She walked past us, opening her door with a woman following her but stopping with us, letting me step in first.
“I was but I had to get the other half of your birthing team. This is Dalia, your doula. I know you said you only needed a midwife, but Mickey sugg—” I cut her off, shrieking. It wasn’tthat I didn’t want Mickey to know, but the whole thing was complicated enough.
“What do you mean Mickey suggested?! Hollis, I told you top secret until—” She cut me off as we made our way through her condo to her spare room.
“Until that day was over and that you would tell her. I would say I’m surprised you didn’t tell her, but given how your life is set up, I expected it. Besides, it’s Mickey, who is hella upset at you leaving her out.” We walked in to Mickey holding Minnie and talking to another woman.
“Yes, very upset. Why am I always the last to know stuff? I literally carried y’all all the way through my journey with BK, Johnni.” The midwife smiled as she excused herself, giving us a moment.
“It wasn’t intentional?—"
Courtland tapped me on my ass to stop me from finishing my lie. It was very intentional to not tell anyone about us.
“Okay, it was. But for good reason. Well, not this part. I promise telling you was on my list. With the stress with Quincey, regionals knocking on my door, and my mini stalker, life has been a lot. I vow to tell you everything first from now on. Do you forgive me?” I asked, holding my arms out for a hug.
“Ugh, I want to stay mad, but what the hell is a mini stalker? Should we be more concerned? Ooh, maybe hire security?”
Courtland cleared his throat, gaining her attention as he stood behind me.
That had me and Hollis both cracking up.
“Oh damn. I keep forgetting that’s why Tunk is here. You’re so quiet. My apologies. Now, who's the father? Wait, do we trust him with this information?”
I looked over at Hollis who shrugged as she shook her head.
“Ms. Caught Live, next time report the whole story or nothing at all. Mickey, Courtland is the father.” She gasped asher mouth opened and closed a few times, looking between us as he placed his hand on my nonexistent baby bump.
“Oh wow. Well, now I have questions. Was Quincey’s outburst at Boss’d Up because of this for real and that was just a cover?”
“What? No. That really happened. Courtland and I started after…no, well before, but that’s another complicated part of our story.”
“Complicated? Johnni, you’re cheating on Quincey and having another man’s baby. Complicated isn’t the word.”
“I can’t say much but I wasn’t cheating when we got started. Did things spiral out of control? Yes. We’re here now, and before you ask, yes, I’m leaving Quincey and that’s all I can say on the situation. I promise when I can talk I will tell everyone my truth.”
Mickey wiped a tear as she nodded.
“Okay.”
“Okay? See, this is why you’re always the last to know, you don’t ask or say the right shit. What do you mean tell your truth? You make that cryptic shit sound bad as hell. Was this some type of cult shit?”
That had me laughing too hard.
“No. But can we not give him any more attention? Today is about Courtland and me and the baby we made.” I smiled widely, holding my hand on top of his.
“I guess.”
I looked over at Mickey who was full blown crying and wiping tears. I was so confused until she spoke.
“Auntie Johnni is having a baby, Minnie. You’re going to have a cousin soon.” I smiled because for the first time since finding out I was pregnant I felt like everything was going to be okay.
“Dalia, Raja, y’all can come back in. Mom and dad are ready!” Hollis yelled, calling for the two ladies to return.
While Hollis and Mickey stepped out, Courtland and I got to meet our bean and go over birthing options.
As the rhythmic heartbeat filled the room, he grabbed my hand, kissing the back of it.
“I love you, Lou. I swear on my life I’ma take care of everything.”
