Chapter 69
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Case
The day I found my brother in bed cold and alone, I lost it.
I crawled under the covers with him and held him against me. I thought in my fucked up mind that I could breathe life into him through my embrace.
I knew he was gone.
His body was stiff. His lips were blue.
His eyes were closed. He looked as peaceful as he would have been if he were lost in a dream about being out on the ocean with his favorite surfboard.
When I called 911, I told the woman who answered that he was gone, but she did her job. She got everyone who needed to be there to rush over.
I watched as firemen, an ambulance crew, and two police officers burst into that small apartment to try and save my brother’s life.
One-by-one they left the room. Some were in tears because who wants to see a young life taken before its time?
Today, my grandfather and I are getting another chance.
Mickey’s not Apollo, but he’s a part of him.
He’s the best part of the best man I’ve ever known.
It was my decision when to tell Cadby about his great-grandson. I didn’t want to put the picture in his hand and make him wait, so I got Delaney’s number from Emma.
I called her at daybreak, and we spoke for an hour.
We sorted through some of the pain and talked about what matters more than anything. Mickey.
The kid was named after Apollo’s favorite baseball player. Mickey Mantle.
We’re two steps away from walking into Sweet Bluebells and a future that looks a hell of a lot better than the past we’re leaving outside the door.
I turn to my grandfather.
He’s got the tan suit on that he always wears for special occasions. I had it pressed at the hotel this morning when I told him that we were meeting someone special.
He joked if it was Emma’s grandmother because he’s in the market for a sweetheart.
That brought a smile to Emma’s face. My grandpa loved the sight of that.
He’ll bring a lot more happiness to her life when she moves in with me back in California.
I haven’t asked her about it yet, but I know she wants it as much as I do.
“Do they have red velvet cupcakes in there?”
Emma jumps in to answer that. “They do, Cadby. They have cream cheese frosting and small candies sprinkled on top.”
“Be still my heart.” He grabs for the center of his chest. “Did I tell you that you’re prettier than the sun in the sky today?”
It’s the yellow dress she’s wearing. She ducked out of the hotel early to shower and change back at my apartment.
I’m wearing a pair of jeans, a blue button-down shirt, and a navy blue suit jacket. I want my nephew to see the best in me.
I don’t have a road map to follow, so I’m taking a chance that when my grandpa sees Mickey that he’ll put two-and-two together.
I tug on the handle to open the door. Emma steps in first with Cadby on her heel. I take the rear because I need an extra second to catch my breath.
“Emma.” Delaney stretches her arms out in a greeting. “I’m so happy you came.”
Emma steps into her embrace. I watch in awe as the woman I love hugs the woman that loved my brother.
Apollo may have only known Delaney for a brief time but they made a child together. She created a living, breathing human being with the boy I grew up taking care of.
“Delaney, this is Cadby Easton.” Emma steps aside to let my grandpa have his moment.
“Dear?” His voice quivers as he approaches her. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry we weren’t there for you.”
Her arms reach for him too. She cradles his head next to hers. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
I search the bakery for any sign of blond curls, but I come up empty.
“Hey, Rush… I mean Case.” Delaney shakes her head. “I’m sorry about last week.”
I move to embrace both her and my grandfather together. “Last week is the past. It’s time we all started living in the present, and you can call me whatever the hell you want.”
She chuckles. “I’ll call you Case.”
When I step back, my grandfather does the same.
Delaney takes a breath. “There’s something I need to tell you, Mr. Easton.”
“Cadby,” My grandpa smiles. “You’ll call me Cadby.”
“Or great-grandpa,” I say quietly.
His head turns slowly. “What are you saying? Emma is knocked up?”
Emma bursts out laughing. “No. There is no way.”
I shake my head as Delaney giggles. “I didn’t think that one through.”
“Think what through?” His eyes narrow as he stares at me. “What’s going on, Rush?”
“Let’s try this again,” I say.
We both catch sight of a little boy with blonde hair as he rounds the counter and heads toward us.
“Rush.” My grandfather reaches for me. “Do you see him?”
“That’s Mickey,” I whisper as I hold tightly to his hand. “That’s our Pol’s little boy.”
Mickey marches right past his mom until he’s standing in front of the two of us. “I’m Mickey Wilts, sirs. My mom told me you’re here to meet me. She said you loved my daddy very much.”
My grandfather brushes his hand on Mickey’s shoulder. “He was my grandson.”
“My daddy was your grandson?”
“Yes.”
“Are you my Papa?” Mickey takes a step closer. “I always wanted a Papa.”
“I’m your Papa.” My grandfather takes Mickey into an embrace. “And this is your uncle Case.”
The smile I get when the kid’s eyes meet mine chases every ounce of pain I’ve felt away. “It’s good to meet you, Mickey.”
His gaze darts back to his mom. “Is this real? I get an uncle and a Papa in the same day?”
“It’s real,” she says through a sob. “This is your family.”
Mickey reaches an arm out to pull me into a hug with my grandpa. “This is the best day of my whole life.”
I look over at Emma. “It’s the best day of mine too.”