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“My water broke. My water broke.” She repeated herself. I knew she was in shock because we had planned for this. Since the beginning of December, someone had been staying with her day or night, depending on my schedule. For the most part, it was between Chyanne and Jamie.

I checked my calendar and let her know that Chy should be pulling up. As if on cue, my phone alerted me that someone accessed my gate.

“Go put on your hospital outfit and go to the car. Chy just pulled up. I have your hospital bag with me, so I’ll be right behind y’all.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Things have been great between us. Do not miss this, or I will never forgive you.”

“Trouble, baby. No one could keep me away from that hospital. I’m heading there now. I’m actually closer than you are, so I’ll be there before you.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

Like I said, I arrived before Chyanne, about twenty minutes before they did. We agreed on Washington Hospital Center. I sat in the waiting room until I finally saw my baby. They wheeled her in. She looked calm and peaceful. She didn’t look like she had been crying, which I knew wasn’t the case, but I’d take it as a win. I walked over to her and bent down to give her a kiss.

“Took you long enough,” I teased.

“You know better than to test me.”

“Yeah, you got it. Let me see your ID so I can get you checked in,” I requested.

She gave me her ID, and I left her in Chy’s hands while I got her signed in. Twenty minutes later, we had been placed in a room. It wasn’t big enough, so we had to wait another twenty minutes to move into a bigger space.

Chyanne requested everything as if she was about to give birth. She requested a pillow, a blanket, and ice chips.

“Chy, don’t ask for shit else unless it’s for Trouble.”

She rolled her eyes, sat down, and started scrolling through her phone. She knew I was serious, and I knew she did not want to miss her niece’s birth.

Everyone was calling our phones, trying to get an update. I had to beg them not to show up because there wasn’t enough room, and she hadn’t had contractions yet.

Surprisingly, everyone understood until Jamie heard Chyanne’s loud mouth in the background. She wasn’t going for that, so I had to tell Justice that Jamie was en route. I was gon’ have to figure out who I needed to threaten so both of these worrisome-ass women could be in the delivery room. Jamie arrived just in time. The doctor had come into the room to share information and instruct her on her options if she chose to get an epidural.

Her contractions began, nine minutes apart. I held her hand tightly, repeatedly reassuring her that she was doing well and would become a great mother. Usually, she appreciated my affirmations, but that was not her focus at the moment. Clearly, I couldn’t read the room.

“Chance, either shut the fuck up or get out.” She reached for my hand, and once she had a good grip, she squeezed hard as hell. I hadn’t realized how strong she was.

Jamie and Chy started to die laughing, and I was in shock.

“What type of drugs did y’all give my girl? She’s turning into a Superwoman,” I said, and the doctors laughed.

“That’s just normal women's strength right there.”

I shook my head. I wanted to support her, but I didn’t want to break my hand. Reluctantly, I held her hand again. The doctor checked her cervix, and all smiles and laughter stopped.

“She’s dilated a lot, Dad,” she said. “Your baby girl will be here soon. She is at 5cm.” The doctor paged in a few more doctors, and they prepared everything for our daughter’s arrival.

I told Chy to call our grandparents and for Jamie to call her mom and Sage. “Tell them it’s showtime and to get here now.” Moments later, they told her to start pushing. Tears started to well in my eyes at seeing my baby in so much pain. If I had a fuck to give, that could’ve made me sentimental and had me calling my mom, but fuck her.

That was traumatizing, and I started to think if the football team of kids was worth putting her body on the line like this.

“Come on, one more big push. You’re doing great, Mom,” the doctor instructed.

I peeked to see what the doctor was seeing.

“Her head is right here, Dad. Look,” she said excitedly.

I looked, and that’s when I knew I wasn’t meant for that kind of torture. Shooting a nigga was more my speed. I took a step back as I saw my daughter’s head pop out of her mom’s vagina.

“What the⁠—”