Before telling my husband, I had been dreaming of this baby for years. He wondered if it was too late to reverse the decision. His mother gave me her own condition for remaining in the family a few days later.
The majority of my friends were already mothers. And I was hopping from clinic to clinic. All sorts of things were uttered by the doctors.
“Perhaps, but perhaps not.”
Those “maybes” were where I lived. I was scared to have too big of a dream. I didn’t even talk to myself about it.
For years, Aiden, my husband, and I had made an effort. Ovulation charting. weekly trips to the doctor. Hope that arose and then fell apart once more.
Up until that point, Aiden had supported me during each negative test.
I initially didn’t believe those two lines when I eventually saw them. Holding the test to my chest like a sacred object, I sat silently.
“Aiden?” My voice was shaking when I contacted my hubby. “A baby is on the way.”
He left his office as if he had been called in for a job interview.
“What? I believed you to have stated that it would no longer work.
“I also had that thought. However, notice… Then I showed him another test. “And it has been nearly nine weeks since the doctor confirmed it.”
He took a step toward her. grinned. However, his eyes remained far away.
“You want to retain it, then? Perhaps there is still time to change your mind?
“What? Are you serious? This is what we envisioned, Aiden!
We had dreams. The situation shifted. Life was altered.
I was unsure of how to react. It was shock, astonishment, I told myself. Perhaps he was afraid. When people are afraid, they say stupid things. However, something clicked inside of me. Danger, a little alert bell.
I attempted to give my hubby a hug. He gave me permission, but he didn’t return the hug.
***
There should have been warmth and excitement in the days that followed. Rather, they swept through my existence like a chilling draft.
Like a ghost in our house, Aiden had become quieter and more aloof.
I placed the baby books on the coffee table, but he didn’t touch them. When I showed him the small onesies I had ordered online, he didn’t react.
I was sitting next to him on the couch one evening with two paint swatches in my hands.
“Soft Meadow or Sunshine Pearl?” Gently, I inquired.
“For what purpose?”
“The nursery.” Last year, you mentioned that you enjoyed yellow.
He ignored the colors altogether.
“Lynn, I’m too exhausted to consider that right now. Can’t we do this?
“It’s Aiden, our baby.”
He let out a sigh.
“I understand. However, is it really necessary for us to plan the whole future in a single week?
My throat constricted as I gazed at him.
“All I want is for you to feel like we’re on this together.”
Silence was his only response.
***
He proposed that we go see Gloria the following day.
I said, “My mom hasn’t been around for years.” “Any advice would be greatly appreciated.”
With a hazy nod, Aiden reached for the car keys.
“You two ought to speak. From woman to woman.
Like a fool, I followed in the hopes that this would be a positive move.
Gloria smiled tightly as she opened the door. Nothing ever changed after she ushered us into the sitting room.
I wasn’t offered tea by her.
Lynn, congratulations. After all, you got yourself pregnant.
I blinked. The words were incisive. They cut more deeply than I anticipated.
“Yes,” I said, forcing a kind grin. “I’m overjoyed about it.”
Her voice became piercing.
“Well, hopefully it’s a boy.”
“In any case, I don’t care. whether the infant is healthy.
Gloria looked at Aiden as if I hadn’t been there.
We concurred—just a boy. You are aware of how crucial that is.
I stared at him, perplexed. He gave another shrug. I was beginning to despise that same dead, useless shrug.
What if it’s a female? Your granddaughter? I inquired.
Gloria gave me a direct glance.
“You’ll have to depart after that. We have no say in it. It’s fate. However, we cannot accept such outcome.
My blood froze. I gazed at her. Not in the role of mother-in-law. Not as Aiden’s mother. However, as a woman.
Have you never been taught what love is?
“Are you kidding me?”
Abruptly, Aiden got to his feet.
I’m praying for a girl, though. And I’m not sure if I’ll stay if it isn’t.
Despite the ground underneath me cracking, I managed to remain upright.
To keep from trembling, I balled my fists in my lap.
As though nothing had been spoken, Gloria adjusted the front of her blouse.
“The baby shower will be handled by me. Let me handle the planning.
I blinked.
“What?”
Gloria gave Aiden a quick look.
“I’ll take care of everything. It will be beautiful. In any case, we all merit a small celebration.
And something foolish ignited within of me for a little moment.
Perhaps they’re simply stunned. This could be my MIL’s coping mechanism. Perhaps, just possibly, they would accept the child regardless of the circumstances.
I didn’t know at the time that she wasn’t trying to help.
She was preparing the scene. Furthermore, I was still unaware of the type of performance she was getting me ready for.
***
The baby shower was meticulously organized by me. I used it as a means of maintaining my happiness and acting as though nothing had changed.
I selected a soft pastel décor and ordered the cake. I even purchased small ribbons to adorn the chairs. The surprise gender revelation was my favorite part.
That was the moment I desired. I required it. Perhaps Aiden would get softer. Perhaps his mother would reconsider.
I returned sooner than I had planned to that morning. After parking, I pushed the front door open.
Quiet.
Then the kitchen was alive with chatter.
I stopped. Aiden. Gloria, too.
Silently, I entered the hallway. The door stood ajar a little.
“Aiden, how could you have allowed this to occur?” Gloria’s tone was piercing. “How did you allow her to become pregnant?”
“Mom, I didn’t plan this! I promise. I underwent a vasectomy. You are aware of that.
My heart stopped beating.
Aiden whispered, “I guess vasectomies aren’t 100%.”
“Well, obviously! What comes next? Now how are we going to get rid of her? She will take advantage of this for everything.
Aiden let out a frustrated groan.
“I’m not sure what to do. You are aware that I was planning to leave her.
“And why did you not?”
since Lynn became pregnant. Then, it was already too late. People would converse. Veronica would lose it. I required time.
“What will you say to her?”
I was hit hard by the name. Veronica.
God, oh God! There is a mistress for Aiden!
“She is unable to discover,” Aiden muttered. She supports me, is ideal, and doesn’t want children. Last year, she even assisted you with the costs of your surgery!
“Exactly. That woman is ambitious, wealthy, and of class. In contrast to her,” Gloria growled. “We must force her to leave. Make her go by herself.
“How?”
“Pressure. either a boy or a female. In any case, she fails. She breaks down and walks away.
A pause occurred. Then, in a hushed voice, Aiden
“I ought to have broken up with her long ago.”
How I retreated from the door is beyond me. How I got the cake box trembling on my lap in the car. My fingertips were numb and frigid.
I wasn’t wanted by them. They didn’t. Last but not least, they were attempting to ruin me from the inside out.
They were surprised by one thing I had, though.
I had time.
I also had a strategy.
***
I refrained from crying. Not that evening. Nor the following morning. A part of me had jerked and moved into position. A chilly, piercing clarity.
I quit pleading with icy folks for warmth. I stopped trying to fit in with their idea of what was “acceptable.”
Okay, if they wanted me out.
However, I wouldn’t abandon you. I would go with my back straight, my head held high, and my child safely inside of me.
When it came to organizing the baby shower, I gave it my all. Everything seemed holy. However, the celebration had shifted.
It was a good-bye.
From me to them.
I grinned and moved about the room like the ideal hostess as the visitors arrived.
The portion that glows? Like it knew, my baby kicked softly with every step. It’s our day.
Aiden’s smile remained unwavering. Once, his hand touched mine, then withdrew as though it had been scorched. Gloria watched the dessert table as if she were a judge on a culinary competition. chilly. Making calculations.
At last, she came closer.
“So, have you already looked over the results?”
“No.”
I said a falsehood.
“I figured finding out with everyone else would be more enjoyable.”
Her eyes narrowed as she cocked her head.
“All right. Hopefully, it’s a boy. You understand the family’s feelings about continuing the name.
“Interesting. I heard the contrary from Aiden.
Her face flattened again after a brief moment of twitching. I didn’t wait for her to answer, because right then
Once more, the door opened. There she was.
Veronica.
Dressed in a delicate blue gown, she entered with grace. She nodded slightly to me as soon as her eyes met mine.
When the show is about to start, the women are nice to one another. Aiden froze, and I saw it. His glass trembled in his grasp.
“Why in the world is she here?”
“Language,” I remarked kindly to Aiden. “I invited her, so she’s here.”
To grab everyone’s attention, I gave a soft clap.
“Everyone! The big reveal is about to happen. However, I’ve invited someone really important to cut the cake rather than doing it myself. Someone who has contributed to this trip in a surprisingly significant way.
I looked across at Veronica.
“Will you?”
Calmly, she nodded, moved forward, and accepted the knife.
“I’ll keep it brief. I came here today out of respect rather than duty. I could have left when I found out the truth. However, I decided to turn up instead. For Lynn. Because she was creating a life while someone else was creating lies. And that is something to be happy about.
Gloria’s expression broke. Aiden appeared to be about to vomit.
Veronica cautiously slid the knife into the cake after turning back to it.
One, two. Three cuts. She raised the outermost layer.
The room echoed with gasps. While some naturally drew back, others leaned in.
No pink inside. Not blue. It was crimson!
There was also a ring nestled among sugared flowers and whipped cream. My wedding band.
polished. Known. wiped off all the memories it no longer deserved to have.
Veronica moved out of the way. I stepped forward, grasped it between two fingers, and held it in the air as if it were a dead, sharp object.
I gave Aiden my full attention.
This was meant to be permanent. However, betrayal does not last forever.
He took a deep swallow.
“Come on, honey.”
I took out the divorce papers and put the ring back on the cake.
“I assumed you wouldn’t be civil enough to request these on your own.”
Aiden took his time.
“Aiden, I don’t need anything from you.”
I glanced across the room before turning to face Gloria.
“Hopefully, it was worthwhile. as you no longer have grandchildren.
I gave Veronica a nod at the end.
“I appreciate your assistance in getting this story finished.”
I faced the crowd once more.
“To all of you present! I appreciate you being a part of this. And we’ll be alright, so don’t worry.
I covered my stomach with a hand.
“My baby is already more resilient than you all combined.”
I then left, taking steady, calm steps and breathing.
No more games. No more parts.
Only me. as well as my daughter. Free at last.
It’s a girl, indeed.