Tatiana gave birth to a child 5 days ago. She had a planned cesarean section. The young woman was gradually recovering after the birth. Her daughter Eva was a long-awaited first child. Tatiana and Sasha had been married for 7 years, and during those years Tatiana had three early miscarriages. When the couple lost hope of becoming parents and resigned themselves to it, Tatiana unexpectedly became pregnant. She was three months pregnant when one night she dreamed of her deceased mother. In the dream, Tatiana was sitting at a playground, admiring children playing in the sandbox. Suddenly, her mother sat down next to her and, gently stroking Tatiana’s head, said in a soft, soothing voice:
— Soon Eva will be born and will illuminate your life with the light of love and hope.
Tatiana woke up thinking that she would have a daughter who should be named Eva. She could not imagine any other name for her firstborn. Her husband agreed, saying that since the child’s last name and patronymic would be his, his wife could name their child herself.
After the birth, Tatiana was in a serious condition, so she asked her husband to handle the paperwork for the newborn daughter. Taking all the necessary documents, he went to the registry office to register the birth of their daughter. Tatiana had no idea what kind of «surprise» awaited her.
Alexander came home accompanied by his mother, with whom Tatiana had always had tense relations. Tatiana was still recovering from surgery and did not want to see her mother-in-law at home, but suppressing irritation and anger, she greeted Olga Viktorovna warmly. When Tatiana saw the birth certificate of her daughter, her heart almost stopped. The most important document of the child stated that her name was Ada, not Eva. Tatiana’s legs gave way and her hands trembled feverishly at what she saw.
The woman instantly went pale. She had to double-check several times because she refused to believe what was happening. But the certificate clearly showed the name «Ada.» It took Tatiana some time to come to her senses and ask her husband the main question:
— Ada? What is this supposed to mean? What have you done? What kind of Ada?
— Son, bring your wife a glass of water, or she’ll faint right now. Let her calm down. Nothing special happened, — Olga Viktorovna said calmly, irritably looking at her pale daughter-in-law.
Alexander obediently rushed out of the room and returned a minute later with a glass of cold water. Tatiana’s eyes filled with tears. It was hard for her to speak and breathe. She was in shock.
— So, this is your doing? — the young woman shouted, still not believing what was happening — You made Sasha change the name of our daughter? How dare you? Who do you think you are to do this? I gave birth to Eva, not you. Only I can name her! Do you even understand what you have done?
— Don’t dramatize. I only preserved our old family tradition. I’ve told you many times that we name girls after grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I explained this to my son, and he agreed with me. My grandmother’s name was Ada. She was a dignified woman, lived an honorable and honest life, had a good and bright fate. You should be happy that your daughter was named after such a worthy person as my grandmother. I am sure Ada will grow up as strong and brave as she was, and that her fate will be just as good!
— My daughter has her own fate, and don’t involve a deceased old woman who died many years ago. What you did is simply monstrous! Who gave you the right? I sent my husband to the registry office, not you! Why can’t he do anything without your permission? Why do you interfere in our family affairs? Remember once and for all: This is Eva, not Ada. I will go to the registry office right now and fix this. I won’t leave it like this.
Tatiana had to go to the registry office with her newborn daughter, whom she refused to leave with her husband and mother-in-law. She was extremely angry at her husband, who once again obediently obeyed the orders of his selfish and self-absorbed mother. At the guardianship and custody authorities, where Tatiana was directed, she explained everything and stated that her daughter’s name needed to be corrected. It turned out that consent from both parents was required.
Tatiana returned home in a depressed state. At home, her husband was waiting with a guilty face. He tried to hug his wife, but she roughly pushed him away and said disappointedly and hurt:
— To change our daughter’s name, we need the consent of both parents. I swear I won’t spend another day with you if you refuse. Our girl is not Ada. She is Eva. The fact that you indulge your mother in everything is detrimental to our family and relationship. You should think about who is your priority. My aunt’s name was Ada. She used to tell with tears in her eyes how she was bullied all her life at school and they said, “Ada came from hell.” But that’s not the point. The point is that I won’t allow your mother to make such decisions and interfere in our family life, influence our child’s fate in this way. I’ve been nervous all day because of you and your mother. Because of you, I may have problems with breastfeeding.
— Forgive me, Tanya. I was stupid, — Alexander said regretfully, hugging his wife. — I shouldn’t have let my mother manipulate and pressure me. Mom said if I didn’t name the daughter Ada, she would disinherit me. We will fix everything, don’t worry. Tomorrow we’ll go to the guardianship authorities together and write a statement, everything will be done properly.
Tatiana got her way. Her daughter’s name was successfully changed. Olga Viktorovna never saw her granddaughter again. Tatiana did not allow her mother-in-law to participate in raising the girl. Tatiana divorced her husband a year later. She realized that Sasha would never change and would never stop being a mama’s boy. She needed a reliable protector beside her, a man who would be a support in any situation, not a spoiled son who would dance to his mother’s tune all his life.
