Orchards and Moonlight - a Mialotte story (TNN)

That's impossible

Marjorie had been feeling unusually unwell for two days. It wasn't the kind of sickness that came and went, but a persistent, gnawing nausea that made it difficult to focus on anything. At first, she brushed it off as a side effect of stress, maybe a bug she'd caught. After all, running the nursery, dealing with the recent complications with Carly, and planning her future with Reece had left her little time to take care of herself. But when she started feeling lightheaded on top of it, Reece insisted she see a doctor.

Marjorie had hesitated. It seemed silly to make a fuss over what was likely just the flu or food poisoning, but Reece had been adamant, his concern for her evident in the way he gently but firmly led her to the car and drove her to the clinic. He was her rock, steady and reliable, and she found comfort in his worry, even if she thought it was unnecessary.

As she sat in the waiting room, the white walls and sterile smell of the clinic reminded her of another time, many years ago. The memories came rushing back—the sharp pain, the panic, the overwhelming fear. She had been so young, barely more than a girl herself when she'd fallen down those stairs. The fall had been bad, but the news she received afterwards had been worse. She had lost so much in that moment—her sense of security, her trust in the world, and the future she had imagined for herself.

She remembered lying in that hospital bed, hand resting on her belly, praying that her baby would survive. The doctors had been cold, and clinical, delivering their prognosis with a detached professionalism that had made the news even harder to bear. Carly had survived, but the damage to Marjorie's body had been severe. Her right ovary had burst, and the doctors had told her bluntly that she would never be able to have children again. She had been crushed, devastated by the thought that Carly would be her only child, but she had accepted it.

But now, sitting in this sterile room, waiting for the doctor to return, Marjorie felt a strange sense of unease. Her sickness didn't feel like the flu. It was different, persistent in a way that didn't make sense. When the doctor finally returned, Marjorie was already bracing herself for the worst. She expected to hear that she had some virus or perhaps something more serious. The last thing she expected was the gentle, almost hesitant words that came next.

"Marjorie," the doctor said, her voice careful, "I know this might come as a shock, but your symptoms are due to something quite unexpected. You're pregnant."

Marjorie blinked, her mind blank for a moment as she processed the words. Pregnant. The word seemed to echo in her head, disjointed and surreal. It didn't make sense. It couldn't be true. "Pregnant?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's... that's impossible. The doctors told me I couldn't have any more children. Not after Carly."

The doctor nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I understand this must be difficult to believe, but sometimes, the body can adapt in ways we don't fully understand. It's rare, but it happens. Your left ovary has somehow compensated over the years, and now, here you are."

Marjorie's hands shook as she clutched the arms of the chair, her thoughts racing. She had lived with the belief that she would never have another child for so long that it had become a part of her identity. She had made peace with it and found contentment in focusing on her career. The idea of being pregnant again, after all these years, felt like a dream—one that she hadn't dared to dream.

A rush of emotions hit her all at once—joy, fear, disbelief, and a deep, overwhelming love for the life growing inside her. How could this be real? How could she be given this miracle after so many years of thinking it was impossible? The tears that welled up in her eyes were a mixture of happiness and fear, and she wiped them away quickly, not wanting to appear weak in front of the doctor.

But she couldn't stop the flood of thoughts that followed. What would Reece say? They hadn't planned for this—how could they? He had always been understanding of her situation, never pressuring her for more children, even though she knew he would have loved to be a father. And Carly—how would she react? Carly was grown now, an adult starting her own life, but Marjorie knew this news would change everything.

The doctor's voice broke through her reverie, offering reassurances and instructions for the next steps. Marjorie nodded along, trying to absorb the information, but her mind was still spinning. She was pregnant. Against all odds, despite everything she had been through, she was going to have another child.

As she left the clinic, the reality of it all began to settle over her. The rain had stopped, and the sun was breaking through the clouds, casting a golden light over the wet pavement. Marjorie stood for a moment, looking up at the sky, feeling the warmth on her face. It felt like a sign, a confirmation that this miracle was real.

She placed a hand on her stomach, still flat and unassuming, but inside, a new life was beginning. She smiled softly, a tear slipping down her cheek, this time, a tear of pure, unadulterated joy. Against all odds, she had been given a second chance—a chance to experience the love and wonder of motherhood all over again.

As she walked to the car, she knew that everything was about to change, but for the first time in a long time, Marjorie welcomed the uncertainty. She was ready to embrace this new chapter in her life, with all the challenges and joys it would bring.

As Marjorie drove home, her mind raced with thoughts of how she would tell Reece the news. The usual sounds of the road—the hum of the engine, the whoosh of passing cars—faded into the background as her thoughts spiralled, bouncing between excitement and apprehension. She could hardly believe it herself. Pregnant. After all these years, after resigning herself to the idea that Carly would be her only child, here she was, carrying another life inside her.

She gripped the steering wheel tighter, the reality of it all sinking in with each passing mile. How would Reece react? She pictured his face, the way his eyes would widen in surprise, the way his lips would curl into that familiar, loving smile. She knew he would be overjoyed—he had always wanted to be a father, but he had never pressured her, understanding the heartbreak she had gone through after Carly's birth. Still, this was so unexpected, so out of the blue, that she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about how he would take the news.

Would he be shocked? Of course. But would he be happy? Marjorie felt a flutter in her chest as she thought of how he might react, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her close as they both processed the miracle they had been given. She could already imagine the tears of joy, the soft kisses, and the whispered promises of a future they hadn't dared to dream of until now.

As she turned onto their street, Marjorie's thoughts shifted to the practicalities. How would they prepare for a baby at this stage in their lives? Carly was grown, and they had settled into a comfortable routine—just the two of them. A new baby would change everything, but in a way, it felt like the missing piece they hadn't even realized they needed.

She parked the car in the driveway and sat for a moment, taking a deep breath. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her palms were damp with nervous sweat. But beneath the anxiety, there was a steady undercurrent of joy. This was a miracle, and she was eager to share it with the man she loved.

Marjorie gathered her things, took one last deep breath, and stepped out of the car. The house looked the same as it always did—warm, and welcoming, the place they had built together. But everything felt different now as if the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for the news she was about to bring inside.

She opened the door and walked in, her mind still buzzing with the best way to tell Reece. Should she just blurt it out? Should she ease into it, maybe over dinner? Or should she find some special, memorable way to share the news? As she hung up her coat and set her bag down, she realized that no matter how she told him, it would be a moment they would both remember for the rest of their lives.

Reece was in the kitchen, humming softly to himself as he prepared dinner. The smell of roasting vegetables filled the air, and Marjorie felt a sudden rush of love for this man who had stood by her through everything. He turned as she entered, his face lighting up with that familiar smile she loved so much.

"Hey, you're back," he said, wiping his hands on a towel. "How did it go at the doctor's?"

Marjorie paused, her heart swelling with emotion. This was it. The moment she would change their lives forever. She took a step closer, her eyes locked on his, and she could see the love and concern there, so deep and unwavering.

"It went... differently than I expected," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "Reece, I have something to tell you. Something... incredible."

He frowned slightly, concern creasing his brow. "What is it? Is everything okay?"

Marjorie nodded, tears already pooling in her eyes. "Yes, everything's more than okay. Reece... I'm pregnant."