«What was your gynecologist thinking?!» the doctors shouted during the birth of the 56-year-old woman..

Home was just a little away, only cross the bridge over the small river and that’s it. Suddenly, a wild thought came to Claudia’s head. What if I jump into the river from the bridge and get rid of all problems at once, which hang on me like chains.

Well, life? I’ve lived most of it, and that’s enough. God will forgive me, he forgives everyone. Claudia herself doesn’t remember the moment when, with difficulty, she climbed over the railing, looked down at the murky water.

Scary, but I’ll jump. A few seconds remained until she put the final period. Suddenly, the air was torn by a piercing scream.

It was her husband Mike, who by happy coincidence was nearby at the right time and place. He saw and saved Claudia from the rash step. Mike inwardly shrank from fear when his wife, bursting into tears, told about her pregnancy.

Yes, this isn’t the old age I dreamed of, quiet and peaceful. Baby diapers and nighttime crying weren’t in the plans at all. But still, it’s better than losing Claudia, Mike thought bitterly.

Only now, stingy with emotions, Mike realized how dear his wife was to him. The news of the pregnancy was so stunning that Mike and Claudia didn’t dare tell their daughter Irene yet. They need to get used to the idea themselves that they will have babies, and it happened soon.

Since the Lord sends us children, it means it’s God’s will, Mike and Claudia decided simultaneously. Together they came under the arches of the local church and prayed to all the saints. They learned to rejoice in every day that brought them closer to the birth of the babies.

Days and months passed. Claudia’s pregnancy was difficult. Her legs swelled, she was tormented by morning sickness and headaches.

But tests and ultrasound procedures showed that the babies were fine. For Claudia, that was the main thing, and she endured all the hardships and adversities steadfastly. Nothing foreshadowed trouble, but it treacherously awaited Claudia and Mike and came from where they least expected, from the closest person, daughter Irene.

They never dared to tell her everything. Who knew that this indecision would play a cruel joke on Claudia and Mike. Today’s Sunday is special.

Claudia’s pregnancy has passed the seven-month mark. It was on this day that Irene called. «Mom, I’ll come today, okay?» the girl chirped in a gentle voice.

She rarely visited her parents in the town, no more than twice a year. Mostly, Irene’s communication with relatives was limited to rare phone calls. «Yes, of course, daughter,» Claudia replied.

From excitement, her voice trembled and her hands shook. Her belly immediately made itself known, rippling from the kicks of the babies’ feet. Apparently, the mother’s worries were transmitted to the little ones.

Claudia and Mike waited for the evening when Irene would arrive, with bated breath. They regretted not telling their daughter about the pregnancy in time. They knew Irene was a complicated girl and prepared for any reaction from her.

But what they heard from their own child exceeded all their expectations. «Hi, Dad, I’m not staying long, I need your help!» Irene muttered casually, pecking her father on the cheek. A few seconds later, the girl’s face turned deathly pale, and her lower lip trembled with indignation.

«What’s this?» Irene exclaimed, looking at her mother. «Are you pregnant? You’re too old for this, you’ve completely lost your mind!» «Don’t you dare talk to your mother like that!» Mike stood up for Claudia. «And you too,» the girl grumbled at her father…