Unconditional Love

Chapter Ninety-Three - Layla

"I've been in the NICU this morning.  Both of my babies are warriors.  It doesn't matter what the doctors say.  They look like twins, even though Asia is almost four months older.  They have been laying them next to each other now.  Sometimes it looks like she's smiling at him.

I try to imagine that they are having a silent conversation.  Probably coming up with ways to annoy the hell out of Keith.  Nya is probably child's play now.  They both miss you.  He wants to visit, but I don't want him to see you like this.  They did get to see their brother from the viewing room though.

Claudia has taken them to the manor.  Keli thought it would be a good idea.  Ry'lo said he's lost over five hundred dollars playing the game with Keith and RJ.  Of course my little diva has been having the time of her life. 

Her and Lela have been doing girl stuff all week.  Ry'lo is probably going to send a bill before too long.  Even your dad and uncle have been spoiling them.  I think having Nya around brings back memories of when you were her age."

He gets quiet but I feel him touch my hand and then lifts and kisses it.  Then I can feel something wet.  Wait, I can feel now!

"I didn't protect you and I swore that I always would.  We should be laughing and holding our little boy.  You are going to be mad but he's my twin.  He does have your eyes and hair though.  You know the guys have been clowning the hell out of my girls.  He has a head full of thick black curls."

Wait, I gave birth!  I just realized that I gave birth to my son and I can't even remember it. Why is this happening to me?

"I think Grandpa is just going to concede and pay the twins their money.  He should, our son was seven pounds and twenty-one and a half inches long.  They say when you have a daughter, you will have to fight the boys off with a stick.  You know I don't hit women, but somebody's daughter is going to get pushed down for running up on my son."

I want to laugh but still nothing happens.  I want to hold my baby.  I missed our skin to skin time, I want to bond with him.  He's going to be a mama's boy.  Fuck, what Roman thinks.

"Everyone is waiting to find out his name.  I told them I am waiting for you.  Pops is hoping it's a junior but he's still not fond of Kenneth.  Grandpa is claiming his name is Jerome Jr.  The twins said they don't care as long as it starts with a 'K'.  Link swears that you promised him that you would name him Lincoln.  Needless to say, he and Aiden argued for hours.  You have to wake up and set the record straight."

I can hear the door open and then it's nothing until it sounds like someone is crying.

"I'm sorry Kenneth.  She's just had to come and see her."

Dr. Jeff.

"It's not a problem.  I'm sure she would love to know that you both have been checking in on her."

After a while, I feel someone get in bed with me.  They pull me close and wrap their arms around me.  This warm feeling spreads all over my body, it's different from Roman's touch.  This is Nurse Bridges, she's showering me with her love.  A maternal love that I have always craved.

"Love, be careful.  She's still healing."

I can hear her start to pray over me and for the babies.  She says something about my baby being welcomed into Heaven and it causes my body to jerk.  What does she mean?

"Jeff, she moved!"

"It may be involuntary spasms.  Let me do a few tests."

I feel him rub something across the bottom of my foot and I lowkey want to kick him.  He does it to the other foot and my body jerks again.