Bindy rocked and cooed, trying to soothe her 2-month old daughter. The child's crying irritated her husband, who glared at her and then at the child. Speaking in Nigerian, he scolded her.
''She is hungry and cold. She's does not mean to be loud, darling," Bindy replied back. Unbuttoning her robes, she nursed the child, calming the small infant down tremendously.
Bindy loved her daughter but Babajide hated her. He was overly possessive and he promised to kill her if she didn't give her child up. Bindy didn't want her child near this wretched man, anyway. Someone who could be cruel to a baby was out of his mind and had no love for others or humanity, period. Ever since died, she had tried to keep the forbidden romance and marriage between her and her husband, European explorer Jonathan, a secret. It failed. Her father had Jonathan executed. He let his friends and crew men go, though, to serve as a warning of what happens to foreigners who do not have his blessing in marrying his first born Daughter.
Bindy found it unfair how her entire life played out, and now she was forced to give up her first born daughter. She muttered a silent curse against her new husband, her father, and whatever divine being that controlled the earth, the sea, and the entire universe. She didn't understand she had tried to be a good person, but that ended when Babajide came along. When he found out she was married to a white man he went ballistic. She fantasized about killing him, and then her father for ruining her life, but until then, those fantasies of revenge had to wait.
*20 minutes later *
The couple arrived at the village. Stopping the carriage at the nearby market place, King Babajide told his wife to get done with whatever she needed to do. Bindy bit her lip, but obeyed.
"And while you're at it, get rid of that child! I don't want to see the imp's face ever again!" He commanded bitterly, his words dripping like honey, but poisonous like a snake's venom.
"I'll see to it that the child is dropped off safely, Babajide," Bindy replied back.
Her husband flicked his hand at her, shooing her away. "I don't care what you do with her. You could drop her in the forest for the wolves to eat, for all I care. Just go already woman!" He snapped harshly.
Bindy winced from his words. (What did I ever do to deserve to marry such a wicked man?) She thought to herself. Stepping out of the carriage, she left her husband to his own affairs, making sure her baby girl Anastasia was warm and wrapped properly. She would be a horrible mother if she let the poor child get frostbite, and she wasn't going to be a horrible person just because her husband was. Making sure she looked presentable, she maneuvered through the crowd of noisy chattering villagers, accidentally running into a nun in the process. "My apologies. I wasn't watching where I was going," Bindy said kindly.
The short black haired woman waved her off. "Dear, it's quite alright, really," she said smoothing out her blue dress. The nun then smiled at her. "My name is Tera. I'm the nun here. Pardon me, but I notice you're in a hurry, and you look a bit frightened. Is there something wrong?" Tera asked. Bindy, feeling the harsh gaze of her husband, quickly thrusted the baby girl in her arms and ran off. Leaving the poor nun flabbergasted. "Wait. Come back. I never even got your name…" Tera trailed off. Of course nobody heard her. The chill of winter air began to blow, causing the baby to loudly cry out. Tera cradled the small infant. "Shhh. Don't cry. Everything is going to be alright," she gently cooed. The child stopped crying and looked at her. Her beautiful hazel eyes shone bright with tears. Her hair was a small mop of black hair and more decorated the right side of her face.
The child was beautiful in appearance, and she was exotic. Tera could tell that she came from a faraway land, but still. Why did her mother just abandon her like this? Especially giving her to a stranger. Tera could have been a slave owner, or a cannibal, if all she knew. Still, despite not even knowing her, this woman gave her her child. Suddenly, a warm hand grasped her shoulder, not too rough, but gentle.
Turning around, Tera smiled. There, standing before her, was the villages hero, Richter Belmont. "Good evening, Sister Tera. How are you?" Before he could finish his sentence, the small bundle in her arms cried out again, hungry and restless.
"Richter, this foreign lady… She just gave me her baby out of the blue…. I've never seen this woman before. I was trying to see if she was okay, or needed anything, and now here I am, holding a baby of a woman who I don't even know, and I don't even know her name," Tera said.
Richter frowned. "That is very strange. I am surprised she did not at least attempt to drop her off at the orphanage first, but maybe she saw something in you to give you her child. Who knows the real reason behind this?" Richter replied.
Tera nodded. "Maybe we should leave this in God's hands. Who knows? There might be a reason why she is here," she replied back. The little one took her finger in her small hands and attempted to eat her. Tera giggled, amused by the infant's actions.
Annette, Richter's beloved wife, came trudging through the snow, carrying a basket full of delicious smelling cookies and something else sweet smelling that Tera and Richter couldn't put their fingers on, greeting them both. Richter lovingly drew his wife towards him, giving her a kiss. Tera blushed. She could have had the chance of getting married, but she decided to give her life to God. Still, seeing public displays of affection even kissing still made her blush like a schoolgirl. Richter, seeing her discomfort, apologized. "We're sorry, Sister Tera. How are you? Oh, whose daughter is this? Is it a friend's?" Annette asked, taking a peek at the baby girl.
"No. Her mother abandoned her. She gave her to me, but I do not know how to raise children.…." Terra said. Annette bit her lip, and the three became quieter than a gathering of church mice until Tera finally spoke up. "Richter and Annette, can I ask you a huge favor?" The nun asked.
"Yes. Anything for you," Richter said.
Tera clutched the bundle close to her chest. "Will you take care of the infant for me? I promise to supply her with anything you may ask for her, but I really don't know how to take care of babies," the nun confessed.
Richter bit his lip and pulled Annette to the side. "Annette, this is a baby we're talking about here. Do you think it's a good idea to adopt her?" He asked.
Annette folded her arms. "Well, why not? I'd feel horrible if the poor thing grows up in a lonely orphanage. Yes, a baby is a huge responsibility, but maybe this is a chance we should take," Annette replied back.
She had a point, and the child was really cute. "Well, alright. One child couldn't hurt," Richter replied.
Annette smiled. "It's settled, then," she replied back. The couple walked back up to Tera who was now trying to calm the child down. "Sister Tera, we've decided to take the child," the couple replied. Tera was overjoyed. Handing them the small infant, Tera wished them a good day before going off to attend to matters at the church.
Annette noticed the child was hungry, and took the child to get her some milk. After selling the last of their products, the Belmont family went home. Later on that day, Annette had grown close to the child. Richter smiled, seeing the two bond. "Richter, what do you think we should name her?" Annette asked.
Richter fed the fire while poking the logs with the fire poker. "How about Jennifer?" He asked.
Annette shook her head no. "How about Natalie?" Annette asked.
The baby blew a raspberry, making Richter chuckled softly. "I don't think she really likes that name," he said, dusting himself off and sitting next to his wife.
"Oh, what about Anastasia?" Annette asked.
The baby cooed and squealed happily. "Anastasia. I like it. Anastasia it is, then." Richter added. The couple were discussing what they wanted for dinner when suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was nearly 10 something. Who could possibly be knocking at this time of night? Getting up, Richter headed for the door, hesitantly looking through the peephole. What he saw slightly shocked him.
To be continued.…