Finding a Loyal Love, page 3
“I should kick your ass. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
He smiled and pulled out of her embrace. “Surprise.”
“This ain’t no damn surprise. You could have told me and as for y’all two” Lay-Lay turned around and pointed at Jade and Morgan. “I’m beating y’all pregnant asses too. I know y’all knew,” She smiled as she turned back around to face everybody.
Smoke was standing to the side next to King and Dallas. She hugged him just as tight as she had done Kyle. She was so happy to see Kyle that she had forgotten all about Smoke being there. Thank God he didn’t look mad.
“You did good baby girl. I knew you could do it.” Smoke handed her a Congratulations envelope filled with money.
“Thank you baby. I love you.”
“I love you too. I promise to show you how much from now on.” Smoke was looking into her eyes as he spoke and he actually looked sincere. Lay-Lay wanted to believe him, but every time she did he showed his ass and embarrassed her.
Jade walked over to them and pulled them a part. “Okay enough off all that. Can we go? I’m hungry.”
“I agree with Jade. I’m starving.” Morgan chimed in.
King looked at Jade and Morgan and laughed. They were always hungry. “Lay-Lay bring your ass on so we can feed our baby mamas.”
“King, don’t make me fuck you up.” Jade punched him in the arm.
Lay-Lay’s mom walked over with her brother and sisters behind her. She grabbed Lay-Lay’s hand. “We’re going to go so you can spend some time with your friends. I’ll see you tomorrow. You have made mommy so proud.” She started tearing up again. She wiped her eyes and waved to everybody. “I’m having a graduation party for her tomorrow at five. I expect to see all of you.” They all said yes ma’am before she hugged Lay-Lay again and walked away.
Lay-Lay turned around to face her friends. “Where y’all want to eat at?”
“It’s your day, you tell us,” Morgan said
“Y’all the ones carrying them demanding babies. It’s up to y’all. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
Once they all agreed on Pappadeaux they headed to their cars. Lay-Lay walked ahead so she could catch up with Morgan and Jade. She didn’t feel right walking next to Smoke as long as Kyle was there. She knew that Kyle would understand the situation, but she still felt awkward. The vibe at the restaurant was pretty cool. Conversation was flowing around the table. Kyle, Morgan, and Dallas sat on one side while King, Jade and Smoke sat on the other. Lay-Lay sat at the head of the table. Kyle had just taken a bite of his steak when he looked up and caught Lay-Lay’s eyes on him. She maintained eye contact for a little while longer before looking away. Kyle smirked at her child like behavior before getting her attention again.
“So, Shalaya what’s next?”
“Law school.”
Jade laughed as she sat her drink back down on the table. “That’s right girl. Put that big mouth to use,”
“Keep being funny so I can slap you.” Lay-Lay shot Jade a bird.
They were always making jokes about her and how much she talked. She couldn’t help that she had a lot to say and wasn’t afraid to say it. Ever since she was small she’d had a problem holding in what was on her mind.
“Don’t pay Jade’s hating ass any attention baby. You’re gonna be the best lawyer around.” Smoke smirked at Jade before blowing Lay-Lay a kiss.
Smoke sticking up for Lay-Lay was cute. Maybe he was finally making some progress. Then again maybe that nigga was just acting right because Kyle was sitting there.
“Smoke, you keep talking and I’ ma lock your ass up. Then we’ll see how good of a lawyer your baby is.” Jade countered back. Her being an FBI agent was a common joke amongst them all.
Smoke flicked ice at Jade and the entire table started laughing. Lay snuck a peak at Kyle and even he was smiling. She was so glad that he knew his place. He never hounded her or made slick comments when Smoke was around. Laughter continued throughout dinner. After another hour the entire table was drunk, minus Jade and Morgan. Kyle hadn’t intended on drinking, but changed his mind after a while. He was on vacation and he was around family, so it was the best time to let loose. Lay-Lay had thoroughly enjoyed her night minus the constant nagging of Smoke’s phone.
“I think you might need to get that,” Lay-Lay said looking from him to his phone.
“Nah, I’m spending time with my baby. Everything else can wait.” He smiled at her trying to ease the tension. Judging by the look she gave him, she wasn’t buying it. Kristen had been blowing up his phone all night. Lana had even chimed in on the tail end. She’d called him three times and texted twice. He didn’t know what his hoes were on tonight, but he wasn’t in the mood for no shit. He leaned over and kissed her lips hoping that would clear up any negative thoughts she was having.
“Control your hoes my nigga, control your fucking hoes.” Lay-Lay rolled her eyes before excusing herself. She needed to use the restroom. All of the liquor she’d been drinking had her bladder about to burst. As soon as she said where she was going Jade and Morgan hopped up behind her.
“Girl, what is wrong with you?” Morgan asked as soon as the bathroom door closed.
“Somebody has been blowing Smoke’s phone up all night. If that nigga is going to cheat he needs to at least get some obedient bitches. The ones he mess around with don’t even know how to act,”
Jade looked at Lay-Lay through the mirror. “Lay-Lay, I know you probably don’t want to hear this right now, but that’s what your butt get.”
“That’s what I get? Girl bye!”
“I’m for real Lay. You don’t deserve that. You can do so much better. Kyle is sitting right there hanging on to your every word. I’m sure you didn’t see that though. You were too busy staring a hole into Smoke’s phone.”
Morgan looked at Lay sympathetically. Jade might have said it a little harsher than she would have, but she definitely agreed.
“What am I supposed to do? Kyle knows I’m with Smoke. I can’t be all over him with that nigga sitting right there.”
“I don’t know why you can’t? Hell Smoke’s phone was going off like a fucking siren while you were sitting right there. Lay, stop playing yourself.” Lay-Lay playing the weak bitch role was getting so old. She had too much heart to be sitting around stuck on stupid about a nigga.
“Man whatever. I’ll deal with this shit my way. I appreciate your concern, but I got this.” Lay-Lay turned and left the restroom. She was mad and didn’t want to take it out on Jade. It wasn’t that she didn’t agree with what she’d said, because she did. She just felt like a fool hearing it out loud. Jade was supposed to be telling her that it would be all right, but instead she was making it worse. She let out an exasperated sigh as she neared their table. When she walked up Smoke was texting, but put his phone away as soon as he saw her. Back in the restroom Morgan and Jade continued to handle their business.
“You probably shouldn’t have said that”
“Morgan, I’m not about to keep holding my tongue to protect Lay-Lay’s feelings. She is a grown woman and she needs to get with the program. What kind of friend would I be if I just let her keep playing the fool?”
“You right. I agree with you a hundred and ten percent, but you know how Lay get when it comes to Smoke. I don’t feel like dealing with that shit tonight.”
Jade turned her nose up at Morgan. She was acting just as weak as Lay-Lay.
Morgan looked at Jade and laughed. “That baby is making your ass mean as hell. I bet that’s a girl. You need to hurry up and have her lil’ butt because all this extra attitude is going to get you knocked out.”
Jade couldn’t even hold her frown after that. She and Morgan laughed as they washed their hands and left. When they got back to the table Lay-Lay and Smoke were arguing. It must have been serious because Lay-Lay was getting loud.
“Bruh, y’all hold that shit down.” King said as a couple of the other diners started looking at them.
The whole scene was embarrassing to say the least. Jade just shook her head at the both of them. She kicked Morgan’s foot under the table as she waved the waitress down for their ticket. Morgan looked over at Kyle who looked unfazed by the whole incident. He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world as he played on his phone. The only time she saw him look up was when he paid for his food.
“Well, let me see it then,” Lay-Lay yelled as she tried to snatch Smoke’s phone again.
“Man, Lay-Lay go ahead with that shit. I told you it was nothing.”
“If it’s nothing then why you won’t let me see it?”
Lay-Lay held her hand out for him to give it to her, but he wouldn’t. Smoke was lying. She wanted to ignore it, but she couldn’t. She was just about to reach for Smoke’s phone again when she noticed Kyle getting up. He kissed Jade and Morgan’s cheeks before leaving the restaurant. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye. Lay watched him leave before letting her eyes float to Jade. It was obvious that she wanted to say I told you so, but she didn’t. Instead she blew her a kiss and grabbed her box off the table.
“We’re about to get up out of here. Congratulations again Lay-Lay,” King said as he grabbed Jade’s hand so they could go.
“We’re right behind y’all.” Smoke stood up and pushed his chair in. Once they got outside Morgan squealed about having to pee again.
“You always have to pee. You just went,” Dallas said. For the last couple of months everywhere they went they were stopping at a bathroom. It seemed like Morgan was peeing every five minutes.
“Shut up Dallas before I pee on you.” Morgan was headed back toward the restaurant until Dallas reached out and grabbed her. He started tickling her until warm fluids started leaking down her leg. “Oh my god Dallas look what you did!” She was on the verge of tears as she looked down at her wet jeans.
“Damn baby you peed on yourself for real?” Dallas leaned around so he could see the front of her pants. The light blue jean material had turned dark. Morgan covered her eyes and started crying. Everybody stood around watching until King started laughing. Jade slapped his shoulder and gave him a look as to say cut it out before walking over to where Morgan was standing. She slapped Dallas’ arm the same way she’d done King’s because he was laughing too.
“This is your fault. You should have never started tickling her. She just said she had to pee with your dumb ass.”
“I didn’t think she was going to pee on herself though.” Dallas tried to suppress his laughter, but it was hard. Every time he looked down at Morgan’s pants he wanted to laugh again. Jade shot him, Kin and Smoke a mean look. They were all so immature. Smoke was next to King smiling like a fool. Jade was actually shocked, normally it was his job to be the childish one. Morgan was still crying as Lay-Lay hugged her.
“It’s okay Morgan, don’t cry. You should have pissed on his ass. He play too much.”
Jade and Morgan both laughed at Lay-Lay. Leave it to her to say something crazy like that. When Morgan had gotten herself together she turned around and wiped her face on Dallas’ shirt. He jumped back so fast he almost fell.
“Chill girl!”
“Nope. You shouldn’t have tickled me.”
“I was just playing with you I didn’t mean to make your grown ass wet your pants.” He looked down and doubled over in laughter again. Morgan looked down, and slapped her forehead. It wasn’t until that moment that she noticed water was still running down her legs. How could she have been so stupid? She was so busy being embarrassed that she wasn’t thinking straight.
“Y’all this isn’t pee, I think my water just broke.” As soon as the words left her mouth they all came running.
“Oh shoot! It sure is!” Jade started jumping up and down clapping, only to be stopped by King. He didn’t play about her acting wild with his baby in her stomach.
“Well it looks like we’re headed to the hospital.” Lay-Lay smiled as Dallas picked Morgan up.
They were all practically running to their cars. Morgan called her parents as Dallas called Kyle. Morgan’s feelings were all over the place. Her doctor wanted her to make it to thirty seven weeks, but obviously that wasn’t happening. She was only thirty five weeks, but hopefully her babies would be okay. Morgan didn’t know whether to be happy, scared or nervous.
Chapter 3
When they got to the hospital Morgan was taken to the back to prepare for delivery. Thankfully she’d already done all of her pre-labor paperwork so there was nothing more she had to do. Dallas helped her strip out of her clothing and into a hospital gown. When they were situated in the room the nurse allowed everyone else to enter. They’d been waiting down the hall in the waiting room until Morgan was given a room.
“I’m so excited.” Jade squealed as she walked next to Morgan’s bed.
Morgan looked down at her stomach. “Not me girl, I’m so scared.”
The older nurse rubbed Morgan’s arm. She wore a pair of pink scrubs and her white badge read Kathy. She’d already expressed to Morgan and Dallas how much she loved to see young mothers. She said in her eyes it was a sign that the world would go on. Kathy probed the machines while stealing glances at Morgan. The look on Morgan’s face mirrored how she must have been feeling inside. She’d seen enough first time mothers in her life to know the look.
“It’ll be okay sweetheart. Just relax and get ready for your babies. You have a very large support system, so you’ll be fine.” She looked around the room at all of the people who had come in with Morgan. The men and women were standing and sitting in various spots of the room. “You all look just as eager as I feel. Delivering babies is my passion. I love it more than anything,” She smiled when Jade and Lay-Lay smiled at her. “Lift your gown so we can get a good look at these little angels. I need to make sure that their heads are down before we page your doctor.”
Dallas reached for Morgan’s gown before she could.
“Dang, slow down,” Morgan laughed as she scooted up in the bed. He chuckled nervously as the nurse placed the cold gel and monitor on Morgan’s stomach. It took her a minute, but the babies eventually popped up on the screen. Every eye in the room was on the monitor. The sound of their heartbeats echoed softly throughout the room.
“Is everything okay?” Dallas asked
“Yes daddy, everything is fine. Both of these little rascals are head down and ready to make their debut,” Kathy said
Morgan released the breath she was holding in. “Oh, thank God. I was so nervous that something might be wrong.”
Kathy grabbed Morgan’s hand and gave it a light squeeze before rolling the ultrasound machine out of the room. When she came back she informed Morgan that her doctor had given the go ahead for a vaginal delivery. This was great news. She had been dreading having a C-section her entire pregnancy. They did a good job at hiding the small scars these days, but that didn’t mean she wanted one.
“Did I miss it?” Kyle asked as he walked into the room.
“Not yet. She’s six centimeters dilated, so it may be another hour or two. Where you been?” Lay-Lay filled Kyle in for Morgan. She was in no condition to talk. They’d given her Pitocin right after her ultrasound to get her contractions started. She had been having a hard time ever since.
“Mind your business Shalaya.” He looked at her briefly before walking to the side of Morgan’s bed and kissing her forehead.
Lay-Lay wondered what his problem was, but decided she’d worry about that later. He had leaned next to Morgan before she could say anything anyway.
“Hey baby girl, you ready?”
Morgan nodded her head yeah just as another contraction came. She squeezed onto Kyle’s shirt until it subsided. Kyle hated that she was in so much pain. “It’s almost over sis. You can do this.” He kissed her again before going to lean on the windowsill. Morgan moaned in a pain as another contraction came.
“Dallas, you better be glad I’m having twins, because this is the last time I’m doing this.”
Dallas wiped Morgan’s forehead with the cold washcloth. “We’ll talk about that later.” It was no secret that he wanted more kids.
The door came open shortly after that with the anesthesiologist and nurse Kathy. They asked that everyone leave the room while she got her epidural. When they were alone, the nurse instructed Dallas to stand in front of Morgan while they administered the medication. Dallas’ legs got weak at the sight of the needle. Dallas positioned himself between Morgan’s legs while she grabbed onto his arms. Her head was pressed into his chest as he held onto her and whispered in her ear how much he loved her and how well she was doing. Kathy marveled at the young love in front of her. The way his words soothed Morgan was remarkable. Before long it was over and everybody had come back in. They talked and watched TV waiting for time to pass by.
King walked over to Morgan’s bed and rubbed his hand through her hair. “How you feeling M?”
“I just want it to be over.” Morgan’s voice broke with tears.
Water began to flow freely after that. She was upset because her epidural obviously hadn’t worked. She was still in pain. Those contractions were kicking Morgan’s ass. Jade and Lay-Lay rushed to console her, but Dallas beat them to it. He pushed the button to sit her bed up. When she was upright he sat next to her and held her. She continued to cry until he started whispering sweet things to her again.
“Damn Dallas, you must be like the pregnant girl whisperer or something? She done stopped crying already.” Lay-Lay was making jokes, but she was happy that he was making her feel better. She had started crying a couple of seconds before Morgan had. She couldn’t take seeing her best friend in that kind of pain.
“Somebody needs to be whispering to your crybaby ass. I saw you over there crying,” Smoke said bringing a lighter mood to the room.
She shot him a bird and turned her attention to Jade. “When you have yours I’m not coming. I can’t deal with this.”
Jade shook her head. “I can’t deal either. Hell, Morgan got me scared”
