Alla Sergeyevna arrived at her daughter’s place at the crack of dawn. She was in such a rush that she forgot to call and began pounding on the door.

“Lena! Open up!”

Lena, still half-asleep, opened the door. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Alla Sergeyevna pushed past her. “Tell me, is it true?”

“What exactly?” Lena asked calmly, knowing her mother well.

“Don’t play dumb! Dasha and Masha came to me in tears last night! Do you understand they’re in shock?!”

“What are they shocked about?”

“Lena! Enough! Is it true that you’re pregnant?”

“It’s true.”

“And you talk about it so calmly?!”

“How else should I?” Lena smiled.

“Are you kidding me? The girls are teenagers—they know this is abnormal!”

“Abnormal? I’m married, Mom. And children happen. The girls are still young—they’ll understand in time.”

“They’re practically grown! Why did you even tell them?”

“Because they’re going to have a sibling. Should I hide it?”

“Wait… Are you actually planning to give birth?”

“Of course.”

“Are you out of your mind? You’re almost forty!”

“So what?”

“First, it’s dangerous. Second, why? Third, Vadik doesn’t want children. He was happy your girls were older—no diapers, no fuss.”

“That’s for now. He just doesn’t know what it means to have his own child,” Lena said. “He’ll warm up to the idea.”

“You haven’t told him yet?!”

“Unless Dasha and Masha did.”

“Perfect! And where is he? It’s morning, and he’s not home.”

“On the night shift. He’ll be back soon.”

“Wonderful. Then we’ll discuss it.”

“Discuss what, Mom? I’m not asking for permission.”

“Do you realize what your daughters have declared?”

“No, but I have a feeling you’ll tell me.”

“They said if you have this baby, they’ll leave home!”

“They won’t go anywhere. It’s just protest.”

“And if not?!”

“Then I must have raised them poorly.”

“Life hasn’t taught you anything…”

“Don’t start, Mom.”

“Why not? I thought after your first divorce you’d wise up.”

“I remember everything,” Lena snapped. “You remind me often. Yes, you helped me then. Thank you. But I don’t need help now. And I can’t get rid of the baby—it’s already alive. How can I? It’s like Dasha or Masha. No. I can’t. And I don’t want to.”

“And Vadik? What if he leaves you?”

“Then he leaves.”

“And you’ll struggle alone with three kids?”

“Struggle? I earn well, I have an apartment. We’ll manage.”

“Fine. But don’t count on me! And I hope nothing works out for you!”

“Mom, what are you saying?”

“You still have months ahead. Anything can happen.”

“Thank you, Mom. For the support, for the well wishes… Isn’t it time for you to go home?” Lena asked, holding back tears.

“Kicking me out?!” Alla Sergeyevna shrieked.

Lena said nothing, walked into another room, and closed the door. Alla Sergeyevna left, slamming the door.

As she exited the building, she ran into Vadik. “Alla Sergeyevna, is something wrong?”

“Ask your wife!” she snapped and stormed off.

Vadik entered the apartment. “Lena, what was that about?”

“We fought.”

“That’s new,” he joked. “What happened?”

Lena hesitated. She had never felt so insecure with Vadik before. “Come what may,” she thought and quietly said, “Vadik, I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” He was losing patience.

“I’m pregnant.”

“What?”

“We’re going to have a baby.” Lena tensed, awaiting a scandal.

“A baby? Us?” Vadik was bewildered. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve already registered at the clinic. If you’re against it…”

“Against it?!” Vadik lifted her into his arms. “I’m happy!”

“You are?”

“Of course! I’ve dreamed of this my whole life!”

“But you said you didn’t want children.”

“Because it never worked out! So I pretended I didn’t care.”

“Thank God,” Lena sighed, then remembered bitterly. “The girls are against it. And Mom too.”

“So be it. Don’t stress. I’ll talk to them myself.”

Lena gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Vadik was overjoyed. Dasha and Masha, who swore they wouldn’t come near him, couldn’t take their eyes off their little “Pashenka.”

And as for the grandmother—she didn’t come. Something held her back.