SIXTY-EIGHT
I held Lauren’s face as she slept. My family has come here and seen Avyanna too. Now she is in the nursery and will be returned when she is ready. I can’t explain my fucking feelings. I was so happy when I saw Lauren safe and triple when I saw Avyanna.
I am already a father, and I promise I can be a responsible father.
“Hubby.”
“Are you ok?” I asked quickly when I heard her. “Does anything hurt? Shall I call doctor Keisha?”
“I’m ok.” She smiles so I immediately lost my nervousness. “Hubby, I told you I am ok. I just chill. So you should just relax.”
“I know. You’re a strong woman wife. Sorry if I’m still a little shaky.”
“I need to be strong because I want you to be happy. Where is Avya?”
“In the nursery. It will be returned here when it’s time to feed. But if you want to see her, we can get her.”
“I want to see her.”
“Ok, wait for me and I’ll take her.” I kiss her on the forehead before I leave. She can be left alone because she has a button that she can press if she needs help.
When I reached the nursery I saw a familiar figure of a man. He stands and looks inside. There is a nurse that holds a baby so he can clearly see. I couldn’t mistake it for my daughter because of the wrapped towel that Dylan gave her. Until I was sure who the man was.
A nurse looks at me. So Hendrick also looked at me. He carries a basket full of fruit and a bouquet of flowers. When he saw me, he just nodded to the nurse and then turned to leave.
“Hendrick!” I called him so he stopped and then turned around but didn’t speak. I walk towards him and we are both opposite the nursery.
“I didn’t come here to cause trouble. Sorry, I just want to see your daughter.”
“Why didn’t you go to Lauren’s room?” He didn’t answer, he just looked at our daughter who was now in the crib. I don’t want to be mean. Even though I hated him then, I still owe him. He saved us from danger once especially me.
“I just want to see the baby.”
“Lauren will be happy to see you.” He smiled and then bowed.
“No need, just send my regards to her and congratulation to both of you.”
“Okay.” I think that’s a good idea. It’s selfish to think, but it’s better than meeting them. I offered him, but he refused, I didn’t want to force him because that was the right thing. At least he’s professional enough to know his place.
“I’m leaving.”
“Is that for her?” I asked referring to the flower and fruits. He looked at the bag and nodded shyly. “I can give it to her.”
“Is it OK?”
“Sure, not a big deal.” He handed it to me so I reached for it. “Do you want to say something to her aside from regards?”
“No, but I want to ask you to please take care of her. I know I don’t need to ask because you already did. But please love her every day and prioritize them. That’s all.”
“I will.”
“Thanks.” And he left. I just shook my head. It’s not my fault that Lauren fell for me and I fell for her. She is a woman and I am a man. We sleep in one house, one room. We did every couple did. What can he expect?Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
I didn’t plan it. I also try to stop my feelings. But fate still made a way for us and our hearts still followed. I have no regrets. I don’t feel guilty anymore either. To love my wife is my own choice, and staying with her is also my choice. But if she is the one who refuses, I will also let her go and will not chase her. But she chose me too, so I fought for her.
I asked the nurse to bring my daughter to the room. She agreed so I left and went back to Lauren’s room. I caught her sitting and looking at me.
“Avya, will come.”
“What are you carrying?” She asked when I put the flower on the vase.
“I saw Hendrick in the nursery looking at Avya.”
“Where is he?”
“He leaves, he’s just reaching out and saying ‘regards and congratulates us.'”
“Oh.” I sat beside her bed. I held her hand and tapped it slightly.
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what that sorry is for. I’m sorry because I came into her life. Sorry if I ruined their plans. Sorry if I messed up. I’m sorry because I’m not what she dreamed of but I became her husband. I’m sorry because I came into her life and became the father of her child.
“Huh? Sorry for what?”
“To everything.” She held my hand and then smiled.
“Is it because of me and Hendrick? You feel guilty of us?”
“I think.” But she put her palms on my face. The warmth of her palms brings a relaxing feeling.
“It’s not your fault. No one is at fault. Because it is never a sin to love someone. We’re not meant to be. Because if we were destined, I wouldn’t have known you because we had a relationship for a long time but we were both just stocked. An arranged marriage is just a way for both of us to meet. Because Hendrick and I are not really meant for each other.”
“Wife.”
“Hubby, you are the greatest person in my life. Your arrival as a friend, arranged husband, real husband, and father of my child was the happiest period of my life. I’ll admit that you weren’t the one I wanted to be in the beginning but I’m happy with the result. Hendrick is the one I see waiting for me at the altar, holding my full belly, carrying my first child. But God replaced all of that with something more deserving.”
“Wife.”
“You are not the first, but you are the last hubby. Like you, I’m not the first but I hope I’ll be the last. Because hubby, no matter what happens, I won’t let anyone break us. You are mine and I am yours and Avya was the witness then.”
“Thank you for coming wife, thank you for your selfless love.”
“Just for you, hubby and now it’s also for Avya.”
The door opened and the nurse came while pushing Avya’s crib.
“Ma’am, sir, the baby is here. I’ll just leave it here so it can be done. I’ll just come back after two hours.” We both nod and she placed Avya across from us.
When the nurse left I took Avya. I know how to take a baby in the crib. I used to hold Ace when she was an infant. I used to be with them often to play with her even when she was just a newborn.
“Do you want to take her?” I ask. She nodded and straightened himself. I gave Avya and then sat down. Avya’s sucked her nipples that made her cringe a bit. Can I be jealous of my child? That should be me.
“I can suck first to make the hole bigger.”
“Hubby.”
“Kidding.” Avya quickly absorbed like a greedy glutton. My daughter is cute. I hope when she grows up she will look like her mommy. Beautiful, brave, naughty, kind, and very loving.
I approached them and kissed Avya on the forehead. I also kissed Lauren while closing my eyes.
“Hubby?”
“I promise to protect you both. I would bet my life on both of you. I love you, wife. I love you and my daughter very much.”
“I love you too, hubby. And for sure, Avya loves you too.”
“Thank you for staying with me, wife. Thank you for choosing me and for loving me.”
“I will choose you, again and again, hubby. I will love you again and again.”
I won’t ask for more because I’m already happy. Just one more—-I hope Avya can have a siblings.