The Delivery Room Dilemma: A Neighbor’s Baby, My Husband’s Secret

Woman Helps to Deliver Neighbor’s Baby, Discovers Her Husband Is the Father

After helping her neighbour deliver her baby at home, a married woman realises that her own husband is the child’s father.

For more than six years, Sarah Harper had known Erica Vernon. The Vernons and Sarah and her husband Kieran had moved in next door the same week; both were recently married and had quickly become good friends.

But Sarah sensed the Vernons were in trouble after a year or two. Lester Vernon made his poor wife’s life a living misery and appeared to be suspicious and jealous. Because Erica was, in Sarah’s opinion, just as devoted to her husband as she was to Kieran, Sarah felt sorry for her.With time, things grew increasingly uncomfortable. The two couples stopped going out together as the loud, yelling arguments from next door got louder.

Even though Lester was always kind and courteous to Sarah, she never had the opportunity to speak up for her friend Erica, who she would frequently notice looking sad and teary-eyed.

Sarah made the decision to grab Lester by the horns after running into him at the grocery store one day. “Lester, I know it’s none of my business, but I hate to see you two so unhappy,” she remarked gently. Have you given couple’s counselling any thought? Erica adores you a lot.”

After giving her a long look, Lester remarked, “Listen, Sarah, I wouldn’t defend Erica if I were you. She is not your friend, despite what you believe.” Lester turned around and left after saying that.

Lester dumped Erica after just three weeks, and Sarah was shocked to learn that her friend was three months pregnant. “But Erica, did you tell him?” With Sarah asking.

The most surprising revelations of the truth are always made.
Erica was crying all the time. “I did, Sarah, but he claimed that I had been unfaithful and that it wasn’t his! I’m not able to have this baby by myself.”

Sarah cocked a determined chin. “You’re not going to be! Kieran and I will be on your side at every turn, I swear to you!” Erica wrapped her arms around Sarah and wept profusely.

Sarah told Kieran what was going on next door that evening. “I told poor Erica that we’d be with her, help her through her pregnancy.”

Kieran didn’t appear at all happy. “Sarah, I really wish you wouldn’t act so hastily! I don’t really know that woman very well, so it’s a big burden!”

“We’ve been living next door to her for six years, Kieran!” Sarah cried out. “She’s my best friend and I thought you liked her!”

“Not really,” replied Kieran. “She’s OK, I guess, but she’s always been more your friend than mine.”

Sarah put her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him, saying, “Oh honey,” with tenderness. “Please be nice to the poor girl, she has no one!” Sarah craftily bit at her husband’s neck, at a tender spot he referred to as his “lucky bump.”

“You minx,” Kieran snarled. “You always know how to convince me!”

Sarah licked her ‘lucky bump’ and laughed. “Your mum told me it’s the Harper men’s only weakness and I’d better take full advantage!” The remainder of the evening was spent making love, and Kieran promised to do everything in his power to support Erica.

Thus, Sarah went with Erica to all of her scans and doctor’s visits, as well as to the dietitian, Lamaze classes and even the natural birthing course, which assured mum and helpers that they would be prepared to bring the baby into the world without the need for medical assistance.

“Not that I intend to have this baby anywhere but a hospital with lots of painkillers!” stated Erica. “But it’s good to be prepared!”

It was fortunate that Erica called Sarah one day, gasping for air. She exclaimed, “Sarah, I think it’s time!” Sarah hurried there right away and was horrified to see her pal submerged in water.

“Your water has broken!” Sarah started crying. “I’m calling the hospital.”

The hospital informed her that before the ambulance could arrive, it would take at least thirty minutes, if not longer, so Sarah tried to make Erica as comfortable as she could.

Erica’s contractions were becoming more frequent, she observed. To her dismay, she peered and noticed that the baby’s head was crowning! “Erica,” she exclaimed, “the baby’s coming!”

“He can’t!” Erica let out a cry and gripped her stomach. “It’s supposed to take hours!”

“All right,” Sarah replied. “Ready or not, he’s on his way!” She then sprinted to grab some cord, scissors, hot water, and a cosy blanket. Sarah encouraged Erica to push while she was kneeling by her spread knees.

As the baby came from Erica’s struggling body, Sarah gasped in shock. As she tied off and cut the umbilical cord, she gently grabbed it and placed it on the plush blanket, following the instructions from the natural delivery class.

The infant was then taken by Sarah. She exclaimed, “It’s a boy!” to a weary Erica. “A beautiful, perfect baby boy!” As Sarah began to carefully wipe the infant down, she saw that the child wasn’t quite flawless.

There was a firm, little bump on the side of his neck that he was familiar with. An auspicious protrusion. Sarah finally grasped the whole concept as she looked down at the small helpless thing in her hands.

Whispering, “Lester…” “Erica, didn’t Lester have a point? You and my spouse were involved in an affair.”

With a gulp, Erica attempted to sit up. “Oh no, Sarah, never…”

“Don’t lie to me, I have the proof right here!” Lifting the infant in her hands, Sarah said.

Erica yelled, “Don’t hurt him!” Indeed, Kieran owns him. After six years of dating, I’ll tell you anything you want to hear, but please don’t injure my baby.”

“I would never hurt your baby, Erica,” Sarah scoffed. “I am not the same as you. I don’t ruin the happiness of others.” After placing the infant in Erica’s arms, Sarah left her to wait alone for the paramedics.

When Kieran got home that evening, he discovered everything was quiet and vacant. Without saying a word, Sarah filed for divorce. Although it took her a long time to regain her trust, Sarah eventually found and married a beautiful man a few years later.

She is a content woman, and she is currently expecting their second child with her spouse.

What lessons may we draw from this tale?

• Occasionally, the individuals we put our most trust in turn turn on us. Sarah had no idea that her spouse and closest friend would turn on her.

• The most surprising revelations of the truth are always made. It never occurred to Kieran and Erica that the child would have an inherited flaw that would expose their adultery.