How I Been

Part 4.7

Jamal sat around waiting for the nurse to come back in or somebody to take him to the operating room. In hindsight, he wouldn't be as bored if he hadn't hung up on Hector and rejected his follow-up calls. He just wanted to be alone for a while but the loneliness was getting to him.

About two hours before 4 p.m., Hector called him again. Jamal picked up to see Hector's worried scroll across the screen.

"Hi," Jamal mumbled.

"Hi," Hector smiled. Jamal sighed and looked around.

"Did you call Adonis and them?" Jamal asked, and Hector nodded.

"Yeah, I called them. That's why I'm calling back now. Xander and Adonis are downstairs waiting to come up, and Damien gonna be there probably after the surgery. He's at work right now," Hector debriefed.

"Thank you, love. We got two hours. I just need them to come get me now," Jamal sighed.

"I know they gon' come soon, don't even worry. Everything gon' be okay. Ask them about th—" Hector was interrupted by a knock at Jamal's door.

"Come in," Jamal said. Xander and Adonis came through the door with balloons, a fruit basket, and two duffle bags. Jamal smiled and flipped the camera to show them to Hector.

"Now what the hell," Jamal laughed.

"I told them bring baby clothes. Look at them being good godparents," Hector cooed. Adonis sucked his teeth and dropped the bag down on the floor.

"Jamal, my baby," Adonis walked up to Jamal's bed and kissed his forehead. "How you feeling?" he asked.

Xander walked over, dropping the balloons and fruit basket on the table next to Jamal's bed. "Wassup, Jamal," he said, sitting on the bed near the foot.

"I'm okay, guys. Thank you for coming," Jamal smiled, flipping the camera back over. Seeing Hector's smile gave Jamal butterflies, just like when he first started catching feelings for his boyfriend.

"Nita coming too, baby. She running a little late," Hector announced.

Jamal sighed, a little frustrated. "I didn't tell you to call her! She's been here non-stop. She needs to rest," Jamal rolled his eyes. Nita had been by his side non-stop, and he wanted her to rest; that's why he didn't tell Hector to call her.

"Baby, now you know her ass would beat my ass if I didn't tell her. She damn near cursed me out when I called her, talking about I called too late," Hector groaned.

The room filled with laughter from the three men occupying it.

"She definitely is missing a couple screws," Jamal laughed louder.

Jamal felt free. He wasn't even thinking about the surgery anymore. He felt content. That lasted less than a minute before the nurse came in the room with someone in a white coat.

"Hi, Mr. Clark and guests. This is our PA he will be with you during surgery along with Dr. Williams," the nurse introduced.

"Hello. Yes, I just want to talk to you a bit before the surgery. I'm PA Truman," the man spoke up.

"Yes, that's okay! Anything you want to ask," Jamal said, sitting up in the bed.

"Yes, would you want me to discuss it with them in here?" the PA asked as the nurse exited.

"Yes, please. That's fine," Jamal nodded.

"Okay! Do you know the surgery you'll be having today?" Truman asked.

"Yes, a C-section," Jamal answered.

"Perfect. Do you currently take any medication that we don't have in the system?" Truman asked.

"No, just the vitamins."

"Got it. Now if you have any questions, now is the time to ask. After we're done here, I'll put in an order for patient transport to come get you. Dr. Williams finished earlier than expected with his previous surgery, so we're ready to get you started," Truman smiled.

"Oh, my baby," Adonis sighed dramatically, bypassing Jamal's stomach to squeeze his cheeks.

"Adonis, I let you slide the first time you said that shit. I'm not letting it slide again. I'll fuck you up," Hector warned. "Sorry, doc, excuse my language."

Everybody laughed, excluding Xander, who just rolled his eyes.

"Hector," Xander warned playfully.

"Nigga, be calm," Hector answered. "Shut up and let Jamal ask his questions."

Jamal laughed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry about that. And no, I don't have questions. I'm just ready."

"Okay, got it. The anesthesiologist came to speak to you earlier too, right?" Truman asked, and Jamal nodded.

"Okay good. The blood results came back great. I'm putting in the order now. I'll let you talk to your people before surgery, alright? It was great meeting you all."

The group shared their goodbyes before the PA left.

"Guys, I'm so nervous," Jamal sighed.

Xander moved closer and gave him a side hug. "You gon' be okay. We know you will. We love you, pretty boy. Just come back safe for us," Xander mumbled.

"Yeah, we love you!" Adonis confirmed.

"You're going to be fine, puss. I love you. Can't wait to see you. Tell my babies I'll be there soon," Hector smiled through the phone.

"Okay," Jamal whispered. "I love you guys too."

As they talked among themselves, there was a knock on the door.

"Hi! I'm patient transport. I'll be taking you down," a nurse said, smiling warmly.

The goodbyes were quick but full of love. Xander ruffled Jamal's curls, Adonis kissed his forehead again, and Hector whispered over the phone, "See you soon, baby."

⸻

The trip to the OR was a blur. Jamal stared up at the white ceiling tiles as they rolled him down the hall. Everything smelled like disinfectant. His heart raced, but he kept replaying Hector's voice in his head. You gon' be okay. I love you.

The OR was cold. Bright lights shined down like little suns. Nurses moved quickly around him, adjusting monitors and setting things up.

"Alright, Mr. Clark, we're gonna start the anesthesia now," someone said gently.

Jamal just nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He thought about the babies. About Hector. About how close they all were to finally being together.

As the anesthesia crept up his veins, he whispered under his breath, "Come back to me," before the world around him faded to black.

When Jamal woke up again, he was groggy, sore, and confused for a moment. But then he heard the low voices, the smell of flowers, the soft beeping of machines and he realized he was back in his room.

"Baby, you up?"

Nita's voice. Jamal cracked open his eyes to see Nita sitting by the bed, holding his hand tightly. Xander and Adonis were in the corner, half-asleep but waking up as he stirred.

"There he go," Adonis grinned.

"Finally, sleepyhead," Xander added, smiling.

Jamal tried to speak but his throat was dry as hell. Nita was already there with a straw, holding it to his lips.

"You did amazing, Jamal," she whispered. "The babies are doing great too. You're safe."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Jamal smiled small, tired, but relieved.

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Hi my lovesss, I hope you're all well! I promised two chapters so the next one will be tomorrow.

How did yall feel about the chapter? I'm still getting back to the mindset of things but I'll get there!

I love yall and thank you again for still reading my books!