Page 35 of A Minute Past Midnight

“It sounds like he’s going to come out wearing a three-piece suit and paying taxes.”

I stared at her before we both broke into a fit of laughter. I shook my head and gave her another name.

“A’ight. What about him being a junior?”

She considered it. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Don’t get excited.”

“You killing me, shorty. What you got in the queue?”

“Hmm. I always liked the name Tariq.”

I immediately frowned. “No.”

Her mouth fell open. “What?”

“I’m not naming my son that shit.”

She chuckled. “Why not?”

“Because he sounds like he’s going to steal my damn credit card. I watched Power enough times to know any boy named Tariq is gon’ be a fucking problem.”

She slapped my arm. “Samir!”

“What?”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m honest.”

She laughed and continued throwing names at me, and I continued rejecting half of them.

Eventually, we were laughing so hard that Juliana leaned against me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. The laughter slowly faded, then the room became quiet again.

Different this time.

She looked up at me. I looked down at her as my hand moved gently along her arm.

“You happy?” I asked.

“With what?”

I looked toward her stomach. “With all of this.”

Juliana was quiet for a moment. “I’m scared.” The honesty in her voice tightened something inside my chest.

I pulled her closer. “I know.”

“What if we mess this up?”

“We probably will.”

Her eyes widened. “Samir!”

I laughed. “Listen. Nobody knows exactly what they’re doing. We’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to disagree, and we’re probably going to argue over names until the baby gets here.” That earned me a small smile. “But you’re not doing this alone.” Her eyes stayed on mine. “I’m here.” I placed my hand gently over hers. “And I’m not going anywhere.”