After years of waiting, Emily had gorgeous triplet daughters. However, her husband aborted them the next day, alleging the babies were abused.
As I took in my three daughters, my heart swelled. Sophie, Lily, and Grace were miracles—perfect. I waited years for them, hoping, praying, and waiting.
They were sleeping in their bassinets, their small faces calm. I wiped a tear from my face, overwhelmed by my love for them.
Jack appeared when I looked up. He returned from errands to find things wrong. His face was pallid. He wouldn’t look at me or approach. He stood near the entrance as if he didn’t want to be there.
“Jack?” Patting my bedside chair, I whispered quietly. Come sit with me. Look, they’re here. We succeeded.”
Jack said, “Yeah…they’re beautiful,” without looking at the girls. He got closer but wouldn’t look at me.
I shakily asked, “Jack, what’s up? You scare me.”
After inhaling, he exclaimed, “Emily, I don’t think… I doubt we can keep them.”
Like the ground fell out from under me. “What?” Choked. “What are you talking about, Jack? Those are our daughters!”
Like he couldn’t stand my face, he winced and glanced away. “My mom visited a fortune teller,” he whispered.
Unsure if I heard him, I blinked. “Fortuneteller? You can’t be serious, Jack.”
According to her, these infants are our girls. Paused, his voice shaky. “She said they’d bring bad luck. That they would ruin my life and kill me.”
Gazing at him, I gasped, attempting to understand what he said. “That’s insane, Jack. Just babies!”
Looking down, he was terrified. Mom swears by this fortune teller. Although she has been correct before, she has never been so confident.
Hot and stinging rage rose. So you want to ab.a.n.d. on them because of a foolish prediction? Just leave them?”
He stopped, looking at me with remorse and terror. “If you want to bring them home… fine,” he whispered. “I won’t be there. Emily, I apologize.”
I tried to understand his remarks but felt sh.o.c.k. “You’re serious, right?” Voice broke. “You’re leaving your daughters over a story your mother heard?” He remained silent. His shoulders dropped as he gazed down.
I breathed shakily to stay calm. “If you walk out that door, Jack, you don’t come back,” I whispered. I won’t allow you hurt our girls.”
He glanced at me one more time, his face torn, then turned and left. After saying “I’m sorry, Em,” he gently went, leaving footsteps in the corridor.
I stared staring at the empty doorway, my heart racing and mind racing. A nurse walked back in, saw my face, and laid a hand on my shoulder, offering wordless consolation as I grabbed my belongings.
Looking down at my babies, tears blurred my vision. “Don’t worry, girls,” I soothed, petting each small head. “I’m here. I’m always here.”
Holding them near made me fearful and determined. I had no idea how I would do this alone, but I would never leave my girls. Not ever.
Jack left a few weeks earlier, and every day without him was harder than expected. Caring for three newborns alone was exhausting.
Some days I barely survived, but I kept going for Sophie, Lily, and Grace. Though Jack’s ab.an.do.nm.ent was heartbreaking, I had to focus on them since they were my world.
Beth, my sister-in-law, helped with the babies one afternoon. I decided to stay in touch with her because she was the only family member ready to do so, hoping she could encourage Jack to return. I could see she was upset that day.
Beth looked at me in anguish as she bit her lip. Emily, I heard something… I don’t sure if I should tell you, but I can’t keep quiet.”
My heart pounded. “Tell me.”
