“Certainly,” the midwife assured and served her with tea.
“Apart from tea, what else would you like to eat?” The midwife asked.
“Any food would suffice,” she responded and sipped her tea.
“It is all right.”
She looked at the baby's cot, saw the birth details and was glad. She took her tea gradually and soon, the midwife arrived with her breakfast.
“Thank you, midwife, for the meal,” she appreciated.
“You are welcome. After your meal, you will breastfeed her while you prepare for your birth.” The midwife who was informed by her colleagues that she was reluctant to breastfeed the baby, advised and studied her countenance. Sharon simply smiled and had her breakfast and thereafter, she requested, “I am ready to have my birth.”
Now, the baby was crying, an indication that she was starving. She picked her up and requested, “Kindly help me with the infant formula.”
To avoid upsetting her, she prepared the formula for her and she fed her baby. Subsequently, she took her bath and laid on the bed. Then, she fished out Felix's number and sent the selfies and the baby details to him:
(Felix, I owe you this at least and I hope this message will bring you joy. The baby arrived at 2 a.m. today. My last Menstrual Cycle: …. Blood-Type…. Weight at birth 4.2 kg. Hospital..... I await your opinion before giving her up for adoption. On that note, to avoid bonding, I will not breastfeed her until I hear from you. Sharon.) Then, she dropped her phone which had been on silent mode, and went back to sleep.
When Felix got the message, he was at the funeral center and was at sea.
“Message from Sharon?” He exclaimed in amazement. Unfortunately for him, he punched on the pictures first, admired the cute baby, and wondered why she looked disheveled with another person's baby. However, he bonded with the baby at first sight. Thereafter, he went through the message and was lost. He read through it again and stepped out to make a call but Sharon did not pick up her call. After several attempts, he sent a message.
(Sharon dear, thank you for the message, and congratulations on the safe delivery of our baby. Kindly put everything aside and breastfeed our baby. I will see you soon. Felix)
At that point, he had forgotten about Sharon's infidelity and was filled with joy. When he could not get her response, he was troubled.
“I hope she would not do something stupid?” He thought and informed his father, excluding the ugly part of the story. His father believed that he had a misunderstanding with her and they went their separate ways. After their discussion, he gave his elder sister a call.
While Sharon was sleeping, she had visitors.
“Hello, I'm Mrs. Felly Edward. I wish to see Sharon.” The beautiful woman in her early thirties requested at the reception.
“Welcome, Mrs. Edward. Come with me.” The receptionist requested.
“Thank you,” she appreciated and looked at her husband who was waiting with her two children. He held the children by their hands and followed them. They got to the ward and met the midwife, changing the baby's diaper.
“Wow! She is such a big girl,” she exclaimed.
“They are here to see her,” the receptionist informed the midwife.
“Good morning, midwife. You are doing a good job,” Felly appreciated.
“Good morning, madam. Thanks for the compliment.”
“You're welcome.” Now, Felly took the baby from her and dressed her up. Thereafter, she called on her children, Terry and Jerry, to admire the baby.
“She is your cousin," she introduced.
“Wow! She is cute but tiny.” The four year old Terry pointed out and they laughed. The midwife laughed too. The semblance among the three children was obvious.
“You were once tiny like her,” his father pointed out.
“Never, Dad. I was not as tiny as this,” he insisted. Then, Felly looked at the sleeping Sharon before she looked at the midwife, and inquired, “How is she?”
“She is fine.”
“I see.”
“The baby is big. She must have been stressed up,” her husband remarked.
“You are right, hubby. But generally, she is okay.”
Now, Sharon was disturbed by the talks, and she opened her eyes gradually. She was startled by the presence of visitors, especially the lady who looked so much like Felix.
“Sharon, you are up. Congratulations.” Felly greeted
Likewise, Sharon got up and sat on the bed. Then, she greeted, Good morning, ma'am.”
“It's afternoon, my dear,” Felly corrected cheerfully.
“Good afternoon ma'am, good afternoon Sir. I'm glad to have you,” she greeted and rubbed her eyes.
“Good day to you and congratulations,” Felly's husband, Julius Edward, responded.
“Thank you, Sir."
“I'm Felly, Felix sent me. He is out of town. Pardon his absence.”
“Welcome ma'am. I feel honored by your visit. Hello, children.” Sharon greeted.
“Oh! Meet Terry and Jerry. Children, what do you say to Aunty Sharon?”
“Good day, Aunty Sharon,” Terry greeted, while Jerry curled up beside his father.
“Good day, Terry. It is my pleasure to meet you.”
“Excuse me,” Felly said and dropped the sleeping baby in the cot. She left for the car and returned with a big basket that contained flasks, plates, water, and beverages. Now, Sharon was carrying the baby, and she looked beautiful with her.
“I will take a picture of this,” Felly announced. She picked up her phone and took the photograph.
“Terry and Jerry, join your aunty and cousin for a photograph.”
At once, Terry was on the bed and Jerry got off the chair and attempted to climb the bed but could not. His father helped him and they posed for a photograph.
“Beautiful!” she exclaimed.
“Let me have a look.” Her husband requested. She handed the phone over to him and began to dish out the food for her. The aroma of the Ofe Nsala, which was composed of native spices and fish, wafted into Sharon's nose and she showed excitement. Then, Felly brought the children out of bed and helped her to sit properly. Thereafter, she savored her pounded yam and the Ofe Nsala.
“Thank you, ma'am, for the meal,” she appreciated.
“It is my pleasure.”
“The pictures are beautiful,” Julius remarked and handed her phone back to her. Then, she gave her another shot while she was eating, and sent them to Felix.