I nodded and released a breath. It felt like each second became more uncomfortable than the last.
“So how’s this supposed to go?” Terrell asked. “Because you’re having the C-section, does AJ still get to be in there with you or they don’t allow that?”
“They let the dads come back too, but the doctor said not until they get me prepped and laid out on the table.”
Terrell smiled at AJ and directed his next question at him. “You gon’ cry, man? Like at the wedding?”
Dee, Karl, and Maisha all shared a laugh at AJ’s expense, but I managed to dial mine down to a smile.
“For the last time,” AJ said, laughing right along with the rest of them, “I wasn’t crying. My allergies were just acting up that day.”
Terrell and Karl hadn’t let him live that down yet, probably never would. He’d only shed a tear or two as I came down the aisle, but these two made it seem like he was at the altar blubbering. Karl let out an exaggerated sob and doubled over in Deanna’s lap, pretending to reenact the scene.
AJ shook his head at the guys and then focused his attention on me again. On cue, our son practically rolled from one side of my stomach to the other.
“What the hell?” Terrell asked in horror. Maisha smacked his arm, but he continued to point and stare. “I know I’m not the only one who just saw Deuce do a somersault. Is that supposed to happen?”
I rolled my eyes. “First of all…do not call my child ‘Deuce’. Second, he’s just getting big and running out of room,” I explained.
“What’s wrong with –“
Before that stupid nickname could leave Terrell’s mouth again, I shot him a warning glare.
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine…what’re y’all planning to call him then? We can’t call him AJ ‘cause we’ve already got one of those, and Anthony junior sounds too formal.”
A sharp pain shot across my stomach and I winced a little, but AJ didn’t notice. “You know what Terrell? Shut it,” I said, managing a smile despite the pain that’d just set in.
“But back to this delivery room situation,” Terrell blurted. “I think you should take some tissue with you just in case, man.”
AJ laughed and waved him off. “Whatever.”
Karl stood from his spot on the couch. “You know what? We can settle this right now. Where’s the DVD of the wedding? I think I saw it when I was unpacking the movies.”
AJ abandoned his post beside me to cross our living room, attempting to grab the DVD before Karl found it, but he was too late. Karl let out the most obnoxious laugh ever while Terrell blocked AJ from getting to the TV.
Everyone was laughing and having a good time but me. My stomach tightened to the point that it made my back ache. This had been happening all day off and on, so I knew it’d pass, but still - it hurt like hell.
“You good, girl?” Maisha asked.
I continued to breathe through the pain and nodded. “I’m fine.”
Her question got AJ’s attention and concern filled his expression. He stood behind me and placed his hands beneath my elbows. “Let me help you get to the couch so you can put your feet up,” he offered.
I nodded but wanted to wait for the discomfort to pass – even the material of my maxi-dress grazing my skin when I moved was uncomfortable. A few more breaths and it was over. Terrell moved his chair out of the way so I could get through more easily, but I had to stop midstride; standing to my feet made the constricting sensation return and I quickly grabbed hold of the table. The quick maneuver scared AJ and he tightened his grip on my arm, thinking I was getting ready to fall.
“I’m fine,” I said through ragged breaths.