Page 16 of Royce (Atkins Family Saga #1)

“T-That the baby isn’t head down first the way she should be.

Basically, her feet are where her head should be.

She has two options. We can do an ECV which is us pressing on your abdomen to manually turn her.

However, if she refuses to turn, the emergency c-section would be the only option to make sure you and the baby remains healthy.

If you want to skip that and do the c-section, you can,” she answered.

I didn’t have a second to think before Serinity’s voice came booming through the phone speaker. “Hello.”

He looked at me as he gave his attention to the conversation on the phone. “Serinity, My Baby need you to come to the hospital. She in labor.”

“Who the hell is this and who the hell is yo’ damn baby?” she shouted. I wanted to laugh, but I was in enough pain.

He hung up on her ass and pocketed the phone. I could tell he wasn’t the kind of man that tolerated disrespect from anybody. “She can get the hell off my phone with all that,” he said.

“Royce, call her back and just explain to her what’s going on. She’s quick tempered, but she’s been here the entire time. I need her here.”

“For what? You got me.”

“Mr. Atkins, if she decides on a c-section, your son isn’t allowed in the room, only you are. You’ll need someone here to sit with him. If you can get someone up here, that would be great,” the nurse voiced.

Assuming Royce was the father to my kids was crazy work but then again, he left no room for anyone to question anything.

He came in from the jump shouting I was his wife and they dumbasses believed him.

I mean they didn’t ask me shit and I found that to be the oddest thing. As long as he spoke, they listened.

He glared at me, and I could tell he was over all this shit, but he was trying his best to be here for me. I didn’t know why, but he was. He didn’t know shit about me for real, but he was putting forth the effort to show he cared. It was weird but comforting at the same time.

Removing his phone from his pocket, he called Seri back. She answered with attitude, and he gave me another glare. She was going to be on ten until she was told what was going on. She got that from Aunt Symphony.

“What?” she yelled.

“Seri, I’m in labor, and I need you here for CJ. He can’t be left alone,” I said before Royce took it upon himself to silence her again.

“Klarity? Who the hell phone is you using and who was that nigga just now?” she questioned.

“You worried ‘bout the wrong shit ain’t it. My Baby asked you to come deal with CJ, so I can make sure she straight in the delivery room,” Royce chimed.

“Look, I don’t know who the fuck you are, and I’m sure my cousin doesn’t, either. If anybody going to hold her hand through that delivery, it’s me. Klarity, I’m on the way.” She hung up, and I watched Royce flex his jaw.

Him and Seri was going to have to get along. I was already in pain and stressed the fuck out. I didn’t need more shit added to my plate. It was clear he wasn’t leaving me, and I didn’t have the strength to push him away right now. He was the only one moving mountains for me.

“Mrs. Atkins, which option are you choosing?”

“I’m not his wi…” Royce head turned so goddamn fast; I stopped speaking mid-sentence. The look he gave me was a daring one to finish that sentence. He was indeed a crazy… delusional individual. “The c-section if the ECV doesn’t work.”

“I must warn you. It’s very discomforting. I see the amount of pain you’re enduring, and the massage will bring on more. However, if successful, it’ll allow you to have a vaginal birth. It’s your choice, Mrs. Atkins.”

The nurse was straightforward with her response and that c-section wasn’t looking so bad.

But I vowed to always do what was best for my kids and they needed me.

Anything could go wrong and then they would be left with the one person who didn’t love them as much as I did…

or even at all. Hell, he hadn’t asked about Essence since he’d been locked up.

The funny thing about all of this was Royce claimed us before I could process anything.

He stepped through my front door knowing what he wanted.

Seeing him in jail and seeing him in person was two totally different things.

He showed dominance in both worlds but damn why was I more trusting with him than I was with these doctors.

Looking up at him, I watched the way my son clung to his neck as he lay comfortably on his shoulder.

I thought back on the moment my water broke and how attentive he’d been as well.

This was new for me. No one ever stood up for me and made sure I was a priority but him.

I didn’t know how to exactly receive it, but I knew for sure I wasn’t going to reject it in this very moment.

Royce was protective and lowkey possessive.

I was grateful for his help but once I had my daughter, his help would no longer be needed.

“What we doing, My Baby?” he asked looking down at me.

We. My Baby. Why was he making this very unusual situation seem so damn intimate?

The more I looked into his eyes, the more I realized, I never really had a man in Cojak.

There was no admiration in his eyes the way they were in Royce’s and it for damn sure wasn’t any acts of service from Cojak the way there was from Royce.

They were two different men, and one was crazy enough to make me think I mattered even if our time of knowing each other had only been a little over an hour or so.

Releasing a deep sigh, I said, “The ECV.” I knew it was going to hurt, but I wanted to take the chance anyway.

“Nah, you gon’ do that c-section. You ain’t hear that lady say that shit was painful? You already in this muthafucka crying and shit. Do the c-section, I promise a nigga ain’t gon’ let shit happen to you,” Royce voiced, correcting my choice.

Just as I was about to try and speak my peace, the door opened and in walked a man just as handsome as Royce. The only difference was he was a darker man with no visible tattoos. I quickly read the name on his white coat, and it said Chief Riggs. This was who he asked for initially.

“Royce, I heard you wanted to see me,” he said acknowledging Royce and Royce only. He wore a smirk on his face as he approached him. They dapped each other up like they were old school buddies.

“My wife’s in labor. Don’t put nobody on her that’s incompetent ‘cause if something happens to her or my daughter, you gon’ be short of staff. I can promise you that,” he threatened.

“Calm down, Royce. You should know I wouldn’t jeopardize my reputation or the hospitals for that matter.

Her OB/GYN is Dr. Bloom and she’s on the way.

She’s double board certified and hasn’t lost a patient yet.

She has her, trust me. What else can I do for you?

” the chief inquired placing his hands in his pocket.

“After she delivers, I need her moved to a private room. She already in this one, so I won’t have her drug around like some damn dog before she has my baby,” Royce demanded.

“I’ll jump right on it. By the way, your family is waiting for you in the labor and delivery lobby.

You get that demanding mess from Ms. Iris.

She called on me as well. She said, and I quote, “Tell my son I’m waiting for his light skinned ass out here.

Him and his wife.” What the hell have you done Royce? ” he asked.

“Send her back, but just her, and if anyone answers to the name Serinity, send her, too.”

“You got it. I’ll get y’all squared away and after her delivery, just let the nurse know you’re ready to be moved.

Congratulations, Royce, and to your wife…

” The chief looked down at me and gave me a smile showing off his pearly whites.

“I hope you have a safe delivery and enjoy your new bundle. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let us know. ”

The chief was handsome and charming. I could see why he was friends with Royce. Royce was rough around the edges, but he was still charming and sexy as hell.

The chief stepped out and the nurse looked between me and Royce before her gaze settled on Royce.

I guess she figured what he said was it and didn’t want to risk getting cussed out.

I lowkey didn’t want to oppose either. For this to be his first time in a delivery room, he was throwing orders, and everyone was too scared to go against him.

“So, the c-section?” she asked him.

He looked down at me and waited for me to say something. It was too much going on at one time, but I didn’t want to jump ship and settle on the c-section without trying the ECV. I’d already voiced my opinion, and he wasn’t trying to hear me.

You’re stubborn, Royce. That’s not hard to miss.

Shaking my head, I said, “Can we just wait for Dr. Bloom? She’ll know what’s best and I trust her opinion.”

Both him and the nurses nodded. He then pulled up the recliner from the corner of the room to my bedside.

He took a seat with CJ still in his arms. Once he offered my son his phone to play on, I knew it was over.

CJ loved anything electronic that could get him to YouTube.

They sat quietly as I groaned in pain every few minutes.

I was really trying my best to hold it together until Dr. Bloom arrived.

There was a knock on the door and in walked an older woman who was snatched to the gods with Seri directly behind her.

I could tell exactly where Royce got his looks from.

She was absolutely stunning sporting a head full of hair with gray streaks.

Somebody stressed her the fuck out and I could only assume who.

She looked between me and Royce as she rounded the bed. She placed her purse on the windowsill then went to check the monitors. She said nothing to me as she scanned everything. Serinity just stood there with a confused look on her face. She was just as lost as I was.