Double Standards (Part 1)

Deliverance

It's time. I awoke in the middle of the night in excruciating pain. Getting up, I waddled to the bathroom but before I could make it I felt a gush of water run down my legs and puddle the floor. Thankfully Marcus had stayed the night. I made it to my bedroom door and yelled. "Marcus, Marcus. Ohhhh Marcus.

Marcus came bounding around the cornor in only briefs with his gun drawn.

He saw me crunched over holding my stomach.

"Laney are you okay?"

Shaking my head no, I grunted out between panting breaths.

"It's time. My water broke. Help me. Call Conner. Call Silas and have the car prepared. Also my gown is wet. I need you to help me dress".

Marcus got to all my instructions right away. As he was helping me pull my gown over my head Conner ran in windless.

"The fuck Marcus?"

"I'm  helping her dress. Get your mind out of the gutter and help dick".

As Conner approached I let out a painful cry and tears streaked my cheeks.

"Conner my bag is in the closet, grab it".

Five minutes later they had me in the car on the way to the hospital. Ela stayed back with her baby Cole. Gasping, I grunted out between huffs, "call London's parents".

Both men went for their phones at the same time. I can't recall who actually made the call. Once at the hospital, I was situated into a lovely delivery room. Marcus and Conner stayed by my side the entire time. One on each side of me, holding my hands, feeding me ice chips, and giving encouraging words.

Even though they was trying to comfort me all I could think of was London. Wishing it was him here holding my hand. Wishing he could see his son being born.

I had been in labor going on six exhausting hours. I was worn and ready to give up and just like that, London's voice broke my weary thoughts.

"Babydoll you can do this. You've got this".

I pushed with everything I had left as I screamed out London's name through my tears. A few seconds later, I heard a strong wail. My baby, my baby was here. The nurses laid him upon my chest and through my tears I smiled pulling him to me while whimpering for London.

Conner and Marcus backed off to give me this emotional moment. I gazed into Dem's little face and cooed. "You look just like your Popa, yes you do".

Dem had London's eye's, skin tone, jet black hair. He was a replica  of London. Kissing his perfect nose, I looked up to Conner and Marcus.

"Gentlemen come meet your new king. Say hello to London Demarcus Harper, or as he will be called Dem".

Both came over grinning down at him with teary eye's and promising him that they would forever have his back and tell him all about his Popa. They both agreed that he was like a mini London.

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Dem is two now and the Apple of my eye. So much has changed in the past two years.  Eventually, I moved back to Alabama and live in my home there.  This did cause a bit of a ruckus with the family at first but they understood my need to get away.

I visit every other month for a week and London's parents come down here on my off month. I do plan on moving back to New York once Dem is older, but right now I'm still healing. I'm not sure I'll ever overcome my heartache or grief.  To this very day I still secretly spin around hoping my eye's will land on London. After I put Dem down for the night, I go to the middle of my yard and spin like a lunatic. I'll never give up. I still look for clues. I can't let London go.