She Was Never Their Mother, These Five… But Would They Dare to Say It…?

She wasnt their real mother, those five But who could tell?

Ethan lost his wife. She never recovered from the last childbirth.

Grieve or not, he was left with five children. The eldest, Michael, was nine. Oliver, seven. The twins, Jack and Leo, were four. And the youngest, little Emily, just three months oldhis long-awaited daughter.

No time for sorrow when hungry mouths must be fed. But at night, after tucking them in, hed sit in the kitchen, smoking in the dark.

At first, Ethan managed alone. His sister-in-law came by sometimes, helped where she could. They had no other family. She offered to take Jack and Leo, saying itd be easier. Then two social workers knocked on his door.

They suggested sending all the children to an orphanage. Ethan wouldnt hear of it. How could he give away his own flesh and blood? How could he live with himself? It was hard, of course, but what else could he do? Theyd grow up slow and steady, and one day, theyd be grown.

Sometimes he even found time to check the older boys homework. Emily, naturally, was the most trouble. But Michael and Oliver pitched in when they could.

The health visitor, Mrs. Wilkins, dropped by often, fussing over them. One day, she promised Ethan a nanny. A man shouldnt raise a baby alone, she said. A good girl, hardworking. A nursemaid at the hospital.

No children of her own, not married yet. But shed helped raise her siblingsbig family, from the next village over. And so Lucy came into their home.

Short, sturdy, round-faced, with an old-fashioned braid down her back. Quiet. Never a word out of place. But everything changed under her care. The house gleamedscrubbed, polished.

She mended the childrens clothes, washed them fresh. Tended to Emily, cooked meals, fried up treats. School and nursery noticed the difference at once. The children were clean, neat, buttons sewn with matching thread, elbows no longer frayed.

Once, Emily fell ill, feverish. The doctor said shed recover with care. Lucy stayed up nights, never once lying down herself. Nursed the girl back to health. And somehow, without fuss, she stayed in Ethans house for good.

The younger ones started calling her *Mum*, starved for a mothers touch. Lucy didnt hold backpraising, ruffling hair, hugging tight. They were just children, after all.

The older boys, Michael and Oliver, kept their distance at first, refusing to call her anything. Then, simply, *Lucy*. Not nanny, not motherjust Lucy. A way to remember the mother theyd lost. And she was barely old enough to be one, anyway.

Lucys family objected.

*”Why saddle yourself with that lot? Plenty of lads in the village!”*

*”There are,”* she said. *”But I feel for Ethan And the children are used to me now.”*

So they lived. Fifteen years slipped by unnoticed. The children studied, grew. Not without mischief, of course. Ethan would fume, reach for his belt. Lucy would tug his sleeve*Wait, Dad, hear them out first.*

Theyd argue, make up. Soon, no one in the village called her Lucy anymore. She was *Mrs. Dawson*, respected. Michael was married by now, expecting his first.

The young couple lived apartMichael worked at the farm, no ordinary hand, but a man with awards, bonuses, year after year. Oliver was finishing university in the city, Lucys pride*My boy, the engineer.*

They did everything togetherplayed as children, stood as one when trouble came. Emily was in Year Nine now, Lucys joy. A singer, a dancer, no village celebration complete without her.

And Ethan often thought how well Nurse Wilkins had chosen his wife

That summer, Lucy felt something off. Never ill before, but now dizziness, nausea. She shooed Ethan and his pipe out to the porch, the smell made her sick. At first, she thought itd pass. It didnt.

She returned from the doctor quiet, thoughtful. Brushed off Ethans questions*Nothing, just nonsense.*

But that night, when the house was asleep, she called him outside.

*”Sit, Dad. We need to talk You know what the doctor said? Im with child Too late to do anything now. Have to keep it.”* She covered her face. *”The shame”*

Ethan was stunned. All these years, nothingand now?

*”What shame, love? The older ones are nearly gonejust us two left, eh? Nature knows best! Well manage.”*

*”What will the children say? An old woman like me”*

*”Old? Thirty-nines nothing!”*

*”I dont know what to do The shame”*

*”Dont fret. Ill tell them. Tomorrow, when theyre all here.”*

And he did. The moment they sat down for supper, he said it.

*”Listen, my dears Soon, youll have another brother. Or sister.”*

Lucy stared at her plate, flushed to her ears.

Michael, visiting with his young wife, burst out laughing.

*”Brilliant, Mum! Well done! You and my missus can pop em out togetherplaymates!”*

Jack grinned. *”Go on, Mum! We need another brother!”*

Leo shook his head. *”No A girl. Too many lads here, just one girl. Spoiled rotten, that one”*

Emily shot him a look.

*”Spoiled? You spoilt me? Course its a girl, Mum! Ill tie her ribbons, buy pretty dresses!”*

*”Dresses? Shes not a doll,”* Oliver cut in. *”A child needs raising, you know.”*

*”Well raise her,”* Ethan said.

Still, Lucy hid her growing bellywith a shawl, a coat in summer, as if she were cold.

The months passed. Michaels boy arriveda son! Oliver returned to university, term starting. Jack and Leo left too, enrolled in agricultural college.

Emilys school year began. The house grew quiet, empty. Emily was outschool, friends. Even a lad started walking her home from Sunday dances.

Lucy lay awake, waiting. Thenpain. Sharp, blinding.

*”Ethan,”* she whispered, *”Ethan I think its time.”*

He paled, hands shaking as he fumbled for his boots.

*”Wait, love, IllIll call an ambulance!”* He yelled for Emily, who understood at once, bolted out the door.

Two minutes later, she was back.

*”Mum, Tomll take youborrowing his dads car, wait!”*

*”Tom, is it?”* Lucy thought, before another pain ripped through her.

*”Oh, Mum! Whats happening?”*

Five minutes later, the lad who walked Emily home stepped inside.

*”Dadll drive you,”* he told Emily. *”Coming?”*

*”Im coming,”* Ethan grabbed his coat. *”Dont fear, Lucy. Im here.”*

All night, Ethan smoked on the hospital steps. At dawn, a nurse stepped out.

*”Waiting, Dad? Smoking? Best cut back now First one, is it?”*

*”Five,”* he said hoarsely.

*”Blimey! Rich man! Not fiveseven! Your beautys had twins!”*

*”Twtwins?”* he stammered.

*”Boy and girl! Lads a screamer,”* she chuckled. *”Girls a beauty! Go home, Dad. Come back tomorrow. Shell stay a bit, babies need weight. Bring whats needed, aye?”*

*”Aye,”* Ethan nodded, dazed.

On discharge day, the whole family gathered. Even the students skipped class, came home. The nurse carried out two bundlesone in blue, one in pink. Lucy, flustered, followed.

Ethan took one, hesitated over the other.

*”Twos awkward Forgotten how,”* he admitted.

Michael took the second.

*”Here, Dad Not my first rodeo!”*

*”Oh, shes lovely!”* Emily peeked into the pink bundle. *”My little sister!”*

Flowers and cake handed to the nurse (as was proper), they piled into the farms busthe manager had lent it. Special occasion, after all!

*”Well, Mum, pleased everyone!”* Michael grinned.

Lucy cradled one bundle, smiling softly to herself. God willing, shed raise them right She glanced at Ethan, holding the other.

*”Well raise them,”* she corrected herself. *”Of course, we will.”*

*”Children,”