Page 21 of So Special: Fanatic Love

The hospital that I worked with partnered with a birthing center that offered water births. I loved it when my post was there instead of the actual hospital. At the birthing center, I was afforded the opportunity to be more personable and hands on with my mothers. I also had two patients at the most, whereas at the hospital it could be on the upwards of five.

“Kat, it hurts so bad,” Charmin whined. “Just pull him out, Kat. I promise I won’t be mad.”

I knew she was tired. There was a point where we thought she would have to change her birthing plan because the baby boy tried to come out breached. Luckily, we were able to get him in the right position. “I know, lady, but think about meeting your precious boy. Give me another push.”

I stood beside the midwife who was ready to receive the baby. With one more push and a howl, there was a loud wail released in the room. “Listen at your lil man!” My heart was full. “He’s so strong, Charmin!”

The baby was placed on her chest as she cried. Charmin decided to not cut the cord immediately. Everyone moved around the room to set it up for recovery while I tended to mommy until the placenta was out. I cleaned the baby while he laid on his mommy’s chest. She wanted to breastfeed, so after we weighed him, we would immediately introduce him to the nipple.

Hours later, mommy and son rested comfortably in their room. Baby boy Darrin did very well on the breast for the first time. Charmin was my last patient for today since my other had her baby girl early this morning. I made sure that I checked on her before I went on a break. When we didn’t have personal patients, we assisted with other births. I had another four hours on the time clock, then I could go pick my baby up from Mrs. Lina’s house where Asher said he would be with our son.

In our breakroom, there were extremely comfortable recliner seats. This medical industry could be exhausting at times. It was important to take care of yourself and get the proper amount of sleep. A tired nurse or doctor was no good to any patient in the long run. I never understood people who subscribed to theI don’t sleep or I’ll sleep when I’m deadmentality. With thinking like that, you’d be dead or burned out before you knew it.

I watched the movie on the television as I sat in one of the recliners and ate my bowl of fruit. For the most part, I tried to eat clean. Yes, I was thick as fuck. I had no interest in losing weight. However, I didn’t want to gain anymore either. My head pivoted slightly to the sound of footsteps. My eyes winched closed at the sight of Evangelina and her little friend Gavin. Both of them were annoying and messy as hell.

“Hey, Kat, girl!” Gavin greeted. “How you doing today?” That boy knew he couldn’t care less about how I was doing. They rarely spoke to me.

“Outstanding,” I responded dryly. I wanted them to get what they needed and go to the other side of the break room space. Their mere presence disturbed my spirit.

Our breakroom was broken up into three sections. The lounge relaxation section was where I was currently. There was a kitchen behind it, and on the other side of the kitchen, there were tables to eat at. The relaxation side lights were dimmed. There was a divider wall between each section, but a door connected all of the sections.

Evangelina giggled, then said, “Shit, I would be outstanding too if my baby daddy was Asher Kane.” Her and Gavin cackled like little bitches at the mean girls’ table in a high school lunch cafeteria. “Girl, how did you pull that off?”

Like there was a bell in my ear, all I heard was ringing.How the fuck? What the fuck?“What the fuck did you say to me?”

“Oh, boo! You don’t have to be secretive about who your baby daddy is.” Gavin croaked through his lips, making me want to bop him in them. “The blog blasted you, boo.”

Evangelina sneered. “Imagine me working and Asher Kane Wilson is my baby daddy.” She turned her nose up. “Girl, you’re dumb as hell.”

They left the breakroom with nothing in their hands, letting me know that their sole purpose was to come in here and disturb me. I was far from stupid. Since Asher had known about Ashtan, he’d put over eighty thousand dollars in my bank account. I didn’t understand that because we had an agreed amount. When I tried to give it back, he all but cursed me out.

I pulled my phone out and googled my name with Asher’s. There it was, big as day! A blog namedMilky Hot Teahadthe nerve to have an article about me and Asher as a fucking exclusive.

“Girlies and Gentlemen, do I have some properly steeped tea for you all! Now we all know Pro-baller, Superbowl ring wearing, fine ass Asher Kane Wilson who plays for the Carolina Cougars. For the years that he’s blessed our screens on football nights, he has seemingly been unattached. No one has ever been able to link him to any woman. He’s one of the most desirable men in the professional football league, but he keeps that pipe on lock down apparently. Or so we thought.

Word on those Charlotte streets are that he allegedly is attached. Not just attached, but someone’s baby daddy. According to a source close to him, his child’s mother’s name is Katniss Roland. Let me tell you, Miss Katniss is a thickem. We didn’t know you liked them thick, thick Mr. Wilson.

After a little research, we know that Miss Katniss is a neonatal nurse and doula. Her IG lets us know that she has a lil following as a #nursebae. See for yourself: ForThe_LoveOf_Katniss.

Now we don’t know much yet about the baby, but y’all know I’m on the job. So, Girlies and Gents, penny for your thoughts.

I read the article repeatedly, not believing what I read. What was even more alarming and terrifying was the pictures of me coming to work, at the store, and various places around town. I thanked God that none of the pictures had Ashtan in them.What the fuck! A source close to him!I was livid!

As far as Evangelina and Gavin, oh I had something for their messy asses. I got myself up and headed to human resources. Before I walked in, I took a second to get into character. I knocked on the door with tears cascading down my cheeks and snot about to come out my nose. I was urgently let in.Somebody is going to lose their job today.No company liked bullies.

Human Resources not only let me go home early, but she initiated a paid mental health leave.Damn right!The speed of my SUV was no respecter of the speed limit as I made my way to Mrs. Lina’s house. When I read the article, I took note that the shit came out two fucking days ago. Clearly, I’d seen Asher’s stupid ass since then and he had yet to say shit to me about this bullshit. I hated being blindsided.

I heard the mower from the front of the house when I pulled up. My feet moved faster than my thoughts to the front door. With closed eyes, I tried to steady my breathing. I didn’t want to spazz out in front of his parents again. With my best feigned smile, I knocked on the door. Seconds later, Mrs. Lina opened it with Ashtan right there beside her.My son is so fucking nosy.

“Mama! Hi!” He pushed his granny to the side before he extended his arms to be picked up. When he was in my arms, he wrapped his little arms around me best that he could.

I kissed all over his face as I had done since he was two months old. When he was born, I was scared to kiss him on the face because I thought it would give him baby acne. “Hi, mommy’s baby!” After my kisses, his greeting, and giggles, he wiggled out of my arms. “Were you good for granny?”

His head knocked side to side before he said no, then ran off yelling for his papa. “Chile, you know dat boy ain’t been a bit more good.” She told me to come in. “You look tired and hungry. Come eat.” She walked toward her kitchen.

No matter how mad I was, I would definitely eat whatever she cooked. This woman could cook her ass off.

“I am. Is Asher in the back?” I questioned.

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