Scar(42)
Author: A.M. Brooks

Her hair is cur shorter, just brushing her collarbone, she’s also thinner, but her smile, that smile is everything. Scarlet sees me and runs the rest of the way through the gate and into my arms. I catch her easily, her legs circling my waist, and her arms around my neck. I hold her to me easily, afraid that I might crush her.

“I missed you,” I tell her, a softness I reserve only for her, lacing my voice.

“You just saw me six days ago,” she teases, pulling back to look at me. She slides down my body until her feet hit the ground.

“Six days too long,” I reply, my hands grasping her face and pulling her into me. I don’t get to touch her during visits. Hugs are barely appropriate, and it’s mostly only allowed between parents and children. I haven’t kissed her since that day in the garage. My eyes drop to her lips, loving how soft and pink they are.

“Trent,” she whispers my name and I snap.

My lips touch hers hesitantly at first, asking for permission for more. All the need I’ve been holding onto surges into me while I take and take from her. Scarlet whimpers into my mouth, bringing her body closer to mine. I can’t get enough of her. When I pull back, I’m breathing hard, and her face is flushed red. It’s then I hear the catcalls and claps from the people behind us. Laughing, I scoop her up and carry her to where my bike is waiting.

Once she is on and her helmet secure, I drive us home. The two hours back seems to fly by. Scarlet is fluid on the back of my bike, laughing and squeezing her arms tighter around me. By the time we pull up to my house, a few cars are parked on the road. I keep Scarlet distracted, and manage to get her to the door without acting too weird. Nerves swirl in my gut and my heart squeezes. Taking her hand, I lead her inside.

“Surprise!” Everyone yells at the same time Selene yells “Mommy!”

I laugh, and Scarlet jumps back, almost colliding into me. I steady her, just in time to see her smile and tears. She bends to catch Selene who hurls herself into Scarlet’s arms.

“Momma! I’m so happy you’re here. Now I can show you my room and Daddy’s room and my turtle!” Selene rattles on, and Scarlet eats it up. I love watching them interact. I love seeing my girls together, finally able to be a family again.

Scarlet walks farther into the room, Selene still fastened around her neck. My mom rushes forward to hug her, followed by Evita. Scarlet makes her way around the room, to my dad and brother, to Jay and Blaise, and finally to Elias who reached out when he saw the news. We got together and have been hanging out ever since, just like old times.

“Thank you everyone,” Scarlet says and another round of tears start. She sets Selene down again.

“There’s food too Momma,” Selene tells her and we all laugh. “And I helped Daddy make the banner.”

“You did, huh? Where?” Scarlet twists to get a better look and the room goes silent.

My heart hammers in my chest while her back is to me. I drop to one knee and wait.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Is plastered above the food table.

Scarlet whips back around to face me, her mouth dropping open.

“Surprise,” I chuckle lightly, and take her hand. “Scar, I can’t begin to tell you what you mean to me. We took a long road to get here, but I will never regret anytime that I’ve spent with you. Even when I was mad, I loved you. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. You’re brave, kind, you love fiercely, and you have pushed me to be a better version of myself. I love you. I never want to be apart from you again. Will you marry me?”

Scarlet leans down and wraps her arms around my neck. “Yes,” she says into my shoulder, when I lift her up off the ground. Everyone claps and cheers, but we’re in our own moment.

“I love you, too,” she tells me, and I smile.

Eventually, we eat and mingle. My parents are the last to leave, since my mom insists on helping cleanup. Scarlet puts Selene to bed and excuses herself to go shower after. I’m about ready to kick my parents out. My dad gets the hint before my mom, but when she does, they hustle out. I lock up the doors before jogging up the stairs.

The shower is still running when I step into the bathroom. The mirror is fogged, and I feel the heat from the water from out here. I slip out of my clothes easily and open the shower door.

“You scared me,” Scarlet laughs and holds a hand across her body. I smirk at her shyness. Although, it has been over a year since I’ve seen her naked, or touched her in anyway sexual.

I eye her up, and watch a blush creep over her skin. The air smells like coconut and I realize how much I’ve missed that every day, and that I never want to miss it again. Her eyes find mine while I step in to join her. The ring on her finger catches my attention, and I grip her hand, kissing over it.

“That was quite the surprise.” She raises a brow.

“I don’t want to spend another day without you,” I tell her. Scarlet’s face softens.

“I love you,” she answers, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.

My lips drop to Scarlet’s, breathing her in with every push and pull. My heart surges in my chest, and everything else falls into place. This was meant to be. She was always meant to be mine just as I was meant to be hers. We did take a long way to get here, but we have a lot of life ahead of us.

“You know what else we should add, besides the wedding,” I ask, pulling back and enjoying the way her eyes flutter open slowly. It takes her brain a moment to remember what I’m saying. I smirk.

“Huh?” she responds, looking confused.

I grin and lean down to her ear. “I think we need to make another baby. Selene is lonely.”

Scarlet laughs, pushing me back. “I think you need to wait.”

She moves around the shower and gets out, gripping her towel tightly around her and sticks her tongue out. Laughing, I waste no time in following after her, and catching her in our room. No matter how much she tries to run, I’ll find her. One of these days, she’ll trust I know what’s best for us. I foresee a long future ahead of us and it all starts now.

The End

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