An Unconventional Love: A Novella

by Warren, Alexandra

  Okay, maybe not more overwhelmed.

  I stopped at a red light and peeked over to Jasmine who was giving me a death stare.

  “If you don’t run this mothafuckin’ light! There aren’t even any cars coming!” Though traffic was pretty non-existent at this particular stop, I still didn’t wanna put us in danger.

  “Jasmine, you don’t even have your seatbelt on. I’m not taking any chances.”

  In between deep breaths she yelled, “Fuck that! Let’s go!”

  “Jasmine, I’ll run this light if you agree to marry me.” Marriage was still on the radar as far as I was concerned so I couldn’t help taking advantage of the moment by asking.

  “Rich, you can put a ring on all ten of my fingers and toes if you run this damn light!”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes! Now drive!” I looked both ways before going straight through the light as if it had never been red in the first place.

  By the time we made it to the hospital, Jasmine’s contractions were less than two minutes apart so I made a mad dash into the hospital to grab a wheelchair and a nurse. Jasmine was able to crawl out of the car before the nurse and I positioned her in the wheelchair then pushed her into the hospital. I followed the nurse to the birthing center, helped Jasmine change out of her clothes and into a gown then got her situated on the bed while we waited for the doctor to show up.

  I did what I knew how to do; stroked her head, gave her ice chips, and held her hand as her contractions got closer and closer together.

  “Rich, I love you.” For a moment, I froze causing her to continue on. “That’s what I came to your job to tell you. That I love you.”

  The words came out muffled thanks to the ice chips she had filled her mouth with but I caught enough of it to knowingly reply, “I love you too, Jasmine.” She blushed before her face turned pained with the passing of another contraction.

  The doctor walked in looking a little too disheveled for my liking but I guess that should’ve been expected since she was coming in on her day off after a few days worth of sixteen hour shifts.

  “Mr. Robinson. Ms. Monroe. I hear the baby boy is ready to rock and roll.” Jasmine rolled her eyes, trying to relax through another contraction so I answered for the both of us.

  “Yep. He’s ready. Her contractions are about a minute apart.”

  “Great. Let me take a look-see.” The doctor pulled over her stool, positioning herself right between Jasmine’s legs. “Uh-huh, you’re dilated about six and a half centimeters. We’re almost ready to push, dear.”

  “Almost ready? Almost ready like you’re gonna run to the bathroom real quick and come back then we’ll get going?”

  “Umm...not quite. Maybe a couple hours.”

  “What! Oh hell no! He’s ready. Let’s fuckin’ do this.”

  “Doesn’t work like that, Jasmine. And you gotta relax. Save all that energy for when it’s time to push.”

  “Shut the hell up, Rich.”

  “Ms. Monroe, if you need anything, just press that button. Otherwise I’ll be back to check on you in ten minutes.” Of course, Jasmine started jamming on the button immediately.

  “I need something! I need you to get this damn baby outta me!”

  )~o~(

  “Fuck my life! It’s time! Get that damn doctor in here now! Nurse too! Rich, wake up!”

  I didn’t even know I was sleep, but Jasmine was definitely the scariest alarm I had ever woken up to. I did a quick scrub of my eyes as I rushed to her bedside.

  “Breathe, babe. Breathe. This is a piece of cake. You were made for this shit.”

  “You’ve seen my damn vagina, Rich. That little hole is not made for...oh my God!” I held her hand as she worked through another dose of pain.

  “I hear you’re ready, Ms. Monroe.” The doctor looked a little more refreshed by now as she put on a pair of gloves. She positioned herself in between Jasmine’s legs before she took a look and said, “Oh yes. You’re more than ready. Baby boy is crowning already!”

  I peeked down below and immediately regretted it.

  The gush...

  The deformed head…

  I swallowed hard to push down the throw-up that had rushed to my throat.

  “Alright, Jasmine. I want you to give me a good push on three. One...two...” Jasmine pushed with all her might as she grunted and growled and squeezed the life out of my hand.

  It has got to be broken by now.

  “You’re doing great, babe. A few more and we’ll be done.”

  “We’ll? I’m doing all the damn work,” she said in between breaths.

  “Alright, Ms. Monroe. Here we go. One...two…” I felt my hand crack as Jasmine pushed with such a full breath I was just sure she was gonna pass out.

  But she didn’t.

  I actually heard a little cry.

  And when I looked down to where the cries were coming from, my whole world changed.

  jasmine.

  Never again.

  There was no way in hell I was having anymore children after dealing with stubborn ass Baby Rich. In fact, I had already signed the papers to have my tubes tied the second he made his grand exit cause no….hell no.

  Twelve hours of active labor?

  Not two...but twelve?!

  He’s lucky he’s adorable.

  “You okay, babe? Need anything?” Rich was asking me but his eyes were glued to his pride and joy. My heart fluttered just thinking about how I had done something to make someone else that kind of happy.

  “Do I look okay? Do I look like I need anything?” I was only teasing but not enough to warrant a response from him. Instead, the response came from the doorway.

  “No, you look terrible...want a mirror?”

  I knew without looking that it was my big sister Bailey.

  “You are such a bitch! Get over here!” She laughed me off as she headed to my bed, holding a bouquet of flowers and an it’s-a-boy balloon. She sat the gifts against the windowsill before giving me a hug.

  “Oh my God...look at him! I didn’t think you’d be done by the time I got here.” She was hovering over the incubator as she watched Baby Rich do absolutely nothing but be the cutesy little button-nose baby he was.

  “He was a stubborn one for sure.”

  “Wonder where he got that from….”

  “Shut up, Rich. Anyway! Where’s Chad?” Even though I was still indifferent about Bailey’s decision to stay in her loveless marriage, it was strange not to see them together for something like this. I mean, he was technically both of their nephew.

  “He’s umm...actually, Rich can you excuse us for a minute?”

  “Sure. I’m gonna run down to the cafeteria. Call me if he does anything cool.” He walked over to the bed to give me a little kiss on my forehead. It was the simplest gesture but it managed to calm my nerves about him leaving my side even for a few seconds. The feeling of needing someone was so foreign that for a while I didn’t even recognize it. But now, it was clear as day. If he wasn’t leaving me in my sister’s hands, I would’ve definitely fought him over it.

  Bailey waited for the door to shut before diving right in, “Now about Chad…”

  “Spit it out, sis. You didn’t kill him, did you?”

  “No, no, nothing like that, crazy. I umm...I told him. About the affair. And he… he forgave me. Like way too easily. So naturally I became suspicious. Come to find out he’s been sleepin’ with the preacher’s kid.” Though the preacher’s kid wasn’t exactly a kid - thank goodness - I was still pissed.

  “Ewww, not Ebony’s ugly ass.”

  “No...the other one.”

  The other one?

  Preacher Wiley only has one daugh...

  “Wait a minute...the other one is a…” Bailey’s face remained still as I put two and two together, “Nooooo way. Chad? Chad’s like a…”

  “He’s a top. That’s what he is. Good thing we stopped having sex long ago, otherwise I’d be concerned about much bigger thi
ngs.”

  “Wow that’s…” I couldn’t even put into words how I felt about it so instead I asked, “So what now?”

  “Easy split. I get what I came in with. He’ll get what he came in with. Everything we acquired together, we’ll split evenly. And I’ll be a free woman.” She sounded so unbothered but I knew it couldn’t have possibly gone over that easy.

  “Are you okay?”

  She shrugged as she replied, “Honestly...it’s weird. But God works in mysterious ways.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I added, as I looked over to the incubator holding my little human who sound asleep without a care in the world.

  Our little human.

  “But now that I’ve dropped my news, time for you to drop yours. You tell him, yet?”

  “Tell who what?”

  “Rich. Did you tell him you love him?”

  “I told him.”

  “And…”

  “And he said he loved me back and we moved on from it.” I don’t know why I expected fireworks or a parade in response to my little announcement but his regular response, in his regular tone, certainly wasn’t it. I couldn’t overreact though cause I hadn’t exactly given the best response when he first said it either.

  “I’m proud of you, sis. Never thought I’d see the day.”

  “Hell, me neither. But here I am; a mommy who’s in love with her baby daddy.”

  “Better predicament than me.”

  “Trust me Bailey’ finding out about Chad’s infidelity was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to you.”

  “Kind of like Rich taking a chance with your crazy ass.”

  I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I could definitely see the similarities. Even if Rich and I were thrown together in the most unconventional way, him and baby Rich were easily the best things that ever happened to me.

  )~o~(

  “Baby girl? Baby girl, wake up.”

  I was pretty sure I was dreaming until I felt a warm hand holding mine. There was a familiarity to it; not that I had felt it in ages but could certainly never forget what it felt like.

  “Daddy.”

  He gave me a warm smile, as he stroked my hand. “There’s my princess. How you feelin’?”

  “Feeling like a new mommy that’s for sure. Sore. Tired. Empty.” It was weird as hell watching my stomach deflate little by little. Hopefully that was a sign that I’d be joining #TeamSnapback sooner than later.

  Or at least #TeamMILF.

  “Reminds me of your mother when she had you two. Where’s my grandson?” I tried to ignore the little tinge of irritation from just hearing about my mother and instead focus on the positive in my son.

  “Hanging out with the other babies while I get some rest. He’s right down the hall if you wanna see him.”

  “No, I really came here to see about the knucklehead that knocked my baby girl up in the first place.”

  “Daddyyy…”

  “What? I’m not gonna hurt the young man. Just give him a good...talkin’ to.” My dad was a pretty boy by nature so I was sure he didn’t mean any real harm. It was actually kind of funny to see him go into protective mode, something I hadn’t seen since I was a teenager.

  “Right. Well I’m sure he’s down there glued to the window.”

  “Just like I was. I remember it like it was yesterday; the days you two were born. The happiest days of my life.” There was a little twinkle in his eye as he spoke. And strangely enough, his sentiments sounded exactly like Rich.

  “I just bet you do, Dad. How’d you know where to find me anyway? Bailey?”

  “No, actually your mom. She’s here ya know.” Shocked was an understatement. I was just sure I’d be able to feel her negative vibes toward me whenever she was within a 5 mile radius. I didn’t know how to respond so Dad filled in the blank. “She’s actually waiting for me to tell her it’s okay to come in. She didn’t want to disturb you.”

  I rolled my eyes as I replied, “I can’t imagine her being so considerate.”

  “Baby girl, just give her a chance alright?”

  “Give her a chance to do what exactly?”

  “You know...talk to you, be a mom to you, at least give her well wishes.” Though everything he was saying sounded like they’d be coming a few years too late, I agreed to let her at least show her face.

  There was a soft knock at the door that I knew belonged to Patty. The door cracked open and she tipped her head in asking, “Can I come in?”

  “It’s a free country.”

  “I…deserved that one.” She slowly climbed through the little crack she had created, softly shutting the door behind her. In fact, everything about her seemed softer.

  The way she was walking.

  The way she was talking.

  It was...weird.

  “Congratulations on becoming a Mommy, Jasmine. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Of all the things I’ve done, you wait until I have an illegitimate baby to be proud of me? You are something else, Patty.”

  “Jasmine, please. I’m not here to argue, or fight. I just...I know I’ve said some really cruel things to you over the last few years and I...I guess I’m here to apologize. Even if you reciprocated the attitude, none of it was appropriate from my end. I’m your mother. I should support you no matter what. And I...I dropped the ball, Jasmine. I’m so sorry.” I really thought the whole emotional pregnancy bullshit went away the second the baby was out, but apparently there was still more in the tank as the tears flew down my face before I even had the chance to stop them. It was like she had said everything I ever wanted to hear at the absolute least likely moment I expected to hear them. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if my mom knew I had given birth. I surely didn’t have any plans on calling her to let her know. But now that she was here, actually supporting me, apologizing to me, expressing her fault, I felt guilty as hell for ever letting things get so bad.

  “I’m umm...I’m sorry too. You know for like...being mean and stuff.” She walked over to my bedside and took my hand, stroking it the same way my father had.

  “I read a scripture on my way here and I…”

  “Mom…”

  “I know, I know; me and my church stuff. But just hear me out for a second. God said that love covers over a multitude of sins. I may not agree with every choice you make, but if I at least do my job in giving you a mother’s love, then there is nothing for me to be concerned about.” In a weird way, I knew exactly what she meant. Instead of being critical of everything I did, she was deciding to do the only thing she had control of.

  That was definitely something I planned to keep in mind with my own child.

  “Thank you, Mom. That was...perfect.”

  “You’re welcome, dear,” she replied, as she put a hand to my head and began stroking my hair in only a way a mother knew how to do.

  Since we seemed to be in a good space, I couldn’t help prying her for information about what had her all soft and girly. “Now tell me something… what’s going on with you and Dad?”

  She immediately brushed me off though there was no hiding the hint of blush on her cheeks. “Oh girl. Nothing’s going on with me and that old fool. He calls himself trying to be my friend, but he does everything he can to test the title.”

  “Are you two getting back together?”

  “I don’t think so, Jaz. But you know how God works. If you wanna make him laugh, tell him your plans.”

  Finally, the whole God thing was making sense.

  And I was just sure he had a stomach cramp from laughing so hard at me.

  rich.

  RJ was officially home.

  Since Rae had only gotten to spend a few moments with him in the hospital, she was more than happy to take over while Jasmine and I got some rest. Jasmine was still a little sore, so I helped her get into bed before walking to the other side to slide in next to her. She adjusted for a moment before she found her favorite spot against my chest.

  We laid in a comfor
table silence; the most silence we had experienced in days before Jasmine broke it, asking, “Rich, are you happy?”

  I didn’t have to think twice before replying, “Happiest man in the world.”

  “I feel like I should be...happier,” she said with a sigh that made me pull her in a little tighter.

  “What’s wrong, Jasmine?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I just...when you read about women having babies, they always talk about how blissful it is and how precious those first moments are with the baby, blah, blah, blah. And I don’t feel...any of that.” I could hear the concern in her voice, as if something was wrong with her because of how she felt.

  From one of my random Google searches during her pregnancy, I found out that it was more than common for women to not feel as engaged as they expected to be from the jump. I quickly reassured her, “You’re adjusting, Jasmine. It’s natural to feel this way. I mean, you’ve suddenly become responsible for a whole new life. He’s counting on you. I’m counting on you. It’s a lot. But it’s nothing you can’t handle.”

  She relaxed a little bit as she replied, “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  I rubbed my fingers through her hair, trying to help ease some of her tension. It was moments like this where everything felt strangely perfect. Not perfect in a sense that nothing was wrong but that what I needed to be in place, was in place.

  Well, all except for one thing.

  “Speaking of words, remember when we were on the way to the hospital?”

  “Yeah….”

  “And I said I’d drive through the light if you agreed to marry me?”

  “Yeah….”

  “Well…?”

  She lifted herself from my chest before turning to me with a softened scowl. “Can you at least get down on one knee or something? I mean, I’ve already had your baby. The least you can do is make it a little romantic.”

  I laughed her off, but did exactly as she asked, making my way to her side of the bed before dropping to one knee, “Jasmine Marie Monroe...baby mama...will you marry me?”

  She played with her curls, looked around the room, readjusted her clothes; just about everything to make the wait longer than it needed to be before she finally answered, “Yes….Daddy...I’ll marry you.”