Amuche took good care of Amanda until she was delivered of a baby boy. Amanda was more than happy, she couldn't contain her joy. At last,she could cuddle her own baby,she felt amazing!
She only prayed that one day, Frederick would come back to his senses and whatever it was that had taken over his mind would let go.
******************************
Frederick got home from work one day and was tired. He slumped down in the couch and loosened his tie. Anita came downstairs to welcome him.
"Welcome home, honey,"She said, smiling,"I can see you're very tired"
He stared blankly at her for a moment and looked her over before sitting up in the couch.
"Honey? What's the meaning of that?" He queried.
Anita was surprised." I don't get you, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean?" He got up and looked around the house," where's Amanda?"
She looked sharply at him. Was she dreaming? "Amanda?," She made a face," which Amanda?"
He gave her a funny look." My wife,who else? Where is she?"
Anita shook her head," Honey,you have no wife called Amanda. I'm your wife,me, Anita"
He stared,more irritated. He jabbed a forefinger to his head," Are you insane?," He asked," when did I ever marry you?"
Anita couldn't believe what was happening. She couldn't move,she just stood there staring.
Frederick lost his patience,he marched past her, up the stairs in search for Amanda. She was usually home by this time, besides she'd called earlier to say she needed to tell him something important.
He checked every room,but couldn't find his wife. When he opened the Nursery and saw a baby lying in a crib, playing with a toy, he was surprised and confused.
He moved closer to stare at the baby,who turned at the same time and locked eyes with him.
She gave him a wide, toothless smile and kicked her tiny limbs in excitement.
In a panic,he turned to rush back down the stairs but nearly bumped into Anita at the door.
"Whose baby is that?"he asked
"That's our child. She's our daughter"
"Our? As in,me and you? When in God's name.....,"it was then his eyes landed on her belly for the first time. Just yesterday she was some months pregnant,he could clearly remember. How come her stomach was flat? Where did the pregnancy go?,"you've lost your mind! you've totally lost your mind!" He yelled in frustration.
Anita began to cry. She put her hands over her face and wept.
Frederick groaned," For God's sake,stop shedding tears. This is all so confusing. Just go away, take your child with you,please,and leave"
She took her hands off her face and stared wide-eyed at him.
"My love,you can't possibly be serious,you can't do this to me. You can't just throw me out,you can't! I've given you what that barren wife of yours couldn't give you, I can even give you more, Frederick"
He narrowed his eyes at her in anger." What did you just say? That Amanda is barren!?"
He slapped her and she screamed, falling to the ground.
Anita was shocked, she looked up at him, angry,she stood to her feet and faced him.
"You slapped me!"
"I'm sorry about that,"he apologised,"I didn't mean to"
But, she wouldn't have any of that." I wonder why I tried to help you out in the first place, I agreed to be a surrogate mother and this is what I get in return?"
"I already apologised!" He said, getting more irritated," by the way,you agreed to be a surrogate mother,not wife. I don't have anything whatsoever with you or that child that I don't know where she appeared from. Please, collect your daughter and quietly get out,for God's sake!"
"Alright. I'll leave. But, I won't tell you where to find Amanda!"
"I know where to find her, I don't need your help" He scoffed.
"You think you do,but you really don't"
Anita picked up the baby from the crib and walked out.
