Brick

by Trixie Brewster

  “You gonna give me that badass biker all the time?” I bat my eyelashes at him giving him my best smile.

  “Forever.” One word took my breath away. I try hard to remember the last time a man took my breath away. Anthony Brick Brigade successfully took my heart over and is making my family whole again one day at a time.

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  Korey

  Sitting in the bathroom I couldn’t keep my knee from bouncing. The wait was killing me, I started to think about my symptoms, Nausea, tired all the damn time, you could be the stomach bug. I laughed at my thoughts, yeah right. We had sex without protection for the first time on accident about a month ago, yeah, I had to take antibiotics, and well my birth control went out of the window. Who would have known that shit happens? I blew out a breath.

  “Fuck me, what if he doesn’t want another child?” Anthony has been so good with Sean and Sadie. I haven’t seen those two more happier. Even when they had their father in the picture they didn’t smile so much. Blaze and Tank fought over who was the favorite uncle. “I am their favorite because I give piggyback rides.” Tank would argue with my brother. I never would have thought for one moment that someone as big and as bad as Tank would want to be a favorite uncle. Sean eats it up though.

  Anthony and I hadn’t talked about adding to our family. Hell, we haven’t even talked about marriage for that matter not that my brother didn’t try. I didn’t know what he would say if the test did come back with a yes. Would he leave me if I was pregnant? I didn’t want him to marry me out of desperation. The timer went off on my phone and I stood and picked up the pee stick and sucked in a breath. “It’s a yes.” I was excited but at the same time I dreaded telling him. I had the rest of the day to prepare myself. Tonight, was our date night I didn’t want to ruin if for him, but geez I couldn’t keep it from him. I kept my morning sickness at bay as best as I could. Generally, it didn’t hit until after he went to work.

  That was another thing we couldn’t work together anymore. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do my job, but well let’s say that we didn’t get anything done. We were keeping the door locked more than they were open. Not good for business not one bit. We just couldn’t get enough of each other. Six months later and I will still get a phone call to come to the shop. I already knew what was going to happen when I got there with lunch. Pulling my phone to my face I called the doctor that I had found two days ago on my searching of a good OBGYN. I made the appointment for next week.

  Even though I didn’t work at Sinner’s Ink anymore I still worked, but from home. I drew artwork for various tattoo studios around the state and even a few around the country. It was something I enjoyed doing and it kept my hands busy. I felt like I was doing something that my kids could look up to. Sure, I was staying at home, but I was making money putting my talents to use. I loved it, and Sadie loved to watch the process. She was getting better with her sketches, but she found that she was even better with paints and oils. So far a few of her paintings were hung in the living area of the house. My girl was truly talented.

  I back to work on the smoking skull that I was working on. Time slipped from me and it was time to go and get the kids from the school. When I said me and Angie my sons teacher hit it off, that was an understatement. She was not what I was expecting a teacher to be. I always thought they were uptight and always being a goody two shoes. Let’s just say that if I could convince her to come to the club she would fit right in. We talked often and she enjoyed coming over for diner dates with me. Anthony didn’t mind her joining us, because she was hoot.

  “Hi, Ms. Baker.” Sadie’s teacher greeted me at the school pick up area. My phone chirped out its notification tone. I looked down and saw it was a warning from Angie that the woman in front of me wanted a parent conference. “Mrs. Henderson. How are you this afternoon.” The older lady smiled brightly and tucked a gray lock behind her ear. “I am doing excellent. I was wondering if you had a minute?”

  “Yes, I do. But I need to get the kids picked up.”

  “Oh, I am sure Sean’s teacher Miss Veet can watch them for us.” The way she said Angie’s last name was clear she didn’t like the younger teacher. Angie had admitted that crap was getting out of hand for her. Something about being hazed by the teachers who had been there longer. Apparently that is a thing, I had only heard of it about the prospects. I hate that she has to go through this. she really is an awesome teacher and so full of life.

  “That solves that then.” I parked the car and made my way into the elementary school to follow the older lady. Something had me on edge and I didn’t like it, not one bit. Coming into her room made me feel like I was walking into the principal’s office back in Texas all over again.

  “Please take a seat.” I sat down and felt my stomach lurch. Oh god not here, please let me get through this meeting quickly. I smiled at the older woman as she straightened some papers on her desk. Breathing in my nose and out my mouth to try and get the quinzaines to go away. It wasn’t working of course it wasn’t I was carrying the spawn of Brick, why would my body listen.

  “Ms. Baker, I am going to be honest with you. Sadie is a very bright young lady, and I have enjoyed being her teacher this year. But her drawings are getting out of hand. I have caught her multiple times doodling on her tests instead of focusing. When I confronted her today about the drawing, she told me that she was trying to draw her daddy’s Harley for him. Ms. Baker I fully support children’s creative thinking. But this is unacceptable behavior in class.” I nodded trying to take everything in.

  “I am sorry to heat that Mrs. Henderson. May I ask when she does the drawings?” She gave me a grim look.

  “She does then either during art classes or when I tell them it is time to study.”

  “I see, and how are her grades doing?”

  “Well she has all A’s in her classes.” Mrs. Henderson said like that explained everything with a smile.

  “I will speak with her about drawing during class.” I smiled back at her ready to get this meeting over with. I didn’t know if I was going to make it out of the school before my stomach emptied its contents. I took in the nearest trash can and focused on it. I had a plan evolving in my head. If I had to I could make it to the trash can in a split second.

  “Thank you, I would appreciate that very much. I take your daughters learning very seriously. And might I add that she is the sweetest child. And that brings me to my next concern.”

  I sent up a silent prayer that I wouldn’t have to use her trash can. I nodded my head at her. The nausea was getting stronger I was scared to talk that I might vomit right there. I took a deep breath to try and get everything under control.

  “Sadie, threatened a child today at recess.” She paused for dramatic effect. I took another deep breath and Mrs. Henderson apparently took that as me being upset. She nodded her head and continued.

  “You see we don’t have any tolerance to bullying. No Sadie was not doing the bullying. She has been bullied by the same child. We found out today that it has been going on for some time. She used her father against the child.” She held up a paper and slipped her glasses on her nose as she read. “And I quote. ‘my daddy and his brothers will take you out if I tell them to.’ Ms. Baker that is a serious threat.”

  I couldn’t ignore my stomach anymore I grabbed the trash can and the contents came out. As I dry heaved for a second, I felt a hand on back. She offered a bottle of water and some tissues to clean my face up. I gave her a weak smile as I rinsed my mouth out with the cool water. “Sorry, Mrs. Henderson. I am so sorry.” I tried to apologize.

  “It is fine Ms. Baker. I know this upsetting news. It was for me as well. This was a first strike against her, so no offensives have been taken. I trust that you and your boyfriend will take care of this matter at home. I would hate for the other parent to press charges in the future.”

  “Well, what I would like to know is if the school knew about the bullying why was it
not put to a stop? And furthermore, if the parents of the child wants to press charges I find that it would be hard seeing that she was only defending herself using mere words. Next time it happens she will be instructed to use her fists. Is that all Mrs. Henderson?” I asked as I rose from my seat. Her mouth was opening and closing. I nodded and headed towards the first-grade hall.

  “Miss Veet, what are you doing?” I could head Sadie asking from the doorway. I laughed when I walked into the room. Angie was standing on her desk and she still couldn’t reach the ceiling. She was trying to hang some sort of bug picture in the tiles.

  “Not funny, Korey.” I heard her yell at me.

  “Maybe get a step stool and put it on the desk.” I told her laughing some more.

  “I got this.” She obviously did not. I shook my head at her antics. I was short at five-four. She was however, much shorted than I was at five-two. The two inches help in situations like this.

  “Woman, let me do it.” I tell her climbing up on the desk.

  “Fine, but only because I like you.” I rolled my eyes at her as I shook my head at her again. I am either shaking my head at her, rolling my eyes or laughing until I have tears in my eyes.

  I reached it a little easier than she could. “Miss Veet I brought the ladder for you to hang up your decorations.” A tall man with a deep voice informed her as he brought a ladder in the room. It wasn’t a step ladder either it was at least a six food painters’ ladder. He gave a smile as she took the ladder from him. “Thank you, Mr. Angles. You are a blessing.”

  “Woman, I no longer need your assistance.” She informed me. “Did everything go well?” she asked with a smile. I knew that she knew what happened today. I rolled my eyes again in her direction. “Yeah, as good I expected.” She laughed.

  “Well that’s good. I will feel you in later what happened.” She gave me a wink with her green eyes. I laughed at her words again. “Glad you find me humorous, now get gone. I have work to do.” She rubbed her hands together. “Sean, just a heads up, the room will be full of creepy crawlies on Monday.” Sean let out a glee of happiness as we left Angie to her decorating.

  By the time I had them settled and dinner ready Amy walked through the door. “Hey mama, what you got cooking?”

  “Chicken and dumplings.” Amy and Stink were waiting on their bundle of joy. He is going to be born in two more months. To say they aren’t excited is an understatement. A teen wasn’t ready for a baby but had chosen to adopt out instead. I was so happy for the two. They were involved with the mom and kept constant contact with her. They got her everything she needed. Apparently, the household she came from wasn’t exactly good. She was living in a shelter and Amy was trying to get her to move in with them. If Amy had her way, she would adopt her too. I am pretty sure it would happen soon. Amy had a gift; she was a nurturer and people fell in love with her. I know I did.

  “Yum, you spoil me when I watch Sean and Sadie.” I smiled at her when I head Anthony come in. my nerves came back in full swing. I must have had it written on my face. “You alright?” Amy asked me quietly. I smiled and nodded my head at her.

  I smiled as Anthony as he came and gave me a quick kiss. “Let me change and then we head out.”

  “Okay.” He gave Amy a kiss on her temple and hugged and kiss both Sean and Sadie before he disappeared in our bedroom. I didn’t realize that I was still staring after him until Amy cleared her throat. “What’s wrong. I know something is bothering you.”

  “It really is nothing, Amy. I will tell you when we get back.” She gave me her look that told me she didn’t believe me and that I better talk to her soon.

  “Love you Aims. I will see you in a couple of hours.” I smiled at her. Anthony came out looking hot as sin as he always does and smelling like a bad boy and mine. He was all mine. His tight black shirt clung to him like a second skin. He was wearing my favorite jeans. The ones that rested just below his hips. I could hear the jingle of the wallet chain. He swung his cut on and the look of sexy badass biker President was complete. My underwear was soaked from just looking. What was I going to do when I got to touch him and ride on the back of his bike? And this here is why our date nights always end the same, on a back road before we come home. I wouldn’t change it though. To say that I love being bent over his bike twice a month, well yeah, I do. The sexual tension is always high between us. I thought it would settle down after six months, but it hasn’t.

  “Amy we will be back soon.” She waved us out the door. He took my hand in his as we walked to his bike. I did our normal routine, waited for him to get on and I used his shoulders to steady myself and swung on behind him. I breathed him in as he started the bike. I would never get enough of riding behind him on his bike. I felt freedom every time and the taste of riding is addicting. It was more addicting than getting a tattoo was. Anthony took a turn that I wasn’t expecting. We were headed to the tattoo shop. I figured he forgot something, so I shrugged it off.

  “Stay here, I will be right back.” I smiled at him as his lips caught mine before he ran off into the shop. I watched him from the bike thinking about the first time we met. It was right here in this parking lot. He was hot as sin then and nothing has changed. I mindlessly ran my hand over my still flat tummy. I dropped it when I saw him coming. I knew right then I was going to tell him here in this parking lot. This parking lot changed my life for the better, it felt lucky, and it felt right.

  He trotted up to the bike with a huge smile on his face. God my ovaries combusted as he smiled his panty melting smile. Before I could say anything, he dropped to his knee in front of me. I was looking at the ground thinking he lost something. I looked back at him and I lost my breath when I noticed the red velvet box in his hands with the lid opened and a single solitary diamond in it.

  “Korey Renae Baker, I love you with all my heart. I want to be yours for forever, will you be my wife?”

  The water works started, and I couldn’t get my mouth to work so I nodded my head and stuck out my left hand. He chuckled as he slid the ring on. He caught me as I tried to get off the bike and his lips crashed down on mine. He whispered in my ear. “I love you. You are the most precious person in my life, and you gave me Sean and Sadie.”

  I grabbed his face and kissed him again. “And I am going to give one more precious little person.” I place his hand on my flat stomach. The only words that came to mind that crossed his face was amazement. Then he smiled mischievously. “Damn right. We made this together, no more rubbers.” I giggled at him. “Really, that is the best you could up with?”

  “Oh, really. Well how about this. we get to start our life together and we get to know that we made something incredible. Everything started right here in this parking lot.” I blushed thinking about all the naughty things we have done in his shop. “How was that, was that better?’

  I rolled my eyes at him as he kissed me again harder with more fever than the first two kisses. He walked us to the tattoo shop, it just so happened that this was were our little creation of life was conceived. How ironic that a tattoo shop changed my whole life in the span of six months.

  I knew that changes were coming for us. My thoughts were interrupted when Anthony added. “Oh, yeah I also forgot I got the adoption papers in today.” My mind raced trying to follow his thoughts.

  He must have seen my confusion. “I was thinking I could adopt Sean and Sadie once we get married.”

  “Anthony.” I screeched at him as I jumped in his arms. “Are you serious. You want to do that?”

  “Baby, since you three have moved in with me I have wanted it. I feel in love with you, and your kids. How could I not. I want to be their dad in everyway possible.” I showered him with kisses as we made our way into the tattoo shop.

  Sinner’s Ink and the Angels and Sinners have changed my life for the best. I could have never asked for something so wonderful to happen in my life. Like Grams always said. “Sometimes the best things happen for the right reasons at the worst time of our
lives. Cherish it, keep them close to you at all times, and for god’s sake go with the flow.”