The Door at Midnight

I was six months pregnant when my husband's childhood sweetheart showed up on Christmas Eve, pregnant too, demanding her place in his life.

Smiling, I welcomed her in. "Come on in. Make yourself at home."

In my previous life, I had forced my husband to kick Shirley out. She collapsed from low blood sugar and froze to death that very Christmas Eve.

Matthew did not hold it against me. On the contrary, he softened, stayed by my side and took care of me while I waited to give birth.

However, when the baby came, despite being an obstetrician himself, Matthew sent our healthy newborn son straight to the morgue. I begged him desperately, but his face was twisted with hatred.

"If you hadn't been so petty and dramatic, Shirley wouldn't have died along with her baby!"

"You're heartbroken over your son? Then go freeze to death too. Pay for Shirley’s life with your own life."

Just like that, I opened my eyes again, back to the moment Shirley arrived on Christmas Eve.

When I opened the door, a blast of cold air hit me like a wave.

It reminded me of that scary time after a really tough delivery, when I was shivering and truly thought that I might not make it.

Matthew Smith's voice came from behind me, sounding totally surprised.

"Shirley? It's freezing out there. Come on in!"

He did not even seem to care that I was sporting a six-month old baby bump. He pushed me aside roughly, but he was super gentle with the person he was bringing inside.

As he led the person to the living room, Matthew gave me a stern look.

"It's Christmas Eve, so be good, okay? We don't want any trouble."

I took a deep breath and put on a smile.

"Why would I cause trouble? Shirley's like family to you, and we're so happy to have her here!"

I beat him to the punch this time, saying the words he had once said to me in my previous life.

Matthew stopped in his tracks, staring at me in shock.

Finally, he just snorted and said, "I’m glad you understand."

At dinner, everyone was super friendly to Shirley.

Matthew was extra nice, getting her a bowl of soup.

However, then Shirley turned white as a ghost and gagged.

Matthew was right there, rubbing her back, asking what was wrong.

Shirley smiled, kind of embarrassed, "I'm pregnant. About two months along."

The room went quiet for a few seconds.

Matthew looked shocked, but then he was grinning from ear to ear.

Shirley looked at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Cindy, I'm so sorry about that day... we were both drunk, I could... I could get rid of it."

My mother-in-law shot me a fierce look.

"Get rid of it? No way! That's my grandchild!"

Matthew put his arm around Shirley, but when he looked at me, his face was like ice.

"Cindy, I have to do right by Shirley! Don't even