Off The Record
My Husband Left Me Alone In Labor To Help His Mom With Groceries — He Regretted It Soon After
Aria is terrified to witness her and Dave’s eldest child leave the hospital simply because his mother called while she is in labor. When Aria learns that Dave had to assist with his mother’s shopping, the situation worsens. What will be Aria’s next move?
I never thought I would write this, but now I feel the need to rant and share the important lesson my spouse had to learn the hard way.
I’m 32 years old and about to become a mother. Dave, my 34-year-old husband, has always had a rather tangled connection with his mother.
As a mother, Marlene would call for everything, expecting him to drop everything and come when she needed him.
“Hey, Aria,” would Dave say. “Mom needs me, I’ll be right back.”
And, prepared to save the day, he would run out of the house.
Up until the day I went into labor, I thought it was cute. I knew the time was approaching because I was 38 weeks along.
I started having contractions one evening. Up until nearly six hours into the excruciating labor, everything was going according to plan.
Dave squeezed my hand and said, “Just breathe, darling,” “Before you know it, our little girl will be here!”
Then Dave’s phone rang, and he hurried out into the hallway to answer it. He was quite irritated when he returned.
His phone rang with a text message a few minutes later. After reading it, he appeared worried and lost in contemplation, his gaze flitting around the room.
“What’s going on?” Already feeling vulnerable and nervous, I inquired.
He gave me a look that was almost irritated that I dared to ask him.
“I have to leave, Aria. However, it will happen quickly. I swear I’ll be quick.”
“What?” I squirmed as I felt another contraction. “I need you right here, Dave. You must accompany me! We are expecting a baby.”
He let out a long sigh.
“I understand.” He hardly made eye contact as he answered, “Of course, I know that.” “But it’s my mom, and she said that she needs my help desperately.”
“For what?” I almost yelled. “You’re abandoning me for your mom? She must be doing well.”
The words “I’ll be right back, Aria,” were spoken. “I swear.”
He rushed out after kissing my forehead.
It was unbelievable to me that he would truly do this. It was completely nonsensical. Even though I knew my husband enjoyed being there for his mother, would he really abandon his wife while she was in labor?
Did I actually marry this man?
One of the most vulnerable times in my life was when I felt abandoned.
I made an effort to concentrate on the labor, observing my breathing and any physical sensations my body was experiencing. Then Dave texted me, and my phone buzzed.
Aria, I’ll be back shortly. I swear. Mom simply needs assistance.
Has something taken place? Is she alright?
No, she’s all right. The groceries she just bought are too hefty.
Dave, are you serious now? You abandoned me to get groceries while I’m in labor?
Yes, I’m being serious. Aria, stop being so self-centered. I’m needed by my mom.
I was stunned. One of the nurses became aware of my rising blood pressure.
Eyeing the monitor showing my vitals, she asked, “Tell me what’s wrong?”
With tears running down my cheeks, I shook my head. I was unsure of how to finish a sentence without utterly losing it.
“Tell me, darling,” requested the nurse. “It will be better to let it out.”
In between heaving gasps, I said, “My husband left me here,” “His mom needed help with her groceries, and he… left.”
The nurse’s eyes grew wide with shock.
Did he abandon you throughout your labor? For food? “Oh, honey!”
“Yes,” I said as the situation’s weight crushed me.
Is there another person we can contact? “Can someone hold your hand until your husband returns?” the nurse inquired.
I gave a nod.
“My dad,” I said. “He lives a few roads away, and I know he’ll come here.”
Fortunately, when I called, my dad was nearby, ordering fast food, and he came over quickly with his order.
He exclaimed, “Darling,” as he entered the room and the aroma of fried chicken filled the air.
He enquired, “Where’s Dave?”
I was honest with my father about Dave’s abandonment. And the contractions came more often as I did.
I had a baby girl on the way.
I said, “Please, Gloria,” to the compassionate nurse. “Is it possible to record the birth? My husband had the video recorder with him, but I wanted him to do it himself.”
To which Gloria said, “Of course, darling,” “I’ll get an intern in to do it, while I hold onto your hand the entire time.”
Shortly after, without Dave’s presence, I gave birth to our lovely daughter, Gabrielle.
Rather, my dad was on one side and Gloria on the other.
My emotions overcame me as I held my newborn daughter in my arms. Sadness, love, and joy blended together. My father sat next to me, pride and worry shining in his eyes.
My dad whispered, “He’ll regret this, sweetheart,”. “But right now, you need to focus on your baby girl.”
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I nodded.
“I can’t believe that he left us, Dad,” I replied. “How could he pick her instead of us? Will this be the way our lives always are? I could understand if there were a true emergency. However, this?”
“Dave will have to live with that decision,” my father said. “But you have people who love you, and you’re strong. We’ll overcome this.”
My dad took Gabi and me to his place after it was clear that we were well and ready to be released.
We left when Dave eventually arrived at the hospital. I didn’t answer his calls or texts.
Rather, I had Gloria leave a letter for Dave. Another person who never left the house without his laptop was my father.
“Dad, do you have a flash drive?” Before we departed, I asked him.
He answered, “Of course,” as he looked through his laptop bag. “Why?”
“I’m going to save the birth video on it, and leave it here for Dave.”
After giving me a serious look, my father nodded.
I told her, “Please, just give him this letter and this flash drive,” as we prepared to depart.
The letter said:
“Greetings, Dave
You missed this. You choose to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You abandoned me when I needed you the most. Our daughter deserved to spend her early days with both of her parents present. This film demonstrates the fortitude and tenacity that you will never be able to see for yourself.
I hope you realize how hurtful and disappointing you have been. Perhaps you will now understand the sacrifices involved in being a father and a husband.
-Gabi and Aria”
My father introduced Gabrielle to our closest relatives a few days later. Dave wasn’t invited. I didn’t want to see him, even though I knew it was a cold gesture.
Nevertheless, he arrived to my father’s house, appearing contrite and desperate.
He came up to me and said, “Please, let me explain,” in a shaky voice.
I stared at my husband with my arms folded.
“What can you explain? That you valued groceries more than the birth of your daughter?”
He apologized, “I’m sorry, Aria,” “I couldn’t decide between you and Mom. And I was at a loss on what to do. I made a bad decision. Please pardon me. I’ll stop at nothing to put things right.”
“You left me in the most vulnerable moment of my life, Dave,” I murmured, with an effort to maintain my composure. “How can I trust you after that?”
He admitted, “I know I messed up,” “I am aware that I caused you pain. However, I wish to put things right.”
I remained silent.
When he said, “I hate myself for it,” I will never be able to forgive myself. I would like to be here for you and our daughter, please. Allow me to demonstrate my ability to be the father she deserves.
“This is your one and only chance, Dave,” I replied. “You need to show me, not just tell me, that you can be the man we need,” I replied with determination.
He gave a forceful nod.
“I swear, Aria, I will never let you down again.”
When we were putting our daughter to bed one evening, Dave turned to face me with genuine eyes.
“I apologize sincerely, even though I know I’ve said it before. I don’t want to miss a second.”
Although I am aware that my spouse has made numerous apologies, I have yet to get an apology from my mother-in-law.
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