.
I thought that would be later James muttered, his disappointment plain as day.
He didnt even go to the first ultrasound. He waited in the car while Lucy returned, eyes brimming with tears and joy twins. Two tiny heartbeats thumped inside her.
Twins?! James went pale. That wasnt the plan. Youve got to have an abortion!
What are you saying?! I saw our children I cant, Lucy sobbed.
She hoped hed come around, that hed understand. But each day he drifted further away, picking on her weight, complaining shed lost her shape. She tried to ignore it. After the babies arrived, things only got worse.
Emma and Grace the twins became the centre of her universe. James, meanwhile, stayed late at work, withdrew, and never lifted a finger to help. Lucy endured it all for the children, for love, for family.
When the girls were a year and a half old, Lucy mentioned returning to work. James sat opposite her, staring at the floor.
Listen, Ive got someone else. Im leaving. I wont abandon the kids, but I want a life with her.
Lucy was stunned.
You promised youd never end up like your parents! she choked out, tears streaming.
He left. At first he still showed up now and then, then vanished for good. Lucy was left alone, broke, without support. Move back to the village? No jobs there. Stay in the city? No roof over her head.
Her boss stepped in, arranging a spot in a university hall of residence. A tiny room, a bit of renovation, two kids she somehow managed. One afternoon, as she tried to push the stroller into the park, a voice called out:
May I give you a hand? Im Mark. I live next door.
He helped without a second thought, later offering to lend a hand with the repairs. He started picking the twins up from nursery. Lucy was wary at first, frightened, but day by day Mark became part of their lives.
He was ordinary, reliable. He too had been betrayed his wife had left him for a friend after discovering they couldnt have children. Now he had two little ones who loved him fiercely.
When Mark proposed to Lucy, she balked.
I have kids. Youll find a single woman out there.
I want to be with you. The children arent a problem; theyre like my own.
They married. A week later James turned up at the door.
Lucy, Im sorry. I understand everything now. Lets start over
Its too late. Im married. My children now have a real father.
From behind the doorway stepped Marks husband, David.
Nice to meet you, Im his husband.
James turned, waved a hand, and walked away forever.
A year passed. Lucy and Mark bought their own flat. Where James was now, Lucy never knew and didnt care. After all, happiness isnt the one who makes promises, but the one who actually stays.
