ICU TOO

Chapter Forty-One

MARCH 2024

Crystal

"She is so pretty." Novi said looking down at the sleeping newborn in my arms.  "What's her name?" She asked me.

Devale and I look at each other before laughing softly.

"We couldn't find one," Devale answered. "She came a lot earlier than expected." He said.

I was not ready to have my baby girl yet. Devale and I were just figuring out what color to go with the nursery. Now we're waiting for her bed to get put up and installing cameras in her room. She had no business coming two months early.

But, she's healthy and happy. Also nameless, we came up with a bunch of names but once we saw our little one nothing fit her. But she looks just like me, which makes me even happier.

"I think that the name will come when you least expect it." Novi said.

"Yeah maybe when I'm not looking at the walls of a hospital room. Even if it is a fancy room." I said looking at DeVale.

"I'm just ready to take the both of you home." Devale said.

"What are they waiting for?" Novi asked.

"You know they like to keep premies just to monitor them." I said rolling my eyes. "But I can take one look at my baby and know she's perfect." I tell her.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"come in." I said quietly.

The door opened and my parents walked in. They weren't in the room with me during my delivery, just Devale. But, occasionally they would pop in so the kids could see me and say hi. It's been a lot of help having them around. Once I entered the last trimester of my pregnancy, I was completely on bedrest.

Devale had kept his word and stayed home with me for two months before going back to work. the hospital has lost two really good surgeons, one of them being Devale and the other one being Morris. He put in for early retirement about three months ago and left to live in South Africa somewhere.

Devale and I have been trying to find a big enough house but the ones we're finding in Atlanta are so much better. Plus, the interior of them are so beautiful and look like a breath of fresh air. I didn't think I'd want to move to Atlanta but looking at our family, I think we could all use a fresh start.

"We came to see the beautiful baby." Mama said walking up to the bed.

"Isn't she so pretty?" Novi asked poking her lip out.

"She would be even prettier with a pretty name." My dad remarked.

I smacked my lips. "We're trying dad." I say softly. "I will have one before we leave the hospital, I promise." I said as Devale grabbed my hand.

"How are the kids?" Devale asked.

"They're with your parents, all sleeping. They got tired waiting to see their sister." My mom told us.

"It's okay. You can take them home, we can see them tomorrow." I say letting out a soft yawn.

"Yeah mama needs some sleep." Devale said rubbing my cheek. "let me take her." He asked.

I let him take her out my arms and I relaxed my entire body. It felt so good to just rest. I was in labor for 15 hours, I need to go to sleep.

Devale

I stared at my beautiful baby girl with bright eyes and a smile on my face. Another one. Seems like so much work, but for some reason I don't care. I'm just happy that I got another kid. Most likely, my last one. I've been thinking about getting a vasectomy. But, I don't wanna bring it up to Crystal until she's fully healed and not still full of pregnancy hormones.