New to This |2| LaMelo Ball

Was Born

(You can play music now, or later in the chapter when it says to)

Dominique

I woke up in the dark and cold hospital room. I looked around the room to see nothing but the ugly decor. There should be balloons, teddy bears, maybe even flowers.

There was nothing. There were no congratulation balloons, there were no teddy bears, and there were no flowers. There was nothing.

It all felt wrong, this wasn't how I thought it would be. This wasn't how it's was supposed to be. I wish I could go back to sleep, only then did everything feel right.

I turn on my side and see my parents and Tina. "Dom you're up." They rush to my side, "Do you need anything?"

I shake my head no. I was tired, I was in pain, I wanted to go home. I want to see my baby, I want to take him home, I want Melo and I to raise him, and be a happy family. That's what I wanted.

"I didn't do anything wrong you know? I always went to my appointments, I ate right, I exercised. I did everything I was supposed to do."

I looked at my Mom and Tina, "I didn't do anything wrong." I cried, "The doctors told me that I didn't do anything wrong."

"We know sweetie." They assured me, "We know you didn't do anything wrong." I continued to cry as they tried to comfort me. Nothing could help me cope with the hurt I'm feeling right now.

••••••

Omniscient

LaMelo had rushed Dominique into the labor and delivery section of the hospital. "We need doctor Johnson!" He yelled as he rolled his girlfriend down the halls.

"Sir let us help you." One nurse took Dominique as another walked with Melo asking questions and filling out paperwork.

"Lay down and the doctor will be right here." The nurses rushed out the room, leaving the two scared teenagers all alone.

LaMelo sat next to Dominique as they waited for their doctor. He grabs her hand and holds it between his, there were no words exchanged, but they both knew what would have been said.

"Dominique I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I came as fast as I could." Doctor Johnson walked in the room. She was at home asleep when she received a call from the expecting parents.

She and a nurse quickly gathered all the equipment they needed to help Dominique. "I'm going to do an ultrasound, and we'll go from there."

Dominique took in a deep breath as the doctor placed the cold gel on her stomach. All eyes were on the screen, doctors Johnson moved around Dominique's stomach and there was nothing.

"No this can't be happening." Dominique whispered but it was so quiet it was hard for anyone not to hear.

"There's probably something wrong with the equipment. Or maybe the baby is just in a weird position." LaMelo watched the screen, refusing to believe what was happening.

"I'm sorry to inform you," Was all doctor Johnson said before the two broke out in tears. "but there is no heartbeat." It was hard for her to say it, but it was protocol.

"You have the option to come back tomorrow, or we can induce the birth right now." She wished she could give the two time, but there were steps that needed to be taken.

••••••
(Play music)

LaMelo stood outside the room with his dad. He walked around in circles, trying to figure out what went wrong.

Dominique's Dad, Mom and Tina walked out of the room. With tears still falling out their eyes, Dominique's parents give LaMelo a hug goodbye.

"Melo!" His brothers cheered unaware of the current situation. They seen Mr. and Mrs. Avery crying as they walked away.

Lonzo, LiAngelo, and Denise walked up the hallway confused. They seen LaMelo in the arms of his mother, and Lavar with tear stained cheeks.

"What's wrong Dad? Is there something wrong?" The oldest son asked his father, praying he wouldn't get the answer he knew he was expecting.

"Yes Lonzo, unfortunately something is wrong." Lavar told him before there was more chatter in the hallway.

"Oh my God this is so exciting!" LaMelo looked up to see his friends Daijon, Quan, Will, Ejay, Tomi, Narvin, Iris, Mo and Dominic.

LaMelo went back into the room to keep from hearing the announcement one more time. The eager teens were confused on why no one in the hall was as happy as they were.

"What's going on?" Lavar stepped away from his sons and walked over to the group, "I've got some bad news for y'all."

No one has ever seen the Ball Family this emotional, so they knew it was something serious. "Dominique is fine, but the baby...the baby passed away."

They were all heartbroken. All anyone knew what to do, was to cry. They all left except for Mo and Dominic, who joined LaMelo's brothers and their girlfriends.

LaMelo walked out of the room, "She's asking to see you guys." He cried. They were hesitant at first, but knew Dominique needed family right now.

They all walked towards her room, "Denise," LaMelo gently grabs her arm, "not you. Not right now."

It hurt Denise that Dominique didn't want to see her, but she knew why. "I'll be in the waiting room." She told Lonzo. She gave LaMelo a hug before walking away with the fear of experiencing this situation.

"What do we do now?" LaMelo looked at his parents for help. "I'm sorry son," Lavar cried, "We've prepared you for everything in life, except this moment right here."

Lavar and Tina held their son, and all three of them cried in each others embrace. Never in million years did the couple think that they would have to help one of their sons get through a moment like this.

Mo, Dominic, Lonzo and LiAngelo all walk out of the room. LaMelo leaves his parents and goes back to his girlfriend.

Lavar cried, and for once, he was unsure of what to do. "LaMelo and Dominique will never be the same."

Inside the room, Dominique and LaMelo laid in bed. They both thought that they would be with their son and have the feeling of joy washed over them.

That wasn't the case at all, they were without child and overwhelmed with the feeling of brokenness. Dominique cried into LaMelo's chest as he tried his hardest to be strong for her.

Dominique and Melo have been through a lot together, they had many ups and downs, highs and lows, but nothing can ever compare to this.

All they had were three more weeks