Out of Control (29 page)

Bobby pulled up and honked the horn.

“I guess now I know why I haven’t heard from you,” Carmen said. “Go on. Get outta here. Go be with your woman.”

“Carmen, I promise.”

Carmen put her finger on his lips. “Don’t you ever promise me anything ever again in life. You’ll see me when you see me. ’Cause if you don’t, I’m coming to Nassau.” Carmen kissed him on the cheek. “What are you having?”

“We think it’s a boy.”

“Oh well now I’m definitely coming down there. I gotta meet Mike Black Jr.”

“Thanks for understanding,” Black said as Bobby honked the horn again. Black kissed Carmen on the cheek and rushed to the car.

Bobby drove as fast as New York City traffic would allow him to take Black to the airport. On the way, Black called and asked them to have the plane ready to take him to Nassau. He hoped that he would get there in time to witness the birth of his second child.
 

During the long flight back to Nassau, Black looked out the window. He was comforted by the fact that when Cassandra gave birth to Michelle, she was in labor for hours. He looked over and was glad that Bobby was with him. When he was about to get on the plane, he turned to say goodbye. “Mike, you were sitting right next to me when all four of my kids were born. I missed being there for Michelle, I ain’t about to miss this one. Now get on the plane, I’m comin’ with you and we’re wastin’ time.”

“Thanks, Bobby.”

“You can thank me later with a Cuban cigar.”

“Hi,” Black said when he walked in and kissed CeCe.

“I’m glad you made it.” she said.

“Are you kidding. I wouldn’t miss this. I’m sorry I wasn’t with you.”

“That’s really was my fault. You didn’t want to go, but I made you go.”

“It’s good that I did. Things were in dissarray and I had to get them back on track.”

“Anyway,” CeCe said and grabbed his hand when her pain increased. When it let up, she loosened her grip. “I’m glad you’re here. But this shit hurts. I swear, I am never doing this again.”

“What’s that noise?”

CeCe reached over and turned up the volume. “That galloping sound is our baby’s heart.”

Black smiled at CeCe. “Our baby,” he said and CeCe smiled at him. Even though she was in pain, she was very happy to be having his baby. She prayed it was a boy. CeCe knew how much he wanted a son.

Her doctor came in the room and greeted them. He examined CeCe and told them that she had dilated to 6 centimeters. “How long before the baby is ready to come?” CeCe asked.

“The duration of labour varies widely, but active phase averages some 8 hours for women giving birth to their first child. The cervix dilates at a rate of 1.2 centimeters per hour over a period of at least two hours.”

“8 hours?” CeCe almost screamed.

“What’s that?” CeCe asked.

“It’s a surgical cut in the muscular area between the vagina and the anus called the perineum. It’s made just before delivery to enlarge your vaginal opening.”

“No, we haven’t.” CeCe said. “What do you think?”

“Research has shown that women with a spontaneous tear generally recover in the same or less time and often with fewer complications than those who had an episiotomy. Women who have an episiotomy tend to lose more blood at the time of delivery, have more pain during recovery, and have to wait longer before they have sex without discomfort.”

CeCe and Black looked at each other. “Spontaneous tear,” they both said almost at the same time. The doctor laughed, but he understood and was ready for their next question.

“When can we start having sex again?” CeCe asked.

“Good to know,” Black said and CeCe agreed.

When she had gotten to fully
dilated at
10 centimeters, CeCe began the
second stage. The doctor told them that
the head was fully engaged in the pelvis. “The widest diameter of the head has successfully passed through the pelvic brim. Now what remains is for the fetal head to pass below the pubic arch and out through the introitus. So you’re going to have to get ready to push.”

CeCe had chosen to use the spontaneous pushing method instead of being coached to push. This allowed her to follow her body’s natural urges, and pushed when and if she felt ready, and in whatever way felt right to her.

“Let the contraction build a certain amount before bearing down,” the doctor said.

CeCe screamed and yelled while she pushed and cursed at Black. “You did this shit to me!” and swore once again, “I ain’t ever doing this shit again!”

When it was over, CeCe had given birth to a healthy baby boy. “What are we gonna name him?” Black asked.

“His name is Michael Black Jr.,” CeCe said.