Taking it into your own hands

As Chloe sits in the park, the doctors words play over and over in her mind. Her partner sits next to her holding her and but she can't feel anything.

 It's been three years.

Three years of trying to start a family.

Three years of agony.

Three years since they set up a nursery for a child that will never come. 

 The couple sit together in the park watching the children playing happily. Chloe has a small smile on her lips as she imagines the life she could have.

To her right she sees a women in her mid-30's wearing outdated and unclean clothes sitting on an old bench. Three young children from the playground run to the woman's side and tug on her skirt. The tallest of the children asks "Mum, can we please have something to eat, we're getting really hungry?".

The mother seems upset for being spoken to and being disrupted from her peace. Without a word she pushes her children away and walks to nearby tree pulling out a cigarette. The children walk back to the playground with their heads down and sit by the slide disappointed.

Chloe watches the scene and feels her heart drop.  She notices how malnourished the children look and how unaware and uncaring the mother is to her children. It seems that she wishes she didn't even have them. Chloe is offended that a mother could be so ungrateful when she yearns for a family.

Chloe turns to her partner. Pointing at the mother and children she whispers "It's such a shame children are given to mothers like that isn't it?".

Without words they exchange knowing glances. Chloe contemplates the unspoken idea between them. She knows it could go terribly wrong and is very much against the law. On the other-hand it would be a waste for three children to be in a family where they don't have anyone that cares for them and no future. Chloe knows that it is illegal and unethical to take these children from their mother but hope is wearing thin and they're out of options.

Surely the children deserve better. This is the only way everyone wins.

While the mother is still looking the other way they walk over to the children. They ask if them if they want any food in attempt to establish trust. As the children are anxious of the prospect of food they smile and even though they are hesitant at first, they decide to accept the offer of dinner with the couple.

Once everyone is in the car Chloe turns to look in the backseat to see the children smiling excitedly. She then turns to her partner and they both wear matching grins because, this is it, the family they have always wanted.

As she turns the key in the ignition the mother of the children looks up from where she's smoking. Instead of seeing the children her eyes meet Chloe's husbands with recognition. Tears start to pour down the mothers face and she mouths out his name.

Chloe turns to her husband in confusion. With worry in her voice she asks "How did she know your name?".

She sees panic in his eyes. With regret he replies with only two words "I'm sorry".

Now Chloe is really freaking out. A million questions are going around in her head. How does the mother know him? What was/is their relationship? How come he didn't say something before? Is their something she doesn't know?

"Do you know that lady, Anthony?' she yells with frustration.

"I did once, a long time ago" he replies without looking her in the eyes.

"How?! How do you know her? Why didn't you say anything?!" she shouts.

He doesn't say anything and the silence is deafening.

Chloe tries to compose herself. She looks to him and with a shaky voice she whispers, "Please tell me you have nothing to do with these children".

Again he doesn't say anything.

Her whole world crashes. After everything they have been through together, he had a family the whole time. It's too much to deal with and she come to a snap decision.

"Anthony, get out of my car". Her voice is stern and she looks him directly in the yes.

"No , please don't do this, you don't understand!" he pleads so he can stay.

Its already too late because she's made up her mind. As he stands beside the car crying she drives past. It may not have been the way she initially pictured it, but she has a family and that's all she ever wanted.

The end.

Thanks for reading

xx

Chantelle