I took the baby gate down, and called Ava over. She toddled down the hallway, laughing as if we were playing a game. “Mommy!” I called softly. “Time to wake up.” I stopped in the doorway as Ava made her way over to the bed. She wasn’t tall enough to climb up on it, so she tugged at the covers.
“Mamama!” Ava squealed, and Brooke’s eyes fluttered open. God, she was beautiful.
“Hey, pretty girl.” She yawned as she lifted Ava into the bed.
“Hey to you too.” I smiled from my spot in the doorway. “Thought you were going to sleep the day away.”
“What time is it? Wait! How are you home? Are you on break?” She rubbed her eyes as she sat up, and Ava clapped and bounced from her spot.
“Merry Christmas.” I grinned. “Come to the living room. Let’s see what Santa brought.” I turned and left her there wondering. She knew what Ava had gotten, and the perplexed look on her face was priceless.
It took a few minutes, but soon Brooke appeared with Ava walking just in front of her. “I had her wait to open anything. I wanted you to see it.” Last Christmas, Ava was so young that she really didn’t understand presents. Now, after her birthday, she knew exactly what presents were for. I’m afraid she enjoys the boxes more than what’s in them though.
“Sit.” I pointed to the couch, and lifted a large box.
“Is this what’s been in the closet?” She smiled as she yawned again. She’s been really tired the last few days, but Donna hasn’t said anything. Brooke still works at the house.
“Maybe.” I chuckled. “Open it.”
I could tell by the way she went to lift it that she thought it was heavy, but it wasn’t. What was inside was actually really small. She tore into the paper with confusion written all over her face. She rooted around the tissue inside, even more confused. “I don’t think there’s anything in here.” Her forehead crinkled.
“Keep looking,” I encouraged. I could tell when she found it. Her entire face and demeanor changed.
“Blake?” Tears welled as she mashed her quivering lips together. Slowly, she lifted the small box as the larger one toppled to the floor.
“Brooke, I’ve known you were the one since I first laid eyes on you. You weren’t mine to have then, but I knew we were meant to be. The first time we kissed sealed the deal, and I’ve been patiently waiting for your heart to be ready. I love you, and I love your daughter as if she was mine. Spend the rest of your life with me. Be my wife. Will you marry me?” My hand shook harder than ever before as I sat there on the floor in front of her.
“Yes.” She sobbed. “Yes.” I slipped the ring on her finger, and pulled her into my lap, sealing our promise with a kiss. Ava squealed and clapped in the background as if she knew what was going on. “I have a present for you too.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Here.” She handed me a small box from under the tree.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.” I took it from her.
“Just open it.” She nibbled her bottom lip.
I carefully pulled the ribbon from the box, and lifted the lid. “Does this mean what I think it means?” I held the pregnancy test in my hand. “Are you pregnant?”
She slowly nodded. “Are you ok with that?”
“I’m better than ok with that. We’re gonna have a baby.” I grinned like a school boy. “My baby’s in there.” I pointed to her stomach. Brooke’s eyes lit up with happiness. “That’s why you’ve been so tired. Donna knew about this.” I furrowed my brow.
“I made her promise not to tell.” Brooke gave me a guilty face.
“I’ll forgive her.” I reached over to where Ava was playing. “Come here, pretty girl. Mommy’s gonna have a baby.” I settled Ava in my lap. “You’ve got a sister or brother in there.” I pointed to Brooke’s flat stomach. Ava looked at both of us skeptically, and then without prompting she leaned forward and kissed Brooke’s belly.
“I’ve been dreaming of this for years.” Brooke cried. “I’ve wanted all of this. I love you so much.” Her eyes moved between the two of us. She glanced down at her ring sparkling in the light of the Christmas tree before wrapping Ava and me in a hug. “It was worth it. Enduring all the pain. It was worth it for this.”
The End
Enduring Act Playlist
You Say- Lauren Daigle
Got it in You- BANNERS
We Are Warriors- Avril Lavigne
Heart Attack- Demi Lovato
Waiting for Superman- Daughtry
Human- Christina Perri
Rise- Katy Perry
Don’t Give Up On Me- Andy Grammer
Control- Zoe Wees
Never Be Like You- Flume
Burial- Seinabo Sey
Other Works by H. D’Agostino
The Broken Series
Irreparably Broken
Saving Us
My
