Page 23 of Full Body Check

Six months later

“Just fucking pick one already! It’s a cat, not a goddamn spaceship!” Lance, and his ever-enjoyable attention span of a toddler who missed his nap, bellows… as though we aren’t in the middle of a pet store… in public

Gracelyn moved north, and in with me, four months ago, so she’s settled in, comfortable, found her groove with her new class, and on amicable terms with our Alexa stream, so I figure it’s about time for her next, new favorite little kitty buddy.

“Why the hell would I need a spaceship? Nope, never mind, don’t answer that.” I shake my head at myself, knowing better than to encourage him. “I’m ready, go get the sales lady.”

“Yeah, right,” he scoffs. “What do I look like, your man-servant? You go fucking get her.”

“And have someone else slide in and grab my kitten? I don’t think so. Just go get her.”

“You poor, poor, pussy-whipped bastard; it’s hard to watch, pains me. I’ve gotta get new friends,” Lance mumbles as he walks away.

Not that he’s wrong; I am pretty pathetic. Ass-over-end, crazy-in-love, pathetic. And I couldn’t be happier about it. I’ll fucking sing this kitten a lullaby every damn night if my Gracelyn asks me to.

Yep, that pathetic.

“Do you like her? I can go back if you-”

“Babe,” Gracelyn smiles at me over the top of the kitten’s head, tucked snug under her chin, “she’s perfect. I love her, and I love you. Almost as much,” she snickers. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, anything for you.” I kiss her, too quickly, the kitten mewling and maneuvering, not ready to share. “So, what are you gonna name her?”

“Well,” my love drawls, mischief in her voice and a dance of delight in her eyes, “I think we should name her… Sister.”

“Sister?”

“Mhmmm.”

It’s a bit odd, but whatever she…

“Sister?” I’d like to think my shriek’s manly. “Baby, Gracelyn, what, do you, do you mean…”

She nods, beautiful auburn locks bouncing on her shoulders as my favorite-to-date of all her smiles grabs me by the pounding heart. “Yes, Daddy, this kitty is going be a sister.”

Scoop, shot, goal — game over… or just begun, really — Gracelyn, my game-changer, my whole life, is giving me a life. A child. A family. I drop to my knees and gently place both my shaking hands on either side of her sweet little stomach, then look up at her. “You’re marrying me, Gracelyn.”

“Okay,” she giggles.

“Today.”

“No, not okay.” She laughs harder as I cover her tummy in kisses, all over my child. My child.

“Tomorrow then.”

“Brewer…”

“No? Still not okay? That’s fine,” I whisper to my baby that I’ll be right back and stand, getting a good head start down the hallway before adding over my shoulder, “I’ll just call and see what your mother thinks!”

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