Page 77 of Smoke

He gave her tiny hand a fist bump, and I thought it was adorable.

“You ready to go home?” he asked.

I sighed. “Ready to go home, not ready to leave her.”

Tears instantly filled my eyes at the thought. Devin reached for my hand, and when I gave it to him, he kissed my fingers.

“Don’t worry. She’s in the best place she can be. If you want, I can arrange for her to have a private room. It’s too many people in and out of here with her. Her little immune system can’t take all of that.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“Romi. Would you like her to have a private room?”

I could admit I would feel better with her in a private room. The nurses had been doing great with Juri, but he had a point about the germs and her compromised immune system. I didn’t want her staying here any longer than she needed to. In addition, I could stay overnight with her if she had a room to herself. There was no question that I would want to be with her as much as possible.

I looked at Devin, who was patiently waiting for an answer. Slowly, I nodded.

“Then it’s done.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, cupping his chin.

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“Yes, I do. You’ve been good to me the last couple of weeks, Devin. I’ve been in a really dark place, and you have given me some of my most peaceful moments lately. You deserve thanks for that.” Carefully, I leaned over and kissed his lips. “When I’m healed, I’ll give you aproperthank you.”

He grinned. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.”

I laughed as I eased into another rocker and rested my head against the back. For the longest time, I watched him with my baby. He was gentle with her. He spoke softly to her, just talking about the most random things. I managed to snap a picture of them and send it to my sister.

NayNay: Look at that stepdaddy with his baby.

Me: Shut up, Nay.

NayNay: Ooo, she’s gonna love that man and you aren’t gonna be able to tell him shit about her.

Me: You think this will last that long? I don’t wanna get my hopes up, sis. I mean, I just had a baby. Everybody is gonna say I need to focus my attention on my children and not a man anyway.

NayNay: Bitch, what have I told you about people. Fuck them. That man knew you were pregnant when he had you spread eagle on your kitchen counter. He’s been at the hospital every day with you since you had Juri. You didn’t ask him to be a father nor did you expect it from him. That’s not what this is. You can be a mother and still have a man. We both know you aren’t the type of bitch to choose a nigga over your kids.

Me: I know. I’m just… I’m scared, Nay.

NayNay: I know, baby. It’s okay to be afraid.

I closed out of the messages and focused back on Devin and Juri. His eyes were closed as he rocked back and forth with her. I smiled. He had all the free will in the world, yet he was right here with me.

Home.

It didn’t hit me until we pulled onto my street that I didn’t have a thing ready for when Jury came home. The crib wasn’t put together. I had no preemie clothes or diapers. Her room wasn’t even ready. She was here, and there was still so much to do.

As we neared my house, I squinted at the array of cars out front. I looked over at Devin who wore a smirk on his face.

“What are y’all up to?” I asked.

“I don’t know whatchu’ talking about.”

“Devin.”

“You’ll see when we get there, woman.”

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