Chapter 6 Arrival Of Baby Aria

• We got into the “LDR” and the doctors and nurses got things ready. On my left hand, I have a cannula attached to my wrist with epidural drugs being administered by one of the nurses. The pain has become intense but I was instructed by the doctor not to push, till I am told to do so. I turned and was surprised to see Damian in the hospital room. I can't remember calling him because I thought he might be busy. I was scared he might turn down the offer if I told him to come and be my birth partner.
• His presence gave me hope and a new kind of strength that I didn’t know I had, for a moment it seemed as if the pain was no more. The doctor was ready and informed me that it was time for delivery and Damien was beside them.
• Then the doctor instructed me to push but I didn’t have any strength and I am beginning to feel weak. Damien came to my bedside and said " “Look at me babe, look at me,” he moved my face so our eyes would meet.” You have to push please, you need to listen to the doctor, our child’s life and yours are solely dependent on it” he pleaded in a panicky tone, he was fidgety.
• “Ouch” I screamed in pain, my breathing was labored, and sweat trickled down my forehead as I clenched to the sheets trying to lessen the immense pain I was feeling. Damian inhaled deeply while trying to calm his nerves for a moment before his hands reached for my sweaty palms, and his fingers interlocked with mine, he held my gaze “ Will you push out our baby now” his voice was pleading. The pain has become unbearable, and I hold tightly to his arm and my nails digging into his flesh but he was numb and all his attention was focused on me.
• The doctor and the nurses took their separate position
• “ Please, push the doctor's instructed”. A nurse gently stroked my head and belly soothingly. I couldn't endure the pain anymore and with the last drop of strength left in me I pushed out our baby, The shrill cry of a baby filled the room.
• “ You have a baby girl” the doctor announced
• I smiled and turned to look at my baby and mumbled her name Aria, all this Damien was busy looking at both of us, he took hold of the child after she has been cleaned up, I stared at them lovingly with tears welling up in my eyes, for the first time Damian looked at me with a cold smile. Sonia came into the room excited and eager to carry Aria, she congratulated Damian and stretched out her hands to take Aria from his Dad but instead, he looked at Sonia with anger and dropped the baby on the cot, and walked out of the hospital. Sonia was surprised but didn't try to ask questions when she caught a glimpse of tears on my face.
• “Congratulations, Myra,” Sonia said and I smiled and thanked her.
• “Congratulations, my friend, your baby is a cutie,” says one of the nurses. Aria is a beautiful baby, she has the blue eyes of her Dad, a set of deep dimples, pink lips, filed nose, and black curly hair. Aria is Damian’s replica, she only got my complexion and defined fingernails.
• Aria’s cry jolted me to reality and the nurse handed her to me to breastfeed her. Immediately my nipples touched her mouth, she grabbed onto them as if her life depended on them, I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. I stared at her, admiring the little human I created with Damian, it seems just like yesterday I got pregnant. She finished sucking and I kissed her forehead, held her close to my chest, and rocked her happily while standing close to her luxurious crib. An off-white crib with a touch of pink. It was so beautifully crafted, I had it specially done for Aria before her arrival. She was wearing a yellow onesie, and a pink hand mitten was used to cover her tiny hands to prevent her from sucking her thumbs. I laid her down on the crib and covered her up with a pink fluffy blanket. The weather was a bit chilly. The nursemaid walked in and announced that it was time for the baby's diaper to be changed and also for her vital signs to be checked too and she carried baby Aria to the adjoining room.
• Shortly there was a knock on the door and my mum inlaw Mrs. Empress Graham entered the room. She looked at me like I'm supposed to kneel and bow to acknowledge her presence, but I didn't allow her attitude to change my mood. I smiled and said welcome mum “She scoffed I have told you to stop calling me mum, I am not your mother and I will never be, always address me by my name Mrs. Empress Graham and you’re expected to speak when you are told to do so”
• “ Sighs ” “ she asked where my cutie grandson is, that's why I'm here to see him” I was shocked at her words but I cleared my voice and told her it was a girl and her name is Aria and she is beautiful and looked exactly like Damian. A roaring slap landed on my cheeks before I could finish off, I held my face and tears gushed down my cheek and Sonia came to my defense. “Empress looked at me with pure unbridled anger “ What did you say you gave birth to?” “ How dare you, what's your usefulness when you can't even fulfill your purpose of being married into the family”
• My eyes widened in shock and I asked her if she slapped me because I gave birth to a girl child.”She pointed at me “ If you dare ask me that again you wretched thing I will set aside every last restraint I have in me and I promise you, you wouldn’t like the result” I stared at her in bafflement. The nurse brought in the baby and placed her in the crib to continue her nap and left. Mrs.Empress walked close to the crib, stood, and gave the baby a cold stare before walking out of the room.
• “You okay,” Sonia asked as she stood beside me
• “Yeah…I'm good.”
• Sonia tried to console me, telling me that “Everything will be fine and I should not allow her words get at me or see myself as if I’m not good enough” she hugged me tightly and kissed my cheeks.
• “Okay then” …Bye Myra,” She smiled and I nodded
• “Bye Sonia. Thanks for all you do for me “ I smiled and waved
• She left the room and plugged her earphones into her ear, I looked at the time and realized I haven't eaten and I'm so damn hungry. I picked up the intercom and called the hospital’s restaurant to place an order for oatmeal, sweet potato, salmon, nuts, and milk. In a flash, Damian barged into the room face contorted in rage, his eyes glowed with savage fire, his jaws and fits were clenched and his lips curled "how dare you to talk back to my mum” His voice was hardened ruthlessly. I tried to speak but couldn't utter a word and my throat held back a sob and a shout but the tears spilled over and flowed down.