Page 17 of Royce (Atkins Family Saga #1)

“Ma, this is Klarity, your daughter-in-law, and CJ your grandson. She’s about to have your granddaughter soon and her name is Essence.

That rude muthafucka over there is her cousin Serinity,” he said making the introductions.

When he pointed at Seri and called her rude, I damn near choked on the laugh I held back.

I could tell she was not his favorite person.

“You the rude one muthafucka. Who the hell calls somebody phone they don’t know and just start talking crazy? Look, cousin, I love you, but if this who the hell you ‘bout to be with, I’m not supporting it,” Seri threw back.

“We ain’t ask you to. I got more than enough family and money for that,” Royce countered.

“Hey, not right now and not today,” I chimed, stepping in the middle of their bickering. “Seri, this is Royce Atkins and that’s all I can tell you. I literally don’t know shit about this man.”

He chuckled and said, “You ‘bout to.”

“Junior who is this woman and why you in here harassing her?” his mother inquired.

“I just told you. My Baby, this my mama, Iris. She’s a retired nurse if you were wondering. Now that we made acquaintances and shit, Ma, what you think she need to do? Essence is breech and she ain’t trying to turn no time soon.”

“What did your doctor say?” Iris asked, gesturing if she could touch my belly. I nodded and she gently touched it.

“She hasn’t got here yet but from the previous visits, she said c-section might be the only safe option. I just want to be here for my kids, and I know how risky all surgeries can be. I don’t want to chance anything when it comes to them,” I answered.

Iris was sweeter than I expected her to be but then again, Royce was as well. It was clear where he got it from. She was a mother bear for sure though. She didn’t come in here questioning shit about me other than who I was, but I could see the many questions flowing.

“Seri, can you take CJ please? You’re the only one he’ll be comfortable with,” I voiced. I noticed she stood with her arms folded across her chest sending death glares to Royce. I really wasn’t trying to hear the back and forth while I was already tensed up and aggravated.

“I can’t. Tell that nigga to gon’ head out there and wait like a good little dog. You my damn cousin. I ain’t going nowhere,” Seri snapped back.

Royce said nothing as his focus shifted from Seri to me.

The look he gave was more of a warning than anything.

I wasn’t the smartest when it came to reading people, but his expression was clear as day.

He was silently asking me to check Serinity.

I exhaled deeply as I looked to Seri. She was going to cuss me out, but she would still do as I asked. This wasn’t about her, and she knew it.

“Seri, please just take him out. He has Royce’s phone, so he’ll be fine. Just until I’m done having Essence,” I pleaded.

She stared at me hard before kissing the back of her teeth and giving in. She walked over to where Royce and CJ were taking him from Royce. She took the phone from CJ and tossed it into Royce’s lap.

“We’ll be back after I grab him some food and stuff. Hopefully by then you’ll have had her,” she said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“I’m going to head out as well. If I’m needed, I’ll be in the waiting room. Royce, take care of this girl and that baby. We’ll talk later. Ain’t no telling what you done forced this girl to do or say,” Iris commented. She was smart enough to know I was coerced into letting this man be by my side.

“Thank you, Ms. Iris. I appreciate you checking on me even though you don’t have a clue as to who I am.”

“My son seems to be interested so I have no choice but to accept you. He’s stubborn and if he’s already claiming you, there’s no changing his mind on where you stand.

You and the babies are welcome into my family at any time.

I guess that means I should start shopping while I wait.

” She squeezed my hand and offered a soft smile.

Iris didn’t know me from a bag of beans but accepted me.

She made me feel more welcomed in the span of fifteen minutes than I ever did with Cojak and his family.

Maybe it was me who was the delusional one.

Royce claimed me as his but right now, I was accepting everything that came with him.

His mother was just as crazy if you asked me.

I would’ve been questioning CJ nonstop about who the heck baby was he claiming and more.

However, Iris showed unconditional love for her son and whatever he brought to the table.

I loved that about her even if I didn’t know her.

She left me alone with her son and this was the first time we had a moment alone.

No kids, no nurses, no family, just us. He seemed so content, yet my ass was over here nervous, stressed, and unsure.

As much as I needed a moment of peace, I wouldn’t find one until the questions that lingered were answered.

He grabbed my hand intertwining his fingers with mine. His thumb stroked the back of my hand and for a second, peace washed over me. His protectiveness was refreshing and calming. It was something I didn’t know I needed until he gave it to me.

“What’s on yo’ mind, My Baby?” he asked without looking up at me. He must’ve felt my eyes on him. It was hard to tear my gaze away from him.

There it is again, My Baby. That’s not my name.

Before I could answer him, a contraction hit, and I was hissing out of pain.

I squeezed his hand, and he allowed it. He didn’t flinch once, and his thumb strokes continued.

After I calmed down momentarily, he gently kissed the back of my hand where his strokes had gotten comfortable. Being rough with everyone but me… why?

“I’m trying to figure out why you’re here as well as why the hell you’re doing all this.

We don’t know each other, yet you’ve claimed me since you invaded my damn privacy and personal space.

You know where I stay, my kids’ names, and I’m sure much more.

Stalking leads to a prison sentence. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that? ”

“Can’t stalk someone that stays in a city I built brick by brick. This my shit and I go anywhere I damn well please. I gave you a heads up, you just missed it,” he answered.

“You goddamn right I missed it. Look, you keep calling me your baby, but I distinctly remember you have someone. She always showed up to your visits and it took her to get you off my baby daddy. I’m thoroughly confused on why you’re here right now.”

I honestly forgot about the beautiful chocolate woman who always sat across from him once a week. She was petite and suffered from vitiligo, but it didn’t take away from her features. I knew all too well how it felt to see the other woman. I’d hate that for her.

Royce chuckled but refused to let go of my hand. The more I tried to disconnect us, the tighter his grip got. He was tickled by my response when all I was trying to do was show some damn respect to his lady. Men would always be men but the least I could do was extend that as a woman.

“She’s not worried about what we got going on, trust me,” he replied.

“ Tuh ! Typical ass nigga.” I was finally able to yank my hand from his and he was hovering over me within seconds. His presence was intimidating but all I could do was admire how attractive he was.

“Don’t ever snatch what’s mine away from me.

That’s the quickest way to get me to lose my shit.

If you wanted to meet her all you had to do was ask.

Heidi don’t got a problem speaking for herself.

Now, you want to know why a nigga here, right?

I saw you; I wanted you, and now I got you. Anything else?”

“That’s not how things work, Royce,” I corrected him. He was spoiled and it showed.

“It does in my world, and it will for you as long as you by my side. It ain’t shit you can’t touch as long as you carry my name. You in a position many women would kill over. Don’t make me regret my choice, My Baby.”

Dominant in anything he did from the moment we met.

You could tell he was used to having his way.

I slapped his hand away before he could move my hair out my face.

I wasn’t his and everything he spat was what a nigga of his nature would say.

Crazy muthafuckas belonged in a padded room, not a jail cell, and damn sure not on the streets. On que, Dr. Bloom entered the room.

“Thank God,” I said aloud.

“ Hmph ! Yeah, he seems to be saving yo’ smart mouth ass a lot today,” Royce commented before taking the seat he previously occupied.

“Hi, Dr. Bloom,” I greeted her ignoring the gnat that kept bothering me.

“I heard you’re in a lot of pain, so we are taking you and Essence for an emergency c-section. We can’t wait. The anesthesiologist will be in shortly to give you an epidural and then they’ll move you to the OR so we can get her out. Are you alright with that?”

“I trust you so yes.”

“Great. Is this dad?” she questioned.

“It is. I’m coming, too, doc,” Royce replied.

“That’s fine with me. I’m going to head out and get ready.

Dr. Donnovan and his team are right outside.

Things are about to move fast for a while so don’t be alarmed…

either of you. You’ll have your baby girl soon.

” She left just as quick as she entered with the anesthesiologist entering behind her.

Things did move fast, and Royce didn’t let a moment go by where he wasn’t watching everyone that moved around with hawk eyes.

For him to be more of a man than the one I’d known for the past few years said a lot.

I was grateful for the support, but it wasn’t needed.

For all I knew, he was another man wanting to take advantage of me.

It might’ve not been for money, but who’s to say it wasn’t for something else.

Have a safe delivery and send him ‘bout his way, Klarity. You’re good alone.