Moving Forward

Eleven

Aaliyah

Roc, Prince, and I were waddling out of the store when I felt a sudden pain. I bent over, gasping for air when I felt my sweatpants dampen. Immediately, my mouth dropped, and I paused. Did I just piss myself? I knew I had a small bladder, but damn. As I took another step, I felt another pain form, and I grabbed onto Roc.

 "Oh shit," Prince paused, looking at my pants in horror. "She wet herself, man!"

 "I'm going into labor!" I screamed, glaring at him. "My water broke! I don't--I can't--Roc do something!"

 My brother immediately lifted me into his arms, carrying me over to the nearest taxi. The man, who could see us approaching, tried to hurry up and slide inside, but Prince yanked him out by the collar before holding the door open for me.

 "Nearest hospital, and drive fast," Prince yelled, looking at me in horror. "Man, my godchild is gonna be birthed in a fucking taxi! You better clench your vagina or something, girl!"

 "I don't know much about babies popping out vaginas, but I'm damn sure it doesn't work like that, Prince!" Roc yelled. He bit his lip nervously as I cried out again. "Shit, call Prod!"

 Prodigy

 I sat in the unpacked kitchen, staring at our small accomplishment. Just as I was about to say something to Ray, my phone rang.

 "Hello," I said, analyzing the somewhat dirty countertops.

 "Hospital! Manhattan! Now!"

 The phone went dead before I could respond, and I stared at Ray in shock. He looked at me, still slightly angry.

 "What, nigga?"

 "I think," I paused to lick my lips, "Aaliyah is in labor."

 ____

 When we walked into the hospital room, all eyes landed on my brother Ray. Roc immediately stood up, his hands clenched into fists with Prince standing up behind him. Aaliyah, screaming and crying, looked at us in shock.

 "What is he doing here?" Prince asked lowly, gesturing to Ray.

 Ray frowned. "I'm here to see my son."

 Immediately, I turned to look at my brother, my heart sinking. There was no way in hell that he was the father of Aaliyah's baby. But then again... that would explain why he was so angry with me, and why he acted weird when I had first told him about her. But still, why hadn't they told me sooner.

 "Is it true?" I turned to Aaliyah, my chest hurting. "Is he -- Is it my brother's kid?"

 Aaliyah nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Baby, I'm so sorry."

 "Save it," I mumbled. I gave a quick head nod to Roc and Prince before turning to leave the room. "I'm gone."