Me-Me doesn’t want to have this baby at home, and when I ask why her explanation is straightforward.
Melisa: Drugs, Kai. I can’t do this again. I need drugs!
I don’t argue. I abandon my sandwich and head upstairs to change while she texts her parents to let them know the baby is on its way. By the time I come back down, Me-Me is experiencing another painful contraction. After it passes, we make our way to the hospital.
We arrive at the hospital. Me-Me is given a hospital gown and immediately directed to a hospital room. I’m left up front with the task of checking her in. After I give the receptionist all of Me-Me’s medical information –
Receptionist: And what is the name of your insurance?
Kai: Insurance? We don’t have any insurance. So I’ll pay the bill.
Receptionist: Oh – I don’t recommend that. You may not be aware, but delivering a baby is very expensive.
Kai: I don’t care about the expense. I just want to pay, so I can get back there to be with my wife before my baby is born.
Receptionist: But this will only take a minute. Let me tell you about our unique plans – they can save you thousands of dollars.
Before I can protest further – the receptionist is already telling me about the many ways I can save on the expense of this visit. I try not to be rude, but I’m anxious to find out how Me-Me is doing.
While the receptionist wastes Kai’s time – Me-Me makes her way to the delivery room. She’s shocked at what she sees. The doctor appears to be green and transparent. She blinks a few times to clear her vision, but the doctor’s appearance doesn’t change.
Melisa: *chuckles to herself* These drugs are better than I thought they’d be.
The machine goes to work. Me-Me worries about what is happening and wishes Kai was there to help her feel better. She can’t imagine where he could be. She knows he wouldn’t miss this for anything. But he does miss it. Before too much time has passed – their 3rd child is born.
It’s another boy! Me-Me walks over to admire his cute little face.
Melisa: I don’t know where your daddy is, but he’ll be thrilled to see you.
(Please welcome our newest addition, Drake Banks! Generation 4 will officially be a male heir.)
I don’t get to meet baby Drake until it’s time to take him home. Before leaving the hospital, I filed a complaint, with the hospital administration, against the hospital staff for making me miss the birth of my 3rd and final child. I apologize to Me-Me several times for not being there for her.
Melisa: It’s okay, Kai. He’s here, and he’s healthy. That’s all that matters.
I watch as Me-Me changes him and feeds him. Then, Belle – our dog- suddenly pops out from under our bed.
Kai: Where’d you come from?
Melisa: I guess she got the memo that there’s a new baby in the house to protect.
Me-Me is right about that. Previously, Belle’s favorite spot was the rug beside Mase’s bed.
Me-Me lies down on the bed for a nap. I watch Drake as he sleeps, thinking about how I am now the father of three boys. I’m now responsible for teaching three men and future fathers how to be loving role models to their children. This can be my way of making up for what my father didn’t do.
I don’t stand there for long. I know from experience that my best chance of getting rest is sleeping when the baby does.
Kai: Keep an eye on him, Belle.
Belle takes her task very seriously and guards Dray while I crawl onto the bed next to Me-Me for a nap.
Unfortunately, naps don’t last long when you have three kids. So before I get the chance to drift off too far in my sleep, Dub comes into our bedroom.
Wade: Daddy, I’m hungry.
I kneel and give him a big hug.
Kai: I love you so much, Dub. And there’s someone that I want you to meet!
I lead him to the other side of our bedroom.
Kai: This is your new little brother, Drake.
Dub stares for a moment, sighs, then turns and walks past me.
Wade: Can I eat now?
I guess he’s not too impressed with our new addition.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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