“Baby, I don’t want to, you know I don’t,” I whined softly. “But it will bother me if I’m not at the hospital to welcome her. This woman’s fertility journey wasn’t easy—she’s already survived a miscarriage and a stillbirth. I want to be there for her.”
He lifted his head, his lips pausing on my skin. His hazel eyes locked with mine.
“Why are you so perfect?” he asked, smiling.
Small cries echoed through the operating room. You’d think that after hearing this sound hundreds of times, it would dull. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. New life was God’s way of blessing us with a do-over, and a newborn’s cry was like tears from the stars.
“Congratulations, mom and dad, she’s perfect,” I said, laying the baby on her mother’s chest for skin-to-skin. “I’ll just need a few minutes to close you up. The nurses will take you into recovery until your room is ready.”
“Dr. St. James, feel free to give me a tummy tuck while you’re down there,” my patient joked.
We all chuckled in unison. After stitching her up, Amber and I made our way to the washing station. Besides maternal care, gossip was what we did best.
“Her husband was fine as hell. Had me ready to ask if he could get me pregnant next,” Amber said with a grin.
“Girl, don’t get thrown in the river. You know Creed ain’t having that,” I laughed.
“Hoe, please. Ain’t nobody worried about Creed. But…” she shrugged, “he’s been mentioning our hypothetical kids a lot lately.”
I barely heard her, too focused on the buzzing in my phone.
Hunter:Praying the delivery is successful.
Hunter:I can’t wait to finish what we started.
Me:Everything was perfect, the baby is beautiful.
Me:Can we have dinner before dessert? LOL
Hunter:Absolutely. I got us reservations atCandles.
Me:Baby, we’re going to Jersey. I didn’t pack.
Hunter:No need. The limo will pick you up from the hospital and take you to the jet, from there you’ll be driven to our suite. Everything, including your dress for the evening, is waiting. I’ll be right behind you.
Amber cleared her throat. “Are you listening to me?”
“Girl, no. My bad. I was answering Hunter’s texts.” I gave her a pouty face.
“It’s okay, I love seeing you like this.”
“Like what?” I asked, honestly puzzled.
“Happy. Off your damn square,” she said.
I laughed at her silly ass.
“No, seriously, Mahasin. You deserve this win. I’m happy for you. So, what’s the rich bank owner got planned for tonight?”
“Thank you, Ambs. But he doesn’t own a bank—he’s the portfolio manager at Summit First Credit Union.”
“Girl, same difference. Rich is rich. Now, spill the plans.”
Her eyes lit up as I told her about Hunter’s surprise evening. Amber was the perfect person to share my joy with—number one, she was truly a girl’s girl. There wasn’t a hating bone in her body. And number two, Creed kept her living the life of her dreams, too.
“Now, I know my imagination runs a tad wild,” Amber said, pinching her fingers together.
“A tad?” I raised a brow.
