by Lexi Reign
"I can't even pee nor shave my c-" I started to say.
"WOAH, shut up, girl," he said to me. I laughed.
"My bad," I said to him.
"We've been spending too much time together. I swear you think I'm one of your girl friends" he said laughing.
"You are my girl friend," I said smiling. His smile quickly faded away.
"Don't play with me, fat ass" he said as I pinched his arm.
"OUCH" he yelled as I tried to run away from him. All he did was die laughing. He smacked my butt hard as hell.
"CJ, chill" I whined as he opened my door for me to get in. He got in and kept on laughing.
"What kind of run was what? You ain't go nowhere" he said laughing. I laughed with him.
"You make me sick," I said to him, frowning.
"Aww, shut up. You know I love you, girl, and you know you love me, too" he said. I smiled at him as he sped off.
"I'm hungry" I whined.
"You are always hungry," he said.
"So," I said.
"When are they supposed to induce you," he asked.
"At the end of the month. I'll be exactly 36 weeks" I said to him.
"Damn, it feels like you've been pregnant forever. Lo needs to hurry up and wake up. It's been a long 4 months" he said chuckling. I mugged him.
"Don't play with me, dude, with your big ass teeth. That's why you can't close your mouth" I said laughing hard as hell. He mugged me and slammed on breaks.
"Get out," he said, making me laugh harder.
"Boy, shut up, shit," I said to him.
"On God, you ain't funny," he said to me as he got onto the interstate.
"I can't wait until Lo wakes up. I'm so afraid that he may never wake up" I said.
"Don't say that, Nia. He will." CJ said quickly.
"But CJ, it's been 4 months," I said as I started to feel the tears form in my eyes.
"Trust me, he will. Hopefully, he'll wake up before the baby is born" CJ said.
"His birthday is tomorrow. That's crazy he ain't really here to celebrate it. I just knew for his 30th birthday that we'd go all out and shit. Damn, man. It's crazy how life turns out" CJ said sighing.
"Maybe we could just go by his room tomorrow and have a small little party or something. It'll make me feel good" I said to him. He smiled and nodded.
"You decided on a name yet," he asked.
"No, not really. I know y'all suggested Kacyn, but I don't know. It's cute, but I want something different.
"I wish I could know what Lo thinks. I want something that has a piece of his name since she's getting my last name" I said.
"I'm surprised you are not giving her Lo's last name," he said.
"We are not married, so therefore our child will have my last name. And if we get married before our child starts school, then I may change her last name" I said.
"I'm sure he'd like Kacyn or Lori," he said.
"I actually like Lori. I was thinking of maybe Milan being her middle name. What you think about Lori Milan" I asked him. He smiled.
"I like that. That's dope" he said. I smiled. I started to feel a lot of warmness.
"I know like hell you don't have the seat warmers on," I said to him.
"What are you talking about? The heat ain't even on" he said.
"It's hot as hell. Why would I have them on" he asked? I opened my legs and started to look at my tights. I felt between my legs.
"Girl, what are you doing? Quit feeling on yourself" he said with his eyes bucked. I laughed.
"Why are you looking like that," I asked. He looked scared as hell. He exhaled.
"I'm scared of you," he said, making me laugh.
"I think my water broke," I said to him.
"Man, shut up. Don't play with me, girl" he said as he got ready to exit off the interstate.
He doesn't believe me because about a month ago I played a prank on him like my water broke. Vedo helped me pour baby oil all on the floor and when CJ ran in, he busted his ass. I swear that was the funniest thing ever. He didn't talk to me for a good week.
"CJ, I'm serious. Look" I said opening my legs.
"MAN, YOU GOT MY SEAT WET" he yelled at me.
"Really, CJ," I asked as he started trembling.
"What should I do? You ok? Are you hurting" he asked as he took his hands off the wheel. I laughed.
"CJ, please calm down," I said.
"M-Man, why are you laughing? This is a serious matter. I need to hurry up" he said as he pressed on the gas harder.
"Shit, we left the baby bag. I feared this shit would happen today. Man, I ain't ready for this. Why Lo can't be here" he said as if he was about to cry. I laughed.
"I wish he was here, too," I said
"CJ, I'm ok. Please calm down" I said as he swerved into the hospital parking lot. He hopped out and quickly came to my side. He opened the door for me and grabbed my hand.
"I got you," he said as he pulled me towards the front desk.
"She needs a wheelchair. She's in labor" CJ said to the nurse. I watched him as he paced around. He's never any good when he's nervous, hurt, or truly worried.
"How are you feeling, sweetie," the nurse asked.
"I'm ok," I said. I started to get pains in my lower back. I felt CJ staring at me.
"Nia," he said.
"I'm fine, CJ," I said as I breathed out slowly.
"She's going to be on the 3rd floor. Follow me" the nurse said to CJ. She pushed me up to my room and helped me get in the bed. She started an IV and checked my blood pressure.
"Are you happy you're going to be a new dad?" the nurse asked CJ. He chuckled nervously.
"Nah, I'm not the dad. I'm the uncle" CJ said.
"Could've fooled me" she said laughing as she handed me a gown to put on.
"I'll send the doctor in soon," the nurse said as she walked out. CJ sat on the couch next to me.
"I just texted Vera, Jackie, and Dana," CJ said. I nodded.
"Why aren't you better my serious about Dana," I asked.
"I told you that we are just friends. I haven't crossed that line with her at all. We hang out, smoke, and shit that's it. I haven't even fucked her yet" he said.
"Don't you like her?" I asked.
"Yeah, somewhat," he said.
"So, what's the problem," I asked. He shrugged.
"You wouldn't understand," he said as I stared at him. He put his attention back on his phone.
"Can you unbutton this?" I asked CJ, as I turned my back towards him. He nodded and walked closer. He moved my hair out of the way and started to unbutton the top of my shirt.
"You want my help," he asked as I stood up.
"I got it," I said as a sharp pain shot through my back. It almost knocked me to my knees.
"I got you. You are going to learn how to accept my help" he said as he grabbed me and helped me into the bathroom. I tried to move slowly since I had the IV pole thing behind me. CJ then shut the door.
CJ's POV:
These past four months with Nia have been hell. I swear I've been around her too much. I can feel myself getting attached to Lori. How could I not? I am with Nia every day, all day. I take her to all of her appointments and any other place she has to go. I'm always here for her and I promise I'll be here for Lori, too, whenever she needs me.
I sat on the couch and sighed. Shit has been hard as hell without Lo. I miss my dawg. I miss laughing with his ass. I miss him trying to keep me on track. I miss hearing him laugh. I miss him saying, "CJ, you're going too far". Shit hasn't been the same and it's been too long. I've been trying to be here for Nia, but her ass drove me insane. I don't see how Lo does it.
Sometimes I get those moments where I'm thinking he'll never come out of that coma, and I just don't know what I'd do. I need him here. Nia needs him. His daughter does, too. I sighed as Nia walked back out. She got in bed and started to stare at me. She's giving me that "I want some food" look.
"CJ" she started to say before I cut her off.
<
br /> "No," I said quickly. Her mouth flew open. I laughed.
"No, you can't have any food," I said to her.
"What that lady said in class? You can't eat while you're in labor. She said applesauce, or Jello" I said as she frowned her face up.
I also took some parenting classes with her. She didn't want to go alone and Lo ain't around, so I'm all she had. I laughed at her as she pouted.
"Most women would be in pain by now, right," I asked her.
"I feel minor cramps, but it's ok. My period cramps are 10 times worse than this" she said.
"Well, keep waiting, don't jinx yourself. Yo ass will be climbing up that wall soon" I said to her.
"CJ, can you pass me my phone," she asked, reaching for her purse. I handed it to her and sat back down. I watched her as she sat her phone down and looked down. She started to play with her fingers.
"CJ, I want to go see Lo," she said.
"Nia, you are in labor, you can't. You want to do everything. You're scared, huh" I asked. She looked up at me and tears were running down her face.
"Yes, CJ. I don't want to do this alone. I need Lorenzo. I'm so scared" she cried. I sighed and stood up.
"Scoot," I said to her as I sat by her.
"Listen, how many times have you had these little break downs," I asked chuckling.
"I don't know, CJ," she said as she wiped her eyes.
"Well, how many times have I reminded you that I'm here? I ain't leaving you, damn. I'll be right here with you, that's if you want me in here while we bring this big-headed girl out of you" I said to her. She mushed my head.
"Of course, I want you in here. You've played a big part to me through this pregnancy. I can never thank you enough. From all the times, you have stayed with me, comforted me, took me to my appointments, and was just there for support. I'll never forget this, CJ" she said as she stared up at me. I pushed her hair out of her face.
"Like I always say, I got you. And I mean that" I said to her as I stared down at her. She smiled at me. It's crazy how she makes me feel things I've never felt before. She's beautiful and we connect so well. We always have. I just have a soft spot for her, but I know I can't have her in that way. So, I need to push these feelings out the way. My heart started racing.
"Love you," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. My heart dropped and I froze up.
"Thank you for everything, CJ," she said as I rubbed her back.
"You don't have to thank me. We family" I said to her.
"I'm serious, CJ. You have seen me at my most vulnerable state and I'm sorry I put you through all of this" she said as she started to cry.
"Girl, shut up. You don't have to apologize. I've been enjoying spending time with you and little Lori Milan" I said touching her belly.
I heard a slight knock and Lo's cousin, Olivia, walked in. She stared at us and reluctantly walked in.
"If I'm interrupting something, I'll come back," she said.
"Nah," Nia and I said in unison.
"You good," I said to her as I stood up.
"I'll leave you two, alone," I said as I stood up. I looked down at Nia and let go of her hand.
"I'll be back," I said to her as I quickly walked out of the room.
Chapter 40: Letting Go
CJ's POV
I walked down the hall and I could feel my nerves running. I feel like such a fool for even feeling this way about Nia. She still is Lo's girl. Normally I could talk to Lo about shit like this, but I can't because she's his. I sighed and walked towards the ICU to Lo's room. I pushed open the door and he was still laying still as hell. I stared at him and just listened to the monitors beep. I hate seeing him like this.
"Wassup, man," I said to him.
"Lo, I'm sorry, dawg. I haven't been good to you. I betrayed you once, man, and I just can't do that again. I saw that I hurt you and I don't want that to happen again. But if I'm being honest, then I love Nia, man. That girl is special and she really has put an impact on me. I've been here with her for her support since you've been in here, but I don't think I should've done that. I fucked up and fell in love with her. She might hate me for this, but after you wake up, I'm leaving. I can't be here around y'all. You already said that you won't ever get over what she and I did, so to make it easier for the both of y'all, I'll move. I've been playing baby daddy to her ass for the last past few months and the shit grew on me. I have to move, though, but all I ask is that y'all include me in on Lori's life. I want to be there for all her important moments as Uncle CJ. I want her to know me. I got so much love for her already, man" I said to him as I sighed.
"I love you, dawg. And I can't wait for you to wake up so that you can take your place back. Nia needs you and so does your daughter. She's coming into the world today" I said to him as I touched his hand. He was so much warmer than he normally is.
I slowly walked out of the room and back to Nia's room. She was panting and sweating like crazy. Olivia was trying her best to calm Nia down and wipe her face.
"Damn, what the hell happened," I asked.
"I can't do this, she's killing my hand. She's all yours. Nia, I love you, honey. Push my cousin on out. I'll be back" Olivia said as she quickly ran out. Nia grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"You scared her off," I said chuckling.
"CJ, now is not the time for your jokes," she said through clenched teeth.
"It hurts," she whined.
"Just breathe, okay," I said.
"Have you dilated?" I asked her.
"The nurse is coming back in a minute. I told her I need the epidural now" she said.
"It's ok," I said to her as she squeezed my hand harder.
The nurse ran back in and spread Nia's legs. She started to check to see how dilated she is.
"You're about 5cm," the nurse said.
"I can have the ep-.. Can I have the epidural?" Nia asked, slurring as the machine started beeping.
"Yes, you can but your BP is steadily rising. Nia, you have to calm down" the nurse said.
"I'm going to get her some ice," the nurse said as Nia squeezed my hand harder.
"It hurts so bad," she cried.
"I got you," I said as I caressed her face.
The nurse came running back in with the needle and Nia's ice. I helped her sit Nia up as I watched her pull that long ass needle out of its package. Ain't no way I would let them stick that long ass needle in my back.
The nurse finished and she checked to see how far Nia was dilated again.
"You're about 6.5 cm. It's almost time to push" she said as she went to find the doctor.
"CJ, I can't do this," she whined.
"Yes, you can. I got you. Sit up" I said as I got behind her. I wiped her face with the cool towel.
"You know why it hurts," I asked.
"Because you have a big ass head and you passed it down to Lori. You did this to yourself" I said as she laughed.
"I can't even hit you, right now. Shut up, CJ" she said as she leaned back on me. She gripped my hand tighter as the doctor and nurse walked in.
"Okay, Nia, are you ready," the doctor asked. She shook her head and the doctor laughed.
"You might as well be. On 3, I need a big push" she said as she counted. Nia squeezed the hell out of my hand.
"One.. Two.. Three.. push" the doctor said as Nia yelled on the top of her legs.
"Again," the doctor said as Nia pushed again.
"CJ, I CAN'T DO THIS" she yelled crying. It really hurt me to see her in so much pain.
"Shhh, yes you can. I'm right here" I whispered in her ear as I kissed her neck.
"Come on, push again" I instructed as she screamed.
"AHHHHH" she yelled as she squeezed my hand.
"I got you," I said as I wiped her forehead.
"I see the head," the doctor said smiling.
"ONE MORE BIG PUSH, NIA," the doctor said.
"You got this, one more," I said to her as she pushed again and I heard Lori crying. I smiled. The doctors
walked out of the room with Lori to clean her. Damn, she is a big baby. I stood up and got out of the bed.