I loved my new name though. I just had to turn the hell around when people actually used it. I’d become Brooke Andrea Anthony right after I graduated. I had a new social security number and thanks to some connections Cease had at vital records…a new birth certificate too. I was a whole new woman.
“Um hi, is thewe a late cancellation fee?” I asked quietly. I pulled in a deep breath and tried to overlook the way I messed up on my R. The guy behind the counter didn’t seem to care so neither did I.
Cease gripped my bicep. “Can you give us a moment?” He asked the tatted guy before pulling me off to the side. “Brooke, are you really canceling? You’ve been cut free for one year. Not only that but this is the one year anniversary of when you…Of when I…”
“I know, Cease,” I said, frowning. I tried to kill myself one year ago to the day and I was flaking on my celebratory tattoos.
“What the hell could be more important than that? You’ve faced so much yet a tattoo is freaking you out?”
Frustrated, I balled my fists up tight at my side. “It’s not that I’m scared of getting a tattoo,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Then what is it?” Cease asked, waiting for my answer.
“I can’t get one while I’m pregnant. I found out this afternoon while you were at work.” I sniffled and looked up at him with tears in my eyes.
“Pregnant? Brooke, are you serious?” He bent his tall frame down and placed a palm on my belly.
“Yeah…the test said six to eight weeks,” I laughed through the happy tears. Caesar swept me off my feet and pressed his lips against mine in a kiss that made me feel like I was floating.
“Holy shit. You’re having my baby?” I nodded and he hugged me all over again. “Yeah, we’re gonna have to reschedule that tattoo in about nine months. I’m gonna be a dad,” Cease told the man behind the counter before carrying me out of there.
“So, I’m calling Ronnie and telling him I won’t be in tomorrow. We need to celebrate all fucking day.” He said kissing me much slower. That time, it made me smolder down to my toes.
“He’s going to curse you out,” I smirked. Ronnie opened up another practice in San Francisco and asked Caesar to run it for him. They’d prepared for months to get it going and it happened to be their opening week.
“You think so?” Cease laughed.
“Um yeah. I do…”
“Eh, he’ll be okay,” he shrugged happily. I loved that peaceful happy look on him. It was my favorite.
“I can’t believe you were so mad over me canceling a tattoo,” I mused as we walked to our cars hand in hand. Cease looked over at me and sighed.
“It was going to be a special tattoo, Brooke.”
“I know. It can wait though,” I reasoned.
“That’s true,” he said rubbing my stomach. “I think I was more upset because after we were all tatted up, I was going to do this…” He lowered to one knee in the middle of a full parking lot complete with onlookers and pulled out a black box. My heart thundered to life at the sight of an engagement ring nestled safely inside.
“Brooke, we’ve been through hell and back and now it looks a lot like we’ve finally reached heaven. I want it to be like this forever. Will you marry me?” He asked, his voice full of emotion.
Knots.
Dozens of thick knots occupied my stomach.
I don’t remember actually saying yes. I kind of cried and babbled like an idiot but Caesar got the message. He always did.
No matter what I was trying to say, Caesar understood. No matter where I was on earth or in my head, he made me feel like I was safe and at home. I’d never have to worry about drowning again. He was my oxygen and with him, I’d be able to breathe easy forever.
The end.
