Page 228 of Own It

“I am. These are happy tears, not sad ones, Mylo. Calm down.” I giggled, feeling warm from the way Dana was smiling at me.

I couldn’t believe I had almost attempted to bail on meeting her. I could tell that running into Mylo again and then encountering his mother was nothing short of divine intervention.

The three of us talked for a little bit before Dana convinced Mylo to treat us to dinner at Eddie V’s, which I was excited for. During, Dana and I took over the conversation before eventually exchanging numbers. She offered for Mylo and me to spend the night, but he declined much to my chagrin.

“Seem like you fuck with my mama harder than me,” he jested as he drove down her street, the sun completely gone by this time.

“No. I think I like her as much as you though.”

“Damn. After one day? I had to work for months, and we at the same stage in yo’ fucking head?”

I guffawed at his logic.

“It’s a different feeling though. I never had a mother figure, well, one with sense, and I don’t know . . . She was just great.”

“She is.”

I stared out the window briefly. “She told me I’m the first girl you’ve introduced her to since high school.”

Mylo shrugged one shoulder.

“Moms is special to me. I honestly have never met a woman I wanted her to meet. Chick in high school only did because we went to prom together, and our families met up to take pictures of us.”

I snickered.

“That doesn’t even count, Mylo.”

“Exactly.” He took my hand in his as he whipped down the freeway. “You special, Téa. I been trying to tell you that shit since I met you.”

“You have.” I stared down at his large hand encasing mine. “So are you and your mother.” I kept my eyes on our fingers as they intertwined. “Are you sure you want to do this with me? I won’t be mad if you don’t. You still have to let me kick it with Ms. Dana though.”

Mylo chuckled almost inaudibly.

“I do.” He glanced over at me. “I don’t make decisions in haste, Téa. Also, this is serious—being a father or father figure—and I wouldn’t place myself in that little girl’s life unless I planned to stay there. I also wouldn’t sell you a fucking dream knowing your condition. You may not agree or believe it, but you fragile right now, and it ain’t the time to play games. Rah even said the same shit.”

“He did? So he does have feelings?”

Mylo shot me a look for the dig I took at his homie.

“He does. But just know, Téa, I’m serious about you and her.” He removed his hand from mine to caress my bulging stomach.

Placing my hand atop his, I lay back into the seat, shutting my eyes and silently thanking God for enacting His plan and not simply going along with mine . . . whatever that shit was.

* * *

ABOUT A MONTH LATER . . .

“Okay, here comes another contraction, Téa. Push!” Dr. Farmer urged me on.

The pain seared through my pelvis as I gripped Mylo’s hand roughly, pushing with every muscle I had in my lower half. This was miserable, and I didn’t understand how women had more than one child, let alone four, five, and six. They must’ve been gluttons for fucking pain.

“Can’t we do a C-section?” I whimpered, breathing hard as Mylo did his best to affirm me. It wasn’t working though. The only affirmation I needed was a sock full of rocks to knock me the fuck out.

The nurses and doctor giggled at my question as if that were a joke, before watching the monitor and coaching me to push through another contraction yet again. I did as best as I could, and when I heard uproarious cheers in response to my efforts, I pushed harder.

A burning sensation in my vagina caused me to cry out just as Dr. Farmer pulled my baby girl out, immediately placing her onto my chest. For a moment, I was in disbelief, staring down at her and tuning out everyone congratulating me. Even Mylo’s forehead kisses felt out of body.

Zaria cried loudly as I took her in, trying to see if I could detect who she looked like, but she was covered in too much mucus, looking like all babies did at this stage.