Page 131 of Roses and Skulls

I wipe my eyes and let him pull me to my feet. We make our way back through the cabin and as we step outside, I see the last chime I made, hanging from the porch. The wind has picked up and is sending the skeleton keys into each other, producing a peaceful little melody.

“My heart can’t take all this happiness.” I run my hand over my chest. Elijah rests his chin on my shoulder.

He takes his sucker out of my hand and puts it in his mouth as he jumps off the porch. “Well, shall we go tell our parents just how old they’re getting?” Winking at me, he holds out his hand. I take it and let him pull me towards the bike.

“Do you think they will be happy?” I ask nervously, climbing on behind him.

“Honestly, I think they will be over the moon happy.” He fires up the motor and turns us around in front of our new home.

I glance over my shoulder as we pull out on the road. My eyes fall closed. A warm sensation spreads across my chest, putting a smile on my face. Happy. I’m truly happy.

My parents knock me clean over, barely giving me a chance to get off the bike as soon as we pull in.

“Never again,” my dad whispers in my hair. His arms tighten around me and my mom. “I can’t take you being away from us like that.” Bossing me already.

The daughter I was before would have stormed away. The one I am now, squeezes him tight and whispers back, “Never again. I missed you guys so much.”

He pulls away and both he and my mom check me over. “You look so good, baby,” my mom coos. “You’re glowing.”

My dad nods in agreement. “The California sun did you good,” he agrees.

Elijah and I share a knowing smile.

“I’m starving,” I tell them and two seconds later we are sitting on the patio, a plate piled high of my mom’s famous pasta in front of me.

They ask me a million questions about the facility and how I’m feeling, though they know the answers to most of it. The letters we have shared told them all that plus more. My dad even wrote to me. In his own handwriting. I’ll treasure those letters forever.

Elijah taps his glass with his knife lightly. “As you can see, she’s wearing the ring, so we have the green light to begin the wedding preparations.”

Our parents nod and begin to chatter over venues, dates, all shit that I can’t even wrap my head around right now. It’s too much. My dad’s eyes narrow on me, and he claps his hands loudly.

Everyone quiets and turns towards him.

“Billie Rose, what do you think of all this? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

Elijah grabs my hand under the table and squeezes. I take a deep breath. “I think everything sounds lovely, but I was thinking a small ceremony. Out back. With just the club and close friends. I don’t want a huge wedding.”

My father leans back, his scary eyebrow crawling dangerously close to his hairline.

I feel a trickle of sweat travel down my spine. “And I think we should do it soon. Like in a few months.”

And there it goes, it’s as high as I’ve ever seen it. He knows something is not right.

“Um, I’m pregnant,” I say quietly, dropping my eyes to stare at Elijah and I’s intertwined hands.

The silence that follows is like a knife through my heart. A lump begins to form in my throat and then my chair is pushed back, and my father is pulling me to stand, crushing me against his big chest.

“Baby girl,” he breathes out and then he pushes me back, his tattooed hands cupping my face. “My baby is having a baby.” A single tear falls down his cheek, absorbed by his greying beard. “I’m going to be a grandpa,” he says, smiling wide, he shoves me back into his chest, holding me tight.

I couldn’t hold back my choked sob of relief if I tried. He continues to hold me as I break down. Telling them everything they need to know about the circumstances surrounding this pregnancy.

I didn’t know how much I needed this. To have his acceptance. His support.

He’s always been there to catch me. I should have never doubted any of them. I was fully prepared to move out. To live on my own. Just me and the baby. I didn’t know if anyone would understand my decision.

My mom’s soft hair brushes over my skin as she comes up behind me and wraps her arms around us. “I’m so happy for you, baby. You will make a wonderful mother.”

When they finally release me, Elijah’s parents are ready to pick up where they left off. “We love you, Billie Rose. We are so happy that we are getting you as a daughter,” Penny reassures me, leaning her forehead against mine.

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