At Forty-One, a Child?!” He Yelled at Nastya. “Women Your Age Are Grandmothers Already—Don’t Be Foolish with These Children’s Books!

“At forty-one, you want a baby?!” James shouted at Emily. “Most women your age are grandmothers! Emily, dont be ridiculous!”

“Fine, I get ityou think this is foolish. But have you even considered the child?” James continued, his voice sharp. “I dont want to be hobbling around with a walking stick at her wedding! And what if something happens to us while shes still young? Sort this out now, or Ill leave you!”

Emily and James had been married for twenty years. Shed married him straight out of university, barely more than a girl herself. All this time, shed believed him to be her rock, her closest ally. Never had she imagined hed turn against her like this.

Recently, their family had erupted into a bitter rowthe reason being Emilys unexpected late pregnancy. James was adamantly opposed.

“Emily, have you lost your mind? Deciding to play mother in your dotage? Weve got three wonderful boysOlivers already at university, and Noah and Ethan are finishing secondary school. Arent they enough? What will the boys think? That weve gone senile?”

“James, Ive always dreamed of a daughter,” Emily insisted. “If fates given us this child, why shouldnt she come into the world?”

“And what if its another boy? Will we keep going for a fifth?” James snapped.

“Im certain its a girl.”

Even the boys didnt support her. When Noah and Ethan heard about the new addition, they flatly refused to share their room. Oliver, the eldest, voiced his concerns too.

“Mum, arent you scared at your age? What if something happens to you?”

“Itll be fine,” Emily reassured him. “Im not that old!”

This wasnt the first time James had reacted this way. When shed been expecting the twins, hed been just as reluctant. Back then, Oliver had been three, money was tight, and theyd lived with James parents. Emily had clashed constantly with her mother-in-law.

But when the doctor announced twins, everything changed. James mother gave them money for a house deposit, and James became more attentive. Noah and Ethan, surprisingly, were quiet babies, letting Emily rest. Oliver adored having playmates, often keeping his brothers occupied.

This time, Emily hoped things would magically fall into place again.

By the third week, though, trouble started. She felt sick at work. For over a decade, shed worked as a nail technician, accustomed to the strong smells of polishes and oils. Now, the sight of bright bottles made her nauseous. Medicine didnt help. She was forced to quit.

Too weak to wash dishes, let alone clean, Emily spent her days in bed. Groceries became a luxury, and James and the boys werent pleased.

With her income gone, money grew tight. James, a paramedic, started working double shifts. Oliver switched to evening classes, working days at an electronics shop.

Emily saw the disapproval in their eyes. Even her parents warned herher age made pregnancy dangerous. Neighbours whispered when she left the flat. She felt utterly alone.

Then came the scan.

The doctor frowned at the screen, murmuring numbers to the nurse. Emily lay motionless, afraid even to breathe. Finally, she blurted out, “Doctor, is it a girl or a boy?”

“Female. But theres an issue.”

Emilys stomach dropped. “Whats wrong?”

“Try not to panic, but I must tell you. The baby has a neural tube defecta serious condition. By 23 weeks, it should be closed. Yours is still open. The child may be disabled.”

Emily burst into tears. “Cant you help her? Are there treatments?”

The doctor looked away.

Dazed, Emily wandered the hospital corridors, barely registering her surroundings. Back in the car, she sobbed uncontrollably.

At home, James was heating dinner. The boys were out. Now was the time.

“I had the scan today,” Emily said hoarsely. “Its a girl. But theres a problemher neural tube hasnt closed.”

James stiffened. “What did Dr. Harris say?”

“Nothing. He suggested termination. I refused. I cant do it, James! Shes still our daughter!”

“Youre insane!” James exploded. “Do you understand what this means? That child could be disabledif she even survives. Tomorrow, Im getting you that referral myself.”

“I wont go.”

“Then dont expect my support! I wont watch you sufferor that child!”

James stormed off, yanking a duffel bag from the wardrobe.

“James, what are you doing?” Emily cried. “Youre leaving? Abandoning us? Shes your daughter too!”

“I wont indulge this madness!” He stuffed clothes into the bag. “Think about the boys! Have you ever seen a child like that? My mum had a baby after meborn with a heart defect. He lived six months. I still remember the horror. She never wanted kids again. Well, neither do I. And Im taking the boys.”

He slammed the door behind him.

James mother, Margaret, was stunned to see him on her doorstep with a bag.

“Whats happened? A row with Emily?”

“More than that. Shes keeping a disabled childagainst my wishes. Im filing for divorce.”

“James, the mother and child are one. Its her choice. Calm downlet me make you tea.”

As he slumped into a chair, James asked quietly, “Mum would you have had Ian if youd known?”

“Of course! I hoped till the end hed pull through. And since when do scans never lie? Has that hospital never misdiagnosed anyone?”

James remembered their neighbour, ClaireDr. Harris had said her baby had a heart defect. The boy was born perfectly healthy.

In the morning, James went back to the clinic. The ultrasound room was locked.

“Hes not in today,” a nurse explained. “The machines brokenagain. Third time this month. Were waiting for a technician.”

Doubt gnawed at him. An old colleague worked at a private cliniched take Emily there.

When Emily returned from the shops, James was waiting. “Get your coat. Were going private.”

The private scan was quick. The doctor studied the screen, then smiled.

“Everythings normal. No defects at all. Shes perfectly healthy. Would you like to hear her heartbeat?”

James wept. Emily asked about the first diagnosis.

“The tube is closed. Your daughters fine.”

Relief flooded them both. James held Emily tight.

In the coming weeks, every scan confirmed their daughters health.

When little Harriet was born, the family gatheredeven those whod urged termination.

“She looks just like you,” Margaret whispered, cradling her granddaughter. “Those blue eyes! Im so proud, James.”

James adored Harriet from the first moment, spending every free second with her.

“Fancy watching telly with me?” Emily teased.

“Later,” hed say, grinning. “Harriet and I have plans.”

Even the boys, whod sworn they wanted nothing to do with a baby, set up a rota for walks with their little sister. Emily trusted them completelyshe knew theyd take care of her.