Page 34 of Rejection Overruled

24 – Brooke

Sometime in the present … or future … you decide

“Brooke this just isn’t right,” Jamal complained. “I’m the man, my name should be first – Styles & Owens Attorneys at law.”

I burst into a fit of laughter while he scowled at me. “How can your name be first when I am the more famous of the two? Everyone knows I am the 100%.”

“Will you rub that in my face for the rest of our lives?” he protested.

As I was about to respond, I was rudely interrupted. “Ouch!” I yelped.

Jamal was beside me in an instant. He rested a hand on my stomach as the soccer player inside of me scored another goal. Well, that was how we described the baby whenever he kicked. It was like a whole soccer team in there.

After we sorted out our past differences and misunderstanding in that hotel – spending the entire weekend doing whatever came naturally, our relationship took a beautiful turn.

Many things happened afterwards. I represented Ron in his divorce and custody case. Of course we won. He had evidence that she’d cheated and involved in an online prostitution ring. He got full custody of his daughter.

The sad news in all of this was that Richard Dennison suffered a major heart attack and a series of strokes. His wife took charge of his health and she withdrew her petition for divorce. Jamal and I often faced each other as rivals in other cases and we found we always ended up settling out of court. We usually work together to make the best decisions for both our clients.

After nearly a year of dating we eloped to Las Vegas. Sophia didn’t speak to me for nearly a month since I didn’t tell her until we returned. Well, she had to speak to me on a professional basis because she was my assistant and I denied her resignation.

The day I told her I was pregnant…

She walked into my office and placed another envelope on my desk – the seventh one, I think. Usually I’d tear it up as soon as she dropped it there. This time I opened it and read the letter. It stated that working with me was proving to be burdensome as we both had outgrown each other. I knew she didn’t mean that.

I took my pen and wrote on the dotted line, watching her face the entire time. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. I was giggling inside. She thought I’d signed my name. I silently handed her the letter and watched her read what she thought was my signature: You’re going to be an aunt, you idiot.

“Aaaahhhh!”

I had to cover my ears from her screams. She was around my desk in light speed pulling me to my feet.

“Why didn’t you … wait … is that why you eloped?”

“Yeah, we can do a nice big affair after the baby comes. I just didn’t want to be planning a wedding while I was pregnant.”

“But you could have told me!” she slapped my shoulder.

“And miss the look on your face just now?”

“You are the most evil friend,” she almost shouted. “You played this game with me for an entire month!”

The happiness of the moment quickly evaporated her anguish of the last month. I knew she would understand when she learned the truth. Sophia was the best friend – no – best sister anyone could ever asked for. She put up with me through everything.

“I love you, Soph. Never forget that.”

“I hate you,” she replied as we both hugged.

“Liar.”

That was six months ago. During that time, Jamal and I made some decisions. Since we were man and wife, might as well merge our talents and assets. Instead of rivals we became allies. I would have loved to continue battling with him in the courtroom, but it didn’t seem that Coleman & Glock was going to make me partner anytime soon.

When he made the suggestion that we opened our practice together and become the most formidable pair of attorneys in the city, it was an offer I could not refuse. With our track record, as soon as we announced the merge, we received hundreds of calls. Our waiting list tripled and we had to start scouting associate attorneys.

To the chagrin of Harvey Coleman, Donald and a few other members of my personal staff joined our team. I now looked at the sign and realized how fortunate I was. I found love – the man of my dreams – literally, and now we were becoming a family.

Jamal wrapped his arms around me while I relaxed against him. The sign was up and the office almost ready. Somewhere inside our office manager Sophia was issuing instructions, finalizing last minute details.

“So Mrs. Styles, shall we go home?” he murmured.

“Augh, as soon as I get rid of this burden, I am redecorating the apartment. That beige and navy sofa must go and….”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“You wanna bet?”