I gave birth to a baby at the age of 79, and my children took me to court to declare me incompetent. But when the judge asked who the father was, the hall door opened …
When the judge entered the hall, my daughter didn’t even want to look at me.
He was sitting on the other side, next to his brother, squeezing a folder full of documents.
I was with my lawyer, holding my three-month-old daughter in my hands.
Little Emilia slept peacefully, with a face resting on my chest. She was so tiny and innocent that it was difficult to believe how her birth led our family to a courtroom.
— Ms. Mileva — said the judge, — your children claim that you are no longer able to make independent decisions. They want to take control of your medical care, your property and guardianship over the baby.
I looked at my daughter, Sylvia.
— Do you really think I’ve lost my mind?
She finally raised her eyes.
— Mom, you’re seventy-nine. He came home from the hospital with a newborn three months ago and announced that this was your daughter. You refuse to tell us who the father is, where the baby came from or why you plan to leave her all your condition.
— I didn’t leave her all my condition.
— Not yet — my son said cold, Mikhail. — But your lawyer has already prepared the documents.
There was more anger in his voice than anxiety.
Only six months ago, my children called me every Sunday. They brought me flowers for my birthday, took pictures with me, and told everyone how much they loved their mother.
But once they found out about my pregnancy, everything changed.
Sylvia said I was exposing the family. Mikhail insisted that I terminate the pregnancy immediately.
When I refused, my doctor was accused of manipulating me. Then they started asking me if I had signed documents with a lawyer.
Then I realized that their true fear had nothing to do with my health.
They were afraid that the new baby could become one of my legal heirs.
But I didn’t say any of that in court.
The judge examined the medical documents.
— According to these reports, pregnancy was closely monitored by a team of doctors. It is also stated that you have been fully conscious, mentally competent and understood all risks.
