Page 42 of A Million Boss Kisses

I gripped the back of Quincy’s head, holding him tight. “It’s not your fault, Quincy. We are handling it. You hear me?” I broke the embrace and palmed the sides of his face so he was looking at me. “You hear me?”

He nodded yes before collapsing into my arms again. “Your brother is going to be fine. You know that boy is a fighter.”

“Can I go see him?”

“Yes,” I confirmed, my eyes scanning the room for Jameera.

She was standing not far away from us with Amill. “Can we go back with him?” Jameera questioned.

“Only two people are allowed back there at a time,” I informed her. “I’m going to take you and Quincy back, but Amill, come with us. I’ll try to see if you can slip in with them.” She smiled and came close to me with Jameera.

“And don’t start no more shit in here,” I scolded Uncle Vincent. “Lil Q is going to be here for at least another week. Do you want to be banned from coming in here?”

“If you were answering ya phone I wouldn’t have had to do all of that.”

“Tech has my phone. If you need me, call Yaseer until further notice.”

That statement pissed him off again and he mugged Yaseer who trailed me out of the waiting room emitting a low laugh.

When we returned to the ICU room they allowed all three of them to go inside with Lil Q.

Instead of rejoining my uncle in the waiting room I decided to go outside for some fresh air.

“You see how my uncle just tried to treat me?” I questioned him as the sun beat down on my face. I stretched, welcoming the warmth from the sun because the hospital was freezing.

“You see how I didn’t let him phase me? I stood ten toes behind what we got going on. I don’t give a fuck who like it.”

“I noticed,” I bubbled as he wrapped his arms around me from behind and pecked my cheek.

“That’s exactly how you be sounding with Amill. You see how you didn’t like it?”

“Well, she better meet a nigga who will step to me like I don’t pump fear in him,” he suggested.

“You better be careful what you ask for. That thought process is exactly how I ended up with Quinten.”

“I told you I’m working on it. I feel like I have been doing good.

She had a one a.m. curfew for homecoming.

They were even supposed to go to Universal today and I ain’t say shit.

She been hanging with Jameera, and I let her pick Amill up a couple times since they were just going to her house, and we all live in the same area,” he affirmed.

“You have been doing good. I can give credit when it’s due.”

Yaseer’s phone rang in my pocket and I pulled it out. I swear my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw the hospital’s number flash across the screen.

“Hello, is something wrong with Quinten?” I sputtered, walking across the parking lot.

“Hello, Mrs. Bentley. Quinten is fine. My name is Hillary, I’m the nurse that will be working with your family from the transplant coordination team.

I was hoping to speak with you in person, but you weren’t in the waiting area, so I wanted to at least give you an update.

Are you in a place to speak in private?”

“Yes,” I nodded, halting my steps, causing Yaseer to run into the back of me.

“Although we confirmed that you are O negative, one of the standard tests we run on all women of reproductive age includes a pregnancy screen. That result came back positive.”

“What?” I choked out. “I’m going through perimenopause.”

“What?” Yaseer came in front of me and mouthed with his arms up in confusion.

“I know this must be a lot to take in. Your gynecologist should’ve mentioned that even during perimenopause, it’s still possible to ovulate and get pregnant. It’s a common misconception.”

I took a deep breath, a fresh round of tears cascading down my cheeks as I shook my head no and placed my free hand over my face.

“I never even confirmed it. I made the appointment after not having my period for three months, needed a fan just to go attend my son’s baseball games, being moody and having no sex drive, but I missed the appointment and hadn’t rescheduled. I’m going through a divorce,” I vented absentmindedly.

“I’m really sorry you’re going through so much, Marissa,” her gentle voice wrapped around me like a comforting hug.

“Honestly, a lot of what you just described can absolutely be brought on or worsened by stress. Especially something as emotionally and physically draining as a divorce. At forty-three, you would be considered high risk, so try not to stress. I know that’s easier said than done.

Also, follow up with your OB as soon as you’re able.

With all of that being said, I do need to let you know you won’t be able to move forward as a potential donor. ”

“I know,” I groaned. “What about Yaseer?”

“Yaseer’s preliminary results look promising.

We’ll need to run some additional blood tests and imaging.

If everything continues to line up, he could be cleared to donate within the next day or so.

I know this is a lot to process all at once, but you’re not alone in this.

We will contact Mr. Haynes to get him up for the second round of testing. ”

“No need to call him. He’s right here. We both put down the same number. Where do you need us to be?”

“That’s perfect. Can you have him come down to the Transplant Evaluation Unit on the second floor? I’ll be waiting for him. Just tell him to ask for Nurse Hilary.”

“He will be up shortly. Thank you so much,” I sighed and ended the call.

“What’s wrong? They said you’re not a match?”

“No, Yaseer… I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” Disbelief laced his voice.

“It’s your fucking baby, Yaseer!” I sassed, placing both of my hands on my hips.

“Nah Marissa, chill. It’s not like that. I wanna jump for joy because I’m happy as fuck, but I am also picking up on your vibes and I get it.”

Yaseer scooped me off my feet and planted kisses all over my face, coaxing a smile and giggles out of me despite the heaviness hanging between us.

“I already told you my only dealbreaker is you . I’m with whatever comes behind you. Since meeting you, I could see myself creating a life with you. You always wanted a daughter, right?”

I nodded. His warmth grounded me, reminding me that no matter how unpredictable life could be, he was going to be in my corner. When kids weren’t a possibility, he was still here, and now that we knew life was growing inside of me, he was ready to switch gears that fast.

“I know my shooters did their thing,” he laughed, lifting me higher so he could kiss my stomach.

“We are going to have a healthy baby girl.” He spoke to my stomach, then looked up to face me.

“I know your mind went to the worst case scenario, but I’m not about to even let you speak that shit.

I’m still in the running to be a donor. If I’m a match, he can have the organ he needs out of me. ”

“Good because they want you to come back inside to do some additional blood tests and imaging.”

“Shit, let’s go.” Yaseer lifted me to kiss my stomach again, then placed me back on my feet, and we walked back inside the hospital while guilt and optimism consumed me.