Sophie, take her away! I can’t take it anymore! I can’t even stand to touch her!

Emily, take her! I cant do it any longer! I cant even bear to touch her!
Charlotte was trembling. The child in her arms sobbed uncontrollably.
Emily gently scooped up her niece and nodded to her sister.
All right. But this is your decision you wont regret it later?
No, why would I? Take her, I dont want her!
The little one had entered the world only a month before. From the very beginning, something was amiss with Charlotte. Emily had blamed the mood swings on the late stages of pregnancy. Charlotte had been widowed for more than seven years. Her older children were long grown and living on their own. A trip to the seaside, a fleeting affair, and an unexpected pregnancy had caught everyone off guard. Charlotte was never one for impulsiveness. At first it seemed the baby brought her happiness, but soon Emily noticed Charlotte would swing between shopping excitedly for baby clothes and prams, and then falling into long silences as though she were hidden behind a stone wall.
Just before the birth, Charlotte stopped speaking with anyone. She wouldnt call her mother, her sister, or even her children. Alarmed, Emily tracked her down at the hospital where Charlotte was about to sign the forms to give the baby up.
Charlotte, whats wrong? Why?
I dont know. I feel nothing. Shes a stranger to me.
A stranger?! How can you say that? This is your child!
She wont be mine, Charlotte muttered, her face turned away.
Emily brought in their mother as reinforcement. Reluctantly, Charlotte agreed to bring the child home. Their mother insisted Charlotte and the baby stay with her so she could help in the early days. In truth, they all watched over Charlotte. She cared for the baby, did all that was needed, but never lingered by her daughter longer than necessary. Grandmother chose the babys name, and it was the aunt who carried her in her arms.
Charlotte, Ill take her. Ill raise her, but before long, who do you suppose shell call Mum?
I dont care. So long as its not me.
In just a week, the paperwork was completed and Emily became the childs official guardian. Charlotte left for another city.
Little Alice grew up a lively, cheerful soul. She walked and talked earlier than most. Emily was Mum, in every sense.
Twelve years slipped by.
Mum, I got three top marks today! We’re off to the cinema with the class tomorrow! Alices clear voice filled the flat.
Is that her?
Yes, Charlotte, it is. Please, I ask you
Hello! Im Alice, and you are?
At the kitchen doorway stood a tall, wide-eyed girl, her gaze flickering between the woman at the table and her mum at the window, white as chalk.
ImCharlotte. Im your mother, Alice.
I warned you! Emily cried out indignantly, rushing to her daughters side. Alice! Ill explain everything!
No need, Mum. Lets listen. So, you say youre my mother. And?
Ive come for you. I want you to live with me.
Why?
Youre my child.
No, Im not. I have a mother and shes right here. I need no other. And youthis is the first and, I hope, last time we meet. Alice turned and vanished from the kitchen.
Emily dropped into a chair, utterly spent.
So what have you achieved?
Nothing yet. But I will, youll see. If I have to go to court, so be it.
Whats all this for, Charlotte? You didnt want her, you let her go. No one knew why. And now, after all these years, you expect her to throw herself into your arms? Im sorry, Charlotte, but youd best go to Mothers for now; well talk later. I need to go to my daughter.
My niece! Charlotte retorted, rising to her feet.
Emily only sighed. Shutting the door, she went to Alices room.
Alice, love
Mum, wait. Before you start, let me say my piece. I know everything. Remember last year when we helped Gran tidy up? I found the guardianship papers. At first, I was furious that you hadnt told me. Then I thought I wanted to meet her to ask her why. But later, I realised I didnt need any of that. Youre my mum! I dont want anyone else!
Alice, my dearest! I’ll never give you up to anyone.
I wont let myself be given up either, Alice laughed. Remember my classmate William? His mums a solicitor, knows all about family law. Give her a ring.
My dear, dont rush to grow up just yet, Emily chuckled in return, hugging the girl tight. Well call, and sort it all out together.
What followed was a storm of nerves and legal wrangling, but the court left things as they were. Alices wishes were clearshe refused to live with her biological mother or acknowledge her.
The sisters stood outside the courthouse.
At lastits over. What now? Emily murmured, relief in her voice.
Ill be leaving, Emily. I don’t want to get in the way. But Ill help; Alice has had an account set aside for her for yearspapers are with Mum. Ive left them.
What was all this about, Charlotte? And why did you let her go?
There was no romance, Emily. Nothing like that. Just a dark park, late at night, Charlotte whispered.
Emilys breath caught.
And you never said a word? All these years, carrying that alone?
There was nothing anyone could do. Thats why I kept quiet. At first, I thought I was just getting older, didnt realise I was pregnant until it was too late. Please never tell Alice. Its not her burden. Its mine. Maybe, one day, shell forgive me.
Emily hugged her sister. Together, they looked to where Alice was standing with her grandmother.
Sometimes, the worst things can become something beautiful. Shes so lovely! Charlotte wiped her eyes, and for the first time in many years, Emily saw her sister smile.