Page 141 of Quasim III: King Inferno

I didn’t know when Augusta Mae ran across the street, but she was right there, too. “Boop, come on… you got this, baby.”

I pushed harder, and held onto my husband’s hands while I looked into his eyes. The last time I did this, I had to look into the doctor’s eyes. Someone who didn’t know me had to stare into my eyes while I delivered a baby.

Quasim never broke our stare as he coached me, tears falling down both of our eyes while I continued to push. Going from battling breast cancer, to leaving an abusive marriage — I never thought I would get here.

I never thought I would be here in a room filled with family. They all wanted to meet something that me and Quasim created, another Inferno. A baby girl that would only know love, because that was what she was made in.

A sister for the angel that sent her to us.

I never felt worthy for the blessings I received and was always scared whenever I received one. As I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed this little girl, this miracle that deserved to breathe air, I couldn’t stop crying.

Papa and Meer had removed themselves from the kitchen, and Meer was right beside Capri, encouraging me. “B, you got this… you’re stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be even stronger tomorrow.”

He stared me in the eyes, and I remember what he said to me when he took me to the hospital after Tookie beat the shit out of me. “You got this shit, sis.”

Papa rubbed Quasim’s shoulders while he held my hands. I took a deep breath, held onto my husband’s hands and pushed. I pushed for all the times I laid in bed and wanted to give up.

I pushed for every slap, punch, or kick I received and thought it was love. I pushed for the man I was staring at, and giving another child.

Another chance at fatherhood, because he did the shit so well. I pushed because Izayah Rose deserved to be here and loved by her family.

I pushed for every night I slept by my toilet alone because I was fighting cancer. Every piece of hair I lost, every time a tear slid down my cheek when I sat in that chair and was injected with that poison.

“I see her head!” Synthia screamed.

Quita moved around the pool and nudged Quasim. “Remove her.”

Without hesitation, he reached his shaky hands down into the water and gently grabbed hold of her, slowly pulling her out as I screamed with tears coming down my face. “Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” I screamed as he pulled the rest of her out of me.

“Blair, you did it… you did it, mama,” Capri cheered, as she tried to get up and Meer helped her.

I was defeated as I laid back on the pool and Synthia wiped my face. Capri kissed my face and hugged my neck. “You’re a mommy again.”

Quasim cried as he held her and put her onto my chest. He maneuvered around the pool, and I leaned up so he could get back behind me. “Thank you, Anjo. She’s fucking beautiful. You so strong, mama… you brought our girl into the world.”

I tossed my head back as I sobbed, and he kissed my face. “She looks like Cherry.” Papa said, as he came over and kissed my head. “Good job, Queen.”

“Thank you, Papa.”

“Pop, this that second chance, and that shit looks good on you… congratulations, King.” He kissed his son’s head, while Sim continued to kiss mine.

Simmy got out the pool while they cut the umbilical cord. Meer moved out the armchair he had taken place on after his wife slapped him for screaming in her ear. I remained in the pool as Synthia assisted with me delivering the placenta.

I watched as she placed her on his chest and he looked up and took a breath, a tear sliding down his face. He pressed his lips against the curly head on his chest and looked at me. “My love.”

I smiled, tired and worn out. My eyes could barely stay open as I watched him. “Didn’t think when I laid on your chest in Monaco that it would end in this, huh?”

He smirked. “meu mundo.”

I felt a small kiss on my face and looked up to see Elijah. “Told you, mom... she was born on my day.”

I held the side of his face and kissed him. “Smart kid… Love you more than you know, Elijah Inferno. The world needs smart Black boys… and I needed you. Never forget that… okay?”

“Okay.” He squeezed my neck as I closed my eyes and thanked God.

God, I thank you.

Thea

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