She wasnt their real mother, those five But who could tell?
Yegor lost his wife. She never recovered from the last childbirth.
Grieve or not, it didnt matterfive children were left behind. The eldest, Nicky, was nine. Little Elijah was seven. The twins, Alex and Leo, were four. And the youngestjust three months oldlittle Ellen, the daughter theyd waited so long for.
A man couldnt afford to brood when children cried for food. But late at night, when they were all asleep, Yegor sat in the kitchen, smoking in the dark.
At first, he managed alone as best he could. His sister-in-law came to help for a while, but there were no other relatives. She offered to take the twinssaid itd ease his burden. Then social services sent two officials.
They suggested sending all the children to an orphanage. Yegor wouldnt hear of it. Give away his own flesh and blood? How could a man live with himself after that? Hard as it was, what choice did he have? Theyd grow up in time.
Sometimes he even managed to check the older boys homework. Ellen, of course, was the most trouble. But Nicky and Elijah helped where they could.
Then there was Nina Ivanovna, the visiting nurse, who came often and cared. One day she promised to send a nanny. A man with a baby needed help, she said. A good, hardworking girl. Worked at the hospital.
No children of her own, mind younot married yet. But shed helped raise her siblings, coming from a big family in the next village. And so Lucy came into their home.
Small, sturdy, round-faced, with an old-fashioned braid down her back. And quietnever a word out of place. But everything in Yegors house changed. The place gleamedscrubbed, polished.
She mended the childrens clothes, washed them fresh. Tended to Ellen, cooked meals. The school and nursery noticed the difference at once. The children were clean, neatbuttons no longer sewn with black thread on white cloth, elbows no longer ragged.
Once, Ellen fell ill with fever. The doctor said shed recover, but care was everything. Lucy stayed up night after night, never once lying down herself, until the little girl was well. And somehow, without anyone noticing, she just stayed.
The younger ones began calling her Mum, starved for a mothers touch. And Lucy didnt hold backpraising them, ruffling their hair, hugging them. Well, they were just children.
The older boys, Nicky and Elijah, were wary at first, never calling her anything. Then they settled on just Lucy. Not nanny, not Mumjust Lucy. A way to remember theyd had a real mother once. And she wasnt much older than them, barely old enough to be their mother anyway.
Lucys family objected.
Why hang that millstone round your neck? Arent there enough lads in the village?
There are lads, she replied, but I feel for Yegor And the little ones are used to me now.
So they lived. Fifteen years slipped by unnoticed. The children studied, grew. Not without trouble, of coursemischief happened. Yegor would flare up, reach for his belt. But Lucy would tug his sleeveWait, Father, lets hear the truth first.
They argued, made up, lived on. Soon, no one in the village called her Lucy anymore. She was Mrs. Ludmilla, respected. Nicky married last year, expecting his first.
The young couple lived apartNick worked on the farm, no ordinary labourer either. Citations, bonuseshe was going places. Elijah was finishing university in the city, Lucys prideher boy, soon to be an engineer.
They stuck together through thick and thinchildhood scrapes, standing up for one another. Ellen was in Year Nine now, Lucys joy. A singer, a dancer, no village do without her.
And Yegor, more than once, thought how well Nina Ivanovna had chosen him a wife
This summer, Lucy sensed something was wrong. Never ill a day in her life, but now her vision darkened, nausea struck. She shooed Yegor and his cigarettes out to the porchthe smell made her sick. Thought it would pass. It didnt. She had to see the doctor.
She came home quiet, distant. Brushed off Yegors questionsjust foolishness, she said, nothing to fret over.
But that night, when the house slept, she called him out to the porch.
Sit down, Father We need to talk. You know what the doctor said? Im with child Too late to do anything but keep it. She covered her face. The shame, oh, the shame
Yegor could only stare. All these years, no childrenand now this!
What shame, Mother? The older ones are nearly gonejust the two of us left, eh? See, nature knows best! Well manage.
Whatll the children say? An old woman like me, still at it
Old? Youre thirty-nine, not ninety!
I dont know I dont know what to do
Right. Ill tell them. Tomorrow, when theyre all here.
And he did. Gathered round the table, he said it plain. Listen, my dears Youll have a baby brother or sister soon. Thats that.
Lucy bowed her head, stared at her plate, flushed crimson.
Nicky, visiting with his young wife, burst out laughing.
Brilliant, Mum! Good on you! Our two can grow up together!
Alex was thrilled.
Go on, Mum! We need another brother!
But Leo shook his head.
No A girl. Too many lads hereonly one girl. Weve spoiled her rotten
Ellen shot him a look.
Spoiled me, have you? Of course a girl, Mum! Ill tie her ribbons, buy pretty dresses!
Dresses? Shes not a doll, Elijah cut in. A child needs raising.
Well raise it, Yegor said.
Still, Lucy hid her growing bellyunder shawls, even a coat in summer heat, pretending she was cold.
The months passed quickly. They celebrated Nickys firstborna boy. Elijah returned to university after break. Alex and Leo left tooenrolled in agricultural college.
Ellen started a new school year. The house grew quiet, empty. She was either in class or with friends. Even had a lad walking her home from Sunday dances now.
Lucy lay awake, waiting. Thenpain. Sharp, blinding.
Yegor, she whispered, Yegor I think its time.
He went pale, fumbled with his boots.
Hold on, MotherIll Ill call an ambulance! He shouted for Ellen. She understood at once, flew out the door.
Two minutes later, she dashed back.
Mum, Tommyll drive youhes borrowing his dads car, wait!
Tommy, is it? she thoughtthen another pain tore through her.
Oh, Mum! Whats happening?
Five minutes later, Ellens young man stepped in.
Dadll drive you himself, he told Ellen. Coming?
Course I am. Yegor grabbed his coat. Dont fret, LucyIm with you.
All night, Yegor smoked on the hospital steps. At dawn, an older nurse emerged.
Waiting, Dad? Smoking? Youll need to cut down now First one, is it?
Fifth, he muttered.
Five? Rich man! But its seven now! Your beautys had twins!
Ttwins? he stammered.
Boy and girl! Boys a loud one, she laughed. Girls a picture! Go home, Dad. Come back tomorrow. Shell stay a whilebabes need weight. Bring whats needed. Understood?
Aye, Yegor nodded, dazed.
On discharge day, the whole family gathered. Even the students skipped classes for it. The nurse solemnly carried out two bundlesone in blue ribbon, one in pink. Behind her walked Lucy, flustered.
Yegor took one bundle, hesitated over the second.
Twos awkward Forgotten how.
Nicky took the other.
Here, Dad Not my first rodeo.
Oh, shes lovely! Ellen peeked into the blanket. My little sister!
Flowers and cake duly handed to the nurse (as was proper), they headed for the farm busthe manager had lent it. Special occasion!
Mum, Nicky grinned, youve pleased everyone!
Lucy cradled one bundle, smiling quietly. God willing, shed raise them right She glanced at Yegor, holding the other
