Most of my friends were already mothers. I, meanwhile, hopped from clinic to clinic, hearing from doctors: \u201cMaybe yes, maybe no.\u201d I lived in that uncertainty, too afraid to hope. Even I couldn\u2019t admit it out loud.<\/p>\n
My husband, Aiden, and I tried for years\u2014ovulation charts, weekly doctor visits. Hope always rose… then crashed. He held me through each negative test\u2014until finally, two lines. I clutched the test like something holy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAiden?\u201d I whispered. \u201cWe\u2019re having a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n
He surfaced from his work like he\u2019d been called to an interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? I thought it was impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too. But look\u2014two tests, and the doctor confirmed nearly nine weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled, but his eyes stayed empty. \u201cSo\u2014do you want to keep it? Maybe reconsider?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?! Aiden, this is what we dreamed of!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe dreamed. Things changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hugged me, but didn\u2019t hug back.<\/p>\n
The next days were cold. Aiden drifted through our home, distant. He ignored baby books I left out and the tiny onesies I bought. When I asked about nursery paint, he shrugged me off. \u201cCan we not plan everything right now?\u201d he said. He felt there\u2014but didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
He suggested talking to my mom, Gloria. I hoped for support. Instead, Gloria welcomed us coldly. \u201cCongratulations, you got pregnant after all,\u201d she said, blunt as ice. When I replied that health mattered, she snapped, \u201cI hope it\u2019s a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged. She turned to Aiden, like I wasn\u2019t there. \u201cWe agreed\u2014only a boy. If it’s a girl, you\u2019ll have to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
My blood froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you joking?\u201d<\/p>\n
Aiden stood. \u201cI\u2019m hoping for a girl\u2014and if not, I might leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
They weren\u2019t hiding it\u2014they didn\u2019t want me.<\/p>\n
But I had time. I stopped shrinking. I poured joy into planning the baby shower\u2014peace in the pretense.<\/p>\n
As guests arrived, I greeted them with a fierce calm: my baby was strong. Gloria stood by the dessert like a judge. Aiden touched my hand once and pulled away.<\/p>\n
She leaned in: \u201cHave you checked results?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2014I wanted everyone to see together.\u201d<\/p>\n
She narrowed her eyes. \u201cLet\u2019s hope for a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Right then, the door opened\u2014Veronica stepped in. My husband\u2019s mistress. She nodded at me, as if we were conspirators in a silent act. Aiden froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone, time for the reveal,\u201d I announced. \u201cI\u2019ve asked someone special.\u201d I gestured to Veronica.<\/p>\n
She walked forward and sliced the cake\u2014inside no pink or blue, just red icing and my ring. She lifted it with reverence. I held it altar-high. \u201cThis was supposed to mean forever. But forever doesn\u2019t survive betrayal.\u201d<\/p>\n
I pulled out divorce papers. \u201cI don\u2019t need anything from you, Aiden.\u201d I looked at Gloria. \u201cNo grandchildren for you.\u201d Then I nodded to Veronica. \u201cThank you for helping end this story.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo everyone here, thank you. We\u2019ll be fine.\u201d I pressed my hand to my belly. \u201cMy baby\u2019s already stronger than all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
And I walked away\u2014free, with my daughter on the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"