Page 11 of Brax

Brax stepped outside, and Adam closed the door behind him. He leaned against the wall and then slid down to the cold tile floor, his face in his hands as he sobbed with relief. Suddenly, he felt familiar hands on his shoulders. He knew who it was.

His father, twin brother, Saint, and Mav.

“She’s alive and awake, brother. Now it’s up to you,” said Pax. He nodded as they pulled him to his feet.

“I was so stupid. So, so stupid.”

“Yep. You were,” smirked his father.

“Thanks, Dad,” he chuckled. “I love you too.”

“Listen, just talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Tell her why you’ve been so worried about the two of you.”

“I did. I mean, I told her how I feel, but Gabi interrupted before I could say anything else. I told her I loved her, and she looked confused. I guess for good reason.” The door to her room opened again, and Gabi walked out. “Well?”

“She’s good, honey. No sudden movements, no running, no jumping, nothing. She’s alive. She’s on the road to recovery, but she will need care for the next few days.”

“I’ll take care of her,” said Brax. As the others left, Brax walked back into the room, Stephanie staring at him.

“Can we start our conversation again?” she asked. He smiled at her, nodding.

“Yes. I believe we left off with you saying I’m an asshole, and I told you that I loved you.”

“Brax, why the sudden change of heart? I’m so confused right now, and I already have a headache.” He nodded, taking his uncomfortable seat again, holding her hand.

“I should have told you a long time ago, Steph. I just didn’t know how to bring it up. It’s just such an awkward, strange thing to speak to someone about. Especially a woman that I care for. That I love.” He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation. “The summer between my junior and senior years of high school, I was diagnosed with a rare form of prostate cancer.”

“Brax, I’m so sorry,” she said, reaching for his hand.

“Thank you,” he nodded. “I had to – I had to have my testicles removed. Everything works. I mean, I can still have sex, but I can’t have children.”

“That’s what was wrong? You honestly believed that I wouldn’t love you, want to marry you because of that? Brax, surely you must know that wouldn’t matter to me.”

“Steph, you deserve to have babies. Babies that look just like you. Brilliant, beautiful babies.”

“Brax, I can’t have children,” she said, looking at him. He stared at her, shaking his head in disbelief. All this wasted time because he wouldn’t talk to her. “It was the big glitch in cloning me. I don’t produce enough eggs to have children.”

“Are you kidding me?” he laughed. “All this bullshit I’ve been putting you through, and we could have been living together this whole time?”

“Sorry, buddy. As I said, you’re an asshole,” smirked Stephanie. Brax just laughed, gently pulling her toward him, holding her, hugging her, feeling her against his body.

“Steph, I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you in that damn school. Please don’t leave. Please, honey.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t want to leave here. This is the only place I’ve ever felt like I was at home. The only friends I’ve ever had are here. I love my work. I love Doug.”

“And?” he said expectantly.

“And, I love you. Even if you are an asshole.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” he smiled. “I’m going to go get us both some food. I think you can have soft foods and liquids. Let me clear it with Adam and the others, and I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.” He kissed her, and she smiled up at him.

“No plans to leave ever again.”

Brax left the room as Ajei entered to check her vitals, the fluids, and other things. As he walked toward the diner to grab some food, he noticed the group of men talking.

“Hey, what’s up?” he asked his father.

“Brax, is she okay?” Brax smiled, nodding at him and the other men standing around him.

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