Page 107 of Set me Free

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.

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