Nine months pregnant, Eloise found herself in a difficult situation. With her due date fast approaching, her husband Tom still hadn’t assembled the crib—a task he had repeatedly put off despite her reminders. As the days passed, Eloise’s frustration and feelings of isolation grew. Determined to teach Tom a lesson he wouldn’t forget, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

The Unopened Crib Box: A Symbol of Broken Promises
The unopened crib box in the nursery was a constant reminder of Tom’s procrastination. Every time he said, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” tomorrow never came. As her due date drew near, Eloise couldn’t shake the worry that Tom might not be the dependable partner and father she needed him to be. The crib, once just another task, had become a symbol of her growing fears.

Taking Matters into Her Own Hands
Feeling both frustrated and alone, Eloise decided to assemble the crib herself. Ignoring the sharp twinges in her back, she dragged the heavy box across the room, determined to finish what Tom had neglected. As she struggled with the instructions, Tom walked in, completely unaware of her frustration.

“Good job,” he said with a casual smile. “Why did you ask me to help if you could do it yourself?”

Eloise was stunned. How could he not understand? Fighting back tears, she turned away, realizing that words alone wouldn’t convey the depth of her hurt.

A Wake-Up Call for Tom
That night, Eloise lay awake, her mind racing. It wasn’t just about the crib; it was about Tom’s dismissive attitude and his assumption that she didn’t need his help because she was strong. Something had to change, and Eloise knew she had to take drastic action to make Tom realize the consequences of his inaction.

The next morning, Eloise played a new card. “Tom, I’m really tired today,” she said, feigning exhaustion. “I think I’ll take it easy. Could you handle the final preparations for the get-together tomorrow?” Confident as ever, Tom agreed, brushing it off with a casual, “How hard can it be?”

Little did he know, Eloise had set him up for a challenge.

The Orchestrated Chaos
As Tom hurried to complete the tasks Eloise had left for him, it didn’t take long for him to realize he was in over his head. “Where’s the cake order?” he muttered in frustration, realizing too late how unprepared he was. Eloise stayed in bed, listening to his growing panic, knowing this was the wake-up call he needed.

By the time their guests arrived, Tom was a wreck. The decorations were half-finished, the food was barely prepared, and his stress was obvious. When his mother arrived and saw the chaos, her disappointment was unmistakable. “What happened here, Tom?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

A Lesson Learned
During the party, Eloise took the opportunity to make a point. “It’s been challenging getting ready for the baby, especially since I’ve had to do much of it myself,” she said calmly. “I even assembled the crib on my own just a few days ago, big belly and all.”

The room fell silent, and Tom’s embarrassment was clear. After the guests left, he approached Eloise, guilt in his voice. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t realize how much I was leaving on your shoulders.”

Eloise looked at him, the weight of the past weeks heavy on her heart. “I need to know I can rely on you, Tom. I can’t do this alone, and I shouldn’t have to.”

Filled with remorse, Tom promised to do better. “I’ll be there for you and our baby. I swear.”

Eloise nodded, accepting his words with caution. “This is your chance, Tom. Don’t waste it.”

In the end, Tom learned a powerful lesson about the importance of partnership in marriage and parenthood—a lesson Eloise hoped would lead to a stronger, more reliable future together.