Page 81 of What I Needed

“I’ve been sexually responsible since the first time I had sex. I made a conscious decision to fill you with my seeds.”

“So, you trapped me?”

I laughed. “We not gon’ put this all on me with the way you’ve been taking this dick. It may appear that we were careless, but we knew exactly what we were doing. I’m happy as hell that you’re having my baby. Are you?”

“Yes, but I’m a little nervous about how my mental health will be affected with my changing hormones and not taking my meds.”

“We’ll find the right doctors to help support us with all that.”

“Us?”

“Hell yeah, baby. We’re in this together, and I got you for whatever you want or need. Life dealt you a tough hand, and if you’ll let me, I want to make it easier for you. Okay?”

“Yes, River.”

“I’m about to go to bed happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I love you, E.”

“I love you too, River.”

Seven Months Later

Nine months ago, if someone had told me I would be days away from giving birth to my first biological child, I would’ve thought it was impossible, but clearly, anything was possible. I had no idea what to expect while nurturing a life inside my womb, but it was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Riverlynn had just turned a year old and continued to be the light of our lives. She was smart with a joyful, loving personality and had her father completely wrapped around her finger. I had no doubt she’d be an amazing big sister to her little brother.

The first time she called me mama, I cried like a baby, and the only time I cried more was when the judge placed her adoption decree in my hand, two months ago. Although I didn’t grow her in my womb, my love for Riverlynn was something I couldn’t explain, and it seemed impossible to love her any more if my blood ran through her veins.

I looked in the mirror one last time before I would waddle down the stairs. The Black Elm Scorpions bedazzled, cropped basketball jersey I wore exposed my round belly. On the back, right below the name I was still trying to get used to, Mrs. Westmore, was a blinged-out number thirty-three.

The wide-leg jeans sat below my stomach, which everyone said wasn’t very big for me to be days away from my due date. I wore silver and diamond accessories, a silver and black crossbody purse, and my silver heels were already downstairs by the door.

We got married at the courthouse five months ago, and we were in the process of planning a grand reception with an event planner for mid-summer. It took a lot of convincing from River and Shakira for me to agree, but eventually, I caved.

“Erissa, are you ready?” Mama J questioned on the other side of my bedroom door.

“Yes, ma’am.”

After taking a quick selfie and sending it to River, I headed toward the bedroom door. When I opened it, Mama J was there with Riverlynn in tow.

“Oh my goodness! Don’t you two look adorable!” I exclaimed.

“Mommy!” Riverlynn squealed, reaching for me.

I leaned in to give her a quick kiss but would let Mama J carry her down the stairs. The two of them were decked out in their Scorpion jersey dresses and matching gym shoes.

“Thank you, and so do you, hot mama,” Mama J said.

“Thank you. Where’s Rylee?”

“I’m down here waiting for y’all. Let’s go before we’re late,” she shouted.

When we made it downstairs, I smiled and raised my brow at Rylee’s outfit. She, too, wore a jersey dress like her mother and niece, but hers was a micro minidress, and if she bent over, her entire ass would be exposed.

“Okay, Rylee. You look cute, but it’s a good thing your brother won’t see you until after the game,” I said.

“That’s the same thing I told her, but if she tells me one more time that she’s eighteen, she won’t make it to nineteen,” Mama J said.

I laughed, but when Mama J gave me a look, letting me know she was serious, I cut my laughter short.