Page 26 of Royce
“What the hell that mean?” Royce followed up with a question of his own. He couldn’t help but step closer to the nurse demanding an answer. She looked scared for her fuckin’ life.
“T-That the baby isn’t head down first the way she should be. Basically, her feet are where her head should be. She has two options. We can do an ECV which is us pressing on your abdomen to manually turn her. However, if she refuses to turn, the emergency c-section would be the only option to make sure you and the baby remains healthy. If you want to skip that and do the c-section, you can,” she answered.
I didn’t have a second to think before Serinity’s voice came booming through the phone speaker. “Hello.”
He looked at me as he gave his attention to the conversation on the phone. “Serinity, My Baby need you to come to the hospital. She in labor.”
“Who the hell is this and who the hell is yo’ damn baby?” she shouted. I wanted to laugh, but I was in enough pain.
He hung up on her ass and pocketed the phone. I could tell he wasn’t the kind of man that tolerated disrespect from anybody. “She can get the hell off my phone with all that,” he said.
“Royce, call her back and just explain to her what’s going on. She’s quick tempered, but she’s been here the entire time. I need her here.”
“For what? You got me.”
“Mr. Atkins, if she decides on a c-section, your son isn’t allowed in the room, only you are. You’ll need someone here to sit with him. If you can get someone up here, that would be great,” the nurse voiced.
Assuming Royce was the father to my kids was crazy work but then again, he left no room for anyone to question anything. He came in from the jump shouting I was his wife and they dumbasses believed him. I mean they didn’t ask me shit and I found that to be the oddest thing. As long as he spoke, they listened.
He glared at me, and I could tell he was over all this shit, but he was trying his best to be here for me. I didn’t know why, but he was. He didn’t know shit about me for real, but he was putting forth the effort to show he cared. It was weird but comforting at the same time.
Removing his phone from his pocket, he called Seri back. She answered with attitude, and he gave me another glare. She was going to be on ten until she was told what was going on. She got that from Aunt Symphony.
“What?” she yelled.
“Seri, I’m in labor, and I need you here for CJ. He can’t be left alone,” I said before Royce took it upon himself to silence her again.
“Klarity? Who the hell phone is you using and who was that nigga just now?” she questioned.
“You worried ‘bout the wrong shit ain’t it. My Baby asked you to come deal with CJ, so I can make sure she straight in the delivery room,” Royce chimed.
“Look, I don’t know who the fuck you are, and I’m sure my cousin doesn’t, either. If anybody going to hold her hand through that delivery, it’s me. Klarity, I’m on the way.” She hung up, and I watched Royce flex his jaw.
Him and Seri was going to have to get along. I was already in pain and stressed the fuck out. I didn’t need more shit added to my plate. It was clear he wasn’t leaving me, and I didn’t have the strength to push him away right now. He was the only one moving mountains for me.
“Mrs. Atkins, which option are you choosing?”
“I’m not his wi…” Royce head turned so goddamn fast; I stopped speaking mid-sentence. The look he gave me was a daring one to finish that sentence. He was indeed a crazy… delusional individual. “The c-section if the ECV doesn’t work.”
“I must warn you. It’s very discomforting. I see the amount of pain you’re enduring, and the massage will bring on more. However, if successful, it’ll allow you to have a vaginal birth. It’s your choice, Mrs. Atkins.”
The nurse was straightforward with her response and that c-section wasn’t looking so bad. But I vowed to always do what was best for my kids and they needed me. Anything could go wrong and then they would be left with the one person who didn’t love them as much as I did… or even at all. Hell, he hadn’t asked about Essence since he’d been locked up.
The funny thing about all of this was Royce claimed us before I could process anything. He stepped through my front door knowing what he wanted. Seeing him in jail and seeing him in person was two totally different things. He showed dominance in both worlds but damn why was I more trusting with him than I was with these doctors.
Looking up at him, I watched the way my son clung to his neck as he lay comfortably on his shoulder. I thought back on the moment my water broke and how attentive he’d been as well. This was new for me. No one ever stood up for me and made sure I was a priority but him. I didn’t know how to exactly receive it, but I knew for sure I wasn’t going to reject it in this very moment. Royce was protective and lowkey possessive. I was grateful for his help but once I had my daughter, his help would no longer be needed.
“What we doing, My Baby?” he asked looking down at me.
We. My Baby. Why was he making this very unusual situation seem so damn intimate?
The more I looked into his eyes, the more I realized, I never really had a man in Cojak. There was no admiration in his eyes the way they were in Royce’s and it for damn sure wasn’t any acts of service from Cojak the way there was from Royce. They were two different men, and one was crazy enough to make me think I mattered even if our time of knowing each other had only been a little over an hour or so.
Releasing a deep sigh, I said, “The ECV.” I knew it was going to hurt, but I wanted to take the chance anyway.
“Nah, you gon’ do that c-section. You ain’t hear that lady say that shit was painful? You already in this muthafucka crying and shit. Do the c-section, I promise a nigga ain’t gon’ let shit happen to you,” Royce voiced, correcting my choice.
Just as I was about to try and speak my peace, the door opened and in walked a man just as handsome as Royce. The only difference was he was a darker man with no visible tattoos. I quickly read the name on his white coat, and it said Chief Riggs. This was who he asked for initially.
