“All is well. All is well,” he repeated, looking around. “What’s good, Chesteria? Congratulations.” Adrian leaned in, nodding at our son. “He’s handsome… big, too. Look like he already got questions about rent and relationships.”
We all laughed.
“Hey, Adrian. Still cracking jokes, I see. But thank you.” Chesteria cocked her head. “Hold up, though. How did you even know we were here?”
Chesteria beat me to the question.
“Man, I was headed to the vending machine when I overheard a nurse at the desk say the name ‘Frost.’ I paused, then I peeped the name and room number on the whiteboard. Curiosity got the best of me, so I followed the trail. When I saw that little ‘Welcome Baby’ airplane sign on the door, I was like,Nah… ain’t no way.So, me being me, I knocked and let myself in.” He smirked. “Figured I was either walking in on a miracle, or about to be slapped with a HIPAA violation. I just rolled the dice and took my chances.”
“The better question is, what the hell you doing at the hospital? Onthisfloor anyway?” I asked.
“I’m here for the same reason as you, nigga. I had a baby too!” he announced, full of pride, rubbing his hands together like he just hit a lick. “My daughter was born three doors down. Swear to God! We out here populating the third floor!”
Chesteria shook her head. “Adrian, please tell me that you didnothave another child?”
Right then,Isisstepped in. “Wehad a baby, “she confirmed, shimmying a little, looking like she hadn’t just pushed out a whole human.
Isis’s hair was laid, makeup was flawless, and a satin robe tied at the waist, giving very muchhostess of girls’ nightinstead ofawoman recovering from childbirth.
“Hey, girl!” She waved at Chesteria, smiling.
Chesteria and I exchanged looks, silently acknowledging the plot twist we hadn’t signed up for.
“Hey, boo. But wait!” Chesteria sat up straighter, eyebrows rising. “How didthishappen?” she gestured between them. “I mean, yeah, we know y’all did the grown-up at the cabin, but I thought that was gonna be a one-and-done, thank-you-for-your-services type of deal.”
Isis leaned against Adrian the way one might test the firmness of a luxury headboard. “I guess you can’t help who you fall in love with.”
Adrian nodded, grinning. “Yeah, we tried the just-fucking route, but the more we fucked, the more we liked each other. Then we found out she was pregnant, and we were like... might as well put all this energy to good use.”
“Oh… but that’s notall,” Isis added, lifting her hand.
A chunky, sparkling ring caught the light.
“We’re alsoengaged!Can you believe it?Me!The Isis! Engaged! Like...voluntarily… not even under duress!”
Chesteria laid her head back, scoffing. “I’ll be damned. Well, I guess y’all should know that we’remarried.” She smiled, lifting her hand to show off the ring.
Isis strutted over in fullProject Diamondjudge mode and gently grabbed Chesteria’s hand. “Oh, Adrian… you gotta step your game up! Her ring makes mine look like it came out of a Cracker Jack box!”
Adrian chuckled and threw his hands up. “I’m working on it, baby. It’s the thought that counts.”
Isis sashayed back over to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re right, baby. I love you.”
Me and Chesteria were still sitting there, mouths slightly open, blinking in disbelief.
The whole time I’m thinking… either this man put a spell on her, he got thatHocus Pocus Henny Dick, like, soul-snatching, contract-signing, got-you-folding-laundry-with-a-smile type of pipe, or they’re just toxic soulmates who finally synced up.
I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around it. “So did y’all have a girl or boy?”
“Abeautifulprincess,” Isis stated proudly, grinning. “Her name is Monet Simone Faulkner. Pretty. Classy. No apostrophes or silent letters. Just a name you can put on a resumeanda baby chain.”
“Well congrats are in order for you two,” Chesteria said.
“Same to y’all, girly!” Isis chirped, glancing at our son in Chesteria’s arms. “Life is simply amazing,” she added, her voice softer now. “If somebody had told me a year ago that I’d have a babyandbe engaged now—”
“You would’ve threw your mimosa in their face and blocked their number for disrespect,” Chesteria finished, chuckling.
Isis gasped. “Exactly, girl!”
