Makhai helped me up from my seat then kept his hand on my lower back for support as we followed the nurse to the nursery where a tiny body was swaddled in a pink blanket. Something inside of me broke and healed all at once when I laid eyes on herprecious face. Her dark lashes resting against her rosy cheeks stole my heart at first glance.
“She’s beautiful.” I admitted, wiping the tears that had slipped down my cheeks.
“Yeah, she pretty as hell.” Makhai agreed.
“Social services will be back within an hour. They’ll want to know if there’s any family willing to step forward…”
“I am.” I quickly replied without taking my eyes off of her. “I’ll take her.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Nurse Nichols said causing me to glance her way and catch her smiling at me. “There are some steps you’ll have to take to set things up with social services. When that’s done and they’ve cleared you, she can go home with you.”
I nodded, giving my attention back to the baby. I hadn’t washed my hands, so I didn’t want to touch her skin, but I did brush my hand across her blanketed body softly.
The nurse said she’d give us some privacy before she left the room. When she was gone, I looked around, spotting a lone chair which I pulled up beside the bassinet my niece was lying in.
I was staring at her trying to figure everything out. How was her journey coming into the world? When had she been conceived? Who the hell was her father? Was my sister doing heavy drugs while she was pregnant with her? What would both of our futures look like? I didn’t even know about her an hour ago, but I loved her already and couldn’t imagine allowing her to go into the state’s custody.
I’d completely forgotten that someone else was in the room with us until I heard shuffling by the door. When I looked in that direction, I remembered that Makhai was still there.
“Oh, shit, Makhai,” I said lowly so that I didn’t wake the baby before getting up to walk toward him. “I know all of this is crazy.”
I dropped my head in shame. I hadn’t done anything, but it was still embarrassing because he learned things about me and my family that I didn’t share with others, and some things that I didn’t even know myself.
“Yeah, shit’s wild.” He nodded, glancing toward the baby.
“I don’t even know what I’m going to do,” I sighed heavily. “I’m not prepared for a babyat all. I don’t have anything she’ll need. I don’t know if she’ll have complications. I don’t have anyone to help me with her…”
“You got me.” He smirked, stuffing his hands inside his hoodie pocket.
“What? No,” I chuckled. “I can’t let you do that.” I said even though I didn’t know whatthatwas.
“I ain’t asking you toletme do shit,” he replied. “I’m just gon’ look out because I want to.” He stood to his full length, bypassing me to go over to the bassinet and look at the baby. “She little as fuck and pretty as hell,” he looked back at me. “She must get that shit from you.”
I blushed even though I shouldn’t have. I was dealing with a very serious matter. I needed to be totally focused on that and figuring out how I was going to navigate the situation.
“I’m going to stay here tonight, Makhai.” I said as I walked back toward him. “I know you have better things to do than sit at the hospital.”
“I came out here to kick it with you, so naw I don’t got shit better to do.”
“Makhai, seriously,” I chuckled. “I need to handle this and I kind of want to be alone.” I dropped my head. “Ineedto be alone.”
There was a pregnant pause before I felt his hand wrap around mine. My gaze traveled to his and he smirked.
“I can respect that. This some real shit, and it needs ya undivided attention, but you ain’t ‘bout to be alone doing this.”He nodded toward the bassinet. “I don’t know what ya sister or the rest of your family got going on, but I know that you gon’ need some help, so I’m gon’ be there to give it to you.” When I got ready to reply and contest, he continued. “I ain’t asking you for permission, Diamond, I’m just giving you a heads up.”
His arm snaked around my waist, and he pulled me into a firm but gentle and much needed hug. As much as I didn’t want to, I melted into his embrace while fighting hard not to burst into tears due to me being overwhelmed with emotions.
“I’m gon’ get at you later, beautiful, aight?”
With a shaky voice, I said, “Okay,” then stepped out of his arms. We held eye contact for a few more seconds before he left. I watched the door like a fool long after he was gone. I told myself right away when we met that I wouldn’t entertain him in any way, but I had to admit him simply being here with me and offering to help had me lowering my guard some. I didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a baby, and if I was being honest, I was scared for more reasons than one, but I had to get ready. This baby didn’t have anyone but me, so I was going to put on my big girl panties and get ready to do whatever had to be done to make sure that she was good for the rest of her life.
After snapping out of my daze, I texted the only other person that I knew would come through for me and baby girl.
Me: Bestie, I need you.
Best Friend : On my way.
SEVEN
