Suspicions
She had been following his cruiser for the past hour, slowly following his path through the night's traffic. At the beginning of the year, when he seemed aloof, she suspected something was wrong.
In the middle of the night, he received a call that prompted him to run out of bed. It wasn't work-related, but she wasn't sure what it was about. It never occurred to her that it would end with a baby.
Proof
Sally Catherwood never imagined she'd sneak after her husband all over town on Wednesday night. She had never imagined him to be promiscuous.
She watched him caress the woman's full belly from behind a pillar in a dark alley. During their conversation, tears gleamed in his eyes. Sally needed no further proof that her marriage was over.
All She Wanted
It had always been a dream of Sally's to become a mother. The day she turned twenty, she envisioned herself holding a cooing baby in her arms. She wanted to experience every moment as her child grew and learned, until she grew old and gray.
In their wedding vows, she and Ken, a police officer she'd known since college, discussed having children. There was no way they could have known what lay ahead of them.
Trying Their Best
Ken and Sally were from big families. Consequently, they wanted to create a chaotic atmosphere filled with laughter and running.
It wasn't long before they began trying to have a baby, and the couple was very enthusiastic in those early months. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to conceive. However, this was only the beginning of their problems.
Devastated
Upon visiting the doctor, Sally discovered she was barren and unable to have children. Upon realizing their plan wasn't going as planned, the couple was devastated.
In the end, Sally felt like she failed as a wife and a mother. She is a woman, yet she has failed to do this one essential task? Despite her struggles, she had no idea that she was still far from the bottom.
Feeling Defeated
Meanwhile, Ken was devastated that he could not fulfill his wife's greatest dream. Providing for his family and making sure his wife was happy was the responsibility of a man.
He was broken by watching her sulk and spend her days quietly on the window seal in their bedroom. In the end, he couldn't do anything about this issue.
Problems
As a first step, the two resolved not to bring up the matter that had seemingly destroyed their marriage. As soon as the silence ended, fights and name-calling broke out.
Ken didn't know how to comfort Sally as she blamed herself for being unable to bear children. Their issues would be centered on a misunderstanding that caused a divide in their relationship.
Tired
In the early days of their marriage, Ken and Sally felt lost and alone.
In hopes of bringing the sun back to their dark lives, Ken made a suggestion one day. Despite his best efforts, Sally was unsure whether to go along with his plan. There was no room for complacency here.
FInally
Ken suggested adoption one night while they were eating dinner. As he spoke, he seemed to be trying not to aggravate Sally further.
After realizing Ken was serious, she smiled and her vision blurred. As she hoped they would finally have the life they had always dreamed of, she did not know that trouble was still to come.
It's Final
The more the two discussed it, the more logical it seemed. Their children would still be theirs regardless of whether or not they were biologically born.
A family and a loving home could mean more to a needy child than anything else. It was too late to turn back now.
Perfect
Sally and Ken started the adoption process. It wasn't as easy as they thought it would be, and for months, they swam in paperwork and interviews.
But it wasn't long before they found a child they connected with. She was a one-year-old baby with hair as blonde as Sally's and irises as blue as Ken's – a perfect baby in Sally's eyes. Or so she thought.
Bringing Her Home
The couple got the call that changed their lives, and together, they welcomed Milly home, the girl who'd snared their hearts.
Her presence was the balm that Sally and Ken needed to fix their marriage. They'd fallen in love with Milly and were ready to give her the world. But just as quickly as happiness came into their lives, so did the sadness return.
The Day And Night Shifts
It all started with Ken's work schedule. He usually left the house at 8 am and returned at 5 pm. He loved being an officer, and Sally was glad.
But everything changed when his department allotted him the night shift, causing him to spend the night away from his wife and kids. If only Sally knew what all this would amount to.
A Good Wife
Always a supportive wife, Sally ensured Ken left the house with a full stomach and snacks to last him the night. She packed him blankets for the cold nights even though he claimed he didn't need them, and even made him a playlist to listen to while doing his paperwork.
She'd stay awake wondering if he was safe, praying to God to bring him home in the morning. If only she knew what he was doing out there.
Where Is He?
Sally only got wind of the matter when one of Ken's fellow officers called the house, asking what was taking Ken so long to reach the station.
Sally found the question odd, mainly because Ken had left the house over an hour ago. She didn't share this information with his friend, hoping it wasn't something to report.
A Changed Man
Sally spent the next few nights trying to keep her mind from veering far from common sense. Her husband wasn't the type to be involved in anything illicit.
He'd always been a dedicated officer and husband, and she had no reason to worry. But one night, he came home unannounced, asking her questions that made her question everything she thought she knew about him.
She’s Onto Him
Ken came in the middle of the night, asking Sally about women's menstrual cycles and signs of pregnancy. He framed the questions in harmless ways, not knowing his wife was already onto him.
Still, Sally gave him the benefit of the doubt. Her husband had never been promiscuous before and really hated men who didn't treat their wives well. She had no idea that the man she knew and the man who left their house every evening were two different people.
A Mistake
Ken continued with his behavior for weeks. He'd come home in the morning and act normal even though Sally had confirmed that he usually showed up at the station an hour late.
She had no idea where he was spending time between their house and the station. But she couldn't bring the matter up with him, not with everything that had happened between them.
Keeping The Peace
For the past year, Sally and Ken had spent their time quarreling or in silence. After Milly, their love life bloomed once again. Sally feared jeopardizing this newfound peace.
She couldn't antagonize Ken when she was the reason he couldn't have a kid with his blood flowing in their veins. This single thought made her fear asking Ken any questions about his whereabouts – a grave mistake.
Everything’s Fine
Sally pretended everything was alright. She was a good wife and mom and couldn't deny that although her husband kept things from her, he was a good dad.
But she was ever-vigilant now, feeling like he was forcing her into a dark corner. She wasn't sure if he was doing this to protect her and Milly, but only hoped it wouldn't land him in trouble.
Is He Perfect?
He made sure to spend time with her and Milly, even taking them on movie and lunch dates on a weekly basis. He treated her well for the most part.
But it wouldn't be long before Sally was in her car trailing him. She'd never planned on it. But everything happened so fast that she found herself rushing out of the house.
A Day Off
A few months had passed when she did so. Ken had been on leave and had spent the day and night with her and Milly.
They'd burnt through several movies at the cinema and even went to the park for a picnic. Sally had no idea that things would turn on their heads come nightfall.
One Call To Rule Them All
But at midnight, he got a cryptic call that had him flying to the bathroom. He talked in hushed tones while glancing at Sally. He looked worried, and Sally had no idea why.
He frantically searched through the medicine cabinet before storming off. Sally dared ask him what was wrong, but he only stared at her wildly and left.
Going After Him
Sally didn't waste time rushing after him as soon as she could. She called her little sister, Tammy, a third-year college student living a few blocks away, to watch over Milly.
She showed Tammy where everything in the house was, from Milly's late-night food to emergency contacts. She suspected she'd be gone for a while.
On The Road
With everything set, she hopped into her car and drove after Ken. She spent the next fifteen minutes looking for his rear lights, hoping he was close enough.
He'd never been one to leave the house without telling her where he was going or goodbye. She'd uncover his secret if it were the last thing she did.
An Agonizing Drive
The road ahead was sparsely populated by the night's traffic, but it still took Sally a while to see Ken's cruiser fly down the highway.
She breathed a sigh of relief as the vehicle came into view. But Ken turned on the car's red and blue lights, stepping on the gas as the bright lights shone through the midnight darkness.
Seeing Him In Action
Sally kept her distance, her mind racing as she wondered what was happening to her husband. She always knew his job was dangerous and prayed that he'd return home safely every night.
She had never seen him in action until tonight. She had no idea that all of this involved a homeless woman and a baby with Ken's name written all over him.
A Dark Alley
Ken drove into town, unaware his wife was trailing him. He slowed down somewhat, seemingly searching for someone or something in the darkness-covered sidewalks.
Sally followed him from a distance, watching as he took a corner into a dark alley. His siren, which had been blaring since the highway, went silent before he turned off the dazzling red and blue lights.
A Block Away
Sally had to park a block away and brave the town's darkness to get to him. She was hurt to see him enter this side of the city, which was notorious for crime.
She told herself he was here to arrest someone or shut down a drug deal. But her heart broke when he turned off his siren and lights. That could only mean one thing.
A Woman
Whatever was happening wasn't good. Was Ken involved with something terrible that he should feel compelled to turn off his siren and police lights?
Sally was still thinking everything through when a woman stumbled out of the building Ken was standing before, staggering into his arms. This was the answer she'd been looking for all this while.
A Convincing Scene
Sally had never pictured Ken as the promiscuous type, but the scene before her was enough to convince her otherwise.
Ken handled the woman with care, his delicate movements telling Sally he knew the woman personally. This wasn't a stranger dispatch had sent him to help. With her heartbeat pounding in her ears, she snuck behind a pillar for a clearer view.
Tears At 1 AM
From her perch behind the pillar, Sally saw Ken touch the woman's stomach and shake his head. He shared a few words with her, most of which Sally couldn't make out.
She moved to a different pillar, this one closer than the last. And that's when she realized he was crying. That alone made her approach them.
Who Is She?
Sally had never seen Ken cry. They had been together for seven years, yet he'd never shed a tear before her. He'd always joked that she cried for both of them.
But this woman had seemingly brought him to tears in a dark alley at 1 am. Who was she, and what relationship did they have for him to cry like this?
Confronting Him
"So this is where you usually come every night before reporting to work?" Sally shouted across the alley, her arms folded above her chest.
She walked away from the pillar, her sight focused on Ken and the woman. Her lips trembled with emotion, her eyes wet with it. How could Ken do this to her?
Guilty
He turned to her, his glossy eyes broadening. But his hand didn't separate from the woman's belly. His gaze switched from Sally back to the woman, and he leaned in as she whispered something in his ear.
The gesture felt intimate, crushing whatever little faith Sally had in their marriage. Was Ken choosing another woman instead of her? It was then that Sally realized two things she'd missed before.
Rock Bottom
Sally realized the woman was homeless. But that wasn't the worst part. The woman was also pregnant. This realization hit her like a freight train, and she stumbled back.
"Whose baby is it?" she mumbled in the dark, feeling as warm tears raced down her cheeks. After everything she and Ken had gone through trying to get pregnant, how could he do this to her?
The Past
"Whose baby is that, Ken?" Her husband didn't answer. All the hard times they had gone through together flooded Sally's mind. She remembered how bad she felt because she couldn't give him a child.
She’d loathed herself for it. He’d helped her bounce back, reminding her she could still build a family with him. So why did he do this to her and their daughter?
A New Side Of Him
He only shook his head, taking a deep breath. "We need help, Sal," he said. His eyes glinted with a hint of truth. "Please help us."
Sally took a slow step forward, taken aback by this side of her burly husband. She'd never seen him this vulnerable or had never heard him ask for help. She'd never been able to make him feel this helpless.
Help her
She wanted to ask him who the woman was or why he'd chosen to do this to their family. But she'd seen the woman was in pain and in dire need of help.
Her logical mind tasked her with cursing Ken out and leaving. But her heart begged her to stay. Maybe she was reading everything wrong. Even if she was right, she couldn't leave them like this.
It's His
"What do you want me to do?" Sally asked, wiping her eyes. She would help them and leave afterward, taking her daughter with her.
"I can't believe she relapsed," Ken whispered. "She told me she took something and isn't feeling good," he added. "The ambulance won't get here in time. Can you help me administer first aid?"
Why Not Her?
Sally nodded. She went down to help the lady, but her lips parted as her fingers grazed her belly. It was fuller than she thought, indicating the woman was further along in her pregnancy.
Envy burned through Sally; how many times had she wished she could have her own baby nesting inside her like this? Why had the world deemed her unworthy of such an great experience?
Stepping Up
Sally felt robbed. Although she had a beautiful daughter waiting for her at home, she wished she could be the one about to deliver a baby in a few weeks. She wished to be in the woman's position.
But she couldn't let envy poison her deeds. This woman needed help, and Sally would give her a hand no matter what was happening between her and Ken.
Taking Her To the Hospital
She joined Ken in administering first aid and, afterward, watched her as Ken drove them to the hospital. They spent the entire night in the waiting room as the doctors pumped the woman's stomach to free her body of the substances she'd taken.
But throughout this time, Ken came clean in his dealings with the woman. With squared shoulders and furrowed brows, he explained everything.
A Blast From The Past
The woman's name was Cheryl, and she and Ken had once been in the same middle school. After spending decades apart, Ken had arrested her for breaking and entering twelve months ago. He'd been heartbroken to discover they knew each other from childhood and decided to help her reform.
Cheryl was struggling with drug addiction then, and Ken did everything to help her get clean. But that was half of it.
Her Child
Cheryl got pregnant through an ex-boyfriend who passed away. Although she didn't admit it, losing him spiraled her back to her old ways. She had so much grief within her that everything else paled out of existence.
Tonight, she suddenly realized she was harming her baby through her ways. That's why she called Ken to help. On seeing Sally, she whispered to Ken, "She'll be the perfect mom to my little angel."