WNDR7501

Daniel & Matthew: Four Miracles Due

Two dads. Eight babies between them. Thirty-two weeks and counting. Daniel Hartley did not plan to be on early leave, waddling around a Manchester flat that smells of fresh paint and new cot wood, writing letters to four children who are not yet born. He did not plan to be married to a man who goes to work on a building site at 32 weeks pregnant and texts back only 'fine babe' when Daniel asks how he is feeling. He did not plan any of this — and yet here he is, utterly in it, utterly in love with it, utterly terrified. This is one week. Seven days of midwife appointments, 3am kick-counts, Matthew coming home with plaster dust in his hair and Daniel pretending not to cry at nappy adverts. Step inside. The kettle is on. The babies are kicking. And Matthew just texted to say he will be late.