Page 56 of I Changed for You
I shook my head. “No. The contractions are coming faster now, so he’ll be here soon. Do you hear his heartbeat?”
She listened closely and smiled. “Yeah. It’s so strong. Is he moving around?”
I shook my head with a roll of my eyes. “No. He’s sleeping now.”
“Well, you should try to get some sleep too. Did you get the epidural?”
I shook my head. “I’m a gangsta. I’m going to fight through it.”
She laughed. “Okay, gangsta.”
Five hours later, I cried for the epidural, but it was too late. It was time to push MJ out. I had both Skylar and Melijah by my side. I thought for sure he’d show out, but he helped me through the birth of our baby.
“I love you, Light Bright. You’re doing amazing,” he expressed, kissing my cheek.
Meanwhile, I sobbed as Melijah spoke to me so gently. It was what I needed to push our baby out. Melijah Hall Jr. came out screaming at the top of his lungs. When they laid him on my chest, I cried with him, kissing his forehead. I held my baby boy in my arms as he whimpered and squirmed. Melijah came and stood by our side, and I tilted my head to stare at him.
“We did it,” I declared with a smile.
He chuckled. “Nah, you did it. I’ve never been prouder of you.”
I smiled through my tears. “Do you want to hold him?”
Melijah looked almost scared, which caused me to press my lips together to keep from laughing. “You’ll do okay. All you have to do is support his head. I’ll be with you.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, and I helped him hold Melijah Jr.
“He looks a lot like you,” I noted, smiling through my tears.
Melijah nodded, his eyes still on our baby. “Yeah, he does. He has your nose and lips though.”
I looked closely. “He does.”
When they took MJ to get cleaned up, I almost cried, but I knew it had to be done. I pushed out a whole baby with the help of my boyfriend and cousin. While the doctors worked on me, I felt my eyes growing heavy again. I was so tired after pushing out a whole human being. One thing I loved the most was how caring Melijah was. He stayed by my side and made sure I was good. He was a keeper. I was lucky to have a man like him in my life. I’d forever be grateful for him.
Today wasone of the best days of my life. MJ and I were getting discharged today. After being in the hospital for two days, I was ready to get the hell out. Both my and Melijah’s families visited me throughout the days I was there. It shocked me when Jada and Camila congratulated me on our baby boy. That was all they said too. I didn’t understand them, but I didn’t give a damn anymore. If they wanted to act that way, so be it. I was happy and enjoyed my life to the fullest.
Melijah was out getting the car while I packed everything, and MJ was with the nurse, undergoing additional tests to ensure he was cleared to go home. After that, we would be able to be discharged.
Melijah came back into the hospital room with a smile on his face. The baby’s car seat was in his hand. “Are you ready to go?”
I nodded. “I’m just waiting for them to bring MJ back to us, then we can finally go home.”
He stepped toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Damn, I can’t wait to get home.”
I chuckled and laid my head on his chest. “Me too. It feels like I’ve been in here forever.”
Before he could say anything, the door opened, so we pulled out of each other’s arms. The nurse had brought MJ back to us. Our baby boy was wrapped in a receiving blanket over his going-home clothes. She placed him in my arms.
“Here you go. It was a pleasure being your nurse and caring for Baby Melijah. He’s too adorable,” the nurse voiced.
I smiled. “Thanks!”
Once she left the room, Melijah and I got MJ in the car seat and buckled him nicely. After we were done, another nurse came in to walk us down to the car. They wanted to ensure the car seat was installed correctly in the vehicle. After they confirmed that it was, we were free to go.
“The only thing I want to do when I get home is sleep.” I yawned.
Melijah caressed my thigh. “Yeah, you can do that as long as he’s asleep. I heard that’s the best time to sleep. None of us have gotten much sleep these past few days.”
