After almost two hours, the doctor finally came out of the theater where Toun was been operated. All the time while the surgery was going on, Tobi left to do some work at the house. Nathaniel sat deep in thought. He was worried, thinking about the kind of life their unborn child is going to have and how it would feel to be a father.
Every time he sees Toun and see her belly, he always feels an unexplainable joy that he can't express and also proud. But when he is alone, he thought of the kind of life he want his unborn child to have. He don't want her to have the kind of life that he had. His life had been a hard one since he was young. He knew he will be graduating soon but there is no guarantee that he will be able to get to a good job immediately. That is the problem of the country. It was harf securing a job except you are wealthy or had a good connection.
He also want to give Toun a good life, that kind of life she was bought up in, the one she had always know. That was his wish. He want the best for Toun and their unborn child. He wants to be able to prove to her parents that he is worthy to her and could take care of her. He never love the life he had and he can never wish the people he love to have the kind of life he had.
Another thing to be worried about is Toun parents. They were his biggest challenge. His biggest threat and fear. He just hoped they could have a change of heart on what they see him as. He was scared that Toun parents would find out about their relationship when the child is born. He understands that they can't keep the child and their relationship a secret forever. And those people don't like him. They don't even want to see eye to eye with him. He disgust them. All because he was poor and a son of a nobody. He was like a taboo to them. All they want was for him to stay away from their daughter. They think he doesn't deserve their daughter. He was nobody to them. They want their daughter to stay away from him but it hasn't work that way. And since the last humiliation, they had thought they were no longer together.
He knew Toun can't run away from her family forever and he knew she love her parents very much despite she never have and will never admit it. They gave her everything she ever wanted and despite they were overprotective they want the best for her.
He loves her and he don't want to lose her. He still pray and hopes that his mother will accept their relationship too someday. Since he has told her, she hadn't mention it and that means she hasn't give her support. He knew she was just worried and with time she will give him a chance.
He was still sitting in the reception room deep in thought when the doctor came out of the theater with the mid wife. They approached him after the mid wife had nodded in his direction. He was woken from hid thought when the doctor tapped his shoulder gently. He jerk awake and quickly stand up when he realized it was tge doctor and midwife, while internally his heart was beating very fast.
"Congratulations Mr..."
"Adeolu. Adeolu Nathaniel" He quickly said to the doctor.
"Okay Mr Adeolu." He had an igbo accent but he pronounced it well. "Congratulations your wife had delivered a baby girl."
He breathed out in relief. He didn't know he was holding so much breath. He was so scared. And he exhaled deeply and his eyes stung with tears while his heart throb with relief joy and excitement. He could finally breath well. His girlfriend had delivered safely. His baby is also alive. He was a father. He was a father. He thoughts with joy.
"How is she? Is she okay?" Nathaniel asked, hoping.
The doctor smiled. "Of course, she is fine. You can see her in a bit. The nurse will come to tell you when to see her."
He nodded and shake hand with the doctor. And he left. Nathaniel smiled beaming with joy and relief. He sat down back on the seat, cover his face with his palm and he cried quietly to himself.
***
Nathaniel was finally allowed to his girlfriend. He pulled her into an embrace immediately he got to where she sat. She looked exhausted but she was still beautiful and she looked excited. That was the kind of look he love to see on her. And that was enough for him.
Toun smiled in Nathaniel arms. Him there in her arms was her greatest joy. The fact that the man she loves and the father of her newly born child was with her, she was the proudest girlfriend ever. And she don't have a bit of regret and those hours of pain of labor was nothing to her anymore.
"Why the hug?" She asked.
"Thank you." He appreciated, patting her hair gently.
"What for?" She asked already knowing his answer. When you've been with someone so much, you can tell what was going on in their mind at some certain situations. And she knew that well.
He pulled away and looked at her glowing, exhausted face. A smile curled up his face and he looked at the bed where their new born baby was lying.
"For her. You gave me a wonderful gift. You gave me an angel. Thank you." He kissed her forehead. She grinned at him. "Thank you so much. I'm sorry you have to go through all the pain alone."
She placed a hand on his and the other one on the side of his face. "As long as I have you, I am okay. I'm complete. What matters is that you are here for us."
He held the had she placed on the side of his face and olant a kiss on it. "I eill always be here for the both 9f you. Thank you so much. I love you."
"I love you more." She said, affectionately. He grinned gratefully. He felt so lucky to have her. "Don't tell you want to tear up Nathan?" Toun said looking offended. She knew how emotional Nathaniel can get.
He chuckled, looking away. "I can't help it." And he sniffled.
"Common baby." Toun said and she pulled his face to her direction. His eyes was glassy with tears. "Stop already. I'm fine."
"I know."
"Then why being so emotional?" She asked.
"I.. I... I am just happy. I'm happy to have you." He said to her. Her melt at his words. She closed the gap between them and kissed him, slowly but sensually.
***
Nathaniel sat on the bed beside Toun. He carried his little daughter in his arms and he hum the song his mom used to sing for him and his sister when they were little and whenever she want to cheer him up. Toun laid on the bed, smiling at them weakly. She had never been so proud. She always knew Nathaniel would be a wonderful father and she have no doubt about that.
After some while, Nathaniel turned to the smiling Toun.
"What should we name our angel?" He asked.
She seems surprised he brought it up. "Why now? She asked.
According to tradition, a child is name eight days after birth. And if it is a first child that is born not out of wedlock or outside marriage, a big party celebration is done for the child.
"People will start asking for her name when you leave the hospital and also we don't have money to celebrate a big party for her after eight days. It's not what I want or plan but I have alot on me right now and you've spent a lot already." He explained bitterly.
She nodded and agreed in understanding even if it is not what she planned. He loves her and want the best for them. That she knows and that is what matters.
He is hurt already that he can't afford the payment for the hospital bill and he could not help to get any of the baby stuff. He never admit it but she could see through him that he was not happy that he can't give her the kind of life her parent give to her.
"Anything is fine by me." She agreed.
"Just say it. You are her mother."
"Okay then. Annabelle. Annabelle Oluwadarasimi." She said with a broad smile.
"It's a beautiful name." He commented
"What do you want to call her?"she asked anxious to hear his reply.
He looked at the baby in his hand and smiled. "Iyanuoluwa."
"She is indeed a miracle. Now she is Annabelle Iyanuoluwa Oluwadarasimi Adeolu."
The baby made a sound in Nathaniel arm and they both chuckled, looking at the little child in Nathaniel arms. Then the door opened and Tobi walked in. There was a broad smile on her face.
"Hello babe. Look ag my baby." She cooed at Toun who just grinned at her. "Our latest mother in town, how are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm fine dear." Toun replied her friend.
"Thank God for the safe and successful operation." She said. "But babe, you look weak. Are you okay?" She asked with concern
"I'm okay. I'm just weak. She sucked throughout the night." She complained, looking at the baby direction.
Tobi also did the same and that was when she noticed Nathaniel in the room. His baby in his arm. He was staring at the sleeping baby like some kind of priceless gift.
At that moment she was so happy for her friend. She knew Nathaniel was truly a good guy. He would be an awesome father. And a grin spread on her face at the sight.
Then she said excitedly. "Oh my beautiful little god daughter." She said moving toward Nathaniel. "Can I?"
Nathaniel nodded. "Of course." and he gave her the child gently. She gladly took the little pink baby from him with a smile plastered on her face. "Awwwn! She looks just like her dad." She glanced at Nathaniel who just smirked.
"Her name is Annabelle Iyanuoluwa." Toun said to her friend.
She looked up at the both of them, then she understands from the look on their face. She understands more than anyone. She felt a little sad for them. Then she nodded. "You both are great at giving names. It's a wonderful name."
"Thanks." They chorused. Tobi nodded at the couple then dhe continued playing with the baby.
"Thank you so much Tobi." Nathaniel spoke up. Tobi looked at him. He was been emotional again. She glanced at her friend. She shrugged at her. "I can't thank you enough for everything. You've been a lot of help to us. I don't know how to thank you." Nathaniel appreciated grateful.
She sighed and replied."You don't have to thank me. Toun means a lot to me. She is the sister I never had. I know she will do the same for me."
Toun eyes become glassy with tears, touched by her friend words. She held her hand for a while with a grateful stare. "You are a true friend indeed. God bless you." She appreciated squeezing her hands tightly.
****
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
Some of you might be wondering what the baby name meant because I know that it is everyone that is from yoruba tribe.
So here,
IYANUOLUWA means GOD MIRACLE
OLUWADARASIMI means GOD IS GOOD TO ME.
ANNABELLE is a popular Italian name meaning she is beautiful.
Thanks for reading. Please vote and comment.
Xoxoooo.