Page 58 of That Fire

I knew she wanted me just as badly, except at this very moment. Having the twins on the outside was the main goal right now. I kissed her neck and gently rubbed circles on her belly. “I love you so much, Aaliyah. I can’t wait to love on you like this for the rest of our lives, baby. I’m so thankful for you. God made you with me in mind. I truly believe that. Despite the crazy ass routes we took to get here, we’re here . . . right where He wants us to be.”

I kissed her neck, shoulder, then her ear. She turned her head and kissed my lips. I closed my eyes as I pulled her bottom lip into my mouth for a moment. I would never be able to get enough of her, but I had to be careful not to become a burden to her, but a helpmate. If I allowed my desires to come before her needs, that was exactly what I would become.

I never wanted her to feel obligated to do anything concerning me. I wanted her to want to do things for me out of love. Her desires . . . needs and wants were a priority to me, and if they remained that way, I knew we would be fine.

“I love you too, Royal . . . so much, babyyyyyyyy.”

A contraction had hit her. “Come on, baby. Breathe.”

I could feel her stomach tighten beneath my hand so I gently rubbed it, knowing I wasn’t soothing shit, but it felt like I could be. I took deep breaths with her until it subsided. Bali was probably delivering Karima’s baby. I overheard Aunt Keisha saying she had dilated to eight centimeters when they first got here. They chose to wait to find out the sex of the baby for when he or she arrived.

I hated that my parents couldn’t be here. Dad had said he would have the biggest blunts rolled for everybody, but I knew this situation with Crew would change him. This situation would literally suck all the fun out of him for a long time. It wasthreatening to do that to me. I had to show up for my family though. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They were going to need me.

When I heard a light snore leave Aaliyah, I turned to see Mrs. Shana playing on her phone. She looked up and came to me. “You need something, baby?” she whispered.

“Can you check on Karima for me?”

She smiled. “Absolutely.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket to see text messages from Ashanni and my mama. I braced myself for the worst but hoping they were just checking on Aaliyah.

Ashanni:How is Aaliyah?

Mama:Are my grandbabies here yet?

I took a deep breath and put them in a group thread and responded.

Me:She’s only 5 centimeters. She’s resting right now. Karima is here too. She may be delivering now.

There was no immediate response, so I slid my phone back into my pocket, and lay here until I felt drowsy. Before I could fall asleep, Mrs. Shana reentered the room. “She had another beautiful baby girl. They named her Katrice. She was eight pounds three ounces and twenty inches long.”

My eyebrows lifted. “How in the hell did Karima deliver a giant?”

She chuckled quietly. “I know, right?”

I nodded repeatedly, feeling happy for my cousin and her husband. All my cousins were doing well . . . but my lil brother was hanging on by a thread. When my phone vibrated, I nearly jumped out of my skin. I glanced at Aaliyah to see I hadn’t bothered her in the least bit.

Mama:Based on the answers to our questions the psychiatrist gave us this morning, she believes Crew has bipolar disorder. That would explain his mood changes, himbeing stressed when things aren’t perfect to him, and him seeking out drugs to cope with it. I feel like we failed him. Your dad and I are inconsolable right now.

I closed my eyes, wishing things were different and praying for my brother. I went to Uncle Storm’s contact info and sent him a text.

Hey, Unc. Can you please go to the hospital? My parents aren’t handling this thing with Crew well at all. I’m at the hospital with Aaliyah. She’s in labor. Dad needs you. He’s blaming himself big time. Although y’all argue all the time, you’re his best friend, and he needs you.

Tears fell from my eyes. I wanted to be there with them, but there was no way I would leave Aaliyah right now. I needed to be here. When my phone buzzed, I looked at it.

Uncle Mayor:Me, Marcus, and Tiff are already on our way. We’re about ten minutes from the hospital. Why is he blaming himself?

Me:He feels like he introduced him to drugs with the bud smoking. He said marijuana is a gateway drug. While we all use it recreationally, Crew’s body craved more. The psychiatrist believes he’s a manic depressive. That was why he was always so hellbent on being perfect.

Uncle Mayor:Fuck.

That was all he said, so I slid my phone back in my pocket as the nurse came in to check Aaliyah. I got out of bed so Aaliyah could turn to her back. The nurse’s eyes widened a bit. “She’s already an eight. These babies aren’t playing around. We are going to start getting prepared.”

I nodded and smiled at Aaliyah’s excited face . . . right before a contraction hit her. Like before, I participated in the regulating of her breathing, until she was as comfortable as possible. I rubbed her hand and said, “It’s almost time, baby.”

“Yeah,” she whispered.

My phone started vibrating in my pocket and when I saw Shani calling, I didn’t have a great feeling. My heart had dropped to my feet. “Hello?”