This series is dedicated to Aggie, an incredible person who tragically lost her life to a brain tumor Aggie was a student assistant at my high school who was always able to make me see the brighter side of things during those difficult years of my life.
R.I.P. Aggie, you will be truly missed.
From Trust Story...Eric's first months as a single dad to Nevaeh.
First Day Home
He had taken newborn care and first-aid classes and Eric surprised himself at how at ease he was taking care of his newborn child even on the first day he had her home. He had fought with his mother when she wanted to stay the night, even though she said she would just be there if he needed help or advice. But Eric were adamant, not only did he feel he could handle it, a parent's first night home with their baby may definitely be exhausting but it was also very special and Eric wanted it to be only them. Nevaeh's room was all ready for her but for now she would sleep in a bassinet in daddy's room. His boss was accommodating and had given Eric a month off, with pay, starting today. The first three days of his child's life he called in sick. Eric was grateful he could spend the time bonding with his baby and not worry about money. The newborn girl was a mirror image of his own baby photos with the exception she had a lot more hair.
"You're so beautiful," he cooed to the newborn. "Do you have any idea how happy papi is that you're his?"
The baby gurgled, staring up at him with large brown eyes. It may have only been his feeling but Nevaeh appeared more relaxed now that the two were alone. Eric started to think near the end of their visit that his parents had his newborn overstimulated. It took him over an hour to get his parents to leave. His father finally realized his new granddaughter needed some time alone with her "papi" to settle down. Eric knew it was going to be hard as a single dad but he was looking forward to every moment with Nevaeh.
"Abuela and Dedushka love you very much. I know they were a bit much for you today but they're so excited that you're here. But no one is more glad than papi."
His mother was called "abuela," Spanish for grandma and his father was called "Dedushka," Russian for grandpa, to reflect the couple's backgrounds.
Eric placed his daughter in the infant carrier that was in the center of the kitchen table. He still couldn't seem to take his eyes off her.
How could Tammy not want her? Tammy Lewis had relinquished custody and parental rights at her first opportunity; twenty-four hours after giving birth.
When Nevaeh entered the world, the doctor attempted to show Tammy the baby. Tammy turned her head and shouted to get "it" out of the room. Two nurses could barely hold it together seeing the difference in which the newborn was greeted by her "papi" verus the woman who brought her into the world. The man had tears in his eyes and spoke to the baby softly in Spanish. The girl's father spent every second of the visiting hours at the hospital with the baby for three days.
No child deserved to have a mother in their lives who didn't love them. Eric was relieved that his child would never know that kind of rejection. With him and close-knit family Nevaeh would know only love and acceptance. She would know every day how loved and wanted she was. Not having her mother in her life wouldn't be a bad thing for Nevaeh.
Eric put the meal his mother had set aside for him in the microwave and pressed the button. He had laughed earlier when she told him not to forget to take care and feed himself. Now his stomach was growling and he chuckled.
"Daddy's got to remember to eat," he said to the baby.
After he ate, Eric again picked up Nevaeh, carried her to the sofa and sat down. He flicked on the television and turned to the channel that had the Miami Dolphins game. His daughter would be ready for another bottle and diaper change soon, then he would put her down for the night.
"Next time I'm going to have put your jersey on, papi will wear his, too."
When his sister Rachel found her little brother was going to be a father one of the things she gave him was a Miami Dolphins set with a onesie, bib and booties.
"Es usted sonoliento, princesa?" Eric said to his daughter watching her yawn and stretch.
He planned to raise his daughter to be bilingual. So far in her little life Nevaeh had heard mostly Spanish. Spanish was almost entirely spoken at his parents' home though the couple was perfectly fluent in English. His father was born and raised in Russia, thus he was fluent in the language. He became fluent in Spanish when the Russian government had sent him to Cuba in the 1960's. That was when he met Eric's mother. The two married in Havana and had three daughters. Chlorinda was pregnant with Eric when the family made the dangerous trip to the United States. Eric was sure that his child would also pick up some Russian as she grew up. Despite hearing mostly Spanish in her early life he wasn't worried about his child's future ability to learn English. It hadn't been an issue for him.
Eric took the opportunity to take a quick shower and then slept for a few hours when he put Nevaeh in her bassinet. She slept till almost ten when she woke for another the nurses told him that newborns ate every two hours, they weren't kidding, the new father thought.
Still, sleepless nights and all, Eric couldn't wait for this adventure to begin.