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Tori’s mother stepped forward, looking relieved.
“And how’s my daughter?” she asked.
“She’s good. Tired as hell, but she’s doing fine,” I answered. “Man, I’m so fucking proud of that woman. She went through a lot bringing them boys here.”
“She sure did,” Ma Pat agreed, smiling. “And we couldn’t be happier for y’all.”
Mase came over and dapped me up.
“Congratulations, my nigga. Four kids now. You got your hands full,” he told me.
“Man, tell me about it,” I replied, laughing.
I looked around at my family, still trying to take everything in. I’d missed Leah’s birth, but this time, I’d been there for every moment. I’d watched my wife bring our sons into the world, and that was something I’d never forget.
“Man, I’ain never been this fucking happy,” I admitted. “My wife and my boys are good. That’s all I could ask for.”
I stayed long enough to answer a few more questions before heading back to Tori. Everybody would get their chance to meet Khajoni and Khori, but right now, I wanted to be with my wife.
When I returned to Tori’s room, she was resting against the pillows.
“Thank you, beautiful,” I told her.
“For what?” she asked.
“For my boys… for everything,” I replied.
She smiled and squeezed my hand.
“I love you, Ajoni.”
“Love you too, baby.”
I sat back in my chair, looking over at Tori as she rested. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours, but nothing compared to watching her bring Khajoni and Khori into this world. I’d missed the chance to experience Leah’s birth, so being there for my boys meant more to me than I could ever put into words.
I had four children, a beautiful wife, and a family that was still growing in ways I never expected. Life had given me plenty of reasons to be angry over the years, but right now, I didn’t have a damn thing to complain about.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Khatori
By the third morning in the hospital, I was ready to take my babies home. Khajoni and Khori had been doing well, but because they’d arrived four weeks early, the doctors wanted to make sure they were feeding properly, maintaining their temperatures, and keeping their blood sugar levels stable. Neither one had needed the NICU, and I was grateful for that.
I was sitting in bed feeding Khajoni while Khori slept in his bassinet. Ajoni was across the room putting together the boys’ things when a nurse came in.
“Good morning. How’s everybody feeling?” she asked.
“Ready to get out of here,” I answered, making her laugh.
“Well, I have some good news. The pediatrician cleared both boys for discharge,” she announced.
“About damn time,” he replied, grinning as he came over to kiss me.
The nurse went over our discharge instructions, including the boys’ feeding schedule and follow-up appointments. Ajoni paid close attention, asking questions so he could make sure he had everything down pact.
Once the paperwork was finished, we got the boys dressed in their matching cream-colored sleepers with their names embroidered across the chest. Their little hats completed the outfits, and I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures before putting them in their car seats.
After the nurse checked that both boys were properly secured, we were finally on our way. I couldn’t wait to get home, especially because Leah hadn’t gotten to meet her brothers yet. AJ had seen them at the hospital, but GiGi kept Leah home while everything was going on.
