First Time Mum
The new mother was still drowsy. The effects of the medication were slowly wearing off. The delivery room was a blur.
Her tiny frame felt sore and heavy even though she was numb from the waist down. It was difficult to breathe steadily, but she managed to focus.
She slowly moved her eyes across the room, but she didn’t recognize anybody there. Her entire family had missed the birth of their first grandchild.
The Delivery Day
Amanda Jacobs lay on the hospital bed, her fingers clutching the sheets as waves of pain rippled through her body. It was a warm Spring day in Fernbrook, Santa Monica.
She could see the nurses busy bustling in the hospital. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, her breaths coming in shallow gasps.
The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to flicker in time with her erratic heartbeat, casting eerie shadows across the sterile room. She was about to deliver her first baby by natural childbirth.
Alone In The Ward
The contractions were getting shorter, and she was trying to bear the pain. It all happened so suddenly, she wasn’t supposed to deliver today.
The 32-year-old strained her neck to peer into the corridor. “Where is he?” Amanda whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the hum of medical equipment.
Panic clawed at her chest as she realized she was alone, the absence of her husband a gaping void in the midst of her agony. Did he even know that she was in the hospital?
The Nice Doctor
The resident doctor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, furrowed her brow in concern. “Mrs. Jacobs, is there anyone we can contact for you? A family member or a friend?”
Amanda shook her head weakly, her thoughts swirling in a haze of pain and confusion. “I… I don’t know,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “He was supposed to be here.”
The doctor tried to get more information out of her, but she was in too much pain to talk clearly. It was going to be an emergency delivery, and they had to move fast.
Time Ticks Slowly
As the contractions intensified, Amanda’s grip on reality began to slip. Fear gnawed at her insides, a primal instinct urging her to find solace in the arms of her missing husband.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a bang, causing Amanda to startle. A tall figure loomed in the doorway, silhouetted against the harsh glare of the corridor lights.
The exhausted women strained to make out their faces in the harsh light. When she realized who it was, she breathed a sigh of relief.
He Came With
The figure rushed in, breathless and disheveled. He stared at Amanda with a worried look on his face.
It was Joshua, their neighbor from across the street, his face etched with worry. He was there when Amanda’s water broke at home and helped her drive to the hospital.
He was holding a bowl of ice cubes. “Amanda!” he exclaimed, rushing to her side. “I’m so sorry I took so long. I got them as fast as I could.” He didn’t know that he would get into trouble for helping her.
A Helping Hand
Relief flooded Amanda’s features as she reached out for his hand. “Joshua, thank goodness you’re here.”
Joshua offered her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand tightly. “Don’t worry, Amanda. I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together.”
As the labor progressed, Joshua stayed by Amanda’s side, offering words of encouragement and support. He held her hand through the pain, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm. But his presence confused the hospital staff.
He Was There For Her
Joshua sat at Amanda’s side, feeding her ice bits and wiping her forehead with a damp face cloth.
“I’m here, Amanda,” Joshua exclaimed, sitting at her side. “I tried calling your mom, no answer. What happened? Where’s Benjamin?”
Amanda’s relief was palpable as she reached out to grasp Joshua’s hand. “I don’t know,” she admitted, tears welling in her eyes. “He… he said he’d be here.” But she was holding on to false hope.
A Missing Father
Joshua’s expression hardened with determination as he turned to the doctor. “We need to find her husband. Now.”
The doctor nodded, her own sense of urgency matching Joshua’s. “I’ll make some calls,” she promised, hurrying out of the room to summon help.
Alone once more, Amanda clung to Joshua’s presence like a lifeline. His steady reassurance grounded her amidst the chaos of her labor pains. He was a familiar face in a sea of strangers.
Amanda Awaits Him
Minutes stretched into hours as they waited, the tension in the room thickening with each passing moment. Amanda tried to keep calm, but she was stressed being alone.
The contractions were getting shorter, and Amanda was almost ten centimeters dilated. The baby was almost here.
Outside, the hospital bustled with activity, but within the confines of Amanda’s delivery room, time seemed to stand still. This wasn’t the birthing moment she had hoped for.
Another Visitor
Finally, the door creaked open, admitting the doctor and another figure shrouded in darkness. Was it her husband Benjamin?
Amanda’s heart leaped with hope as she strained to see who had arrived. The pair were both in medical scrubs and seemed to be having a serious conversation.
She watched them talking in hushed whispers. But as the figure stepped into the light, Amanda’s blood ran cold. It wasn’t her husband.
The Other Doctor
It was the obstetrician on duty, Dr. Rajah. He nodded toward Amanda, who gave him a weak smile.
The doctor, a seasoned professional, furrowed his brows, glancing around the room. “Where’s your husband, Mrs. Jacobs?” he inquired, concern evident in his voice.
Amanda shook her head weakly, her voice strained. “I don’t know… he was supposed to be here…” It was starting to become embarrassing; the doctors needed a family member to be present.
Waiting To Deliver
The doctor exchanged a puzzled glance with the nurses. It was unusual for a woman to be in labor without the presence of her spouse or family.
Amanda herself was so embarrassed she didn’t know what to say. But there was no time to dwell on it as Amanda’s contractions grew stronger.
Amanda shook her head weakly, her breath hitching with each contraction. “I don’t know where Benjamin is,” she gasped, tears welling in her eyes. “He was supposed to be here.” She didn’t know what her husband was up to.
Out Of Reach
The doctor exchanged a worried glance with the nurses. Something wasn’t right about this situation.
But before he could inquire further, the door burst open, and a disheveled figure stumbled into the room. It was Joshua, Amanda’s neighbor, his eyes wide with panic.
“I’m sorry, Amanda,” Joshua panted, his voice strained. “I tried to reach your family, but I couldn’t get hold of anyone.” It was bad news.
Thanks For Helping
Amanda sighed as she reached out to grasp Joshua’s hand. “Thank you, Joshua,” she whispered gratefully. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Joshua nodded, his gaze filled with determination. “I’ll stay with you until your family arrives,” he promised, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
Amanda told him that her family was supposed to arrive the next week because her water broke early. They didn’t know what was happening.
Too Obvious
Amanda tried not to make it too obvious, but her heart was pounding in her chest. What was she supposed to do all on her own?
All she wanted was for her husband to be there. She wanted him to hold her hand and tell her that everything would be okay.
But as she lay in that bed, her forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat, she remembered her husband’s strange behavior that morning.
Something Changed
She thought about how cold he seemed toward her as he was getting ready to leave for work that morning.
“Is everything okay?” she had asked him. But as he stared at her wordlessly, she could tell that something was seriously wrong.
For the last few weeks, things hadn’t been the same at home. Amanda kept getting this overwhelming feeling that he didn’t want to be there anymore.
They Hardly Spoke
Lately, he had been working late and locking himself inside of his home office in the evenings. They hardly spoke anymore.
She assumed it was because of the baby. She thought he was nervous for what was to come, but in reality, it was much worse.
She had been trying to call him all day long, but his phone would ring with no answer. What was going on with him?
Changed His Mind
Amanda rubbed at her swollen belly, her eyebrows firmly tucked together as she thought about the father of her child.
For months, he spoke about how excited he was for the birth of their child. She wondered if he had changed his mind.
But Amanda was snapped back to reality when she suddenly heard the ping of her phone. Someone had sent her a text.
Her Phone
She reached for the bedside table, groaning as her stomach tensed. She had never witnessed anything more painful.
The doctors and nurses stared, waiting in anticipation to see if the sender of the text was the baby’s father.
The room was silent as she unlocked her phone. It was a text from Benjamin, but she was not prepared for what said.
The Text
Her eyes grew wide as she stared at the phone, baffled by the four-word text he had sent. She had to call him.
But before she could dial his number, a sharp pain shot through her entire body, sending her writhing with pain.
But the pain didn’t matter at that very moment. All she could think about was the text that her husband had just sent.
Calling Benjamin
Joshua tried to help her, but as soon as he got close, she pushed him away. “I have to call Benjamin,” she said.
Tears began painting her cheeks as she quickly dialed his number, holding the phone up to her ear. She knew he had to be close to his phone.
But once again, he refused to answer. The phone went to voicemail, and she had no idea what to do next.
Questions
“What’s going on? Did he text you?” Joshua asked, confused by her strange reaction. The doctor stared at her, concerned.
“Yes, and now he isn’t answering his phone,” she cried and buried her face in her hands. That was when Joshua decided to look at her phone.
She had left her phone open on Benjamin’s text, and he was able to read what he’d said. “I’m sorry, I can’t,” was all it said.
A Tough Time
Joshua was baffled by the strange text. He had no idea that they had been going through a tough time lately.
“What if he never comes?” Amanda cried. She didn’t know what he was trying to imply with his text.
What did he mean when he said “I can’t”? None of it made any sense. But soon, she would learn the devastating truth.
A Rare Case
The doctor and nurses stared as Amanda quietly cried into her hands. They hadn’t dealt with many cases like these before.
They were used to seeing you, anxious couples who couldn’t wait to welcome their children into the world.
But Amanda seemed anything but excited. Did her husband know that she was about to give birth to their child?
Remaining Calm
Amanda tried to remain calm, but deep inside, she knew that something was terribly wrong. She wondered if Benjamin had given up on her.
Where was he, and why wasn’t he there for her? He knew how anxious she was about giving birth. He promised he would be there.
Amanda was so distracted that she didn’t notice the dark figure lingering by the doorway of the hospital room.
The Show Must Go On
Amanda was in a state, but the doctors were running out of time. Soon, she would be dilated enough to give birth.
The doctor approached her hospital bed with a sympathetic look on his face. He could only imagine how terrible it must’ve been for her.
“Amanda, I am going to check how far you’ve dilated,” the doctor said as gently as possible. Amanda felt terrible.
On Her Own
As she lay in that tiny bed, she tried not to think about Benjamin or his strange text. She tried to think about her baby.
She just hoped the baby would be happy and healthy. But then, she thought about the possibility of him never coming back.
What if he was leaving her and the baby? How could she raise a child all on her own? She was scared.
Another Call
Joshua remained by her said, his face painted in worry as he tried to be there for her. He could tell how distressed she was.
“Amanda, is there anything I can do?” he asked, his voice laced with sincerity and empathy. She looked at him, her eyes filled with sadness.
“I’m sorry to ask you this again, but please, please, could you call him again,” she begged, hoping that, somehow, he would answer the phone.
Realization
Joshua knew the chances of him answering the phone were slim, but he did it anyway. He stood beside Amanda as he tried calling from his phone.
But this time, the call went to voicemail. It was clear that Benjamin did not want to be bothered. Amanda sighed at the realization.
She knew she would have to do this alone. She decided to be strong for her baby. She would deal with Benjamin once this was done.
A Strange Man
In the delivery room, the atmosphere was tense as the doctor and nurses worked tirelessly to bring Amanda’s baby into the world.
But amidst the chaos, there was a moment of confusion as the doctor realized there was an unfamiliar man in the room.
He seemed to be lingering towards the back. “Who are you?” the doctor asked, his tone sharp with suspicion. He didn’t realize then that it was an intruder in the delivery room.
Do You Work Here
The man, who had been standing quietly in the corner, looked up with wide eyes. “I’m… I’m just a friend,” he stammered, backing away slowly.
The kind doctor signaled to one of the nurses to get the man out of the operating foyer. He was possibly a security risk.
But before the doctor could question him further, he disappeared through the door, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease. Amanda had no idea that a stranger was watching her give birth.
A Busy Delivery Room
As Amanda’s labor intensified, Dr. Fuller and the nurses sprang into action, their focus solely on delivering her baby safely into the world.
Amanda had opted for an epidural, it helped her more than she cared to admit. Her labor was grueling and she was already at the hospital for 7 hours.
She had waited 9 months for this moment and she always thought her husband would be there. But like everything else, she had to do this alone.
A Frantic Friend
Meanwhile, in the waiting area just outside the delivery room, Joshua paced back and forth, his heart pounding in his chest.
He glanced at his phone, willing it to ring with news from Amanda’s family, but it remained stubbornly silent. She was delivering in disappointment.
Joshua still didn’t manage to contact any of her family and nobody had returned his calls. Hours passed in a blur of pain and exhaustion, until finally, the moment arrived.
The Birthing Story
Inside the delivery room, the tension was rife as Amanda labored on, her cries echoing off the sterile walls. She needed support but her husband was still missing.
Poor Joshua was asked to leave the delivery room because he was screaming more than Amanda was. It was a grueling experience.
The doctor worked swiftly and efficiently, but his mind was elsewhere, troubled by the absence of Amanda’s husband. Was she going to deliver the baby alone?
A Baby Is Born
With a cry that echoed through the room, baby Riley was born, a tiny bundle of life cradled in Dr. Fuller’s hands. She saw them cut the umbilical cord.
Amanda’s tears flowed freely as she gazed down at her newborn son, her heart overflowing with love and relief. She did it all on her own.
She watched as the nurses cleaned him up and weighed him. He was a perfectly healthy baby boy. She couldn’t wait to hold him in her arms.
Who Is He
As the baby finally made his entrance into the world with a triumphant cry, the doctor’s eyes fell upon a man he hadn’t noticed before.
He was standing near the doorway, his expression a mix of awe and apprehension. He stared for a while. He thought he was having déjà vu.
The doctor was taken aback as he asked the nurse to tell him to leave the premises. Did nobody else notice the strange man lurking in the maternity ward?
The Baby Ring
The kind doctor was busy and couldn’t leave Amanda just yet. But as Dr. Fuller examined the baby, his brow furrowed in confusion.
The nurses had only taken the baby away for two minutes. There, nestled in Riley’s tiny fist, was a glint of gold.
The doctor had never seen anything like it before. With trembling hands, he pried open the baby’s fingers, revealing a delicate gold band. Was he born with it?
Who Did That
The doctor couldn’t hide what he found; it was glinting in the light. It was without a doubt, a gold wedding band.
The exhausted mother was getting impatient and she wanted to hold her baby. “What’s this?” Amanda whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Dr. Fuller’s mind raced with questions as he showed Amanda the ring. She was stunned for a moment. Who had put it there? And why?
A Secret Memento
Before he could investigate further, his attention was drawn to movement outside the delivery room window. Peering through the glass was a man, his features obscured by shadows.
Dr. Fuller’s heart skipped a beat as he noticed the telltale sun tan line on the man’s left hand—a mark left behind by a wedding ring.
Who was he? And what was his connection to Amanda and her newborn son? It must be his ring, it’s the only logical explanation.
The Silent Giver
As the man disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind more questions than answers, Dr. Fuller couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled over him.
He still had to finish his procedure with Amanda and he couldn’t leave her yet. It was the strangest delivery he ever had.
It was clear that there was more to this story than met the eye, and he was determined to uncover the truth, for Amanda’s sake and for the safety of her precious baby boy, Riley.
Was He Here
Amanda’s eyes widened in confusion as she stared at the ring, her heart sinking with realization. She was confused.
She held her baby boy close to her chest. “What does this mean, Doctor?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
“I thought you could tell me, Amanda,” the doctor said in a caring voice, “Would you like me to call the therapist in?” he asked. Something told him that Amanda needed backup.
Does This Belong To You
Dr. Fuller’s mind raced as he considered the implications of the unexpected discovery. Something didn’t add up.
“It seems to be a wedding ring Amanda; does it look familiar to you?” he asked gently. But the tired mother shook her head in shame.
Before he could respond, he noticed a figure slipping out of the delivery room, unnoticed in the chaos of the moment. This time, he wouldn’t let him get away.
Right Behind Him
Determined to unravel the mystery, Dr. Fuller followed the retreating figure, his steps quickening with each passing moment.
As he emerged into the corridor, he spotted a man standing just beyond the doorway, his back turned to the doctor.
This was his moment. He quickened his pace and stood directly in front of the strange man. He wanted to get a good look at his face. There was a high chance that he was an imposter.
Unveiling The Imposter
The doctor quickly pulled the mask off his face. He startled the man who stopped dead in his tracks.
“Excuse me, sir,” Dr. Fuller called out, approaching the stranger with caution. “I couldn’t help but notice…”
The man turned to face Dr. Fuller, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with tears. “I’m sorry,” he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. “I couldn’t stay away, but I didn’t want to cause any trouble.” He didn’t realize who he was talking to.
An Innocent Man
Dr. Fuller studied the man’s trembling form, his heart aching at the raw vulnerability in his expression.
He put his hands up in a calming manner, “I’m a doctor here, do you need some help?” he questioned gently.
But the man was quiet and looked down at the sterile floor. “Are you Riley’s father?” he asked gently, already sensing the answer. He needed to confirm who he was.
Something Stirring
The man started to get agitated and edged towards the wall, “I shouldn’t be here,” he said in a guilty tone.
The doctor stopped him. “Who are you?” the doctor asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. He eyed him angrily this time.
The man hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. “I’m… I’m Benjamin,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m… I’m Riley’s father.” The doctor had been right all along.
A Secret
Benjamin was quiet. He looked at the doctor with sad eyes that told a tale of loss and heartache.
The man nodded, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his confession. He rubbed his bare ring finger awkwardly.
“Yes, but… but I couldn’t bear to see her face, to see the disappointment in her eyes,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Would the Doctor be able to help him?
Family Problems
The doctor’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “But where have you been? Why weren’t you here earlier?” He questioned the solemn dad.
The guilty father couldn’t answer him. When it came to parenting, he was off to a bad start and Amanda would never forgive him.
He was too embarrassed to tell the doctor his personal story. It wasn’t any of his business. But in this case, he was concerned about his maternity patient.
It’s Not Right
Benjamin’s eyes welled with tears. “I… I didn’t want to upset Amanda,” he confessed. “But I had to be here. I had to witness the birth of my child.”
The doctor’s heart softened at the raw emotion in Benjamin’s voice. Was he telling the truth? Which father wouldn’t want to see their son being born?
Something didn’t add up? And why did he leave his wedding ring behind? He realized that this was a delicate situation, one that required sensitivity and understanding.
That’s Your Wife
Dr. Fuller placed a hand on the man’s shoulder, offering a silent gesture of understanding. “It’s not an easy situation,” he acknowledged, his voice filled with compassion. “But your presence here matters. Your son deserves to know his father.”
The new father started tearing up at the sincere words of the Doctor. He sank to his knees and started crying.
The doctor tried to cheer him up and urged him to go back to the maternity ward to speak to Amanda. But he disagreed, he didn’t want to talk to Amanda at all.
Another Chance
Dr. Fuller was an experienced counselor and motivated Benjamin to be supportive of his wife Amanda. “It only happens once, don’t mess it up,” he tried to convince him.
Tears welled in the man’s eyes as he absorbed Dr. Fuller’s words, a mixture of pain and hope flickering across his features.
Benjamin held the doctor’s hand. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice choking with emotion. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Trying Again
With a heavy heart, Dr. Fuller watched as the man returned to the delivery room, his steps hesitant but determined.
He paused for a moment, watching Amanda cradle her new baby. It was an angelic moment but he wasn’t a part of it.
Just then there was a moment of contact. Inside, Amanda gazed up at him with tear-filled eyes, her expression a tumult of emotions. Would she be able to forgive him?
Having Doubts
As Benjamin looked through the window at Amanda cradling their newborn son, the doctor noticed something peculiar—a faint tan line on his left ring finger. It was a subtle detail, but it spoke volumes.
“Is that…?” the doctor began, his voice trailing off as realization dawned on him. He wanted to leave Amanda.
Benjamin nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. “Yes,” he whispered. “I left it there, as a sign.” The doctor wanted to know more, but would Benjamin share his secret?
Is He Mine
The doctor swallowed hard, suddenly understanding the weight of the situation. There was something that Benjamin wasn’t saying.
“Do you think he looks like me, Doctor? Or is it too early to tell?” he laughed nervously at the doctor.
Just then it all made sense to him. Amanda’s husband had left his wedding ring behind, casting doubt on the paternity of their child. There was a bigger problem in their relationship.
A Troubled Marriage
Inside the delivery room, Amanda held her newborn son close, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She thought that Benjamin was going to come back inside.
But as the doctor approached her, his expression grave, she felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach.
She looked out at the door, “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Where’s Benjamin?” she asked, “Tell him to stop fooling around,” she said jokingly.
He Doesn’t Want You
The doctor hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “Amanda, there’s something you need to know…”
As he relayed the news to her, Amanda’s world shattered around her. She felt as though she were drowning, suffocating beneath the weight of her husband’s betrayal.
Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. How could Benjamin accuse her of being unfaithful? It was the most embarrassing hospital stay of her life. She would never live it down.
The Paternity Test
Outside the delivery room, Benjamin paced back and forth, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty. He wanted to leave the hospital but he was confused.
He longed to hold his newborn son in his arms, to feel the weight of responsibility and love that came with fatherhood.
But he was scared to enter. What if Amanda didn’t want to do a paternity test? What if the baby wasn’t his? He was caught in his emotions.
A Cowards Escape
The new father felt stupid for leaving his wedding band behind. He didn’t know how to tell Amanda that he wanted a divorce.
They had been going through a rough patch just before she fell pregnant and had been separated for three months.
But as he glanced through the window at Amanda, his heart ached with guilt. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and he didn’t know if he could ever make amends.
A Single Mother
Inside the delivery room, Amanda clutched her son to her chest, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over her. She was tired of pretending.
Despite the turmoil raging inside her, she knew one thing for certain—she would do whatever it took to give her son the love and security he deserved.
And as she looked into her son’s eyes, she saw a glimmer of hope shining back at her. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew that together, they would find a way to weather the storm.