Page 109 of Crash: Love in Scrubs
“Exactly. You already had caffeine yesterday, which means today you get tea.” He reached into his cabinet and pulled out a box of my herbal tea that I left over. “Chamomile’s good for pregnancy.”
“Since when did you become a pregnancy expert?” I asked, but I was smiling. His protectiveness was sweet, even if it was a little overbearing.
“Since the moment I found out you were carrying my child. I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on.” He started preparing the tea.
“Sit, I can make my own tea.”
“Nah you sit,” he said, helping me sit. “Did you know that at six weeks, the baby’s heart is already beating? And all the major organs are starting to form?”
I stared at him, my heart melting at the obvious pride and excitement in his voice. “Look at you, this is so cute.”
“This is my first baby, Sametra. I want to do everything right.” He handed me the steaming mug of tea and cupped my face with his free hand. “That includes making sure you take care of yourself and take it easy.”
“I just want you present, my love.”
I knew Malik wouldn’t leave me high and dry to raise our child, but I don’t think Ashe intended for that to be our outcome either. My fear would creep up on me every now and again.
“I know you do.” His thumb stroked across my cheek. “And I will. You worried about that?”
“Would you be offended?”
“A little, but that’s a realistic fear, but you know I’m not Ashe, and I would never run from my responsibilities. Plus, that rock on your fingers says I’m tryna be locked in before Summer even arrives.”
“Summer?” I questioned, sitting up in my chair to look at him. I had tears in my eyes.
“Damn, you hate it.”
“No, no I love it. She got me crying about literally everything.”
“I know how much you love Summer, and we made her during the summer. If it’s a girl, I want her name to be Summer. Blaze for a boy.”
I stood on my toes to kiss him properly, tasting mint on his lips. “I love you.”
He kissed my forehead softly. “I love you too. Now, what time is Maj coming over? Because I know you didn’t make all this food for just us.”
“He should be here in about an hour.” I turned back to the stove to check on the bacon. “Are you ready for this conversation?”
His arms came around me again, and I could feel some of the tension return to his body. “Yeah, and so is he. He deserves to know the truth. Are you? You cook like this when you’re nervous.”
“Yes, but you know this is a lot. It’s been a lot going on. You sure he can handle it?”
“He’s almost eighteen, Sametra. He’s smart. You’ve done a good job, baby. He can handle it. And if he can’t, he’s got two parents right here that we will see him through it.”
I nodded, though part of me still wanted to protect my son from the uglier parts of the world.
“Thank you for stepping up for us.”
“I told you early on how I was coming. That boy is mine, Sametra. Maybe not by blood, but in every way that matters. And when our baby gets here, they’re both going to know what it feels like to have a father who would do anything for them.”
The conviction in his voice made my eyes water. “How did I get so lucky?”
“We both got lucky. And we’re about to get even luckier.” His hand moved to my stomach again. “Speaking of which, how are you feeling? Any nausea this morning?”
“A little, but not as bad as yesterday. The tea is helping.”
“Good. And you took your prenatal vitamin?”
“Yes, Dr. Holloway,” I said with a laugh. “I took my vitamin.”
