Huey stood outside in Cindy's hospital room. All he could hear was Cindy yelling at the hospital staff. They were trying to convince her to start pushing, but she refused. The girl was adamant that she was not having the baby until Riley got here. Huey pulled out his phone to dial Riley's number again. Once again, his call went straight to voicemail.
"Damn it, Riley!" Huey hung up in frustration. He had called Riley about 20 times now. It was pretty obvious that he did not have his phone on him. He turned to look at Cindy, who was still arguing with the nurse. She looked worse than Tom when he was possessed by Stinkmeaner. He was dreading telling her that Riley was not answering his phone and that she would have to start labor without him. Though maybe getting her a snack would calm the pregnant woman down. Huey went down the hallway to the vending machine. He remembered that Cindy would religiously eat Reeces Peanut Butter cups when she was pregnant with Justin. He purchased the candy from the vending machine and began to walk off, but he suddenly felt like he was being watched. There was this hallway that leads to a dead-end, so it was easy for someone to hide there. He walked over and peaked to see if his intuitions were correct. Huey's facepalmed, as he couldn't believe who was hiding there.
"Riley, what the hell are you doing hiding!? I have called you 20 times now!" Huey scolded.
"Mane Huey, I can't do this!" Riley cried.
"What the hell do you mean you can't do this!?" Huey bellowed. "This is your SECOND kid Riley!"
"That's different, I was 16 last time I sat in that hospital chair!" Riley explained. "I was a dumb ass 16-year-old I passed the fuck out when I saw Justin's head RIP through her hoo-haw!"
"Thanks for putting that image in my head." Huey grimaced.
"Not to mention the fact that C-Murph is fuckin scary as hell giving birth! Shit, I knew I should have gotten that no nut surgery when I had the chance."
"No nut surgery? You mean, a vasectomy?" Huey questioned.
"Nigga you know what I mean!" Riley spat.
"We're getting off-topic!" Huey shook his head. "You need to be in that delivery room with your wife! She has been trying to push back labor, which I didn't even think was possible, so you can be with her! You are more qualified than I am to be with her during labor. Now get off your ass, and go be with Cindy!"
"Alright, I'm going!" Riley got up. Huey led him to Cindy's room. She was still yelling at the staff about not pushing until her fiancé was here. Riley took a deep breath before entering the hospital room.
"Reezy!" Cindy exclaimed. "About time your ass got here!"
"Hey, baby." Riley rushed to her side, holding her hand. "I'm here."
"Anyway, I think I am going to go." Huey turned around and started to head out the door.
"Nu-uh!" Cindy shouted. "Sit your ass back down! You missed Lela's birth, so you get to watch the birth of your niece!"
As much as Huey did not want to sit in the room and see his sister-in-law to give birth, he did not really have the energy to argue with Cindy. He sighed and sat back down in his seat. The nurses and doctors gathered around Cindy to get ready for pushing.
"Alright Riley, remember, NO EPIDURAL. I want an ALL NATURAL birth." Cindy emphasized. She had an epidural with Justin and had an awful experience with it. The epidural and hit a nerve in her spine. That part hurt more than her actual labor. Cindy was temporarily paralyzed for two days. She would not wish to be paralyzed on her worse enemy.
"I know babe." Riley brushed her air.
"I mean it! I do not care how much I cry or beg! Do not let me get that epidural!"
"I got it! No epidural."
Jazmine sat in the living room with Justin and Lela. The kids sat on the floor watching Christmas movies while Jazmine scrolled on her phone. She noticed it was nearing dinner time, so she started to think about what to make. Jazmine never liked to give the kids fast food, but she was also not in the mood to cook either.
Ding Dong
"I wonder who that is?" Jazmine thought out loud. She got up and went to open the front door.
"Special delivery." A handsome Jamaican man holding a couple of bags of Taco Bell and drinks.
"Caesar!" Jazmine giggled, wrapping her arms around him. "I didn't know you were coming over!"
"I wanted to surprise you, and what better way is to surprise my girl with her favorite food." Caesar chuckled, kissing her on the head. "Plus, I thought you would want some company."
"You really know the way to my heart." Jazmine swooned. "Quesadillas and Baja Blast. Now come on in."
Caesar walked in the door. "Hey, rugrats." He greeted Justin and Lela. "Uncle CeCe brought you dinner."
"Yay!" The two kids got up and ran into the living room.
"Hold up!" Jazmine signaled to stop with her hand. The two kids halted in their tracks. "What do we do before dinner?"
"Wash our hands." Justin groaned. The two kids turned around and went into the bathroom to wash their hands.
"Make sure you use SOAP!" Jazmine called after them. She turned around when she heard her boyfriend snickering at her. "What's so funny?"
"I just think it's cute when you talk like a mom."
"Well I am a mom, you know." Jazmine chuckled. "Now you go wash your hands."
"Yes, ma'am." Caesar played along, going over to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. "Anyway, I heard you sent Huey to the hospital with Cindy. That's just cruel."
"It is," Jazmine admitted. "Though it's what he gets for missing out on Lela's birth."
"Maybe he will learn something from it," Caesar suggested. "I don't know exactly what he will learn, but I am sure it's something."
"Maybe."
Huey had never felt this uncomfortable in his entire life. Cindy had been screaming for the past 20 minutes. Riley did everything he could to comfort her, like fanning her and putting ice on her head, but nothing could soothe her pain. After all, she was going to give birth naturally. Huey could not imagine the pain she felt.
"THAT'S IT! RILEY, I GIVE IN! GIVE ME THE EPIDURAL!" Cindy screamed. "FUCK THE NATURAL BIRTH BULLSHIT!"
"But babe, you wanted to do this naturally." Riley tried to soothe her. "Remember how you were talking about how you were never gonna get that epidural again?"
"BOY SHUT UP! ALL YOU DID WAS BUST A NUT IN ME! NOW GIVE ME THE FUCKING EPIDURAL!" Cindy demanded. The staff just looked at Riley in confusion.
"NAH, I AIN'T GIVING YOU NO EPIDURAL! YOU FINNA BE PISSED AT ME IF I LET YOU GET IT!" Riley yelled back.
"GIVE ME THE EPIDURAL OR I WILL KILL YOU!" Cindy screamed, her face turning red with anger. Riley swore devil horns popped out of her head. Even Huey was afraid. Before Cindy's head started turning like the girl from the exorcist, Riley told the doctor to go ahead and give her the epidural. The doctor carefully injected the epidural into Cindy. Once the epidural started to take effect, Cindy started to relax.
"Fuck." Cindy breathed heavily. "Reezy, why did you-"
"Nah Nah Nah!" Riley put his hands up. "You threatened me with death! I don't take threats lightly!"
"Boy, I am pregnant! What the hell would I be able to do to you!?" Cindy yelled back. Huey started to wonder if the staff were being paid enough to deal with these two. Suddenly, Cindy started to cry.
"Um, Sweetie? Are you okay?" The nurse asked.
"No. I'm fucking weak! I wanted to have a natural birth, and I couldn't do it!" Cindy sobbed.
"Oh, babe." Riley hugged her. " You carried a human being for nine months, not just once, but twice! You was also able to take care of Justin while you were pregnant! I know that won't easy for you, especially with you bein all cranky, eatin weird shit, swollen ankles…"
"No, keep going." Cindy frowned.
"What I'm sayin is, a weak person couldn't do all that." Riley wrapped his arm around her. "I wouldn't pick anyone else to have my children with."
"God, you're the sweetest." Cindy kissed his cheek. "Who would have thought we would go from stupid teenagers to parents of two?"
"Not me," Huey said.
Riley looked up. "I forgot yo ass was here."
"Alright, enough full house bullshit. I'm ready to have this baby." Cindy shifted her body, grabbing onto Riley's hand tightly. "Huey, prepare to watch the miracle of life."
"Goody." Huey cheered sarcastically.
It was after dinner. The kids had just finished taking a bath and were in their pajamas. Jazmine sat on the couch while Caesar wrestled with Justin and Lela on the floor. As she watched Caesar play with the kids, she thought about what Lela asked her earlier. Lela wanted a baby sibling. Jazmine would love to make her a big sister. If she was married and had her own place, then she would have no problem having another kid. Then there was Caesar. She didn't know if Caesar wanted to have more kids or not. Jazmine sighed and checked what time it was. Time for bed.
"Alright, kids, time for bed," Jazmine said.
"Nooooo!" The kids whined.
"C'mon guys, you heard what Jazzy said." Caesar chuckled. He shifted his body so he was standing on all fours. "Here, I will give you guys a piggyback ride." He offered. Justin and Lela giggled as they climbed on Caesar's back. Jazmine smiled, following them up the stairs. Caesar stopped when he got to Justin's room.
"Can we read a story?" Justin asked.
"Sure. Go pick a book out." Jazmine answered. Justin climbed off of Caesar's back and ran over to his bookshelf. He picked out a book about batman.
"You always read batman!" Lela pouted
"Do not!"
"Do too! All you do is watch batman, and you read batman, and wear batman, and you play batman!" Lela listed. Jazmine had to hold back her laughter. Her daughter was such a drama queen.
"Well, all you do is watch Princess and the frog and Doc Mcstuffins!" Justin argued.
"Nu-uh!"
"Yes-huh!"
"Alright kiddos." Jazmine intervened. "I will pick out a story." She walked over and picked out "Brown Bear Brown Bear". "You want Uncle CeCe to read it?"
"Yes!" The kids replied in unison. Jazmine sat next to them on the bed and headed for Caesar the book. As Caesar read the book, two kids cuddled up to them. Jazmine loved the relationship Caesar had with Lela and Justin. He was probably the most supportive one when Jazmine and Cindy became pregnant. While everyone was berating them and freaking out, all Caesar could talk about was playing with their babies. He was also there when Jazmine needed him the most. He never hesitated to drop everything to come to help Jazmine with Lela.
"Alright kiddos, the story is over." Caesar closed the book. He picked up Justin and tucked him into bed. "Night Justin. Also, don't whisper to Lela, Batman is awesome." Caesar whispered to him, causing Justin to laugh. Jazmine shook her head playfully, leaned down to kiss Justin on the head. She turned on Justin's batman night light and turned his room light off.
"C'mon Lela, it's time for you to go to bed," Jazmine said. Caesar picked up Lela and carried her to her bedroom. Jazmine followed right behind him. Caesar laid Lela down in her Princess and the frog-themed bed. He tucked her in, making sure she was snugged in tightly.
"Good night Lela bug. "Caesar kissed her forehead. "Don't listen to Justin, Princess and the Frog and Doc McStuffin are awesome."
"I know." Lela smiled.
"Good night my sweet girl." Jazmine leaned down and kissed her head. She then turned on her green owl night light and turned off her bedroom light. Caesar followed right behind. Once they were out of the bedroom, Jazmine turned to give Caesar a hug and a kiss on the cheek
"What was that for?" Caesar asked, his arms wrapped around her.
"Being awesome." Jazmine smiled. "You wanna go cuddle in my room and watch some tv?"
"Of course I do," Caesar smirked. Jazmine led him to her bedroom. Caesar immediately relaxed on Jazmine's bed. Jazmine went to her dresser to pick out her pajamas. She picked out a pink lacy tank top with some matching shorts. Caesar could not help but stare as she changed her into her pajamas. Her long, slender legs, her perfectly curved body, just everything about her was perfect. She was way too beautiful for him. Once Jazmine was fully dressed, she laid on the bed to cuddle up to him.
"Thanks for coming over tonight," Jazmine said, laying her head on his chest.
"Of course, babe."
"You are really great with kids. I think you will make an amazing dad someday?"
Caesar looked up at her. "You think so?"
"I do. Even Lela said you would be a great daddy." Jazmine giggled.
"Did she now?" Caesar raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you know she's been wanting to be a big sister. She actually asked if you and I could make a baby."
Caesar started to laugh. "She really asked you that?"
"She did." Jazmine laughed hesitantly. "But um, would you want kids one day?"
Caesar paused for a moment before answering. "I am neutral on the subject. Ideally, I do want to get out of my apartment, married, and have a steady job before I would start a family. Though we aren't trying for a baby, if something happened and we did get pregnant, I wouldn't be mad."
"You wouldn't?" Jazmine questioned.
"No, I wouldn't be upset. Wait, you aren't pregnant are you?"
"Nope!"
"Okay, Okay, good." Caesar sighed with relief. Jazmine gave him a look. "Alright, starting NOW, I am neutral."
Jazmine giggled slightly before snuggling closer to him. "I love you." Her eyes widened slightly when she realized what she said. She actually told Caesar she loved him. There were no hesitations or questioning when she said it either. In fact, she said it to him with confidence. It felt like all her worries and concerns from earlier just vanished. Jazmine couldn't believe it. She never thought she could fall in love with someone ever again. With Caesar, of all people. He had always been one of her bests guy friends. The only girl Caesar was serious about was Diamond. Jazmine remembered how crazy he was about her. Then she had to move away to California. Caesar was devastated when she moved. Jazmine wondered how he was able to get over Diamond so quickly when it took Jazmine forever to move on Huey.
"I love you too, babe." Caesar kissed her head. "I wonder how Cindy is doing. Better question, how is Huey handling being in the same room as her?"
"FUCKING SHIT! GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!" Cindy screamed. Huey had a headache from all the screaming, but he knew his headache was minor to what Cindy was going through. Riley and Cindy's baby was taking her sweet time coming into the world. It felt like they had been in that hospital room for hours.
"Yes, please get this baby outta her!" Riley pleaded as he had his hand squeezed by Cindy. His hand was purple from her strangling his hand. "God damn woman!"
"We see the head!" The doctor shouted. Huey was thankful that he moved across the room.
"Alright, Cindy, a few more pushes. You can do it!" The doctor said supportively.
"Fuck that!" Cindy huffed. She gave on last strong, agonizing, push. Cindy screamed so loud the hospital had probably heard her. Soon after, it was followed by the sound of a shrieking baby. Despite the drama, screaming, and tears, Huey thought it was actually beautiful. In fact, he was kind of glad Jazmine forced him to go. It made him realize what he missed with her. Though was there with Jazmine, he was sure that Jazmine wanted him there to be there.
"Congratulations you two!" The doctor said. He wrapped their daughter in a blanket before handing her to Cindy.
"Oh my goodness!" Cindy cried as she held her baby.
"See, you did it!" Riley kissed her head. "Despite the birth cheese all over, she's beautiful."
"Really? Birth cheese?" Cindy laughed weakly. "So, are going with the name?"
"Yeah, we are." Riley nodded.
Cindy leaned down to kiss her head. "Welcome to the world, Chanel Ava Freeman. Here, Riley, you hold her."
"Hey, baby girl," Riley whispered as he held his daughter. "Mane, I can't believe you finally here. Hell, I can't believe I have a daughter. That means no dating you're 30, cuz niggas are just stupid when they young, That's how your big brother came into the world. Naw, you know what? You can date if your boy can survive the punch."
"Riley, she's not even an hour old and you're talking about dating." Huey pointed out.
"Oh hush up, nigga!" Riley spat. "Don't act like you ain't have the same talk with Lela!"
"The only difference is that Lela can't date until I'm dead."
"Both of ya'll are dummies." Cindy retorted. "Huey, you wanna hold her?"
"Uhm, I'll pass." Huey put his arms up. Riley shook his head.
"C'mon, you know you want to." His brother urged. Huey sighed and walked over to Riley. Carefully, he took Chanel into his arms. Huey wanted to say she looked like an alien, but he knew that would not go over well with Cindy and Riley. Besides, he knew she would grow into a beautiful girl like his daughter. That's when it hit him. His Daughter.
"Here," Huey said quietly, giving Chanel back to Riley. He then sped walked out of the room. Riley, confused, decided to after him.
"Aye nigga, wait up!" Riley shouted after him. Huey stopped in his tracks when he heard his brother calling out for him. Riley grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to spin around. He saw Huey's eyes started to water. "Nigga, are you crying?"
"I'm a terrible father, Riley." Huey whipped his eyes. "I was here for Chanel's birth and visited Justin in the hospital when he was born. Yet I wasn't there for my own child's birth? You know how much she is going to resent me when she's older?"
"That kinda is fucked up, Huey." Riley agreed. He quickly changed his tone when he realized that he was not helping the situation. "Look, you know how much Mini Mariah loves yo ass. Shit, all she talks about it how she loves her daddy. I know you love her too. As long as you keep showing her how much you love her, what you did three years probably won't matter as much to her."
"Maybe you're right." Huey sighed.
"Look, you always said not to dread in the past and shit. You should take yo own advice. What you did was wrong, but yo ass learned, and now you're here bein a good dad to Lela."
"When did you grow up so fast?" Huey managed to smile.
"When C-Murph showed me the positive pregnancy test in my Sophomore year."
Back in Chicago…
It was 10 p.m, and Ms. Hazel Freeman, also known as Cookie, was asleep in her bed. She wore a purple satin robe, a green face mask with cucumbers on her eyes, while her hair was rolled into curls. Cookie snored in her bed having a nice dream until her telephone rang. She jolted out of her sleep, pulled the cucumbers from her eyes, and answered the phone.
"This is Hazel speaking." She yawned on the phone.
"Hey, Aunt Cookie."
"Zhara! Girl, you do you know what time it is!? You know us old folks go to bed early!" Aunt Cookie yelled into the phone.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I was stalking Riley's Facebook page. Cindy had the baby today."
"She did?" Aunt Cookie was wide awake now. "They post any pictures yet?"
"No, not yet. Do we put the plan into action?"
"No…not yet. Wait a couple more days to initiate the plan. When they least expect it, Cindy and Jazmine's world is going to shatter." Aunt Cookie laughed maniacally into the phone.
To be continued.