Chapter 11 - THE BABY'S NAME
At thirty-four weeks, Abigail and Richard chose a name.
Samuel.
Richard wanted:
Matthew.
After Claire’s father.
Abigail said no.
“This child is not a memorial.”
Good.
Samuel had his own life before birth.
Claire helped paint the nursery.
That surprised her.
She had not expected to participate.
Christopher was not there.
He and Claire were separated.
Not divorced yet.
Claire needed distance.
One evening Abigail asked:
“Do you hate me for this?”
Claire looked at the crib.
“No.”
“For marrying Richard?”
“No.”
“For hiding it?”
“Yes.”
Abigail nodded.
Fair.
Then Claire asked:
“Do you regret it?”
“The marriage?”
“No.”
“The pregnancy?”
Abigail smiled.
“No.”
“The secrecy?”
Immediately:
“Yes.”
That was enough.
Not every part of a complicated choice needed to become regret because one part caused harm.
The guardianship plan for Samuel was one of the most important documents Richard and Abigail prepared.
Because both parents were older, they did not rely on vague family promises.
They named:
Anne as first-choice guardian,
Claire as second,
a professional trustee for finances,
and separate life-insurance funding.
Claire asked:
“Why not Christopher?”
Abigail looked uncomfortable.
Richard answered:
“The plan was drafted before the assault. He was not our first choice even then.”
Christopher learned that later.
It hurt.
Again, an expectation.
He assumed being Richard’s son made him automatic guardian.
Richard disagreed.
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Parenthood did not make every family role hereditary.
That lesson followed Christopher everywhere.
