Page 89 of Adonis Gates
Adonis, looked my way as he locked our fingers, giving my hand a tight squeeze. Dr. Parker took a seat on her stool then slid closer, positioning herself across from us.
“Alright Jru, so we’ve discussed before that with your endometriosis, it can make conceiving difficult, but notimpossible, and that’s our silver lining. We have several routes that we can explore—from tracking ovulation more closely to more assisted reproduction options like IUI or IVF, depending on your comfort level.”
I nodded slowly as I processed her words. “I just—I don’t want to get my hopes up, you know? I know the odds,” I added somberly.
“Naw, we ain’t doin’ that, love,” he made me look up at him. “We ain’t worrying about the odds. We’re just worried about trying, aight?” He gave me a look. “One step at a time, right?”
I nodded and touched his hand. “Right”
“That’s the best mindset to have,” Dr, Parker smiled gently. “If you’re both mentally prepared, we can start some preliminary testing today. Some hormone levels, ultrasounds, and semen analysis for Adonis.”
“You mean I finally get some homework?” Adonis chuckled.
I elbowed him softly and laughed. He must’ve known I needed that to ease my racing mind and heart.
The doctor went on to explain timelines, more treatment options, and next steps. I knew that’s where my sole focus needed to be, but my thoughts, as well as my eyes, kept drifting to Adonis. The way he listened intently, hanging onto the doctors every word, while never messing up the pattern of the circles he was still tracing in my hand. He was so sweet and attentive. I still couldn’t believe that I’d lucked up and gotten another chance with him.
My parents loved him without a doubt, but they were a little concerned when I confessed that I wanted to look into possibly having a child with him. I knew the concern was there because we weren’t married yet, but we both had agreed that was the plan for our future. Even if it didn’t happen though, I didn’t care. I wouldn’t have wanted to go through this process with anyone else nor could I imagine sharing a child with anyone else. Iwitnessed firsthand how he was with his brother and knew our child would be lucky to have him as a father.
If I could give him a child.
I was just about to start overthinking, and possibly talk myself out of this that quickly, but Dr. Parker had gotten up to leave the room after telling us she’d be back.
“You straight, baby?”
I nodded. “I am. Are you?”
“Perfect,” he smiled.
“And you’re one hundred percent sure about this?” I asked. “Like you have no doubts at all?”
“About building my future with you? Not one,” he answered. “I been sure about you and whatever future we’d have since you walked in my math class all them years ago. If this is what you want, then it’s whatwewant, love. Aight?”
“Okay,” I simpered, my lips trembling into a smile. “Let’s do it.”
“Let’s do it.” He repeated my words, leaning over to press a kiss into my forehead, then added, “together.”
I didn’t know what God had in store for us, but I knew as long as I had Adonis as my partner, everything was going to be fine.
Epilogue: Three Years Later
Adonis.
“There he is baby,” Jru pointed. “Come on.”
She took my hand and started to drag me through the thick ass crowd of people to the area she’d spotted him in. I was throwing out all kinds of apologies and shit because I was bumping into mothafucka’s while she dragged a nigga across the arena.
“Jru, damn, slow down.” I maneuvered my hand so that I could capture hers and slow her damn strides. “Relax. He’s not going anywhere.”
“I want to get pictures of him and his friends before they all disperse,” she pouted.
When she finally made it over to AP, she released my hand then embraced him.
“Oh my God, I’m so proud of you.” She smiled up at him, stepping back taking his diploma from him and examining it. “You did it! I’m so proud of you!”
“You say that like you thought I wouldn’t, sis.” He laughed.
“No, I knew you would. I’m just happy,” she beamed.