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Enchanting Love

By Danyelle Scroggins

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Regina walked in just in time as Dr. Thorpe handed the baby to Priscilla. Don’t cry, Regina. Don’t cry. The pep talk failed as tears flowed from Priscilla, Karen, and then Regina’s eyes. Priscilla’s first cousin, Karen, forgot all about the camera she held, and Steven was out cold.
As a couple of nurses helped him get into the chair, the women snickered through their tears. No matter how awesome Priscilla felt about what happened, this day would also go down in history as the day her husband hit the deck.
The pediatric nurses cleansed the baby as Regina peeped at the little princess who lay in the baby warmer unit with her eyes opened wide. By the time the nurses finished swaddling the baby, Steven was alert but still not just ready to hold his baby girl for the first time. Priscilla gently took the bundle of joy from the nurses and snuggled her in her arms.
Regina drifted into a deep daydream. She wondered if she would ever have the opportunity to feel the joy she saw in both Steven’s and Priscilla’s eyes.
“Earth to Regina,” Steven said, causing her to snap back into the present. “Why don’t we name her Princilla Seragina Marshall? I’d be honored to have my little girl named after three of the strongest young women I know.”
“I think it’s wonderful, baby. Even though you know that will make our little girl tougher than nails.” Priscilla tooted up her lips and bobbed her head.
Steven began to sing and serenaded his daughter and God for giving her a beautiful name.
Regina smiled. She only wished that Priscilla’s best friend, Serafine, could have made it in time for the baby’s birth. But she of all people knew when you have a business, things happen beyond your control. Very few moments required open schedules as do the birth of babies, and this could be hard for even the parents.
Still quiet, Regina turned her focus back to trying to process the fact Steven and Priscilla found her worthy enough to give their child part of her name. Yes, the other part was beautiful, but the Gina part was music to her ears. As another tear rolled down her cheek, she said to her friends, “I believe her name shows complete endurance.”
Regina could not help but wonder if it were not for Princilla Seragina, would the couple have been able to withstand the agony of their situation. Nevertheless, God in all of His wisdom prevailed again, and she was thankful they never had to find out. The little life He created with them both saved their marriage.
As they watched, Steven gradually summoned the nerves to hold his baby girl. They were all teary-eyed as he planted small kisses on her feet and hands, still praising the Lord in song. The room was filled with all types of emotions as Steven placed the baby gently in Priscilla’s awaiting arms and kissed both her and the baby on the forehead. These subtle emotional moves caused Regina’s mind to drift to Nathan, recalling their conversation as she had continuously done since the day they met.
“Hello, Nathan.”
“So you did save my number.”
“Why wouldn’t I or is there something you need to tell me?”
“No, but yes. I don’t have anything negative to hide. You need to know that I am very interested in you because something told, no let me give Him the honor that is due, the Spirit is telling me you are wife material and exactly what I have been praying for.”
Something was enduring about Nathan, and her heart was stuck on ‘you are wife material.’ Six months later, and she still got choked up by the mention of his name. Regina was on what she considered a ‘holy high.’ Things were not moving as fast as she would have wanted, but Priscilla was so instrumental in cautioning her against anxiousness, calming all of her doubts and fears.
Six months later, and they were still conversing on the phone like high school children. Her spirit appreciated this, but her flesh … let’s just say, God already knew.
“Regina, Regina.”
“I’m sorry, Steven, my mind was four hundred and fifty miles away.”
“I can tell.” Steven waved his hands over her eyes, and they all laughed.
“By the way and while it is on my mind, let the Lord do what He desires with Nathan. You just keep your focus on the Lord and getting ready to be a wife.”
“Thanks, Steven.”
“And who is Nathan?” Karen asked.
“A brother we hope knows he will have a good thing in Regina.” Priscilla winked her eye at Karen as Regina turned her back and sauntered to the sink.
Regina glanced over her shoulder. “Karen, I need to be taught how to stay focused and stop acting like a high school girl with a first crush. Do you have a cure for that, ma’am?”
“Lady we have all been there and trust me, there is no cure. You just have to pray these days because there are so many wolves in sheep’s clothing. But always remember this, God knows who you will help, and if you allow Him to be your guide instead of your flesh, you win every time.”
“Thanks, Karen. I needed to hear that.”
“You got this, baby girl. Priscilla will tell you when I met my hubby I did some dumb stuff, but God knew that man would cover me. And he did, and he is!”
“Amen,” Steven said as Regina now held her hands out for an opportunity to hold the baby.
“Yes, auntie Regina. Get our little girl so she will know her fashionable auntie. We already figure you’re going to teach her how to dress and how to wear makeup,” Steven said and they all laughed.
Regina left many things in her past behind, but not her flair for clothing and makeup. Her sexy style of dress toned down, but her work suits still had to fit like a glove. Not to mention her heels always had to be on fleek and six inches high. If you asked her, five feet, seven inches needed some extra flavor. Whatever it took to give her that New York Fashion Week runway model look, it was her goal.
Princilla stared deep into Regina’s eyes until it pierced her soul. The little hands and feet, now unswaddled, were pure perfection. The perfect round head and tiny nose resembling Priscilla’s made the rivers of joy flow through the channels of her eyes. She was tired of crying, but something about this baby sparked places she never knew existed.
The baby’s eyes followed her with intensity as if she knew her story. Someone told Regina babies couldn’t see when they were first born. But the way this baby watched her, Regina felt she had believed a lie. She made a silent promise to always be the best auntie to Princilla, and when the baby began to cry, she scooted to the edge of her wooden rocking chair.
Regina stood slowly with ease. Don’t fall clumsily. She carefully made the three steps towards the bed and handed Princilla to her waiting mother for her first breastfeeding. Those two already had a noticeable bond because as soon as the little lips gripped the mother’s nipple, her little fingers wrapped tight around Priscilla’s finger. Regina wanted it all.
She wanted a baby and a husband who would stand tentatively watching the interaction between her and the baby, like Steven. She also wanted to experience what God created only a female to do—give birth. Regina walked back across the room and picked up her stylish mocha-colored Brahmin bag. As she turned, her cell phone rang.
“Hello. Can you give me just one moment to kiss Priscilla, my sister, and the baby?”
“Yes, I can if you promise to come to kiss me afterward.”
“Hold on.” She blushed and waved the phone in the air as she walked to Priscilla’s bed. “Sis, I love you guys, and I promise I will be back tomorrow.” She bent, kissed Priscilla on the cheek and the little feet of the baby. Love you too, big brother,” she whispered.
Priscilla yelled as she walked out the door. “Please tell everyone at the office we are just fine and please, no more visitors. I will have some kind of dinner so they all can meet the baby.”
Regina now halfway out the door, stepped back in to respond in a slight whisper. “Sounds like a winner to me. Send our princess back to the nursery so you can at least get one night of restoration sleep, and I will call you all later on tonight to check on you. Love you all.” She fanned the phone in the air making goo-goo eyes.
As she closed the door behind her, she put the phone back to her ear.

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