Cole

Six months later

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Tapping my fingers against my thighs, I pinched my bottom lip and glanced at Locke. “Is it time yet?”

“Not yet, it's only been a minute.” Giggling, her fingers wrapped my hand and squeezed gently. “Relax, okay?”

Forcing a smile, I nodded. “You're right, you're totally right, I should relax. I'm just going to sit here and not think about it.” Leaning forward, I snagged a magazine from the wicker basket and started flipping through aimlessly.

Her eyes veered, head rocking into her shoulder. “Cole, really, don't stress. We don't know yet, and either way, it'll be fine.”

I wanted to believe her, I did. But inside I was a fucking mess. I wanted this just as much as I wanted her. I wanted to know so I could decide which foot to put forward.

Was I going to stay the man I was? Or were things about to change, was my world going to grow in size?

I wanted what was meant for me, for us; to grow and change and be more than the people we've come to know.

Slapping my leg, Locke looked up at the counter. “It's time.”

My heart raced inside my chest as my skin exploded immediately with hot sweat and goosebumps. “Really? It's time?”

Running her thumb across my forehead, her lips turned up. “You're sweating like we just had sex.” Pushing herself up off the floor and onto her knees, Locke gripped the thin plastic strip in her hand.

“What does it say?” My voice was hoarse, throat scratchy and dry as I tried to swallow.

Flicking her eyes to mine, she bit her bottom lip and shrugged. “I don't know yet, I didn't look. I want us to look together.” Locke's hands cupped the stick, one palm over the other.

Slumping into the wall, she slid back down beside me. Her chest expanded as she took in deep breaths, her hands shook as she held them out between us.

We had stopped speaking, both of us just huddling around her hands. Slowly, her palms broke apart, inching away as if she had trapped a firefly and was afraid it would zip out once freedom showed itself.

“Ready?” she asked, licking her lips and staring up at me.

Scooping my hand around the nape of her neck, I kissed her. Our lips collided, sending a wave of heat over my body. “Either way, I'm ready.”

I was ready to spend the rest of my life with her, I was ready to wake up every morning and kiss her goodbye as I left for work. I was ready to walk through that door and see her lounging on the couch in yoga pants, eating a bag of chips.

Whatever the answer, it didn't really matter; as long as I still had her in the end.

Closing her eyes, she removed her hand on top, tilting the plastic window so we could both look. My lungs hiccuped, heart bouncing around inside my chest like a rubber ball released at high speed in a small room.

“Two lines. . . There's two lines.”

With teary eyes and a huge smile, Locke shook her head yes. “Two lines.”

Raking my hands through my hair, my head fell back against the wall. “We're having a baby. Holy shit, we're having a baby.”

Sitting in shock, the room turned hazy. This was all I could have ever asked for, a family. A family that I could love and cherish and call my own.

Jerking my head back up, I gripped Locke's shoulders and twisted her in my direction. “We're having a baby, Locke.”

Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as her hand moved back and forth over her belly. “We're having a baby.” Her lips were pulled back to her ears, brows arched in new thoughts and new memories.

Locke was about to change, she was going to morph from woman into mother. There was no greater gift someone could receive than that. Her skin glowed the color of pink rose petals, her eyes twinkled like the night sky had just drained from above and found a home in her gaze.

This woman was more than just the love of my life, she was going to be the mother of my child.

“I love you.” Cupping her cheeks, I pressed my forehead into hers. “I love you so much it hurts, and this baby. . .” Pausing, I placed my hand over her belly. “I'm going to love her just the same.”

“Her? What if it's a boy?”

“I'll love him too, I'll love this baby no matter what.” Leaning forward, I whispered against her stomach. “To the sun and back. You hear that little one? This world isn't big enough to hold all my love for either of you. For you and your mom, I need the entire solar system.”

Resting her head on my shoulder, Locke and I just sat on the floor in the bathroom, holding each other.

I was going to keep her, this moment, and everything that comes after.

The past, our past. . . That was just another story now, a time that would fade and turn into more of a dream than a reality we faced together.

Dane was gone, no longer a threat to either of us again. The scar he bore into our world was healing slowly, but it would be gone soon. He wasn't going to ever see freedom again. He would never have the chance to puncture a hole into Locke's world.

Her scar would be thick, it would never go away completely, but together we had everything. There were no more dreams of torture and fear, she would never have to look over her shoulder again. Vanessa's soul could finally rest in peace, knowing that her sister was safe.

“Hey,” I said, tipping her chin up. “Want to go share the news?”

Her smile was the only answer I needed. This was a big day for her, for us, and there was only one other person that deserved to hear it first hand.

* * * * *

The elevator doors rolled open and Locke broke through into the hall, excitement and glee working her muscles.

Standing outside the door, she took a few breaths. “I know I'm not going to get a reaction, Cole, and that's okay.” Turning to face me, she wrapped her hands around my waist. “I love you, she loves you, and deep down, I know she'll be happy for us.”

Kissing the top of her head, I brushed my fingers through her hair. “She's your mother, somewhere inside, she's still your mother. She's going to be happy, even if she doesn't show it.”

Gripping the handle, Locke walked quietly into the room. She was still smiling, still bouncing with every step. I loved seeing her happy, seeing her enjoying the life we were building together.

“Hi, Mom.” Bending down she kissed the top of her mom's head and stepped around to the front. “Hey, I have something I want to tell you.” Lowering to her haunches, Locke rubbed the top of Barbra's hand.

She was sitting in the same position as always, facing out the window, staring blankly into the skyline. Her fingers tapped and tugged at the arm of the chair, fidgeting with loose threads and frayed fibers.

Looking up at her mother, Locke's eyes glazed over, welling up in tears. She held her lids open, refusing to blink, refusing to allow the water to spill free. Folding her hands between her thighs, she let out a heavy breath. “Mom, you're going to be a grandma. Cole and I are having a baby.”

She stayed crunched down, trying to look for any sign that Barbra understood what she said. There was nothing. Her face was still and expressionless, her hands moved with jitters she couldn't control.

Pushing up, Locke smiled, resting her hand on Barbra's shoulder and stepping towards me. “I wish I could have this moment, even if it's just this and nothing else ever again.”

“I know, but it doesn't mean she didn't hear you, it doesn't mean she's not feeling it someplace inside.”

Nodding, her chin fell into her chest as she exhaled a slow breath. “I love you, Mom.” Her hand started to slip free as she took another step, and then she stopped.

Locke's head jerked up, eyes wide as the tears that rested on her lids broke free and flowed down her face. Twisting to face her mother, her quiet tears, turned into an audible weep.

Flicking her eyes to mine, she snapped them back to her mom. Following her gaze, my lungs lurched, skin pricking like a gust of cold air had just washed over my body.

Barbra's hand was placed over Locke's on her shoulder, her fingers were tenderly squeezing with comfort and grace.

She heard her loud and clear. There were no words between them, there were no other movements to embrace or soothe her daughter.

And that didn't matter. That was the answer Locke needed, that was the proof that her mother was still inside, fighting whatever carnage kept her mute and entombed within herself.

Her mother had given her a gift, one that was worth more than words.

And as I stood there watching these two women who had been torn apart for years slowly find each other in a moment of pure happiness, I knew. . .

I knew that the past didn't create the future. That the darkness could lift in time, and the future could be bright.

What we went through; all the heartache, the pain, the suffering. . . None of it defined us as broken, none of it permanently damaged our existence.

Time healed all wounds, time gave way to new strength and fresh thoughts.

The path I walked, the world I stalked through to end up here, right here. . . It was worth it.

This was my life, she was my life.

And together, we made new life.

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