19. Royal #2
I hugged her back and allowed tears to leave me once again.
When I told Aaliyah, it was like her mind couldn’t comprehend what I was saying for a moment.
It took me a moment to grasp what was said as well.
Crew was gone, and I desperately wanted to be with my family, especially my parents.
Once what I’d told her sank in, she cried, but I believed her tears were mostly out of the pain she knew I was feeling.
I wanted to believe that Crew wasn’t holding any animosity towards any of us. The drugs had caused him to behave erratically. He knew we loved him. Just the last week or so, he couldn’t see past the drugs and his undiagnosed illness.
They brought the babies to Aaliyah, and Noni said, “So, big mama Rasha weighs six pounds and nine ounces and lil daddy Ravi weighs six pounds one ounce. They are both twenty-one inches long, so that Henderson height didn’t miss them.”
She gave Rasha to me and Ravi to Aaliyah. I held my baby girl close as her lil grown ass frowned and stared me right in my face. I chuckled through my tears. “She has the Henderson frown too.”
Everyone chuckled. Once the nurse finished cleaning Liyah up, they allowed everyone to come in.
Mrs. Shana, Mrs. Harper, Mr. Red, and Mr. Legend came in to see our beautiful children.
All of them offered their condolences as I nodded.
I didn’t want to think about it right now.
I could only imagine the way my mama probably wailed for him .
. . the way Ashanni screamed on the phone .
. . the way my dad probably came close to tearing up everything in that hospital.
That shit was taking me low, but the minute I stared into this beautiful angel’s brown eyes, all was okay in my world.
I walked over to Aaliyah and switched babies with her.
When I lifted Ravi, his little body arched.
When I got him close to my body, he opened his eyes and stared at me with lifted eyebrows.
He looked just like me . . . so did Rasha.
Had we not already done a DNA test, there would be no need for one.
They were Hendersons through and through.
This was the saddest happiest day of my life and a day I surely wouldn’t forget. God giveth and God taketh away.
I wish I knew why He allowed such a thing.
Crew was only twenty-two years old. The family had just “buried” PJ a couple of months ago.
To lose two members in our crew in such a short amount of time was devastating.
I was pretty sure Kingsley, Kane, and Ryder J were having an even tougher time with that because they didn’t know that PJ was still alive.
Everyone was cooing over our babies. Aaliyah looked completely tapped out. I went to her and scooped up the princess from her, and said, “Rest, baby. We have the rest of our lives with these two.”
She gave me a soft smile as she blinked slowly. I could see Mrs. Shana in my peripheral taking pictures of us. She came closer and got a picture of the babies. “You need time to yourself too, Royal. Let me and PaPa Red hold them.”
I gave her a tight smile and handed Rasha to her first. “That’s Rasha, as you can probably tell by the pink blanket,” I said and chuckled.
They were identical. I was thankful that one was a boy and the other was a girl. It would probably take me forever to be able to tell them apart. This would be the fourth set of twins in the family, although Uncle Philly and Aunt Kema and Tyeis and Decaurey weren’t blood related.
Mrs. Shana chuckled, and said, “Look at Nana’s babies.”
When I gave Ravi to Mr. Red, he said, “And our future steer wrestler.”
I chuckled, then went to Aaliyah and kissed her head.
She was already out, even with the lights on and people talking.
When I stepped out of the room, Treasure, Cachet, Carter, Red, Kambel, and Epic were going inside.
They guys and Treasure shook my hand, and Cachet and Kambel hugged me.
Since no one offered their congratulations, I knew they were offering their condolences.
When I got to the waiting area, I called Seven. I knew that neither of my parents would be in any shape to talk. At least Asad was there for my sister. He didn’t want to leave her with the baby. I was sure he would be here tomorrow to check on Liyah.
“Hello?”
“Hey.”
“I’m so sorry, man. This is so fucked up. How didn’t we know?”
“I’ve been asking myself that question since we found out, man. I would have never guessed he was a drug addict. He was so smart . . . smart as fuck. Nigga was about to lose it over a B. How are my parents, man?”
“As can be expected. I ain’t neva seen Unc look the way he’s looking right now. Aunt Chas either, for that matter. The funeral home is here now, and your parents and Ashanni are back there with them.”
“I wish I could be there.”
“No. This is something that stays with you, man. His death is more than enough. You don’t need this imagery and sorrow. That shit never leaves you.”
I remained quiet because he was right. I could still vividly remember when Grandma and Grandpa died.
We hadn’t really been in that house since Grandma died, because Grandpa was barely there.
He was mostly at Aunt Jen’s house. That shit was hard on us.
First Uncle Kenny’s son, Kendrick, then Grandma, Grandpa, and now Crew.
Life wasn’t promised. Any day could be our last.
“Okay, man. I’m gonna go back in to check on Liyah.”
“Okay. Congratulations, bruh.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.”
I ended the call and went back to the room in search of my peace. When I saw Aaliyah sitting up in bed while Mrs. Harper and Mr. Legend held the babies, my heart practically pulled me to her. She scooted over in bed and I went to her, not caring who was in the room to see me.
I got in next to her and laid my head against hers and cried like there was no hope for tomorrow. She wrapped her arms around me and comforted me the best way she could. “I’m so sorry, baby. So sorry,” she said.
I swallowed hard and pulled my emotions together the best way I could, then wiped my face. Mr. Red came to me and hugged me like a dad would, and I realized he was probably the next best person to do that, besides my own dad.
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
I realized he was quoting scriptures to comfort me. I remained in his embrace as he continued.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
I took a deep breath and could feel the tremble go through my body. These scriptures were comforting. I was experiencing firsthand what Mr. Legend, Aunt Tiff, Malachi, Rylan, and Milana had all experienced when he allowed God to use him.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
I nodded, thankful for his words of encouragement.
“God is always a present help. Just call on Him. He can offer you comfort like no one else can.”
“I just . . . I’m angry. They say you not supposed to question God, but I just want to know why, man,” I said softly.
“I get it. You can always ask God questions. What you just said about questioning Him, means to doubt that He knows what He’s doing.
It’s like asking Him if He’s sure about the decision He made.
You know it’s in His hands. You just need clarity on His reasons.
Sometimes, He will reveal things to us, and other times, we may never know.
The main point to know is that He ultimately knows what’s best. Believe that. ”
I nodded as Mr. Legend placed his hand on my shoulder. “Thank you. I really needed that.”
“Anytime, son. Anytime.”