“My wife is in labor. She’s right outside,” I yelled to anyone who would listen.
Thankfully, two nurses sprinted into action. While one grabbed a wheelchair, the other asked me to take her to mytruck. As soon as we had Celeste transferred into the wheelchair, they whisked her off so fast I wanted to say something but decided against it. It felt like it took forever to find a parking spot in the garage. By the time I made it back to the entrance, my parents were walking up as well.
“Shane, what’s going on? Is everything okay?” my dad questioned as we stepped inside.
“I just came from parking the truck. She was doing fine when they got her.”
It took us about five minutes to get checked in and to the maternity floor. Once we made it up, my dad opted to sit in the waiting room while my mother followed me to find Celeste. She let us know she was four centimeters dilated. I had no idea what the hell that meant, but my mother simplified it when she told me Celeste could start pushing once she was at ten centimeters. Moments later, she was offered an epidural and didn’t hesitate to take it.
Six hours later, Jade, my mother, and me watched as Celeste delivered our baby boy. It fucked me up to see her in so much pain, unable to do anything. The last time I shed a tear was when the judge sent my dad away. Now, here I was with fresh tears rolling down my cheeks after laying eyes on my son. At first glance, I knew his ass was going to be a problem. He had my light brown eyes with a head full of jet-black hair. His button nose came straight from his momma and he was so alert. After being checked by the doctor and measured by the nurses, they laid him on Celeste’s bare chest for skin-to-skin contact.
“Hey, Onyx. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Celeste said as she looked down at our son.
Onyx Jamal Scott was the name we decided on and it fit him perfectly. I ran my hand down his head and stared in awe. I couldn’t believe I had a mini-me in this world. I’d created a person and the shit hadn’t set in yet.
“I love you, baby. You did so good,” I said to Celeste before kissing her forehead.
“I love you more. I can’t believe he’s really here.”
“Shit, me either. Felt like you were pregnant for years,” I laughed.
“Imagine how I felt. I was the one pregnant. I’m glad Phillip decided to come tonight. He couldn’t have been more on the money.”
“Is he almost here?”
“He texted Jade that they just got the rental from the airport. They should be here in about thirty minutes.”
“Cool. Tripp will be here around that time as well,” I informed her.
As the evening went on, our friends and parents came and went. Everyone of importance laid eyes on our new addition. No one wanted to leave, but the nurses let us know visiting hours were over. With everyone promising to come back in the morning, they said their goodbyes and gave hugs before leaving.
“Mrs. Scott, do you want us to take the baby so you can rest or would you like to keep him?”
Hearing Celeste referred to as Mrs. Scott would never get old to me. With Cora passing and Celeste finding out about her pregnancy, the wedding planning had been nonexistent. A few months back, I told her I wanted us to be married before the baby came. Going to the courthouse wasn’t in my plan, but I wanted a wife more than a wedding. As of right now, we planned to have a destination ceremony next summer. Neither of us had a lot of friends or family to invite, so it would work out perfectly. Right now, the only thing important to me was that everyone under our roof had the same last name.
“I’ll keep him, thank you.”
“I’m glad you said that. I wanted to speak up for you, but I don’t need these white people thinking you aren’t safe at home.”
“Please. I was keeping my baby regardless. The only person who can watch him without me supervising is his nana.”
“For real. You can sleep though, bae. I got him.”
“You sure? I just need a few hours.”
“I got him. I’ll wake you up when we need a titty,” I joked.
As Celeste made herself comfortable, I rolled the bassinet over to the chair and picked my son up before sitting down. I kissed his little hand when his eyes popped open.
“What’s up, son? You know my voice, huh? I started talking to you the minute I found out about you.”
I didn’t know if it was a coincidence or if he understood what I was saying, but a big smile took over his face before a small yawn.
“Man, how you yawnin’ and shit when you just got here? You’ve been resting for almost ten months, my boy.”
For about two hours, I held my boy in my arms and talked to him like he could respond. I took so many pictures and videos so it would be impossible for me to forget this moment. My life felt complete the day my father came home. Holding Onyx right now made me feel like my heart was truly full.
EPILOGUE
