Lucy, take her away! I can’t do this anymore! I even feel disgusted just touching her!

Claire, take her! I cant do this anymore! I cant even bear to touch her!
Beth was trembling. The baby in her arms was crying inconsolably.
Claire gently reached out and took her niece, nodding in agreement.
All right. But this is your decision; you wont have any complaints later?
No, of course not! Take her away. I dont want her!
The little one was only a month old. From the very beginning of Beths pregnancy, something had seemed wrong. Claire chalked up her mood swings to the last months of pregnancy. Beth had been widowed more than seven years, her older children grown and scattered. A short trip to Brighton, a brief whirlwind romance, and an unexpected pregnancy had taken everyone by surprise. Beth was never the impulsive sort, and at first, she seemed happy at the prospect of a new baby. But then Claire began to notice odd behaviourBeth would suddenly go out shopping for baby clothes or hunt for prams, then lapse into silence for weeks, shutting herself away in her flat.
Right before her due date, Beth stopped speaking to the family altogetherno calls to her mother, her sister, or her other children. Claire grew alarmed and finally tracked Beth down at the maternity ward, just as she was about to sign adoption papers.
Beth, whats wrong? Why are you doing this?
I dont know. I feel nothing. She feels like a stranger to me.
A stranger? But shes your own daughter!
She wont be mine, Beth muttered, turning to face the wall.
Claire called in reinforcements, bringing their mother to help. Beth finally agreed to take the baby home. Mum insisted she come stay with her, pretending it was to help out, but really, it was to keep a watchful eye. Beth cared for her newborn, but it was all mechanical, never spending an extra moment or showing a hint of affection. It was Grandma who chose the babys name, Auntie who cuddled her and saw her through the night.
Beth, Ill take her. Ill raise her, but you know shell soon start calling me Mum.
I dont care. As long as its not me.
A week later, the papers were signed and Claire became the official guardian of her niece. Beth moved away to Manchester.
Little Alice grew up a lively, quick-witted, giggling child. She walked early, talked early, and called Claire Mum.
Twelve years passed.
Mum, I got three As today! And tomorrow, were going to the cinema with my class, Alices cheerful voice echoed through the house.
Is that her?
Yes, Beth, its her. Please
Hello! Im Alice. Who are you?
In the kitchen doorway stood a tall, big-eyed girl, glancing from the woman at the table to the mother standing ghost-white by the window.
Im Beth. Im your mother, Alice.
I asked you! Claire cried, stepping toward her daughter. Alice! Ill explain everything
No, Mum. Lets hear her out. So you say youre my mother? And?
Ive come for you. I want you to live with me.
Why?
Because youre my daughter.
No, Im not. I have one mum, and shes standing right here. I dont want another. And you Ive never seen you before and hope it stays that way. Alice turned and walked out.
Claire sank, exhausted, onto the chair.
What did you achieve by this?
Not yet. But I will. Even if it means taking it to court.
Why are you doing this, Beth? You gave her up. You never wanted her. None of us ever understood why. Why turn up now, all these years later, and expect her to fall into your arms? I think you should visit Mum, and then leave. I need to be with my daughter now.
My niece! Beth stood up.
Claire simply sighed. Closing the door, she made her way to Alices room.
Alice
Mum, wait. Before you start explaining, let me say something. I know everything. Remember last year when we were cleaning at Grandmas? I found the guardianship papers. At first, I was furious you never told me. Then, I wanted to meet herto ask why. But after a while, I realised I didnt need any of it. Youre my mum! Thats all I want!
Alice, love! Ill never give you up.
And Im not going anywhere either, Alice laughed. Remember my classmate, James? Ring his mumshes a solicitor, works in family law.
You know, darling, dont rush into being so grown up. All sorted, is it? Well, Im still Mum here, mind you, Claire chuckled, hugging her. Well call, of course. Well sort it together.
What followed was months of nerves and legal wrangling, but in the end, the court left things as they were. Alices wishes were respectedshe adamantly refused to go with her birth mother or to even call her Mum.
The sisters waited outside the courthouse.
Well, thats that. Its finally over, Claire breathed with relief. What now?
Ill leave, Claire. I wont get in the way. But I intend to helpyou mustnt refuse. Theres a savings account for Alice, documents with Mum. I left them.
But why all this, Beth, and why did you leave Alice in the first place?
There wasnt a romance, Claire. Nothing like that. It was a dark park, a late evening.
Claire felt her breath catch.
And you said nothing? All these years, and you kept it in?
There was no way to put it right, so I kept quiet. I didnt even realise I was pregnant at firstthought it was the menopause. By the time I knew, it was too late. Dont tell Alice. Let her be. Its not her storyits mine. Maybe, one day, shell forgive me.
Claire hugged her sister and together they looked over to where Alice stood with her grandmother.
Sometimes the darkest moments can lead to the most beautiful things. Shes so wonderful! Beth wiped her eyes, and for the first time in years, Claire saw her sister smile.
Sometimes, life brings us gifts in the most unexpected ways. Accepting the past and letting love grow is what truly makes a family.