Disabled Veteran Tends to Baby of Struggling Neighbor, Unaware Of What Life Has In Store For Him
A retired veteran who lost an arm in combat assist his new neighbor looking for a job by caring for her baby little does he know what life has in store for them Edward had never thought anything would hurt him more than the war until he lost his beloved family his beautiful wife and daughter losing his loved ones rendered his life blink he was disabled in one arm and unlocked he had nothing to cherish no love no family nothing drowning in his loneliness Edward sometimes spent the entire day in bed or looking out his bedroom window at his happy neighbors unlike him they had families to spend time with they had a reason to live how cruel was life to him taking away his wife and only child in an accident Edward often pondered but one day a woman moved into the empty house next to him and his life changed she was lovely and her newborn boy was adorable Edward thought the woman grinned when she noticed Edward looking at her so he said
“ahai”
waving his only arm a smile danced on her lips and he decided to Green her he stepped out of his seclusion which she hadn’t done in years
“I’m Edward Miss” he said introducing himself “looks like he got a handsome young man with you”
she smiled and the baby giggled
“nice to meet you Edward” she said “I’m Natalie and this is Joan he’s not easy to deal with by the way”
“uh not so kid sorry” said gently “I know since I raised a daughter”
“that’s wonderful sure blind is she married”
“she left me a little too soon darling she’s now in God’s home with my wife I live alone”
“sorry to hear that” Natalie apologized “can I ask you what happened to your arm if you don’t mind”
“oh I used to be in the Army and injured myself in the battlefield” he said “if you have time dear please join me for tea after all it’s not everyday a cute little man moves into the neighborhood”
“that’d be my pleasure Edward” she said “I’ll see you in the evening if that’s okay I need to get some work done”
“of course of course I’ll see you around”
that evening Edward had company for the first time in several years Natalie and Joe visited him and he was delighted Natalie was a single mother who was Raising Joe on her own after her husband’s death she moved to a smaller house in Edward’s neighborhood after being fired she said she was looking for remote work because Joe was small and she couldn’t afford a nanny
“but most of the openings only allow for a blended motor working from the office so I’m not sure I’ll be able to find one very soon Joe so small I can’t leave him alone”
“I can help you with your baby” Edward Alfred “oh I’ve had nothing to do all day and would love to help”
“Will you” she asked “but Edward it’ll be a problem for you I don’t think I can accept that”
“do you think so because I have one arm and I’m disabled question” Edward Miss “I served in the Army years ago while I may not be very young I still look after this house on my own”
Natalie wasn’t sure about Edward’s help but she needed help desperately so she agreed
“that’s very kind of you Edward I’m sorry for bothering you with this we’ve met each other just now and you’re doing this thank you”
“oh don’t thank me” he said politely “my love to have some company besides Joe reminds me of my daughter when she was little it’s really not a problem”
from that day on Edward’s life took a turn he’d been feeling lonely until Natalie and Joe entered his life Joe’s beautiful Giggles made him feel alive and even though he struggled to change his diaper Rock him or fade him with only one arm he loved it more than anything else meanwhile Natalie went for her job interviews relaxed that her baby was in safe hands and when she found a job she could afford to return late from work because Edward was there for Joe one day Joe dosed off in his chest while he was singing him a lullaby and Edward couldn’t take his eyes off the baby after many years he remembered his late wife that day and said
“maybe life isn’t all bad honey you won’t believe it but I wish to live many more years I think it’ll be a while before we see each other”
Joe and Natalie had become Edward’s life the company he’d not had in years they had made him remember what being loved felt like one day Natalie returned early from work and told Edward she wanted to have a serious talk with him
“you’re no longer looking after Joe Edward” she said as she took Joe from him
Edward was shocked he loved a little boy so much had he done something wrong had heard him unintentionally
“what happened darling” he asked worrying “did I do something wrong”
“yes you did something very wrong” she said stiffly
in Edward’s heart sank tears welled up in his eyes and he was about to cry and apologize when his neighbors poured in through the front door with a cake and began singing Happy Birthday
“happy birthday Edward” Natalie exclaimed smiling “sorry for scaring you like that I was changing Joe’s diaper in your bedroom a few days ago when I noticed your table calendar on your side table you didn’t even tell me it was your birthday”
“oh darling” sub Edward “I haven’t celebrated my birthday in years”
“well you will now come on let’s cut the cake and I’ve got an offer for you”
“offer”
“would you like to be Joe’s grandfather and become our family I know the role is tough but we’re really hoping you wouldn’t say no”
“oh dear” Edward cried “angel you’re an angel darling thank you I loved you so much”
“well you were an angel in our lives too Edward we’re so glad we met you”
that Year Edward had the best birthday and he had many more birthdays like that in the company of Natalie and Joe then years later when Natalie found herself a man who loved her and Joe she asked Edward to walk her down the aisle which the older man appreciated and honored with all his heart [Music] thank you
