It was finally Saturday and the ceremony was happening today. I had been waiting for this day since it first started. It took me days to get the perfect speech together. I literally drove Cordell crazy with my practicing. He kept telling me that it was okay but I couldn't rest until I had everything perfect.
I had my outfit picked out and now all I had to do was get Sapphire. "Lady Bug are ready?"
"Yes mommy I just took a bath."
"Okay then come her and let me do your hair so you can be the princess I know you are." She smiled and ran to me. I could really say we had grown a real relationship. I loved the feeling of being a mother; having someone to look up to me was a very honoring thing. "Mommy can you braid my hair?"
"You want up or down?"
"Up."
"Up it is then." I finished up her hair the way she wanted which took a good thirty minutes. "Okay now let me help you put on your dress so it won't get your hair messed up." Once I had her dress on I told her to make sure she didn't mess up the dress while she waited for me.
I went back into the bedroom so that I could get myself ready since we only had two hours before we had to be there. I did my makeup first because I knew that would take the longest. After that I did my hair and since I wasn't really doing anything big with it, it didn't take too long to get done.
When I was done Cordell walked in with some chips in his hands. He sat on the bed and faced me like he had something to say. "Okay spill it."
"Spill what?"
"Don't play dumb with me Cordell, tell me what's on your mind."
He sighed, "I don't think you should be going."
"Why not?"
"You've been sick these past few days and I just don't want you to test it."
"I can't not go to the ceremony of my own project Cordell. Those lucky girls that got the chance to be able to do something they love even for short time is because of me and I will not let them down."
"They will understand Lelaih."
"That doesn't matter, I am going. I want to be a part of this and see their faces and I think it is a good opportunity for Sapphire too."
"I never said it wasn't but you are missing the fact that you need to take it easy now."
"I am taking it easy Cordell, all I'm doing is sitting down, eating food, and then making a speech. That's it." He sighed once again. "Fine Lelaih, I will see you when you get t home then." He got up and left out. I really didn't understand why he was giving me a hard time right now. It wasn't like I was going to work a full shift of work. Instead of focusing on his attitude I got dressed in the all black silk dress that had a split down the side. I added the jewelry and the shoes that went with it. Once I was done I checked myself out in the mirror.
"You look pretty mommy," Sapphire said coming and standing beside me. She grabbed my hand and smiled up at me. "I think we both look pretty." I kissed her cheek and we headed out. I decided not to say anything to Cordell since I knew he was in a sour mood and had went into his office. I felt bad because we had promised not to leave things badly like last time but I just couldn't deal with the arguing or that would make me feel sick. I sent Sapphire to tell him goodbye so he would know we were leaving.
Sapphire finally came running downstairs holding her dress. I grabbed my things to head out but before I could touch the door I was grabbed by a strong hand. I turned around and was caught by Cordell. He took my keys and handed them to Sapphire, "Princess, take the keys and go wait in the car for mommy so daddy can talk to her real quick. She nodded and left out leaving me standing there not knowing what to say. "You were just going to leave without saying goodbye?" his eyes were staring holes into mine. "After the whole bedroom situation I really didn't want to argue anymore."
"Didn't know we were arguing." Sometimes I really wanted to hurt him sometimes. I sighed, "Okay then I didn't want to continue to rehash why you think I shouldn't go because honestly it's frustrating and stressful." He looked at me some more as if trying to figure out what I was thinking. "You do realize when we get married you will have to make decisions as a couple? I know you don't like hearing what you can't do but all I'm trying to do is make sure you and our baby growing inside you."
"I understand that Cordell but I don't need you to baby me. I get you want to be overprotective of me but I don't need you to treat me like a child. I just need you to be my support system in this not my father."
"How about this then we compromise. From here on out I will stop treating you like a child but just keep in touch with how you are feeling. I don't want you to ever feel like I am treating you like a child. I love you Lelaih Jackson and I would do anything for you if it meant you would be safe." I smiled, even though we fought he still found ways to make me smile. Cordell really cared about me and I couldn't ask for anything else.
The ceremony was something really amazing to be at. I couldn't believe how inspiring it was to see the girls' and how much they enjoyed the program. Every girl came up to me and shared with me their story and experience with the program and told me how much fun they had getting to do something they loved. Sapphire even seemed to make some new friends. I was glad she was enjoying herself but seeing her act this way and seeing the girls it made me realize I would do anything to make sure Sapphire had every opportunity in life.
Eventually we headed home after I had given my speech and frankly I was pooped. I just wanted to take off my shoes and put them up. When I did get home I found Cordell and Conrad on the couch watching a basketball game. They both had their feet up on the table with the volume turned all the way up. "Well don't you two look comfortable?"
Cordell got up and met me at the door. He kissed me and then kissed Sapphire on the cheek. "Lady Bug go take off your dress so you won't mess it up."
"Okay mommy!" she ran upstairs leaving me still face to face with Cordell. "Can I help you with something handsome?" he grabbed me by the waist and begin planting kissed along my neck to my collarbone. "You smell good baby." He sucked and then bit down on a spot he chose. I closed my lips tight so a moan wouldn't escape and Conrad wouldn't have to hear what was going on just a few feet from him. When I tried to step away his grip became tighter as he pulled me back to him. "Don't run from me baby." He brought his face back to mine looking deep into my eyes. At that moment everything in the world cease to exist as me and him only communicating through our eyes. This is what I loved about what we had; we didn't always need words to communicate.
"Okay you two love birds I am still in the room!" Conrad yelled making us break our connection. I kissed him one last time and broke out of his hold to go into the kitchen. I was really craving something sweet. As I was looking in one counter I felt a weird pain. They felt like cramps so I didn't pay it any mind. I continued to search but eventually the pain became too powerful for me to take. I grabbed the side of the counter trying to keep my balance. I needed to get to Cordell. When o stood up to walk out, I saw blood trickle down my leg. When I saw the blood pain shot through me making me fall to the floor. "Cordell! Ahh... Cordell!" by now the blood was coming heavier and I could barely move. Cordell came running in with panic written all over his face. "Lelaih! Baby what's wrong?!"
"I can't move, I feel pain all over."
"Fuck!" he picked me bridal style and rushed to the door. "Just hang in there baby girl I promise I will not let anything happen to you." I grabbed my stomach as he put me in the back of his truck. I barely felt anything as he rushed me to the hospital as the pain raced throughout me like electric shocks. The only thing on my mind was my baby inside me; I was praying that I wasn't losing it.
When we got to the hospital he took me out and rushed me inside screaming for someone to help me. The nurses came and took me to the back. After a while the pain took over and I faded into the darkness.
I woke up to a beeping noise. The pain was gone which I was thankful for. I looked around and found Cordell sitting in a chair beside me. His hand was tightly grasped around mine. "Cordell." His head shot up and met my mine. He stood up and placed kisses all over my face. "I was so worried I lost you." He finally found my lips leaving one long kiss. "I told you I would never leave you," I said as I rubbed circles in his cheek. He sighed at my touch.
"Glad to see you are awake now Ms. Marshall," the doctor said walking in with a clipboard. "Is she okay," Cordell asked standing up still with my hand in his. "While you were out we examined you to see why you were bleeding and feeling pain and found out that your placenta is beginning to separate from your uterine wall which is called placental abruption."
"And what does that mean? Is she okay, is the baby okay?"
"So far she and the baby are okay but I am putting her on temporary bed rest. By doing this the bleeding and the cramping should stop." I sighed hearing my baby is okay. Cordell looked at me like he was thinking the same thing. "So bed rest should make everything okay?"
"Well that and taking it easier on your body. The slightest stress could cause this to become something we would have to worry about." We nodded and the doctor left out. Cordell turned back to me. I took his other hand and placed it on my stomach, "I'm fine and so is our baby."