Chapter 32 #2
Ivan figured since his father had done part of the work on the harness, he was entitled to take the credit for it.
Ivan didn’t need any praise for his part of the work.
Besides, being boastful or proud was considered hochmut.
Ivan always tried to be humble, and today was no exception.
Even so, Ivan wished his father would give him a little credit once in a while.
It would be nice to be appreciated for the work he did here.
When Ivan arrived home that afternoon, the sound that greeted him was a baby’s piercing wail. Apparently, something was going on that little Stephen didn’t like.
He probably has a wet diaper, Ivan decided. Either that, or it’s time for the little fellow to eat.
Ivan approached the living room, where Maggie sat thumbing through the pages of a magazine.
Stephen wasn’t with her, so Ivan assumed the baby was in the guest room, in the crib that used to be Ivan’s when he was a baby.
Mama had seemed pleased when Papa brought it out of the basement shortly after Maggie and Stephen moved into their home.
For a moment, Ivan wondered why Maggie didn’t seem to be bothered about the commotion coming from the guest room, but he opted not to dwell on that for too long.
He couldn’t allow the baby’s crying to continue, however.
Without saying anything to Maggie, Ivan headed for the guest room. He found the red-faced, squalling baby kicking his arms and feet.
“Poor little guy.” Ivan leaned over and gingerly picked the infant up, hoping it might quell the infant’s cries. “What seems to be the problem? Are you hungerich, or do you need your windel changed?”
“Our son doesn’t need to be fed or have his diaper changed. Those were both done thirty minutes ago.”
Ivan looked over his shoulder where Maggie now stood. “Then why is he crying?”
“He wants to be held.”
“How come you’re not holding him?”
“I wanted some time to myself.” Maggie’s shoulders pushed back, displaying a firm posture. “Besides, it’s good for a baby to cry once in a while. Stephen gets too much attention, and he will expect to be held all the time if you rush in and pick him up when he becomes fussy.”
“I’d say he’s a little more than fussy.” Ivan gently patted the baby’s back and smiled when the little guy calmed down and stopped crying.
“See what I mean?” With her eyes squinted, Maggie pointed at Ivan. “You picked him up. He quit crying.”
“Exactly. And I don’t see anything wrong with me holding him right now.” Ivan didn’t know a lot about babies, but one thing he did know was that they needed plenty of love and attention. No child wanted to feel abandoned.
“Okay, do whatever you like, but if Stephen becomes spoiled, we’ll both have to deal with it.”
“I’ll take my chances,” Ivan said. “Why don’t you go back to the living room and relax? I’ll stay here with the baby for a while.”
“Okay.”
After Maggie left the room, Ivan took a seat in the rocking chair and cradled the baby in his arms. He figured if his mother wasn’t working at the fabric store today, she’d probably be here right now, trying to settle her grandson down.
But since Mama wasn’t available and Maggie didn’t seem to care, Ivan would take on the responsibility, like any good father should.
When Ivan got the rocking chair moving slowly, Stephen’s body relaxed, and he soon fell asleep.
Ivan studied his son’s features. Except for having the same color eyes as Ivan’s, the infant’s face looked more like his mother’s.
Ivan leaned forward and nuzzled the baby’s nose.
“That’s okay, little Stephen,” he whispered.
“It doesn’t matter who you resemble. Someday you’ll grow up to be a big boy, and later a man.
Then, you could very well grow tall like me and maybe even carry more of my physical traits than you do your mother’s. ”
As Ivan continued to rock, he began to feel drowsy, but when he closed his eyes, instead of sleep, troubling thoughts about his bride-to-be took over.
For the last four weeks, he and Maggie had been taking classes, along with six other young people in their church district who planned to join the church.
Everyone else seemed attentive, but not Maggie.
She yawned and looked around a lot like she was bored with the things being taught.
Ivan, on the other hand, was interested in everything they were told.
He was excited about getting baptized and joining the church.
He only wished the wedding that would follow a few weeks after their last class could be with Emma and not Maggie.
Just stop it! Ivan told himself. I should not continue to think about Emma—especially with me on the brink of marrying another woman—the mother of my child.
Ivan had made every effort to bond with the baby, which had been difficult because he hadn’t been there when Stephen was born and didn’t even know of his son’s existence until a few months ago.
Ivan opened his eyes and stared at the sleeping baby. I believe I’m doing a fairly good job of bonding with my child right now, but unfortunately, I have yet to make a strong connection with Maggie, and maybe I never will.
Ivan grimaced. If I never fall in love with my wife, then what? If I were to back out of this marriage, Maggie and Stephen would have no place to go, and I’d be avoiding my responsibility as Stephen’s father.
Ivan set his jaw with determination. I must come to terms with the fact that this is my future and it is the best way for me to rectify the wrong I committed that night at Toby’s party. I will marry Maggie and fulfill the duty I owe to my wife and our son.