Page 53 of Haze

“What the hell are you doin’ out of bed?”

He grabbed their son, afraid she might tip over.

She laughed. “Boy, I pushed your son out with no drugs. I’m free to walk around as I please, thank you very much.”

She perched on the side of his bed and winced slightly.

With his free hand, he rubbed her back before he picked her hand up and kissed it. “You did so good, baby. Thank you.”

Devyn smiled tiredly at him and leaned down to kiss his lips and then his nose. She nodded toward the baby. “Henry Junior, meet Henry the third.”

Tears welled in Haze’s eyes as he finally got a good look at his son. He burst into laughter. “Ain’t this some shit?”

“I know, right?”

When Haze looked at Devyn, he saw a grin spread across her face.

“This nigga looks just like you.”

“I mean, both our kids are named after you. This traitor stole your whole face. It was only right my son come through and give me a small win.” She jabbed her finger in their angel’s direction. Their daughter was too busy looking at her brother to even care that Devyn talked about her.

Haze chuckled but stopped quickly when he felt a shooting pain in his head.

“If you want a baby named after you, all you gotta do is ask. Third time’s a charm, right? Maybe this time I’ll actually get to witness it.”

Devyn smacked his arm weakly. “Hey, first time was my fault, but this time was all you, playboy.”

Haze shook his head, still in disbelief, but he was too in love with his son to dwell on it. He had the most perfect round face and bunny nose. He had his mama’s slanted eyes too.

“Henry the third. Daddy loves you, my guy.”

They all looked at the newest addition to their family for several minutes before Devyn turned on her side and curled up next to her husband. Haze’s heart couldn’t be fuller. He had everything he needed right here in this small ass hospital bed.

He kissed Hazel’s head. “I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

He kissed his son on the head. “I love you, little man.”

“And what about me? You love me, too, Daddy?” Devyn asked sleepily.

He kissed her head and lingered there for several moments. If it wasn’t for her, his spirit would have never known peace. Chaos had always been present, but Devyn stepped into his life and showed him what it was like to live without that. She and hiskids grounded him. He said a quick prayer of thanks before he pulled away from her and whispered, “I love you, Thicka.”

She giggled. “And I love you,Haze.”

The end