Her husband left, throwing out the words: «You were older, and now you’re just old,» without ever revealing the secret she had kept all these years…
«Doctor, just tell me!» Irina demanded with a trembling voice, gripping the edge of the table. The man at the desk lifted his head, sighed, and calmly said:
«You’re fourteen weeks pregnant.» Irina froze. «That’s impossible…» she whispered. «It’s possible. Didn’t you suspect anything?»
45-year-old Irina Sokolova never imagined she’d find herself in a gynecologist’s office. She despised hospitals, but the doctor had insisted on an examination.
«We were trying… my husband and I…» she stammered. «It happens sometimes. Congratulations,» the doctor responded flatly.
Irina was stunned, her thoughts racing: I’m 45… practically a grandmother… «Are you suggesting I… terminate?» she gasped, standing up abruptly. «I’m just obligated to outline all options,» the doctor explained.
«My child is not an ‘option’!» Irina snapped, grabbing her test results before storming out. Her attempt to call her husband failed when her phone died. How symbolic, she thought.
Our silver wedding anniversary is next month… How do I tell him? She recalled the years of trying: doctors, clinics, herbalists… And now, a miracle.
«We already bought tickets to Greece…» she laughed through her tears, pressing her hands to her belly.
On the bus, pressed against the window, her thoughts were consumed by one thing: Sergey will be happy.
Ten years ago, they had accepted that parenthood wasn’t in their future, but just a couple of weeks ago, he had spoken enviously of a neighbor who had become a father later in life:
«I’d move mountains if I became a father now…» She decided to surprise him. She called the baker:
«Remember the cake for the anniversary? I’d like to add some little bears…» The remaining days flew by in a blur of anticipation, though she couldn’t help but notice Sergey becoming more distant.
«It’s fine, just tired,» he shrugged it off. He’s just stressed, she thought. The morning sickness, the headaches… it’s all explainable. Soon, he’ll know. Everything will change.
The night before the anniversary, she admired herself in a new dress. Sergey entered with a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
«Just like back then…» she smiled, recalling their high school romance, the early feelings, the teasing, the laughter. But fate had other plans.
«Of course!» Irina laughed. «Liza said you were too young, and Yulia said a man should be older.» «But Lucy always defended us,» Sergey chuckled. «Her aunt’s husband was younger.»
«They were just jealous that they couldn’t love like we did,» he added, kissing her. Irina paused to think. Liza’s been divorced three times. Yulia complains about her boring husband.
And Igor never married. «And I would’ve still won you over,» Sergey said seriously. Irina smiled. He really had won her over. All these years, others had envied them.
But now, there was no warmth in his gaze. «Ira, the celebration’s off. You’ll call the restaurant?» he said flatly.
«What happened?» «I met someone else… and I’ve fallen in love. She’s pregnant. I’ve decided to leave.» Irina was frozen in shock.
«Go,» she whispered, then screamed, clutching her stomach. Sergey left. Irina called for an ambulance.
In the hospital, she decided not to tell anyone about the pregnancy, not even her friends. Only her mother was there for her.
Sergey called a couple of times, then sent a message: You were the best. I’m sorry. She forgave him — for herself and for the child she was carrying.
Irina gave birth to a son. He became her comfort. That same night, a woman was brought in from an accident — they couldn’t save her, and her little girl was left an orphan.
The nurse asked if Irina would be willing to donate milk. Later, the doctor suggested she feed the girl herself. Irina agreed, her heart couldn’t refuse.
The girl reminded her of her son. What if I had a daughter, too? she thought, but quickly dismissed the idea. «What will happen to her?» Irina asked before leaving the hospital.
«She’ll go to an orphanage. Though someone might adopt her…» «Could I adopt her?» «No. Her grandfather is taking guardianship.»
Irina returned home with her son. Her mother helped. The house still reminded her of Sergey, but there was warmth again. That evening, the phone rang. A man she didn’t recognize stood at the door.
«Hello, Irina Yuryevna. My name is Evgeny Igorevich…» «I’d like to offer you and your son a place to stay with me,» he said. «The nanny will take care of your daughter.
It won’t be a burden. My daughter passed away, and Vika is all I have left. The nanny can also help with your baby.» «No, that’s impossible,» Irina shook her head.
He left a business card and left. Irina stared at it, the question in her mind: What if this is fate? «What a bold man!» her mother exclaimed.
«I can’t forget that girl… I was ready to be her mother!» Irina wiped a tear from her cheek. «Now focus only on our little boy,» her mother said, hugging her.
«What if I agree? But only if you’re with me,» Irina said, suddenly fired up with the idea. «You’re still a child…» her mother sighed. «But I feel it’s fate! Will you be with me?»
«Where else would I go?» her mother relented. Irina called Evgeny. He agreed. Two hours later, Vika was in her arms again — remarkably similar to Volodya.
Evgeny’s home was cozy. One day, Irina found a photo album. In one of the pictures, her ex-husband was with a younger woman.
«This is Dasha. My daughter and Vika’s mother,» Evgeny explained. «I was against their relationship… but she insisted. He left his family, promised to care for her… but it all ended in tragedy.»
«Volodya and Vika… brother and sister?» Irina asked, shocked. She then told him everything. «Did you bless their relationship?» Evgeny asked, surprised.
«I didn’t know he had passed… But there’s no point in arguing with fate.» A year passed. One morning, Evgeny entered her room with snowdrops.
«The children are growing. Isn’t it time for us to become a real family?» he asked. «We deserve happiness,» Irina replied. He placed a ring on her finger. «You’re mine.» «At my age…»
«Age is in the mind. And you — you’re the mother of two children. The most beautiful.» «And happy,» she said.
The children were laughing in the next room. Happiness comes to those who can wait. To those who aren’t afraid to love again.
