Hellish True- life
I heard unimaginable news on a day that was supposed to be special, which turned my entire world upside down…
Gemma McKeown, 37, from Edinburgh
Adding a cloth to the washing, it wasn’t long before I was needed again.
In fact, I couldn’t even manage to go to the toilet without my newborn daughter Megan – she was stuck to my hip at all times.
And she would drink milk until it literally came out of her ears.
Megan was a cutie, but being a parent was overwhelming to say the least – especially as I was only a child myself.
Meeting my partner Joe, then 40, when I was 15, I got caught up in a whirlwind romance, and just four weeks after putting a label on our relationship, I found out that I was pregnant at 16.
What am I going to do now? Although I was young, naïve and in love, cracks started to show almost immediately in our relationship – with Joe reluctant to be a father at first.
Scared, feeling alone and knowing that the situation I now found myself in wasn’t a healthy one, I knew I had to concentrate on my baby instead.
And on 7 June 2004 at 7.06am, Megan was born at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, weighing 7lbs 10oz – she was healthy and happy, that was all that mattered to me. Not knowing that I was having a little girl, it really was the best surprise and Megan quickly became my world.
We were inseparable.
And when me and Joe welcomed Harrison* into the world two years later, Megan quickly doted on him, too. ‘What are you doing?’ I’d laugh as I’d find Megan trying to stuff Harrison into her buggy, wanting to wheel him around the room.
They really were the best of friends – we all were.
However, with me and Joe constantly arguing, our conversations turning ugly, it left me in a situation I didn’t want to be in.
Saying goodbye was always hard
And not long after giving birth to Harrison, me and Joe ended our turbulent relationship – making sure to co-parent the kids.
Only, not being able to spend every second with my beautiful children was harrowing.
Turning to drugs and alcohol, I was in a dark place.
Moving in with my mum Sharon, 58, I’d get to see the kids at the weekend, during the holidays and on Mother’s Day, while Joe had them in the week.
Whether we decided on a walk or even just sat in the house watching a film, I didn’t have to plan anything special – I was an average parent wanting to see my babies.
And watching Megan grow up was just amazing.
Well mannered, polite and having such a beautiful soul, we had such a close relationship and I’d hate to have to say goodbye – it was the worst part of the week.
Only, just like she did as a baby,
