“That’s fine with me. I’m going to head out and get ready. Dr. Donnovan and his team are right outside. Things are about to move fast for a while so don’t be alarmed… either of you. You’ll have your baby girl soon.” She left just as quick as she entered with the anesthesiologist entering behind her.
Things did move fast, and Royce didn’t let a moment go by where he wasn’t watching everyone that moved around with hawk eyes. For him to be more of a man than the one I’d knownfor the past few years said a lot. I was grateful for the support, but it wasn’t needed. For all I knew, he was another man wanting to take advantage of me. It might’ve not been for money, but who’s to say it wasn’t for something else.
Have a safe delivery and send him ‘bout his way, Klarity. You’re good alone.
Nine
Royce
With everything going on, I knew Klarity had questions on why a nigga was doing this and I had answers. Now wasn’t the time though. I was prolly scaring her lil’ cute ass by now so I wasn’t going to throw that marriage contract at her. I claimed her for a reason and unbeknownst to her, I couldn’t let her belong to anyone else but me. My timing was late as hell but now that I was in the picture, there was no turning back.
Dr. Bloom stood over Klarity’s body performing the c-section. Surprisingly, Klarity clung to me from the moment the anesthesiologist put that big ass needle in her back. I had to check myself for a minute ‘cause I almost put that nigga on his ass for causing her more pain than she was already in.
“You good, My Baby?” I asked as I sat next to her holding her hand.
“I can feel them tugging at me. This shit feels so weird.”
“Are you hurting though?”
“No, I’m fine. Make sure Essence is okay… please.” The plea in her eyes said she was more concerned for her daughter than herself. As long as I had breath in my body, they both weremaking it out this bitch alive and healthy. She ain’t have shit to worry about.
I stood and Dr. Bloom reassured me before I could assess or ask a question. “Mom and baby are good, Daddy. I just cut the sack, and she will be making her entrance right about…. now.”
Essence was removed from Klarity’s stomach and all she did was cry showing how strong her lungs were. Dr. Bloom extended the scissors in my direction after clamping the umbilical cord. I proudly took them and cut it. Shit, all Essence would know as her father was me. I was gon’ make sure of that.
The smile I wore couldn’t be contained. I was really excited in this muthafucka like Essence came from my nut sack. With my mouth to Klarity’s ear, I was raining kisses on the side of her face between praises. She just had a whole baby with a nigga.
“She good, My Baby. She pretty as hell, too. You did good.”
“Royce don’t leave her side. Follow her wherever she goes. I know how hospitals operate, and I refuse to have her snatched from me.”
“I got eyes on her, but I ain’t leaving yo’ side, either. Trust me, ain’t nobody leaving this room if we ain’t leaving together.” I was loud enough for everybody in here to hear me. They all shared a look, but no one went against me.
When Essence was done getting cleaned up, the nurse brought her over to me wrapped in a blanket. “She’s six pounds three ounces. Mom might’ve gone into labor early, but baby’s weight pushes her out the window for premature. Everything sounds good on her so right now there’s no worries. Her tests and shots will be performed over the few days Mom is recovering here. And yes, you can be present for all of them if you’d like.”
Nodding, I cradled Essence in my arms and immediately fell in love with her. I didn’t know perfection could be made without my help. She had the nerve to try and open her eyes like shecould really see who the hell her daddy was. My face was starting to hurt from how hard I was cheesing.
“Is she okay? Let me see her,” Klarity spoke softly.
“I told you she was good, baby.” I stood and allowed My Baby to see the cutie she made. Tears fell as she eyed her. I expected nothing less. This was a life she carried for eight and a half months.
All Klarity could do was cry and nod. The events of her labor went fast so I understood the confusion, the sense of being terrified, and joyous all at once. After all, she was leaning on a stranger for support and having to trust my words. My word was law, but anything could go wrong. If a nigga could control one’s life span, then I would. However, that was all on OG. I was just grateful to experience something so special.
Dr. Bloom worked and I cooed over my lil’ baby. She was too goddamn adorable, and she was just as red as she wanted to be with a head full of hair. She looked like My Baby, so I knew she was gon’ be trouble for me when she got older. Putting lil’ niggas in the dirt the second they looked at her. I hope she was ready for a sheltered life.
‘Bout an hour and a half later, we were stationed in our private room. My Baby did her recovery with me and Essence by her side. I didn’t allow the nurses to do shit for her until Klarity said so. The most they did was wipe her down.
Now Klarity was in bed still worn the fuck out but no longer in unbearable pain. She could finally start to relax in peace. Our daughter wasn’t being put down no time soon, so she had no worries. Essence was the safest in my arms and you couldn’t tell me any different.
My cell vibrated in my pocket as soon as I started to doze off. It was time to settle down and get some rest. It was already a lil’ after midnight. Everybody and they mama, including mine, should’ve been home and in the bed knocked the fuck out. Yet,Iris was hitting my line. I answered already knowing what she wanted.
“Yeah Ma?”
“What room y’all in? How are they? Do they need anything?” she was firing off twenty-one questions back to back.
“In the private room on the east wing. Why you ain’t took yo’ tail home, Ma?” I threw back.
“I’m yo’ damn mama. I don’t have to go no damn where. Wasn’t it you that said she was my daughter-in-law and that was my granddaughter she was birthing?” I chuckled off her response. She was gon’ use my words against me every time.
