Chapter 18
YOUNG MONEY
Two Years Into The Relationship
I’d seen people die. I’d held guns to heads, watched blood pool on concrete, stood over bodies, and felt nothing. But watching Solei in labor, watching her scream and cry and beg for it to be over, I’d never been more terrified in my life.
“You’re doin’ great, baby,” I said, holding her hand even though she was squeezing it hard enough to break bones. “He’s almost there.”
“Fuck you,” she gasped. “This is your fault!”
“I know.”
“You did this to me!”
“I know, baby.”
“I’m never having sex with you again!”
“Whatever you say, baby.”
The doctor laughed. “I hear that a lot. They usually change their minds.”
“Not me,” Solei groaned, the pain written all over her beautiful, sweaty face. “I mean it. Never again!”
Another contraction hit, and she screamed, and I felt my heart break and rebuild itself in the same moment. This was my fault. I’d gotten her pregnant, put her through this pain. It was crazy to watch, and I’d never loved her more.
“One more push,” the doctor said. “Come on, Solei. One more.” She pushed, and the room filled with a sound I’d never heard before. Our baby’s cries. “It’s a boy,” the doctor announced, holding up this tiny, screaming, perfect human.
Montana Madden, Jr. My fucking son. They cleaned him, wrapped him in a blanket, handed him to Solei, and her face transformed. I watched pain fade, love take its place, and she became a mother before my eyes.
“Hi,” she whispered to him, tears streaming down her face. “Hi, Junior. I’m your mama.” He stopped crying, like he recognized her voice. “You want to hold him?” she asked me.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. She transferred him carefully, and suddenly I was holding my son.
This tiny person who was half me, half Solei, all perfect.
He was so fucking small and fragile, being born a month early.
His eyes were closed, his little fists curled up, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
“Hey, little man,” I said, voice cracking. “I’m your Pop.” Then I cried, tears running down my face, my whole body shaking. I’d survived arrests, betrayals, and attempts on my life, but nothing had prepared me for this overwhelming, terrifying, all-consuming love for the tiny person in my arms.
“I’m gonna be better,” I whispered to him. “I’m gon’ be the father you deserve. I’m gon’ protect you and your mama, give you everything, and make sure you never want for anything.”
“Money, he’s beautiful,” Solei said softly. I looked up at her, and she was smiling through her tears. “I love you,” she said.
“I love you both so fuckin’ much. Y’all my everything. Family.” I meant every word. I was going to change, get out of the game, and be the man they deserved.