Page 59 of A Minute Past Midnight

“It’s only right I get my namesake, my baby.” I kissed her forehead.

Then her smile disappeared, and her fingers tightened around mine again. “Samir.”

I looked over at her and frowned at the discomfort on her face. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“It feels like I’m still in labor.”

I watched as the doctor froze from touching shit on the screen. The room suddenly became quiet as Dr. Moore examined Juliana again, then his eyes widened.

“Oh wow,” he said slowly. “That's because you got another baby in there.”

I blinked. “What?”

Juliana’s eyes widened. “What? I know you’re freaking lying!”

He smiled. “You were carrying twins. That's crazy because out of all the doctor visits you've had, nothing showed another baby was hiding in there. Now that explains the sudden weight gain.”

I stared at Juliana, then looked toward our newborn son and back at her.

“Oh, shit!” I yelled. “I doubled down on that ass.”

“Oh, gaaahhd!” Juliana screamed as another contraction hit. The nurse grabbed my son as the doctor immediately started coaching her again.

“Come on, Juliana. You got this. When you feel another contraction, I need you to give me one big push.”

“Oh, hell no!” She cried.

“Baby, you got this,” I encouraged, trying not to laugh.

“I know your ass ain't laughing!”

“I’m not, baby. I'm not.”

“Yes, you are, nigga! I hate you for this! Why'd you do this to me? Where is my mama? Get him out of here.”

I chuckled lightly, knowing she didn't mean shit she said. “Baby, calm down. I love you, and no matter what, we gon’ get through this together.”

Through the chaos, the tears, and Juliana threatening to kill me several times, she gave one final push, and another cry filled the room with another beautiful baby boy.

I stood there completely stunned as tears stung my eyes.

I had two sons.

Two.

Samir Asaad Junior, and we settled on Jamir Amaad to combine both our fathers' names.

Once the room finally calmed down and both my boys were wrapped snugly in blankets beside their exhausted mother, I stared between them in disbelief.

Juliana looked at me. “What?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Jamir had been hiding behind his brother the whole damn time.”

She burst into laughter.

“It’s crazy,” I continued. “My little homie said, ‘Nah, big bro, you go first. I’m good back here.’”

Juliana laughed harder, tears gathering in her eyes. I leaned down and kissed her forehead before looking at our sons. My heart had never felt so full.