“You were the same way with me, so I don’t want to hear it. Pops baby proofed the house like I asked?”
“Yeah, and been worrying me to death about the gifts for CJ. I really don’t appreciate you springing your newfound family on me like this. A heads up would’ve been nice.”
“Nah, I like surprises. I’ll see you in a few. ‘Preciate it, Ma.”
“Whatever Junior.” She wasted no time in disconnecting the call. Shaking my head, I chuckled at how pissed off she was. She was going to complain the entire time but do everything I asked her to.
Walking back, I stopped and got the forms before heading to My Baby. By the time I stepped back into the room, CJ was curled up with his mama while Essence laid in her bassinet.Serinity was sitting beside the bed tapping on her screen. She just came to get on somebody nerves. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. I said many silent prayers for them muthafuckas to get stuck.
I stood on the other side and extended the papers from the nurse. Klarity took them and released a deep sigh. Shit, she was ‘bout to look at me crazy in a minute. My name was going right beside Essence’s. That was my goddamn baby.
“The fact that I have to give her his name is really irritating the crap out of me,” she mumbled.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I heard her clearly; it just tickled the fuck out of me. I mean, I couldn’t fault her for thinking I was ‘bout to allow that. Poor baby ain’t know she was in the lion’s den.
“She an Atkins,” I said calmly.
“Mmcht, nigga you wish,” Serinity commented.
I looked at her with my head cocked to the side. My expression was one of a mad man. She really did talk too fuckin’ much. Whatever the fuck me and Klarity had going on ain’t have shit to do with her ass. Always adding her two cents was gon’ leave her ass broke and alone.
“Royce, I already told you how appreciative I was for being here but that doesn’t mean I’m giving her your last name. Unfortunately, she’s going to have the same name as CJ,” Klarity voiced sitting up.
“As she should… except his name changing, too. Once we leave here, we putting in for adoption papers. I don’t like people, let alone claim them. That should tell you something, My Baby.”
“It’s not actually. In fact, it’s making me wonder how far your crazy goes. These are another man’s kids. You can’t just change their names to fit your world. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you things don’t work like that.”
“And I don’t know how many times I have to tellyouin my world it does. Plus, my mama told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up. I’m all man now and I want to be your husband so what we talking ‘bout for real. Them were my kids the second I walked through yo’ door. You had to know that. Know this though, I’ll tear up every form you fill out until Essence Atkins is signed. I hope you won’t test me in here.” I never raised my voice at Klarity or made my threats too much to bring fear. I didn’t want her scared of me at all, but I did want her to understand this wasn’t a game to me.
“You’d be a damn fool to give her that nigga name. He got mentally unstable written all over him. At least with Cojak you dealt with selfishness. Hell, he ain’t the better choice either. Give her yours,” Serenity interrupted.
“I can be that, but the commas attached to my name outweighs that bs she spitting by a long shot. Don’t be a fool, My Baby, I’ll always be the better choice in any lineup,” I stated confidently.
Serenity rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. Klarity looked unsure of what to do until she locked eyes with me. Taking care of them wasn’t a temporary thing. I’d already rearranged my life and included them in certain areas. She really ain’t have a choice.
“And if Cojak comes home and wants us back, then what?” she questioned. I was well aware of her testing me. It was cute.
I smirked and said, “You would be my wife by then and in a tax bracket he could never reach. My daughter got more money than him and she’s only three days old. If you think I’m ’bout to let that bummy a-s-s even speak to y’all again, you’re sadly mistaken. If I was you, I’d oblige and live a blissful life.”
Picking up the pen off the table next to her, she started filling out the forms. I remained quiet and calm as she did so. I spoke my peace and didn’t plan on repeating myself. It was up to her tofall in line now or later. When I say later, I meant within the time Dr. Bloom comes in to discharge her. She could have those few hours to think things over. It was really no pressure.
She put the pen down and I snatched the form from her. Seeing that it said Essence Jackson, I tore it up and called the nurse for another form. She must’ve thought I was bluffing.
“Yes, Mrs. Atkins?”
“It’s Monroe. I need another birth certificate application please. The last one got torn,” Klarity voiced.
“You might as well tell her to bring a stack ‘cause if you put that bull again, I’m tearing that up, too,” I warned her.
“These aremykids, Royce. You are a stranger to us at the end of the day. Thank you for being here but that doesn’t make you their father. Essence will have her brother’s name and that’s that. We’ll be here all day, or I’ll go the fuck home and do the paperwork later!” Her voice was elevated, and she no longer was allowing me to have control.
Serinity sat there with the expressionI told you soetched across her face. I hated that this bitch was even in here. I would’ve convinced Klarity easier if her bald headed ass cousin wasn’t in here egging her on. From the moment I got her here, Klarity let me do me running shit. Now she had a voice. I ain’t like that shit. I wasn’t a liar, so I hit her with the half-truth.
“You just had surgery, a private room, Chief Riggs on your service and all that. Her name gon’ have to be an Atkins for the insurance to cover the bills,” I said. That shit didn’t even sound convincing but that was all the advantage I had.
“I didn’t tell you to do any of that, Royce. You chose to do all that on your own. I’ve said thank you and expressed my gratitude. My daughter isn’t yours,” she argued.
“Don’t let him fool you, boo. He trifling, too, ‘cause why he trying to trap you?” Serinity called me out on my bullshit. She would never know it though.
