It was the first time for me to be a father, I can’t use words to express my excitement. I felt nervous and happy, all at the same time. The kid’s skin is a little bit reddish, a pair of puffy eyes, the whole-body wrinkles. But it was perfection for me. I looked at him for a long time as if I am memorizing every detail of his face, his hands and his skin.
So, this is what it feels to be a father? It feels surreal. It was magical. From the moment I took a look at my son to the moment I held him in my arms, I found my reason to be a better man every day. I’ve never been this emotional all my life, but this time, is different.
Elena’s POV
I was pushed by the nurse and came into a VIP room, it has a large and comfortable bed and a couch TV next to it. I’m still tired from giving birth and I felt some discomfort below. The experience of giving birth was both scary and rewarding. It was every woman will have to go through in order to give life. The pain was traumatic but bringing a human out to the world from your tummy, it’s quite fulfilling. I have realized that I am already a mother and it gave me excitement and a feeling of happiness that I can’t explain.
I saw Haden sitting on the couch next to the bed, and the assistant stack of papers over him to sign. He did not notice us approaching as he was busy signing the papers handed to him.
I consciously touched my belly it was much smaller now. Suddenly I remembered the baby, I want to hold him already. So I braced myself with the nurse’s hands and try to stand up, looking around to see the baby.
Haden heard the movement and turned his head to look. He shoved the half-signed document into his hand, hurriedly get to me and asked, “Is something wrong? How do you feel now?” as he helped the nurse to put me in the bed.
“Where is my baby? How is he doing? Is he healthy? Is he cute?” I blurted out a series of questions. I was really excited to see and finally hold him.
“Don’t worry. He’s in the nursery now and he’s healthy. And of course, he is cute like his father.” Haden gave me a wink. I gave him a smirk in return.
At that moment Sara held the baby, walked into the room and laughed. “Look at the baby. Here he is.” Sara put the baby in my arms. It was the first time I held my baby and I was so excited. My hands and feet were tingling. I looked at his face and see some resemblance with his father, although it’s still early to tell, I heard Sara laughed, “See? He looks just like Haden.” We had the same thoughts.
I took my baby and while holding him, my eyes flooded with soft light, and I couldn’t hide my excitement in my tone, “He… He looks so cute.”
“of course! Now, can we finally give him a name?” Haden asked. He was really excited about giving a name to the baby.
“Your name is Haden, my name is Elena. I think it’s cute if we’ll call him Eaden.” I suggested. Even when I was still pregnant with the baby, I had already thought of putting our names together and make a name out of it. At least, I can still say that it is our baby, although we had an agreement to follow.
“Okay, that’s a great name. Let’s name him Eaden!” My heart skipped a little hearing him agreed. I smiled at Haden as he moved the kid stiffly and carefully, not much like he was holding a human, but like he was holding a bomb. He swayed our baby back and forth as if he is dancing to a slow song. It was my first time seeing him like this. I enjoyed watching him holding our baby.
Our boy must have realized that there was a new person carrying him, because as soon as he was held and danced by Haden, he cried out.
I frowned, “What are you doing?” Haden couldn’t bear to look at his son’s face, but he also became patient, softened his voice and said, “Okay, don’t cry now. Daddy is here.” But Haden’s face was very serious, so those soothing words sounded more like a command.
Our baby cried even harder, I was startled and rushed over to pick up the child. I also noticed Haden’s panicked looked but as soon as Eaden was in my arms, he calmed down in no time and we both laughed.
“You guys are cute.” Sara teased us. “That’s okay as first-time parents. You will do better.” She added while laughing.
I was discharged from the hospital and went home the next day. Berry would help me with the baby. Now that the baby was born, I remembered that I had agreed with Haden that he would divorce me when the baby was born. It’s just that so far, I have formed a strong bond with this child and really don’t want to leave him now. Loneliness struck me at the thought of leaving my child on the custody of his father. What if that time came already? How could I bear it? But the child is still nursing, and Haden isn’t going to let me leave while the child is nursing, right?
I looked at the TV, Sara had been busy lately, she had taken on a new drama. I rarely saw her in the house but when she’s home, she would always go to me and help me with anything. I have been busy also with the baby since I graduated and haven’t taken on any drama yet. Now that my baby was born, I felt like my dream career needed to be fulfilled.
After several months one dinner time, I suggested to Haden that I wanted to get on with filming. I saw hesitation in his expression. Haden wiggled his eyebrows, “You don’t have to rush off to work, you can take care of Eaden. You can focus on the baby first.”
Back in our room I got a call from a former director, “Elena, we have a new play coming up, I think you’re perfect for the female lead and I want you to audition.” It was a big news! My heart was pounding up to my throat again. This is a great opportunity that I didn’t want to miss, but what about Eaden? I decided to talk to Haden about it.
That night, Haden slept next to me and I approached him and whispered in his ears, “I have a new play and I want to audition. I was thinking if I can go for it. Will you let me?”
Haden replied nothing and called his assistant. After he hung up the phone, he turned to me with a sigh, he said, “Go ahead if you want.” I was confused with the way he reacted but then, I am determined to pursue the offer.
At today’s audition, I handed Eaden over to Berry just until I get back. After instructing her of all the things to do with the baby stuff and all, I went to the audition. The character I auditioned for was a recent college graduate looking for a job, which was easy for me to pass in one sitting. It all went well, so far. The directors all had positive comments about my performance. I felt excitement. This was what I loved doing ever since. I missed being on stage, acting, performing, being applauded by so many people. When I got pregnant, I had to put this dream aside. But now, doors of opportunity are opening for me again.
After the audition, I rushed home as fast as I could. I promised Berry that I will come home as soon as I have finished the audition. Suddenly, I felt like something is wrong. Is this mother’s instinct? Or maybe I just missed taking care of my Eaden. I took the elevator from the second floor underground parking to the first floor. Before I even got off the elevator, I heard a baby crying outside. I thought it was Eaden.
My heart raced as the elevator opened and I rushed out.
Upon entering the house, Berry was holding the baby in the living room, the baby saw me and immediately reached out to me. I let out a sigh of relief.