Page 143 of Break Me (Brayshaw High 5)

It’s so crazy, how my life has changed so much so quickly.

I have a family who watches out for me and will forever be here to help the second I need it.

I have a man whom I love, who loves me, and is only missing one thing in life, something that only I can give him.

After tonight, he’ll have it all.

It’s not uncommon for the family to join us on our balcony, so he’s clueless as to what’s to come.

Right now, Maddoc and Raven sit on the couch, Victoria and Captain lean against the ledge, and Phoenix is crawling around their feet, Zoey following his every move. Rolland is perched against the door at our backs, and Royce doesn’t know it, but Maybell is on the grass way down below us, waiting.

In exactly two minutes, she’ll release two dozen balloons that will travel this way with the help of the nights breeze and reveal my greatest secret.

Zoey is now three, and Captain has already decided to keep her home an extra year so that Phoenix and she are close in grades.

Maddoc says he’s working on another bodyguard for Zoey – I’m positive he’s already accomplished this, but it hasn’t been announced yet and I know why.

For his brother.

After tonight, I’m sure they’ll share it with us, because tonight, Royce will find out he’s going to be a father.

If someone asked me a year ago if I wanted kids, the answer would have been a solid yes, and quickly followed with ‘in ten years or more’.

I felt I needed time to live before I could possibly care for someone else, especially since I spent so many years avoiding life. But then Royce happened, and this place and I realized I could do it, and more, that I wanted to. I wanted to be for someone what my brother was for me, as I tried to be for others as I grew up. As I hope to be for so many more once I finish school and as I try to be now for the girls that come through the home – the light in their darkness, as Royce likes to put it.

I want to be a mother, so there was no question when Royce shared what he wanted for his kids – a bond with their family as tight as the one he shares with his– and asked me if I was ready.

When it comes to him and anything he might want or need, the answer will always be a quick and instant yes. I forever want to give him all of me, as he gives himself the same.

We didn’t know how long it would take or how quickly it could happen, but he would have been okay with it taking forever. He was happy knowing we were on the same page, sticking to the Brayshaw way of the last several decades and starting young so we could be forever strong for them, until they grew and took over, becoming strong for themselves and what will then be their world.

I didn’t know what to expect outside of the obvious I’ve seen, so Raven and Victoria realized it first, and when they insisted on taking me to the doctor, the three of us went together.

That day was full of surprises.

As tonight will be.

Because my man isn’t only getting what he wants, he’s getting double.

Royce stands then, dropping to the ground beside his niece and nephew.

Zoey climbs into his lap while he puts a hand out for Phoenix, who pulls his little self up on wobbly knees, his gummy little smile wide and showing the two teeth that have broken through the bottom.

“Look, Zoey Bear. You see that star, the big bright one?” he whispers.

“I see it.” she smiles, dropping her head onto his shoulder.

“Yeah, it is. If you ever get scared, you find that sucker and think of all the bright places it could lead, yeah?”

“I got you, Uncle Bro.”

The rest of us chuckle, and Royce’s eyes find mine with a wink.

I can’t cover the emotion in mine and his narrow suspiciously, but then Zoey’s little gasp draws him right back to her and I’m safe...for a couple more seconds.

Zoey jumps up and runs to the railing, gripping it tight. She smiles wide and points. “Balloons!”

My stomach flips as I watch Royce’s brows furrow.

He lifts Phoenix into his arms and climbs to his feet, moving to the edge and right as they reach eye level.

Baby blue and pink, little feet stamped along the sides and tiny lights inside them to make sure the imprints aren’t missed.

Maddoc steals his son as Royce spins around, those eyes crashing into mine.

“Baby girl?” he rasps, the hand on the railing tightening.

“Or boy...”

The air leaves his lungs on a heavy, broken laugh.

I stand, and he heads for me, but then behind us, Rolland steps up, two tiny basketballs in his hands and Royce freezes.