Chapter 18 - THE SECOND PREGNANCY
I became pregnant again at thirty-seven. Unexpected.
Wanted. The first thing I felt was joy.
The second was fear. Not of baby.
Of Eleanor. That angered me.
She had changed. Still, body remembered.
We told no one until twelve weeks. Then Eleanor.
She smiled. Then asked: “What do you want from me?”
Perfect question. “Nothing yet.”
“Okay.” Then: “No Foundation testing unless we ask.”
“Understood.” “No delivery planning.”
She laughed. “I deserved that.”
Maybe. Then genetic counseling.
Independent. Because Sebastian negative for familial variant, risk from his branch essentially none for that known mutation.
My own standard screening. Normal.
No family folder. Then Eleanor never asked results.
That was discipline. Then pregnancy healthy.
We had a daughter, Sophie Vance, at St. Matthew’s.
Full term. Eleanor visited after we invited.
Asked before holding. No drama.
Then Sebastian said: “Do you realize Mom didn’t plan anything?” I smiled.
Growth measured by absence. Then Sophie’s birth certificate.
No trust lawyer waiting. No family council.
Just us. Then later estate planning.
We created trusts for children with professional trustee backup and broad support standards. No career conditions.
No health-based voting. No family business obligation.
Then Sebastian asked: “Are we overcorrecting?” Maybe.
We reviewed with independent attorney. Adjusted.
Not every condition is control. Some are responsible.
May you like
The key was clarity and future flexibility. Then I thought about Thomas.
Fear into law. We tried not to.
