Page 40

CREED

T he arena lights were bright, the energy in the stadium electric as we fought to maintain our number one seed in the conference. I was locked in, focused, moving like a machine on the court.

This was an important game, one we needed to win. My body felt good, my shots were falling, and we were up by ten as the third quarter wound down. But in the back of my mind, there was a constant ticking clock.

Serenity was due any day now. She was currently back at the house with her mama, resting, and while I knew she was in good hands, I hated being so far away.

Every time I hit the bench for a breather, my eyes flickered toward the court-side seats where my mama was sitting.

She had flown in specifically for Cree, we both knew that.

But she came out with me anyway for the game to support me.

After getting subbed out by my coach so I could catch a quick breather. I sat down on the bench, a towel draped over my shoulders as I squeezed a Gatorade bottle, drinking in slow sips. The energy in the building was wild, fans screaming, my teammates hyping each other up.

Then I heard it.

"Creed!"

At first, I thought it was just some fan yelling my name. I wiped my mouth and focused back on the court, listening to coach go over the next play.

Then I heard it again this time louder.

"Creed!"

This time I turned, my eyes scanning the stands until I found my mama, standing up and waving her arms wildly. I frowned, confused at first—until I saw the huge smile on her face. Then it clicked. My heart damn near stopped.

I immediately jumped up, knocking over a cup of water in the process. "Shit—coach, I gotta go!"

Coach barely had time to react before I was halfway off the bench. I didn’t wait for permission.

"Go handle your business, Langston!" Coach finally called after me.

I sprinted to the locker room, my pulse pounding as I ripped off my jersey and threw on the sweats and hoodie I had in my bag. By the time I got outside, my mama was already waiting by the black SUV I had used to get to the stadium.

"You ready baby boy?" she asked, practically bouncing on her feet, excitement showing in the wide grin on her face. My mama always wanted a daughter. I think that’s why she clung to Gianna so much. Now, with Cree on the way, she would finally get the girl she’d always wanted.

"Hell yeah, let’s go!" I shouted, hopping into the back seat. The moment the driver pulled out onto the road, I grabbed my phone and called Serenity. She picked up on the second ring, her voice sounding strained but excited.

"Hey, Beautiful."

"Langston," she breathed, and I could tell she was in pain but trying to keep it together. "You better hurry up, because your daughter is not trying to wait on you."

I let out a breath, rubbing my temple. "Tell Cree she better hold on; I’m flying through these damn streets."

She laughed softly, and the sound eased the tension in my chest. “Please be safe.”

"I will. I love you," I murmured.

"I love you too. Now get here."

"I’m coming, baby. Just hold on."

I ended the call and glanced out the window, silently praying we didn’t hit any damn traffic.

The arena was on the other side of town from Phoenix Memorial, which meant it was going to be at least a 30- minute drive and that was without traffic.

I had missed a lot of important moments because I was on the road working. I wasn’t about to miss this one.

We pulled up to Phoenix Memorial Hospital just as the sky was starting to darken, the city lights twinkling in the distance. I jumped out of the SUV before it even fully stopped, barely hearing my mama calling out behind me.

"Where’s Serenity Bradshaw?" I asked the nurse at the front desk, my voice breathless.

She typed something on her computer then seconds later she smiled. "Third floor, maternity wing. Room 312."

"Thanks."

I took off down the hall, dodging nurses and patients, my shoes squeaking against the tile floor.

When I finally reached the delivery room, I burst through the door, my heart hammering.

Serenity was lying on the hospital bed, her dark curls damp, her hand gripping her mother’s as she struggled to catch her breath. Her eyes found mine immediately.

Relief flooded her face.

"You made it," she whispered.

"Of course I made it," I exhaled, rushing to her side. I grabbed her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I’m right here, Beautiful. I’m not going anywhere."

The doctor glanced at me. "Perfect timing, Dad. She’s ready to push."

I swallowed hard and nodded, tightening my grip on Serenity’s hand. "You got this, baby."

She looked at me, sweat glistening on her skin, eyes filled with determination.

"Let’s do this."

She spent almost forty minutes pushing, breathing, pushing again, more breathing all the while being a solider to push out my kid.

Looking at her, realizing she was putting her body through hell just to give me a baby, it was awe inspiring.

It was something I would forever be grateful to both her and Gianna for doing.

"Alright, Serenity, I need one big push!" Dr. Wesley said nodding her head encouragingly. Serenity gritted her teeth and squeezed my hand so damn tight I swore I lost circulation. “That’s it. Good job keep going.”

“I think I just need a short break.” Serenity said looking exhausted. “Just a second.”

"You’re almost there," I whispered, kissing her forehead.

"One more push!" Dr. Wesley continued to coach her through it.

Serenity screamed, pushing one last time, her entire body tensing.

And then I heard it. A sharp, loud cry echoed through the room.

My chest caved in as I watched the doctor lift up our daughter, her tiny body caramel and perfect, her little fists clenched, her curly black hair already thick on her head.

"Oh shit," I choked out, my vision blurring. “She’s here baby, our girl is here.”

Serenity sobbed, her body going limp as she exhaled in relief. The doctor quickly cleaned Cree up before placing her in my arms. I stared down at her, completely speechless, my heart aching in the best way possible.

"She’s so beautiful," I whispered, my voice breaking. “She’s so fuckin beautiful Serenity.” She looked just like me, but she had her mama’s nose and curls.

Tears burned in my eyes. "Hey, Princess," I murmured, gently brushing my knuckle against her tiny chubby cheek.

"I’m your daddy." She yawned, and my chest ached.

I looked up at Serenity, who was watching me with tired, tear-filled eyes.

I leaned down, kissing her softly. "You did so good, baby. I’m so proud of you. "

She sniffled. "We did it."

"Yeah, we did."

I turned back to Cree, holding her against my chest. "And I swear to you, baby girl, I’ll love you forever. Always."

Later that night, after Serenity was resting and Cree was sleeping peacefully in the hospital bassinet, I stepped out into the hallway and pulled out my phone.

My mama had already reached out to Pops to let him know Cree was here. But there was only one person I needed to call…Nasseem.

"Yo," he answered. "What’s good?"

I exhaled, my lips curving into a smile. "She’s here, Nas. My baby girl is here."

For the first time, my boy was speechless.

Then, finally, "Shit, for real?!"

I chuckled. "Yeah, man. She’s perfect. I thought I loved Gio but damn, this little girl.” I felt myself getting choked up.

“Congrats my boy. I’m so fucking happy for you. How Sis doing?”

“Getting some much needed sleep.” I replied. “She had my fuckin baby man. She went through hell and back to get me my princess. There are no words to express how good that shit feels.”

“I’m happy for you C, real talk.”

“I was calling to not only tell you that she was here but, me and SB talked about it and we want you to be her godfather."

There was a pause. Then, "Damn bro... I’d be honored, for real. Wow, that’s crazy, I can’t believe you mutha fuckas trust me to take care of her. Wait, how that work, if y’all die I get her?"

“Yeah, you up for that?”

“All y’all gotta do is get her past the shitting phase and then I’m taking a hit out on both you niggas.”

That made me laugh, hard as hell. Then, I swallowed hard, my throat thick with emotion. "I appreciate you, Nas. I know we made the right choice."

"Man, I appreciate you," he muttered. "You already know she got a whole damn army behind her."

I laughed, nodding. "Damn right she does."

And as I hung up, standing in that quiet hospital hallway, I realized something. This was one of the best days of my life.