Married Because of Tommy

**Married Because of Nicky**

Nickys happy childhood ended when he was five. One day, his parents never came to pick him up from nursery. All the other children had been collected, but the little boy sat at the table, drawing himself, his mum, and his dad. The nursery teacher kept glancing at him, wiping her cheeks for some reason. Finally, she walked over, scooped him up, held him tight, and said:

“No matter what happens, you mustnt be afraid, Nicky. You have to be brave now, understand? Do you understand, sweetheart?”

“I want my mum,” he whispered.

“Your aunt and uncle will come soon, Nicky. Youll go with them. Therell be lots of other children therejust dont cry.”

She pressed her wet face against his before taking his hand and leading him to a car. When he asked when hed see his mum again, they told him she and his dad were far away and couldnt come for him today.

Nicky was placed in a shared room with other boys like him. But his parents didnt come the next day, or the day after. The boy was heartbroken, crying himself to sleep, until he fell ill with fever.

Only after he recovered did a woman in a white coat sit him down and explain the truth. His parents were now in heaven, she saidthey couldnt come back. But they were always watching over him, so he had to be good and stay healthy to make them proud.

But Nicky didnt believe her. He stared at the sky and saw nothing but birds and clouds. He decided, no matter what, he would find them.

He searched the orphanage yard during playtime until he discovered a gap under the fence. The iron bars were bent just enough for him to wiggle halfway through. So, he dugslowly, carefullyuntil the hole was big enough to crawl under.

Once free, he ran as fast as he could, desperate to escape the place he hated. But he didnt know the city and soon got lost. Every house looked the same.

Then, at a crossing, he saw a woman who looked just like his mumsame polka-dot dress, same neat blonde bun.

“Mum!” he cried, sprinting after her.

She didnt hear him.

“Mum!” He grabbed her sleeve when he caught up.

The woman crouched down, studying him. Noshe wasnt his mother.

Emma had fallen in love at twenty, and it was forever. She and William were perfect together. They met by chance at a summer dance, where he shyly asked her for a slow song. They talked easily, and from then on, he never left her side.

They married within months and were happyuntil, three years later, Emma learned she couldnt have children. William struggled to accept it, while she endured endless tests and treatments. Eventually, they faced the truth: theyd never have their own child.

One day, William suggested adoption. But Emma loved him too much to hold him back. She was nearly thirtystill young. He could remarry, find happiness with someone else. Shed manage alone.

William refused to leave her. So she lied. She claimed she didnt love him anymore, that there was someone else. He didnt believe heruntil one night, she didnt come home. When she returned at dawn, smelling of wine and another mans cologne, she insisted it was true.

Heartbroken, William agreed to the divorce.

___________________________

When Nicky called Emma “Mum,” she had been divorced for two months. She missed William terribly, wondering how he was. Now, this strangers plea made her heart leap.

“Are you lost, sweetheart?” she asked gently.

“Im looking for my mum and dad. They said theyre in heaven, but I dont believe it,” Nicky sobbed.

“Come with me. I live nearby. Would you like some cake?” She took his hand, and they walked together.

At her flat, Nicky devoured the cake shed bought, washing it down with fragrant blackcurrant tea. Between bites, he told her everythinghow the older boys stole his sweets, how they bullied him.

Emmas heart ached. “Would you like to live with me, Nicky? When youre older, youll understand. One day, youll see your parents againjust not yet.”

Nicky agreed eagerly.

Emma called the childrens home to report finding him. She returned him herself, urging the staff to watch the boys more closely. Then she visited every daybut she couldnt adopt him.

She had a job, a flat, but no husband. A single woman wouldnt be approved. For the first time, Emma regretted the divorce. But how could she undo it?

Desperate, she asked a coworker, Richard, for a sham marriage. Recently divorced, he was a notorious flirtbut well-respected at work. He agreedon one condition: she had to pay. Hed always fancied her, and now she was free. Dinner, candlesand more.

The demand sickened Emma. She still loved William. But that evening, she found Nicky with a black eyepunishment for “telling tales.” The staff had betrayed her visit, leaving him vulnerable.

The next day, she agreed to Richards terms. On Saturday, she dressed in red (as hed asked), lit candles, and waitedheart heavy with disgust. But shed promised Nicky.

The doorbell rang.

Emma opened itand froze.

William stood there.

“I had to see you, Emma. Ive been watching. No ones visited. No ones taken you away.”

Just then, the elevator opened. Richard stumbled out, flowers and champagne in hand.

“Emma, darling”

Williams fists clenched. Without a word, he turned and stormed down the stairs.

“William, wait! Its not what you think!” Emma screamed, chasing after him.

But he jumped onto a passing bus and vanished.

Tearfully, Emma sent Richard away. What would happen to Nicky now?

___________________________

Two years later, Nicky stood proudly in his school uniform, a bouquet clutched in his hands. His parents and little sister, Maisie, watchedMaisie giggling in their dads arms. His mum wore the same polka-dot dress he loved.

Emma, William, and their second adopted child were now a family.

It turned out Richard wasnt so bad after all. He tracked William down and explained everything.

The next day, William dragged Emma straight to the registry office. They remarried, adopting Nicky at last.

Now, they still visit the childrens home, bringing gifts and treats. They took Maisie the moment she arrived.

___________________________

“Mum, DadI promise Ill study hard,” Nicky whispered, gazing at the sky. “Dont be sad I have new parents now. I love them, but theyre just temporaryuntil I see you again.”

He knew the truth nowhis parents had died in a car crash. Hed visited their graves. Sundays were for Sunday school at the church, where he finally understood what “heaven” meant.

As for Emmashe hadnt listened to William, forging her own path. But fate intervened, making her marry him twice.

And in the end, everyone in this story found happiness.