Page 32 of Rounds (Love In Scrubs)

TWO MONTHS LATER . . .

“ G ive me fifteen, woman.”

LeAndria huffed. We were playing dominoes at Delaney’s mom’s house.

We were done eating, and the games had begun.

My dad, Mr. Cedric, LeAndria, and I were playing dominoes, and Delaney, her mom, Denver, and Mr. Cedric’s girlfriend, Kaneisha, were playing Uno.

We always had an amazing time on Sundays.

There wasn’t much that had changed. Delaney and I were still getting along perfectly.

We were still clinging to one another as well.

People had become more relaxed at work whenever they saw us together.

One of the doctors had actually asked us about our relationship.

Delaney had gladly obliged him with the details of how we met.

LeAndria had started in my office a little over a month ago, and Mrs. Mildred had done me a favor by staying a little while to train her on our software.

“Well, I’m gon’ back door that. Hit me wit’ twenty,” my dad said.

“And I’ll get twenty-five. Thanks, baby, for letting us all eat,” Mr. Cedric said as LeAndria rolled her eyes.

My dad chuckled. I could tell he was even happier now that we were getting him out of the facility on Sundays.

He only missed one Sunday, because we’d agreed to every now and then.

When I showed up to Delaney’s mom’s house without him, they almost came unglued.

They told me to make sure he was here every Sunday. Dad was completely fine with that.

Once Mr. Cedric dominoed, I got up from the table in search of my baby. She was no longer at the other table. When I found her in the kitchen, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her neck. She giggled and spun around in my arms. “I love you, Glover.”

“I love you, too, baby.”

“I guess we should go tell everyone else just how much we love each other, too, right?”

“Absolutely.”

She grabbed her water from the countertop, and we made our way to the front room where everyone was. “Y’all, we have an announcement to make,” Delaney said.

I lowered my hands to her belly, and she said, “We’re having a baby!”

Everyone cheered, and my dad said, “I guess I’ll get my fried chicken tomorrow!”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t agree to that, Dad, and you know it!”

I laughed as he said, “I know, but I wanted to put it on your mind just in case you feeling lighthearted about being a dad. If it’s a boy, I need some ox tails.”

“It never ends, man,” I said as everyone laughed.

I glanced over at Mr. Cedric, and he nodded with a smile on his lips.

All the women had crowded Delaney, so she couldn’t see me.

I went to one knee and waited for them to notice.

When LeAndria saw me, she started screaming.

I closed my eyes briefly and shook my head.

When Delaney turned to see what LeAndria’s problem was, she joined in.

The tears were already falling down her cheeks.

This was one time I didn’t try to swallow my feelings. A couple of tears escaped me.

“Delaney, you entered my life and changed everything. I had a reputation for being a jackass, being hard, and being insensitive at times . . . and let’s not forget, the whore of St. Ambrose,” I said, then rolled my eyes as she laughed.

“When I bumped into you that day, I knew you would be mine, because I refused to rest until you were. At first sight, you captured my heart in ways no one else had. Then, when I saw how you treated my patients, I was hooked. You gave me a slight chase, but you were worth it and so much more. I would have chased you forever. Your spirit calms mine. Your heart soothes all my demons. Your touch sends me into overdrive. Everything about you rules the way I think, move, and function.”

I wiped my face and pulled the box from my pocket, opening it to reveal a three-carat diamond.

“You’re already giving me a precious gift, one that will have me wrapped around his or her pinky finger.

Please make our family officially complete and say you will, one day, be my wife. Will you marry me, Delaney Boutté?”

“Absolutely, Doctor Glover Israel,” she said through her tears.

I slid the ring on her finger, then stood and lifted her in my arms as everyone applauded.

She brought her hands to my face and kissed me passionately, like no one was in the room.

When I lowered her to her feet, everyone closed in on us, offering their congratulations.

Mr. Denver wheeled my dad closer, and I turned to him, then leaned over and hugged him.

The tears were cascading down his cheeks.

“Glover, this was all I wanted for you. While I know I made things hard for you financially, I’m happy that you took the time to live. Y’all will have a beautiful family, son, and I’m glad I’m here to witness it.”

I hugged him again, and said, “Thanks, Dad. Popeye’s or Chicken Express?”

He fell out laughing, then sang, “Love that chicken from Popeye’s!”

Everyone laughed, and I joined them. I pulled my wife-to-be in my arms and kissed her head. She stared up at me like she had fallen in love all over again. After gently stroking my cheek, she said, “I know we’re leaving earlier than usual, right?”

“Hell yeah. I gotta put those rounds in.”

The End

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