Page 57 of That Fire

“Yes.”

As I slid on my slippers, her phone started ringing before she could make the call. She answered on speakerphone. “I knew my babies were going to wait for when I left to try to make an arrival. I’m on my way. I’m eating up highway, Liyah!”

I giggled until a contraction snatched that shit right off my face. I groaned loudly. “Oh my God.”

“I’m coming, baby. Get to the clinic though. See you in a few minutes.”

“She’s in a lot of pain, Royal. We’ll see you when you get here,” my mama said. After she ended the call, she said, “Come on, baby girl.”

When we left the bedroom and I looked at those stairs, I wanted to scream. Royal had me so damn spoiled. This neededto be over and done ASAP. We took one step at a time, being sure my feet were completely planted just in case another contraction hit me before I could get to the bottom. As sure as God made Adam, when I got three stairs from the bottom, I had to grab ahold to the railing and just sway side to side. “Oooooh fuuuuck!”

Treasure looked so nervous. Although this had nothing to do with what happened to her, I felt like just the stress of it all was bothering her.

“Breathe, baby,” my mama said softly while rubbing my back.

When it passed, I made it down the stairs and smiled at Treasure. “This is a happy moment, boo. Focus on new life. Sometimes we have to go through the storm to see the rainbow.”

I winked at her, causing her to smile and nod. I could see why Kingsley was sacrificing so much for her well-being. Here I was, in the worst pain of my life, and I was still concerned about her. She was just that great of a person. It hurtmeto see her so down and skeptical of everything.

Once we were outside, my mama helped me into her car. I closed my eyes for a moment and slumped in the seat. There was no way I could sit naturally. There was so much pressure. She said something to Aunt Harper and Treasure, then ran to the driver’s side. When I looked out the window, I saw Kingsley in his driveway, staring our way. He looked so broken.

When Treasure noticed him, she turned away, then suddenly ran to him. My cries were audible as I watched them.

“You okay, baby? I’m getting out of here as fast as I can . . . long ass driveway.”

“I’m okay. I’m just hurting for Treasure.”

Kingsley held her in his arms like a baby. He was kissing her repeatedly in various places on her face. I was so happy she’d come and that I was able to give her encouraging words. Whenwe pulled out of the driveway and my mama looked their way, she smiled. “Thank God. Harper is so worried about her.”

She sped out of Henderson Village to the highway, then turned on Highway 90. Within a minute, we were there, and a nurse was outside with a wheelchair, waiting for our arrival. When I saw another nurse come outside with another wheelchair, I was confused.

My mama ran around the car to help me out and to the chair as another vehicle sped in. When the man got out, I realized it was Rhodes, Karima’s husband. I assumed our babies would share birthdays. I smiled as the nurse spun around and got me inside. She took me to the delivery room, and the emotions hit me hard. Royal wasn’t here yet.

Everyone was moving quickly to get me set up. They needed to check to see how far I’d progressed. I was pretty sure that would determine who Bali saw to first. They got my muumuu off and put the hospital gown on me, then helped me to the bed so she could check me. Right before she put her hand under my gown, Royal stepped into the room and ran to my other side. I smiled slightly, already feeling exhausted.

“I’m here, baby,” he said breathlessly. “I’m here.”

He kissed my forehead as the nurse checked me. “You’re only five centimeters, Miss Henderson. Relax and try to get some rest. Did you want to get the epidural?”

I glanced at Royal, and he shrugged his shoulders with a smile on his face. My paperwork clearly said Aaliyah Anderson. I bit my bottom lip as a contraction hit me. Once it was done, I looked at the nurse, not bothering to correct her about the last name, and said, “No. I’m gonna soldier through it.”

“Okay, baby. Rest up. I’ll be back in an hour or so to check you again, okay? If you need anything before then, just hit your call light.”

I nodded as the other nurse came in to set up my IV. Turning my head to Royal, I just stared into his expressive eyes as he rubbed my head. “You know you gon’ be Missus Henderson one day, right?”

“Mm-hmm,” I said as tears slid down my cheeks.

My life was now perfect all because of an imperfect situation. God worked in mysterious ways. I would never doubt Him again.

Chapter 19

Royal

My heart was in shambles. Seeing my brother, lying there unresponsive, felt like I was in a nightmare. When I got the call, I was at his bedside, crying uncontrollably and telling him how much I loved him. I had to pull myself together before I could call back. My parents and Ashanni would be here later. Despite everything that was going on with my brother, God was blessing me with two beautiful lives to care for. Technically, three. Aaliyah wouldn’t even have to think about wanting anything. She was my baby too.

I drove like a bat out of hell, trying to make it to Nome. It usually took about twenty to twenty-five minutes from Baptist Hospital to the main traffic light in Nome. The clinic was a little before the traffic light. I got here in twelve minutes. Thankfully, I didn’t get pulled over. The minute I saw Aaliyah, my soul was at peace again, despite the turmoil I felt only minutes before.

Once they got her IV set up, gave her antibiotics and other shit to make sure she was ready for delivery, she asked me to get in bed with her. Since she’d been in my house, before the last DNA test, we slept together this way. It soothed both of our demons and contributed to them at the same time. My demon was wanting to be inside of her at every waking moment. Shit, Iwould live in that thang if I could. Aaliyah’s pussy was the rivers of ever-flowing water. It never tapped out.