Tyrant
Page 35
“This is exciting, but having a baby is a lot of work. Some days you might wonder how many days have passed since you got a good rest. Are you ready for this, Hunter?” She turned to him, a serious expression on her face.
He thought long and hard about her question.
“By the time I realized I was in love with you, that’s the moment I was ready, Nita. Anything that came our way, planned or not, I was born ready for. I told you before we even got married that I wanted you to have my baby. So yeah… I was made for this. I’m going to be there every step of the way. And that’s a promise.”
He tilted her chin up and deposited a kiss on her lips…
Seven and a half months later…
The hospital lobby area looked like a damn party. Hunter stood there, his shirt soaked in sweat, his emotions all over the damn place. Justin, Tisha, his grandparents, fighting buddies, manager, friends and even a couple members of the press were walking around. They were all waiting for the news. He broke out in tears of joy, and people rushed over to hug and congratulate him.
“Nita… my wife… she’s had the baby, everyone. It’s a boy! My son is here. Nine pounds, seven ounces. Hunter Noah Wolfe. He’s healthy, he’s perfect, and Nita is doing fine.” Everyone clapped and cheered. “Man, I didn’t know I would be like this! This broke me down. When he came out, I lost it… seeing him being born… Oh my God… just crying my eyes out. This isn’t right! I’m a warrior!” he joked.
“Congratulations, Hunter!”
It had been a long labor, and they feared she might need a C-Section. The surgery was averted and he ended up cutting the umbilical cord in complete shock and amazement.
“They’re cleaning him up right now. I better get back in there.”
Back in the delivery room, Nita was so beautiful with her long hair brushed back away from her face, her face glowing even though she was exhausted. He took her hand in his. Just then, the swaddled baby was brought over.
“Here’s your baby! What a big, handsome boy!” the nurse announced with a gigantic smile. Nita held the newborn carefully in her arms and they both studied him well.
“Hunter, he looks just like you! He’s even as pale as you, too!” She laughed. “He’ll get his color eventually, but hell, from the looks of things, you’d think I had nothing to do with this.”
He burst out laughing as she looked at him in wonder.
“He does look like me… damn.” He blinked back tears. “Can I, can I hold—”
“Of course you can hold your son.” Nita gingerly passed him to Hunter. He was gentle, giving adequate support to the baby’s neck. “I better have them tell Tisha to come in and meet her brother. Olive will be here tomorrow.” He nodded, not taking his eyes off his little one. The baby blinked and opened his eyes ever so slightly. They looked at one another, and Hunter fell in love.
“Nita, he has your mouth.”
She sat up a bit to get a better look. “You’re right… everything else is you, though. Even his ears.”
He nodded in agreement.
“I wanted him so badly. Thank you… thank you for this gift, Nita.” Cradling the baby to his chest, he leaned over and kissed her. Her eyes watered as Tisha entered the room.
“All right, all right! Y’all had your chance!” The young lady snapped her fingers and gave a waving motion. “Hand my brother over. It’s my turn, now!” The room erupted in laughter as Hunter slid the baby into Tisha’s embrace.
“Did you wash your hands, Tisha?” Nita asked, her brow raised.
“No, Mama. Instead, I thought it would be a good idea if I played in the mud and massaged some raw expired egg yolks and then played in the trash from the hospital cafeteria before coming in here to hold a baby fresh outta the womb.” Nita rolled her eyes at the girl as Hunter burst out laughing. Tisha’s beam lit up the room. “So this is Hunter Noah, huh?” she said in a soft, sweet voice as she looked into her baby brother’s eyes. “We’ve been waiting for you!”
Hunter squeezed Nita’s hand.
“Thank you for this gift,” he said again.
“You’re welcome. You already said that though baby and you are just as much worthy of a ‘thank you.’ I could not have made him without you.”
“No, I’m talking about something else… I’m talking about the gift of your love. The gift of acceptance. Taking me as I am. We’ve come so far in such a short time… I couldn’t ask for anything else.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I got out of prison, needed a new start. I found out some bad news about my best friend… and that’s when this journey began. I walked out one door of tragedy and walked into another filled with nothing but hope. You were behind that door… standing there with Tisha and Olive. And now here we are, with our son.”
She sighed.
“I want to take some pictures of him. I left my phone in my purse out there with my friend, ran in here too excited. I’ll be right back.” Tisha handed the baby back to Nita and exited the room. Nita kissed the baby’s forehead and looked up at Hunter with love in her eyes.
He traced her cheek with a gentle touch, glancing between the two of them. He imagined his mother seeing her grandson for the first time… If only. Then, he imagined Noah seeing him, too. In that moment, there was nothing that could compare to how he felt. No words to express what was happening inside his heart.
My soulmate has given birth to our child. They’re both healthy. You can’t get any better than this; nothing can top this. Not a heavyweight championship belt, not a spotlight in Sports Illustrated, not a brand new car with suicide doors… Nothing. Aside from the day we got married, I can’t ever remember being this happy…
The Tyrant is a beast. And a Beauty. His son is his cub. His pride. His joy.
Welcome to the world, Hunter Noah. Roam free. You’re the newest member of the Wolfe pack. You are home.
“Love will find a way through paths where wolves fail to prey.”
– Lord Byron
~The End~
MUSIC DIRECTORY
I have included a music directory to be used as an aid in the enjoyment of this novel. Sometimes, re-reading the scenes you appreciated with the songs that are mentioned, provides a whole new layer of satisfaction and understanding.
Please bear in mind that songs listed below may not be in the exact same order as they appear in the book. If you enjoy any of the songs listed, please purchase a legal copy of the tune and support the artist(s) whom created it. I am certain they’d appreciate it.
1. Childish Gambino – ‘Redbone’
2. Da Brat – ‘Give it to You’
3. Dayton Family – ‘I’m a Gee’
4. Dayton’s Family – ‘Real With This’
5. City Girls – ‘Act Up’
6. George Duke – ‘No Rhyme No Reason’
7. Drego & Beno – ‘Slatt Season’
8. Method Man and Redman – ‘Da Rockwilder’
9. Mac Miller – ‘Donald Trump’
10. Eminem – ‘Godzilla’
11. Hank Williams Jr. ‘If Heaven Ain’t a Lot Like Dixie’
12. Imagine Dragons – ‘Radio Active’
13. M.C. Breed – ‘Ain’t No Future In Yo’ Frontin’
14. Al Green – ‘I’m Still in Love With You’
15. Luniz – ‘I Got 5 On It’
16. Midnight Star – ‘Freak-A-Zoid’
17. D’Angelo – ‘How Does it Feel’
18. Sade – ‘The Sweetest Taboo’
19. Young & Company – ‘I Like What You’re Doing To Me’
20. Odyssey – ‘Inside Out’
21. Bones Thugs n Harmony – ‘All Good’
22. Cheat Codes – ‘No Promises’, ft. Demi Lovato
23. Gap Band – ‘Humpin’’
24. Third World – ‘Now That We Found Love’
25. Dayton Family – ‘Real With This’
26. Dayton Family – ‘Flint Town’
27. Bone Thugs n Harmony – ‘Thuggi
sh Ruggish Bone’
28. LoveRance – ‘UP!’ featuring 50 Cent
29. Kendrick Lamar – ‘Swimming Pools’
30. Mad Lion – ‘Flex’
31. G-Unit – ‘Wanna Get To Know You’
32. Buju Banton – ‘Boom Bye Bye’
33. Nickelback – ‘Rocksta’
34. Eminem – ‘Not Afraid’
35. Willie Hutch – ‘I Choose You’
36. Lamont Dozier – ‘Fish Ain’t Bitin’
37. Lil Mosey – ‘Stuck In A Dream’
38. The Beatles – ‘Come Together’
39. Case – ‘Faded Pictures’
40. Mötley Crüe – ‘Dr. Feelgood’
41. Shyne – ‘Bad Boyz’
42. Duran Duran – ‘Hungry Like a Wolf’
43. Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London’
44. ‘Styx – ‘Mr. Roboto’
45. Quiet Riot – ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’
46. Green Jelly – ‘Three Little Pigs’
47. R.E.M. – ‘Losing My Religion’
48. Tom Petty – ‘Free Fallin’
49. Creedence Clearwater Revival – ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain?’
50. John Lennon – ‘Imagine’
51. Norah Jones – ‘Come Away with Me’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today bestselling author Tiana Laveen writes resilient yet loving heroines of color and the alpha heroes that fall for them in unlikely happy-ever-afters. An author of over 50 novels to date, Tiana creates characters from all walks of life that leap straight from the pages into your heart.
Married with two children, she enjoys a fulfilling life that includes writing books, drawing, and spending quality time with loved ones.
If you wish to communicate with Tiana Laveen and stay up-to-date with her releases, please follow her on social media platforms as well as visit her website.
Tiana Laveen website
www.tianalaveen.com