Untamed Desire

Seth's Born Day

In the year 2010...

Madi was at a loss for what to do after Brandon had left her with no explanation. She considered every potential explanation. He may feel guilty about leaving or his reasons for leaving, and thus may not want or be able to give clear reasons for leaving, or he may be dealing with his own issues that make it difficult for him to stay in the relationship, or he is unwilling or unable to make a longer commitment to her or the relationship, or finally, he may have developed different goals which would preclude him continuing in the relationship. She's really clueless.

Madi faced numerous challenges during giving birth to Seth. Brandon, her husband, abandoned her while Seth was still three months in her womb. It was the most painful time of her life, and she grieved every night, wishing that all had been a nightmare and Brandon would return to her.

But that never came to pass. Madi understood that she had to do it on her own for Seth's sake. Her emotional and mental well-being were both harmed as a result of her challenges. She was worried that handling everything on her own as a single parent would be too much for her. She was also aware that the difficulty of raising a child alone could lead to feelings of isolation and sadness. Being without a father can have an incomprehensible impact on a child. She thought about the future of Seth, being abandoned by his father at a young age is a loss that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

"Oh, he's so lovely," Marissa said as she held baby Seth in her arms. "Have you given him a name?"

"Seth Donovan," Madi replied, still exhausted from her labor.

" That's a fantastic name! It's perfect for him!"

"Thank you for being here; without you, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Shhhh, don't think so much, you need rest and a relaxed mind right now," Marissa reassured her, compassionately looking at her.

"All right," Madi said, her eyes closed. She was still exhausted from the ordeal she had endured in the hospital's birthing room. She's been there for two days, and the doctor said she may go home after a week if her condition improved.

"Looking at baby Seth, Mar, I'm already excited for my child," Marissa remarked.

"That would be in December, right?" said Madi.

"Yeah, that's my estimated due date based on the ultrasound results," she said.

"Did you know the gender already?"

"No, not at this time. Perhaps in three months" Marissa continued to gaze at Baby Seth, who was soundly asleep in her arms.

"So, what are your plans after this?" Marissa asked.

"As for my job, I'll try to persuade my boss to let me work from home," Madi replied.

"I'm confident your boss will,"

" Hopefully, yes.

Madi was discharged from the hospital after a week. She was grateful to her boss for allowing her to work from home following her maternity leave.

She realized being a single mom is difficult after a sleepless night caring for Seth. And probably, working as a single mother can add pressure and stress to the job of raising children alone. You frequently feel guilty about leaving your child for work because you have no one to share your daily responsibilities or decision-making with. It's a good thing, her boss was so generous to let her work at home. All she has to believe now is that becoming a single mother means you have to balance parenting, working, household responsibilities, which more often end up disastrously. 

 One morning she called Marissa for help because Seth was crying all time and no matter how hard she tried to stop him from crying, he would cry even more. What does he want? Milk? A diaper? A hug? She wishes she knew. Feeling helpless, she tried it all: feeding, changing, hugging — until she's on the verge of tears herself.

"What happened?" Marissa asked as she approached the door, Anthony behind her back.

"Seth wouldn't stop crying, and I'd already done everything," Madi grumbled, still gently swaying Seth by her arms.

"Give me the baby," Marissa said as she took the infant from Madi's arms. She attempted to comfort the crying Seth, but it was futile.

Anthony took the baby from Marissa and began soothing him with a lullaby song and after a few seconds, Seth stopped crying.

The women were in awe as they watched Anthony calm the baby with ease. At the same time, they were relieved to see Seth nodding off in Anthony's arms.

"Wow, Honey, you're a hero," Marissa exclaimed to her husband.

"Shhhhh, keep quiet, he's sleeping," Anthony said quietly.

"Okay, okay," Marissa said quietly.

"Where I'm going to put him, Madi? I believe he's already dozing off."

Madi indicated the crib in the corner. She routinely placed the crib in the living room in the morning so she could complete the task at home while still keeping an eye on Seth.

Seth was carefully placed in the cradle by Anthony and watched  Seth as he lay quietly in his bed.

Madi regrettably observed, "He needs a fatherly touch."

"I'm afraid so," 

"Did Brandon ever communicate with you after you had your baby? Or was he even aware of it?" Anthony inquired, his voice tinged with rage.

"I messaged him, but I'm not sure if he's still using that phone," Madi said.

"He's a jerk!" Anthony was ecstatic.

"Perhaps he was merely terrified of his mother disinheriting him," Madi tried to defend Brandon.

"Mad, you shouldn't be defending him. It's not enough to say that he'd desert you and Seth because his parents didn't like you." Marissa who is getting furious added to the conversation.

"I'll attempt to e-mail him," 

"What if he comes back?" Marissa asked still upset.

"What if he doesn't want to?" Anthony was adamant.

"I'm not sure. I only wanted to inform him. I won't be able to persuade him to stay with us. Whatever decision he makes, I will respect it" Madi struggled to keep her emotions at bay.

"Oh, Madi, "Marissa exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her best friend. "I'm always here, and we'll never abandon you," 

"Mar, thank you very much! What would I do if I didn't have you?" Marissa was in tears as she spoke.

"If I see that man again, I won't guarantee to throw him a well-deserved punch in the face," Anthony said angrily.

"Wow, honey, take it easy. You aren't the wife here, are you? "Marissa continued to try to lighten the mood by cracking jokes.

They were about to burst out laughing when they remembered Seth sleeping in the crib.

"When will aunt Jean come here,?" Marissa was referring to Madi's mother. She used to call her aunt ever since.

" Next week probably," 

"They must be very excited to see their first grandson," Anthony assumed.

"Yeah, Have you had your breakfast yet?" "Perhaps you'd like to join me," Madi asked extending her hand to the dining room.

"At this hour, you still haven't eaten breakfast?" Marissa looked at the clock and noticed it was already 9 a.m. but her best friend had not yet eaten breakfast.

"Madi, you should have taken something to eat. You badly need it. You may become ill. Every morning, I must have double-checked on you." Marissa's voice was trembling with concern.

"You don't have to," 

Look, Seth is smiling," Anthony said as he gently watched Seth in his crib.

They dashed towards Seth in the crib, who was smiling innocently.

In hushed tones, Marissa whispered, "What an angel."

"Yes, indeed," Madi watched his son with so much love in her eyes.

"Who needs Brandon in the first place? This smile is enough to keep me going "Marissa stated Her eyes glowed with delight as she gazed at Seth.