Not One of Our Own

Since youve started, you might as well finish! James raised his voice at Emily. If you dont really know, dont make things up

I do know, Emily smirked, holding his gaze. There were never any secrets between us

James and Sophie met in such an ordinary fashion. It was winter, the pavements in Oxford were covered in black ice. Sophie slipped on the frozen sidewalk one morning on her way to work and took a nasty fall, hurting her knee. James stopped to help her up and made sure she got safely to the minor injuries unit.

The scan showed there was no fracture, and Sophie was given some advice: rest and a supportive bandage for her injured knee. James stayed by her the whole timehe even rang his manager at the office to ask for half a day off. He finally relaxed after getting Sophie into a cab, extracting her solemn promise to call him when she got home and let him know she was okay.

Sophie was genuinely taken aback by the kindness and care from this stranger. Shed never met a man so thoughtful, and she was truly charmed. Thus began the most romantic season of their lives. They called and texted constantly, talking about everything under the sun. James was interested in every aspect of Sophies lifehed wish her a wonderful morning, check if she was warm enough, ask if shed eaten, enquire about her day, and say goodnight every evening.

For James, this was simply natural. It was how his family had always beencaring and supportive. He lived alone in a flat hed inherited from his grandmother in Cambridge, while his parentsPeter and Margaretremained close by in Reading. Theyd all lived together at one point, letting out his grandmothers flat, but after she passed away, and as James grew older, he moved out on his own.

Hed not had much luck with women before. He was shy, not the sort to approach strangers in the street, avoided pubs and parties, and didnt really have mates to go out with. Meeting Sophie had been a spontaneous stroke of lucka woman needed help, and he just couldnt walk by. Later, James would think that fate must have intervened.

They were married just two months laterit simply happened that way. James, half-joking, asked Sophie to marry him, and she replied:

Lets! she grinned. Lets go today and put in the notice!

With only an hour left until the registrars office closed, the couple dashed over. They booked the earliest slot for the wedding. Jamess parents were a bit surprised at the rush, yet they liked Sophie tremendously, so they gave their blessing.

Sophies mother lived in Bristol. Sophie shared the news over the phone, but her mum couldnt travel as Sophies grandmother was poorly and needed looking after.

The family that grew was excellenthappy, loving, and full of warmth. Their marriage stayed tender, their love only grew stronger. Soon a son was bornlittle Maxa bundle of joy, though with more care to go around. Then, at a wedding anniversary celebration, Sophies close school friend, Chloe, had a bit too much to drink and had to be helped into a taxi home.

They were all out at a pub for the anniversary dinner. Jamess parents, Peter and Margaret, were there; five-year-old Max was at the table with the grownups, raising a glass of apple juice to toast their happiness. Sophie had also invited Chloe, as always. Theyd been like sisters since secondary school. Chloes personal life hadnt worked out quite so wellat thirty, like Sophie, she was still single. Compared to radiant Sophie, Chloe came off a little awkward and plain, short and a bit chubby, with an unremarkable face often overlooked by the boys. Sophie, on the other hand, always drew attention.

This rare friendship, though, meant Sophie could get parental permission for nights outnever would Mrs. Harper allow her daughter to go courting alone, but if Chloe was there, that was different. So off theyd go as a group, and Chloe would sometimes get her share of attention by accident. Still, no proposals came Chloes way, whereas Sophies started coming in Year 11. But Sophie was selective, not ready to settle for just anyone until she met James at twenty-fiveand everything happened at once

Chloe was unsteady on the stairs as James helped her down to the waiting taxi. Upstairs, Sophie, Max, and his parents waited, but Chloe needed support. James had never seen her so out of sorts and volunteered to help.

Cheers to the happy couple! Ha! Ones lucky and the other less so Chloes voice rose, people started to look over. Sophies always had the luck, from the day we met. Water off a ducks backshe always had men lining up, while you poor blokes just fell for it! You dont think; you just Sophies beauty switches your brains right off!

Theyd nearly reached the cab when Chloe pulled away, suddenly clear-headed and loud:

Do you even know whose son youre raising? Hes not your own, you know!

Rubbish! snapped James, barely able to contain himself. The word spun in his head, the streetlights suddenly swirling in his vision. He closed his eyes tight, fighting the urge to shake Chloe by the shoulders, to silence her. But she was relentless:

Look how pale youve gone! Too daft to notice, were you? Max was born early, remember? And the rushed wedding? Think she was so mad for you she had to dash to the altar? Ha! And the boy doesnt look a thing like you! There was another fellow before you, you know, who wanted to marry her, until he went off and left her. Serves her right!

James bundled her into the taxi, slamming the door. Still, after the cab vanished round the bend, Chloe rang his mobile. For reasons he couldnt explain, James answered.

Go on, ask your wife! Ha! Why should I be the only miserable one at your little partylets see how she likes it, dancing on hot coals now! Chloe barked, laughing harshly.

Her cackle haunted James all evening. Try as he might, he couldnt shake Chloes words. It was true: Max had come early. But preemies happenedhed never worried about weight or appearance differences, too happy to think such things. Hed loved Max from the first moment; it had never crossed his mind that the boy might not be his. His parents doted on Max, inviting them for weekends, taking their grandson to the zoo and museums. Chloe had poisoned the wellher words kept returning, nagging at him. Max was slim and fair-haired; James was tall and dark. Margaret would say that kids hair could change dozens of times, but stilla slender frame, different eyes The doubts kept him awake, until a week later, he finally gave in and asked Sophie.

She looked at him strangely and then said,

I knew youd ask one day. So what took you five years to bring it up? she said with a faint, ironic smile. You couldve said something right awaywed have divorced. Isnt that what you want? I tricked you! I was dishonest! Go on, then! Have a gowhy arent you shouting?

James recoiled. Why was she talking like this? He loved her so much, he was certain he wouldve forgiven her had she told him from the start; hed have married her anyway. And now, she said it as if waiting for this very momentwas divorce really what she wanted? But that wasnt his wishnot at all. Maxhis beloved boyhow could he leave? What about his parents? Should he even tell them, or just let things be?

It seemed, though, that Sophie didnt believe in his love. They argued bitterly, James packed a bag and left. His grandmothers flat in Cambridge was empty at that point, so he went there for two long weeks. He missed Max terribly. He missed Sophie. Slowly he realised that nothing Chloe said could change the way he loved his sonor Sophie. Chloe had tried to ruin their family, but she would not succeed. It was clearhe wouldnt let her.

James returned.

Im sorry, Sophie cried, I said awful things, and you didnt deserve them. I just thought when you found out, youd stop loving me, and it was easier to get it all over with. I was always dreading it, always waiting

Oh, Sophie, James said gently, hugging her close. Youve lived with me five years, but didnt you know me at all? Did you really think Id leave you? I love you, and Max, more than anything. That will never change. I understand why you were scaredyou were alone, and afraid Id disappear. Nothing Chloe says can spoil what we have. We have real love, Sophiedont ever doubt it.

She clung to him, tears turning into a grateful smile. Just promise me, she said, that I wont have to see Chloe again. Ever.

And what shall we tell my parents? James asked the question that had been gnawing at him. They love Max so much

It was another six weeks before James and Sophie spoke to his parents. But it wasnt about Chloes poisonous words at all. Instead, they announced that Sophie was expecting, and soon thered be two grandchildren for Peter and Margaret to cherish.

True family is not built only on blood, but on love, trust, and the choice to stand by each other, no matter what storms someone else tries to conjure. Only by holding steadfast can we find real happinessdespite the whispers and shadows others might cast.