Page 62 of Certified Pressure 3 (Certified Pressure #3)

Trill-Land Royal Care Hospital

My baby was eight hours old, and I couldn’t stop starin’ at his handsome face.

He was small, his skin was a smooth reddish brown, and his lips looked just like Pluto’s.

The nurses had already done all the checks earlier to make sure he was straight.

Since he came five weeks early, they kept him in the incubator for a while to make sure his lungs was developed and that his breathin’ stayed normal.

They pricked his lil’ foot to check his blood sugar and wrapped him tight in a blanket while another nurse checked his temperature and his weight.

When they finished and saw that everything looked good, they brought him right back to us.

Pluto was still layin’ in the bed lookin’ tired but beautiful, her hair wild and her skin glowin’ under the light in the room. Every few minutes, she would peek over at me and smile. She was just as in love with him as I was.

When I first saw my son’s chest rise, I swear my heart stopped.

I ain’t breathe until I saw him move his arms. I ain’t know how bad I needed that moment until it happened.

The last time I was in a delivery room, I left without a baby.

Now, lookin’ at my boy, I felt like God gave me another chance to get it right.

All my people had come through earlier. My mama was here with her eyes wet and her smile wide like she just met the best thing in the world.

My pops came too, standin’ tall beside her, noddin’ like he was proud.

Aunt Treasure made her way to Pluto’s bedside to check on her since she was a doula and all.

She made sure Pluto had water, and that her pressure was normal.

She said Pluto was strong and did everything right. I could see how much that meant to her.

Zurie had been in here earlier, sittin’ on my mama’s lap, askin’ when the baby was gonna wake up again. When Pluto told her she had to be quiet around him, she covered her mouth and whispered, “Okay.” When Mama took her home with her for the night, she waved at me and blew a kiss before they left.

Now it was just me, Pluto, and our baby. The room was quiet except for the sound of the machines beepin’ softly and Prestyn breathin’ against my arm. I held him like I was scared somebody would try to take him. I had no plans of lettin’ go.

Pluto laughed softly, her voice still raspy from all the cryin’ and pushin’. “Pressure, can I hold him now?”

I looked over at her and shook my head, smirkin’. “You had him all to yourself for nine months. It’s my turn now.”

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “I can’t believe he came early.”

I grinned, lookin’ right at her. “That’s that dick I gave you that did it.”

She laughed for real. “Boy, shut up.”

“I’m serious,” I said, still smilin’. “I knew I was in there doin’ damage.”

She shook her head, still smilin’, then sighed. “You play too much. I’m hungry, though. I don’t want none of the hospital food. I want a big juicy burger with everything on it and a large Coke.”

I smirked and nodded. “Say less, I got you. I’mma go get it myself.”

“Extra pickles,” she added, smilin’ soft now. “Don’t forget.”

“I won’t,” I said, grinnin’ at her.

Then she reached her arms out. “Pressure, let me see my baby.”

I stared at her for a second, then leaned down to kiss Prestyn’s little forehead. “A’ight, but when I come back, you gon’ give him back to me.”

“I promise,” she said softly.

I stood up and handed him to her, watchin’ how careful she was when she took him. She looked down at him, whisperin’ that she loved him so much. My heart felt heavy again, but this time it was from love, not pain.

I leaned in, pressed my forehead against hers, and said, “I love you, Pluto. When they let y’all leave here, I’m comin’ home to you.”

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay, Pressure.”

I kissed her lips, grabbed my tux jacket off the chair, and headed for the door.

The hallway smelled like bleach and new beginnings.

My mind was heavy though, thinkin’ about everything that just happened.

I knew I had to face Kashmere eventually.

I knew I hurt her. She ain’t deserve that kind of pain, not in front of all them people.

I was gon’ make sure she got her money and a clean start, but I wasn’t gon’ pretend like I could fix her heart.

That was broken now, and that was on me.

I walked through the hospital lobby until I made it outside. I spotted Kay’Lo’s car parked by the curb. My steps slowed when I noticed somebody standin’ next to it.

It took me a second to realize who it was. I couldn’t mistake the white gown glowin’ under the streetlights.

Kashmere was just standin’ there, still in her weddin’ dress, and her makeup streaked down her cheeks. My stomach dropped.

“Kash…” I started, but the look on her face stopped me. Her eyes were empty, and her hands was shakin’ at her sides.

Before I could move closer, or even understand what was happenin’, she pulled out a gun.

The sound cracked through the air. One shot, then another, and then more.

The first two tore through my chest, knockin’ the air outta me.

The next two ripped through my arms, and before I could hit the ground, another bullet caught my leg.

I dropped hard, blood pourin’ fast and soakin’ through my tux and poolin’ beneath me.

My body jerked from the pain, and my head started spinnin’. I tried to move, but my arms wouldn’t respond. Every breath felt heavier than the last, and I could taste the blood runnin’ in my mouth, bubblin’ when I tried to breathe.

Kashmere walked closer, her voice breakin’ but cold. “You played with the wrong bitch, Pressure.”

I tried to say somethin’, but all that came out was a wet choke. My vision blurred, and all I could hear was the sound of her heels hittin’ the pavement as she walked away, then the tires screechin’ as she sped off.

The pain burned through me, hot and deep, and I couldn’t move. I looked toward the hospital doors. They wasn’t far, but my body wouldn’t listen.

Blood filled my mouth again, and I could feel it slidin’ down my chin. It felt like every breath was slippin’ further away. My mind flashed with pictures of Pluto’s smile, my mama’s face, Zurie’s little laugh, and my son’s tiny hands.

That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.

TO BE CONTINUED…