When Aria started labor with their first child, Dave, she couldn’t imagine that her husband would leave her in the hospital – just because his mother called. The situation became even more absurd when Aria realized why Dave had to leave urgently. What will she do now?
I never thought I would write down this story. Yet here I am, because I need to get it out – and because my husband finally learned a very tough lesson.
I’m 32 years old, and I was standing on the threshold of motherhood. My husband, Dave, is 34. He’s always had a somewhat strange, almost too close relationship with his mother.
Marlene is the type of mom who would call her son for the smallest thing and expect him to drop everything immediately.
“Aria, mom called,” Dave would say. “She needs me, I’ll be right back.”
And off he’d go, as if the world was ending.
For a long time, I found this attachment sweet. Until the day I went into labor.
I was 38 weeks pregnant. I knew it could happen at any moment. One evening, the contractions started. At first, everything was fine. Dave held my hand, encouraging me.
“BREATHE, HONEY. OUR LITTLE GIRL WILL BE HERE SOON.”
I had been in labor for six hours when his phone rang. He went out into the hallway. When he came back, he seemed tense. A few minutes later, his phone buzzed again. He read the message, and I could see something was wrong.
“What happened?” I asked with a trembling voice.
He looked at me as if I was interrupting him.
“I have to go, Aria. I’ll be right back, I promise.”
“Excuse me?!” I gasped for air as another contraction hit me. “I’m in labor! I need you!”
He sighed.
“I know. But mom called. She really needs me.”
“FOR WHAT?” I SHOUTED.
“For what? You’re leaving me for her?”
“I’ll be right back,” he repeated, kissed my forehead, and rushed out.
There I was, lying there, not believing it. Is this really the man I married?
He left me in my most vulnerable moment.
I tried to focus on my breathing when I got a message from him.
“I’ll be back soon. Mom just needs a little help.”
“Did something happen?” I replied.
“No. She’s shopping, and the bags are too heavy.”
MY BLOOD PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY SPIKED.
“Seriously? I’m giving birth, and you left me for grocery bags?”
“Don’t be selfish, Aria. Mom needs me.”
I was paralyzed with shock. One of the nurses immediately noticed something was wrong.
“What happened?” she asked, looking at the monitor.
Through tears, I whispered:
“My husband left. He’s carrying his mom’s groceries.”
The nurse looked at me in disbelief.
“HE LEFT YOU IN LABOR?”
I nodded.
“Is there anyone else we can call?”
“My dad,” I said. “He lives a few streets away.”
Fortunately, he was nearby. When I called him, he came right away and even brought fast food with him.
“Where’s Dave?” he asked.
I told him the truth. Meanwhile, the contractions were coming more frequently. My little girl was on her way.
“Gloria,” I turned to the nurse, “can you take over the birth? My husband should’ve.”
“OF COURSE,” SHE SMILED KINDLY.
“Of course,” she smiled kindly. “A trainee will record it, and I’ll hold your hand through it.”
Not long after, our beautiful little girl, Gabrielle, was born. Without Dave.
On one side of me was Gloria, on the other side was my dad.
When I held my daughter in my arms, I felt happiness, love, and deep pain all at once.
“He’ll regret this,” my dad whispered softly.
A few days later, when we were both sure we were doing well, my dad took me to his place. Dave didn’t get to the hospital until we were already gone.
He bombarded me with messages, but I didn’t respond.
I left him a letter and a recording of the birth on a USB drive.
The letter said:
“Dave,
This is the moment you missed. It only comes once in a lifetime. When I needed you the most, you left. Our daughter deserved to have both parents with her in her first moments.
I hope you now understand what it means to be a husband and a father.
– Aria and Gabi”
A few days later, my dad gave a presentation to the family about Gabrielle. I didn’t invite Dave.
Still, he showed up. Broken, begging.
“Please, let me explain.”
“WHAT? THAT THE GROCERY SHOPPING WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR DAUGHTER’S BIRTH?”
“I made the wrong decision. I was caught between two fires. Forgive me.”
“You left me in my most vulnerable moment. How can I trust you?”
“Let me prove I can be her father.”
I didn’t speak for a long time.
Finally, I just said:
“This is your only chance. I don’t want to hear words, I want actions.”
Since then, he has apologized many times. But I’m still waiting for his mother to do the same.
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IN MY PLACE?
