Ch. 15 - a few hrs before #2
The entire room turned into an organized chaos.
With Dr. Bloom conducting the circus, each nurse and student was moving with precision.
Spring Memorial was a teaching hospital so there would be more eyes than a little watching me.
I was extremely nervous but also happy that it was finally happening.
I was eager to meet my son. Nothing could take that joy from me.
As everyone moved around, I noticed the door to my room open. I was in the middle of labor and delivery. Everyone that was needed was already here and present. My door shouldn’t have been opened again until after my son was in my arms.
Tears streamed down my face as soon as his came into the light.
Royce you really will make a way out of no way.
No disrespect God. His eyes locked with mine and it was like everything around me froze.
I didn’t think he would witness his son’s birth, but Royce had other plans.
I guess him saying let him handle something was him getting his little brother here.
He casually walked over to my bedside and assessed what was happening.
I could see everything processing in real time for him.
However, he didn’t show an ounce of fear or confusion.
He wore the same expression I’d known him to wear since meeting him.
His gaze finally rested on mine and that softness I witnessed while we fucked all night was back.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered looking up at him.
Bending down, he kissed my forehead and softly spoke, “We’ll talk later.” His focus never shifted from me but mine couldn’t stop going from him to my parents across the room. “You aight?”
“I’m fine. It’s time to push, so you came right on time.” With a light nod, he grabbed my hand and pocketed his other. “What we having?”
We. I didn’t expect you to jump in without a fuss.
“A boy,” I answered. Another nod was offered as he went silent.
One thing I knew was how gentle this man could be.
This side of him though was softer than I expected.
I didn’t know if it was because I was literally getting ready to push or not, but he stood there quietly refusing to say a word.
I was sure he had a million questions as well as thoughts running wild.
At this very moment, I felt like he’d forgiven me for sending him away.
Then again, I’d assumed so much shit, and I wasn’t trying to do that anymore.
Toneshia walked over with caution. When we locked eyes, she mouthed, bitch is you good?
I nodded giving her the okay and she backed away.
She’d seen Black’s face all over the news and so had my parents.
They knew exactly who he was and what he was doing here.
I looked at my father and you could see the anger building up.
I knew my father wasn’t going to be okay with Black in any shape or form.
I just convinced him to at least be cordial but I didn’t trust that at all.
“Alright beautiful, here we go,” Dr. Bloom said getting to the bottom of the bed.
From the second I started pushing, everything moved at the speed of lightening. I was in excruciating pain as well as out of breath. The epidural they administered did nothing for me. I squeezed on Black as hard as I could, and he didn’t seem to mind.
Such a thugged out and unapologetic man but soft for me. He whispered nothing but words of assurance in my ear the entire time. He was everything you’d read about in the urban fiction romances. I never thought I’d end up with one of my own.
“I ain’t know you fucked with me like that but keep pushing, Brat. Y’all a nigga reason to live now lil’ do you know. A hell of a reason, Ma.” I felt sincerity in each word he spoke.
“One more big push, Cheyonne. You got this. His head is out, just finish it up for me,” Dr. Bloom coached.
“You heard her. One more baby,” he instructed while softly pecking my face.
I inhaled deeply and pushed one final time giving it my all.
As soon as he was out, I felt so much lighter in my pelvic area.
It was like she pulled a damn weight out of me.
Malachi’s cries filled the room as tears raced down my face.
Black released my hand for a brief moment and that was to cut the cord.
He was back like he never left seconds later.
I did it. I had a baby.
My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath and process what happened.
Black was so concerned with me he didn’t move until I told him to.
It was like he cared about me and my health more than our son.
I loved that but Malachi was more important than I was.
I had Toneshia or my mother that could hold my hand from here on out. I needed him with our son.
“Go be with him, Black,” I said pushing him away.
“I ain’t leaving yo’ side, Brat.”
“I have my mother and my best friend. Go make sure he’s alright, Black… please,” I begged.
“Aight, aight. What’s his name?” he asked looking toward our new addition.
“Malachi. Malachi Afor Atkins.”
He stepped away and my mother stepped in.
She was by my side holding my hand much like he did.
She had a face full of tears as well, so she was really no good, either.
I was her only child and somehow I was able to give her, her first grandchild.
This was a significant moment for everyone in this room.
I pushed out my placenta shortly after leaving me to enter the recovery stage.
“Are you okay baby? Are you hurting anywhere? How you feel? Did he say anything to you? Why is he here, Che-Che?” My mother started out with questions regarding me before they shifted to inquiries about Black. I knew they were coming sooner than later.
“Mama please. I’m good and he did everything to keep me calm. Don’t judge him before knowing him.”
“It’s a little too late for that. He was judged the minute he put a gun to your head.”
“If you and Dad are going to do this the whole time, just go, Mama. I had a baby. Your grandson who I’d like you and Dad to meet.
Play nice so you can. I want all of you here but if I’m left with an ultimatum, I’m choosing where my heart lies and that’s with him,” I admitted.
She threw her hands up throwing in the towel.
Black walked back with our son wrapped up and in his arms. I couldn’t deny how good he looked in daddy mode. He was already a fine ass nigga but being a father turned that aura up a few notches. I smiled when he placed Malachi on my chest. He was so beautiful and looked everything like his father.
“Yo’ weak ass genes,” Black jested.
“Blame that on Obasi. I look nothing like him but everything my mother. I’m glad he took after you though. If you weren’t here, he would’ve been a steady reminder of that bittersweet night,” I chimed.
“Obasi, that’s yo’ pops?” I nodded to his question. He then pointed at my mother and asked, “What’s yo’ mama name?”
“Chinara. I’m Nigerian American, but they’re straight from the motherland. I’m their only child,” I answered.
“Cool. That’s Nesh, right?” He pointed to my best friend in the back.
“How you know?” I asked with dipped brows. He said her name like he knew her.
“I’m guessing she’s who you called that day after the shower.”
It had been months since I saw him. Nine to be exact and he remembered every detail about the time we spent together.
He was smarter than one would assume. Thinking he was a just a thug with little education would show how foolish you were quicker than it would him.
He was calculated and capable of doing things young men his age couldn’t. Nothing about him was normal.
“It is. She’s a best friend that’s more like a sister. She knows all about us. Switch gears for me though. Do you think you can have a conversation with my father? Y’all are two people of importance to me.” I was begging but knowing Black, he’d decline. If he didn’t want to do it, he wouldn’t.
“He look like he want to knock my block off, Brat. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I like to lay hands on niggas,” he threw back.
“I’ve asked him to be nice, so I’m asking you to do the same. Dad, come here for a second,” I said calling him over.
The room was starting to clear out, so the chaos was calming down as time passed on. My father took that stroll stopping beside my mother. He eyed Black like he was the plague. All Black could do was laugh and look my way. That was him warning me to keep the distance between us.
“Dad, this is Bla… Genesis. Genesis, this is my father, Obasi.”
He replaced his stale face with a fake smile saying, “What’s good, OG?”
My father looked at me not changing his expression at all.
He wasn’t feeling Black and that was solely because of the events that occurred.
I didn’t think he would make any effort to and that was me being honest. His first impression of Black was the only impression he needed.
His glare was back on my son’s father and nothing about him said he wanted to hold conversation.
“You did some things to my daughter I don’t approve of. I’m confused about you being here.”
“Shit, I was too until I walked in here. Brat ain’t left a nigga mind since I met her though. That pu—” I mustered up enough strength to hit him in his leg causing him to wince in pain. “The fuck you do that for?”
“Don’t,” was all I had to say. That was enough warning. He mugged the hell out of me, but he eventually switched back to his softness.
“I’m here ‘cause my brother bought me here. Apparently, he knew all ‘bout Brat and what she had going on. This his city so it makes sense,” Black replied.
“I know all about you being an Atkins, and I don’t like you for my daughter or grandson. I just can’t sit back and let you invade her privacy or life once again,” my father fussed.