Page 27 of Royce
“Royce, I heard you wanted to see me,” he said acknowledging Royce and Royce only. He wore a smirk on hisface as he approached him. They dapped each other up like they were old school buddies.
“My wife’s in labor. Don’t put nobody on her that’s incompetent ‘cause if something happens to her or my daughter, you gon’ be short of staff. I can promise you that,” he threatened.
“Calm down, Royce. You should know I wouldn’t jeopardize my reputation or the hospitals for that matter. Her OB/GYN is Dr. Bloom and she’s on the way. She’s double board certified and hasn’t lost a patient yet. She has her, trust me. What else can I do for you?” the chief inquired placing his hands in his pocket.
“After she delivers, I need her moved to a private room. She already in this one, so I won’t have her drug around like some damn dog before she has my baby,” Royce demanded.
“I’ll jump right on it. By the way, your family is waiting for you in the labor and delivery lobby. You get that demanding mess from Ms. Iris. She called on me as well. She said, and I quote,“Tell my son I’m waiting for his light skinned ass out here. Him and his wife.”What the hell have you done Royce?” he asked.
“Send her back, but just her, and if anyone answers to the name Serinity, send her, too.”
“You got it. I’ll get y’all squared away and after her delivery, just let the nurse know you’re ready to be moved. Congratulations, Royce, and to your wife…” The chief looked down at me and gave me a smile showing off his pearly whites. “I hope you have a safe delivery and enjoy your new bundle. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let us know.”
The chief was handsome and charming. I could see why he was friends with Royce. Royce was rough around the edges, but he was still charming and sexy as hell.
The chief stepped out and the nurse looked between me and Royce before her gaze settled on Royce. I guess she figured what he said was it and didn’t want to risk getting cussed out. I lowkeydidn’t want to oppose either. For this to be his first time in a delivery room, he was throwing orders, and everyone was too scared to go against him.
“So, the c-section?” she asked him.
He looked down at me and waited for me to say something. It was too much going on at one time, but I didn’t want to jump ship and settle on the c-section without trying the ECV. I’d already voiced my opinion, and he wasn’t trying to hear me.
You’re stubborn, Royce. That’s not hard to miss.
Shaking my head, I said, “Can we just wait for Dr. Bloom? She’ll know what’s best and I trust her opinion.”
Both him and the nurses nodded. He then pulled up the recliner from the corner of the room to my bedside. He took a seat with CJ still in his arms. Once he offered my son his phone to play on, I knew it was over. CJ loved anything electronic that could get him to YouTube. They sat quietly as I groaned in pain every few minutes. I was really trying my best to hold it together until Dr. Bloom arrived.
There was a knock on the door and in walked an older woman who was snatched to the gods with Seri directly behind her. I could tell exactly where Royce got his looks from. She was absolutely stunning sporting a head full of hair with gray streaks. Somebody stressed her the fuck out and I could only assume who.
She looked between me and Royce as she rounded the bed. She placed her purse on the windowsill then went to check the monitors. She said nothing to me as she scanned everything. Serinity just stood there with a confused look on her face. She was just as lost as I was.
“Ma, this is Klarity, your daughter-in-law, and CJ your grandson. She’s about to have your granddaughter soon and her name is Essence. That rude muthafucka over there is her cousin Serinity,” he said making the introductions. When he pointed atSeri and called her rude, I damn near choked on the laugh I held back. I could tell she was not his favorite person.
“You the rude one muthafucka. Who the hell calls somebody phone they don’t know and just start talking crazy? Look, cousin, I love you, but if this who the hell you ‘bout to be with, I’m not supporting it,” Seri threw back.
“We ain’t ask you to. I got more than enough family and money for that,” Royce countered.
“Hey, not right now and not today,” I chimed, stepping in the middle of their bickering. “Seri, this is Royce Atkins and that’s all I can tell you. I literally don’t know shit about this man.”
He chuckled and said, “You ‘bout to.”
“Junior who is this woman and why you in here harassing her?” his mother inquired.
“I just told you. My Baby, this my mama, Iris. She’s a retired nurse if you were wondering. Now that we made acquaintances and shit, Ma, what you think she need to do? Essence is breech and she ain’t trying to turn no time soon.”
“What did your doctor say?” Iris asked, gesturing if she could touch my belly. I nodded and she gently touched it.
“She hasn’t got here yet but from the previous visits, she said c-section might be the only safe option. I just want to be here for my kids, and I know how risky all surgeries can be. I don’t want to chance anything when it comes to them,” I answered.
Iris was sweeter than I expected her to be but then again, Royce was as well. It was clear where he got it from. She was a mother bear for sure though. She didn’t come in here questioning shit about me other than who I was, but I could see the many questions flowing.
“Seri, can you take CJ please? You’re the only one he’ll be comfortable with,” I voiced. I noticed she stood with her arms folded across her chest sending death glares to Royce. I reallywasn’t trying to hear the back and forth while I was already tensed up and aggravated.
“I can’t. Tell that nigga to gon’ head out there and wait like a good little dog. You my damn cousin. I ain’t going nowhere,” Seri snapped back.
Royce said nothing as his focus shifted from Seri to me. The look he gave was more of a warning than anything. I wasn’t the smartest when it came to reading people, but his expression was clear as day. He was silently asking me to check Serinity. I exhaled deeply as I looked to Seri. She was going to cuss me out, but she would still do as I asked. This wasn’t about her, and she knew it.
“Seri, please just take him out. He has Royce’s phone, so he’ll be fine. Just until I’m done having Essence,” I pleaded.
