SORIMAH
Chapter Fifteen
Euphoria. I’d been stuck in a euphoric place ever since Hendrix came back into my life. He was everything I expected him to be and for the past three months he’d been challenging me as a partner. I had never been so committed and all about one person before, but it felt damn good to be.
“Ri, is the baby here yet?”
I turned around to see Akeera headed in my direction with a slice of cake in tow. Today was the day of my baby shower and Zylah was due any day now. She was being stubborn, and my friends and family were upset at this point. They were ready to love her and get on my nerves at the same time.
“No beautiful one,” I said giggling at her question.
“Once this big belly of mine gets smaller than you’ll know for sure that I had her, okay?”
“Well, why are people here if she isn’t?”
“This is called a baby shower which means people bring gifts and things for her as a token of their love and support. When your sister gets here, I promise you’ll be the first one to see her.”
“Yay!” She was satisfied with my response, and she took off running to finish playing with her friends.
I was just as eager as she was to have this little one.
I was toting around a nine-pound baby that was causing back pain and everything else to the third power but let her father tell it, I was rushing his baby and she could stay put as long as she wanted.
He had no idea the strength it took to carry a child.
Grabbing a bottle of water, I walked over to my designated seat and rested my feet. I was soon joined by Hendrix’s grandfather who I thought was so wise and sweet. I saw so much of Hendrix in him. He placed a kiss on my cheek before he got comfortable beside me.
“Hey sweet pea. How’s my girls doing?”
“We’re good, Pops. I think she wants to come when I least expect it and have me running around like a chicken with my head cut off,” I said as I rubbed my stomach.
I was just keeping everyone at bay. I’d been hurting for quite some time but was trying to get through this event.
Everyone had showed and was being supportive and I didn’t want to ruin that for them.
I even kept it to myself that my mucus plug had discharged.
I knew enough to know that panicking wasn’t going to help a thing.
“You know I enjoy having you in this family. My Barbara was a well-fed woman as well and I loved that woman down. I’m glad Hendrix followed in my footsteps.”
His comment caused me to chuckle a little. He always spoke his mind and didn’t care how you took it. I was glad this was a compliment instead of something off the wall.
“Well thank you, Pops. Was your wife a big supporter of Hendrix’s?”
“She was. If she was here today, you wouldn’t be able to lift a finger.
She loved everything about that boy and since you’re his lady, you would be included.
She wanted the best for that boy, and I believe you’re it.
You know he told me about you, and I gave him the best advice I could.
Not everything is clear and simple. Some things you have to clean up to see where you’re supposed to go. He chose right.”
Hearing Hendrix grandfather approve of our love made my heart smile. I was big on family and because neither one of us had much of ours left in our life, it felt good that the ones we did have rooted for us.
“Thank you. Do you want to be there when Zylah’s born? I think Hendrix would appreciate that a lot.” I only asked because he and Hendrix really were the last of them. It would be a cherished moment for them both.
“I would love that. Thank you for asking.”
“Well, can you go and grab him. My water just broke.” I stood and sure enough there was a puddle in the seat.
“Hot toe mighty. Hendrix!” he shouted for the man that knocked me up who was across the yard chopping it up with Dexter.
“Pops keep it down please. I don’t need you making a big scene.”
“Hush girl. Boy come on now, her water just broke.”
He ignored my request causing everyone in attendance to shout with joy and scream their congratulations. Hendrix came sprinting across the yard to see what was up and Pops let him know that it was time.
“Are you okay? What do I need to do?” He was in more of a panic state than I was.
“Calm down for one and two, help me to the car then grab Akeera so we can go. Have Dex and EJ wrap this up and meet us up there when they’re done.”
“I can handle that,” he voiced with a smile.
Hendrix was such a sucka for me. He just went along with whatever I said and didn’t debate with me about a thing. I lived a peaceful life, and it was all thanks to him. I figured this child was the least I could give him in return for always showing me how serious he was about me.
I was ushered to the car and helped inside. While I sat waiting patiently, I received a call from my mother, and I instantly expected nonsense. Nothing good ever came out of talking with my parents. However, I only had one set and I still loved them, so I answered.
“Hello.”
“Hey baby girl. I wanted to thank you for what you did for us. I was wondering if I could come down and take you to lunch. Just me and you without your father. I want to try and do better by you and your sister.”
“Your timing is off, Mama. I’m in labor right now and won’t want to be bothered for quite some time. I’ll call back when I have the time.”
“Can I come and be a part of that? I haven’t missed any of my grands being born.”
“No. But I’ll send you a picture. I have to go.”
I wasn’t trying to be rude, but this moment was for those that deserved to be here.
She put in no effort to change, until I saved them from the same streets they threw us into.
I had nothing for her and that was a result of how she raised me.
Hanging up, I turned my phone off completely because I could feel the irritation brewing.
Hendrix returned with Akeera in tow, and we were off.
By the time we got to the hospital, the contractions had picked up and the pain was greater than before.
I was trying to make use of the breathing exercises I learned but at this point the shit was pissing me off altogether because it wasn’t helping me.
Pops walked me in as Hendrix and baby girl parked. I was admitted immediately and taken to the maternity floor. I was excited because I no longer had to think about how she would be but actually experience her physically. I had high hopes for her looking like her mother as well.
“Okay Ms. Styles, Dr. Wilcox has been called and will be here soon. As of now, your intake of food has been cut off and the only thing you’ll be able to have are ice chips.
I’m Nurse Jackie and will be here for you all night.
Let’s get you undressed and situated. We have orders to give you the largest room on the floor. ”
She was kind and gentle. She constantly asked about my comfortability with everything we did and made sure I was at peace after getting set up in my room.
I looked forward to having a smooth labor as long as I stayed surrounded by people that went out of their way for me.
She checked my cervix, and I was only four centimeters dilated.
“You good, beautiful?” Hendrix was back and concerned as usual.
“I am. We have a ways to go so get comfortable. I think she said the couch is a pullout couch so you and Akeera will be able to sleep comfortably. They’re going to get an extra one for Pops. This room is huge so it should be more than enough room for everyone.”
“Cool. What you need from me?”
“You’re doing everything baby. You’ll know when it’s time to do more.”
Silence fell upon us with Zylah’s heartbeat being the only thing going in the room.
As I looked at who was surrounding me, I fell into an emotional state.
Growing up, I didn’t have support, but this meant everything to me.
I knew my sister and best friend would be here no doubt so I included them and knew my daughter would be loved a thousand times over.
EJ and Daria were going to treat this little girl as if they pushed her out and I knew whatever I called on them for, they would show up with bells on. Finally, I was getting the time, love, and attention I deserved from recipients I loved.
Closing my eyes, I was able to doze off and get a little rest.
**
“Ow, ow, ow!” I woke up out of my sleep in pure pain. “Baby go get someone please.” Hendrix didn’t hesitate to do what I asked.
“What’s wrong sis’?” EJ had made it and I was grateful.
“I think it’s time.” She went to lift up my sheet when I slapped her hand away. She didn’t know what she was looking for. “Girl, move.”
“It’s about to be spread open wide anyway. I just wanted to see if you were crowning or not,” she spat.
Hendrix returned with Dr. Wilcox following behind him with a smile on her face. She was always so damn jolly. That aggravated the hell out of me at times.
“That pain is more than likely your daughter getting ready to exit her hotel of nine months. Let me get a better look.” She washed her hands and put on a pair of gloves.
She lifted the sheet and wore an even bigger smile. I knew what that was about. It was time to meet our baby girl. Hendrix grabbed my hand immediately giving me a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“I’m here baby,” he whispered. I needed that reassurance.
“Let’s get the equipment in here. We have a baby that’s ready to come out.” Dr. Wilcox stood and began to get ready as the room filled up with the necessities to have a smooth delivery.
For the next twenty minutes, I strained myself and exhausted my body of all the energy I had giving birth to a nine-pound, seven-ounce child. I wasn’t even upset that everyone got a chance to engage with her before I did. I was trying to recover and gain back enough strength just to hold her.
“You did good Sorimah. Enjoy your new bundle of joy. She’s a beautiful one indeed. Congratulations you two.” She gave both Hendrix and I a quick hug before her and her team exited the room leaving me to do just that… enjoy.
“You really did do good, beautiful. However, she takes after me.”
He placed our daughter on my chest, and she was the spitting image of him. I wanted to be mad, but Hendrix was a handsome man, so she was going to be good no matter who she took after.
“I took the leisure of applying my token of love while you slept. I know you’re comfortable with me asking things but that wasn’t up for debate.
You’re mine through and through and you’re going to wear my last name proudly.
I love you to death but ain’t none of that going a day without us being one anymore. ”
“Is that your proposal?” I asked softly laughing.
“Nah. I did that while you were sleeping too. This was just a notice for you.” He then picked Zylah back up and went to Pops so he could have a moment with her.
Fighting him would be a waste of time because I was locked in.
He was my happily ever after and where some may think I didn’t deserve a man like him, he was constantly telling me he didn’t deserve a woman like me.
He loved the ground I walked on and that was all I needed from anyone that confessed their love to and for me.
THE END