Page 25 of Mia

“And I’m putting bullets in any muthafucka that makes me miss the birth of my kid. You want me to go to jail, wifey?”

She rolled her eyes. “Please don’t do the most.”

“Have you met me?”

She smirked. “Whatever. You ready to see my coochie split open?”

“I mean, I was busting that muthafucka open on a regular before you dipped on me.”

She scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“I’m ready. Matter of fact, I’m delivering this baby.”

“Titan.”

“It can’t be that hard. Just push it out and let me catch it.

“That’s exactly why you won’t be delivering shit.”

I laughed as I reached out to rub her stomach. “What do you think we’re having?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t really care as long as it’s healthy. I can’t believe I let you knock me up. I never saw myself being anybody’s mother.”

“And now?”

She sighed, covering my hand with hers. “I’m scared. What if I can’t be nurturing or loving? What if all I have is coldness? I don’t know how to be soft and shit.”

“I’ve seen you with your nieces and nephews. It’s in you. It’s just a little different when you have your own kid. You’ll figure out what they need. You’ll learn the differences in their cries. Your motherly instincts will kick in and you’ll be fine.”

She squinted at me. “You got a secret baby somewhere, Titan? Am I gonna have to fuck you up?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “No, woman. I read and I pay attention when I’m with your brothers and their kids. Plus, Senior has a million fucking kids. He’s always giving unsolicited parenting advice, and it’s always solid. Y’all joke on him, but the man knows his shit.”

She sighed. “He does. He’s gonna kill us both.”

“I keep telling you, I ain’t scared of your daddy or your brothers.” I stood and cupped her face. “You and I are gonna figure this out together.”

“You know I’m not gonna be the type of wife my sisters are⁠—”

“I don’t want you to be anybody but yourself. I know who you are, Mia. I’ve known that shit for years. All I want is you to be a little less defensive. Trust me when I say I stand ten toes behind you, beside you, and in front of you with my pistol at all times, baby.”

She smiled softly. “That’s so romantic. You know how horny I get when you pull your gun on niggas behind me?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, you’re a little touched.”

We shared a laugh as the door opened and her doctor walked in. I’d completely vetted this woman once I found out she had indeed been seeing a doctor. Quaid and Jaeda had to be sick of me by now because I’d been on their line the last two days asking for shit. I just needed to make sure Mia was straight.

“Mrs. DeLuca, how are you?” she asked with a smile.

Hearing her refer to Mia with my last name made a smile spread across my face.

“I’m fine.”

She turned to me with a smile. “Dr. Reid.”

“Titan DeLuca.”

“Aaahhh! You must be daddy and the gentleman that insisted I fit you in today.”