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Chapter 12

    I got up early to head to the crime scene. Before heading to there, I stopped and grabbed some coffee. I needed something to really get me through this. While I was in line, I saw Braxton sitting at a table. Hi, im not sure if you remember me from last night. Of course, Captain Washington. You do remember, I said. I was just on my way to your house. I couldn't really sleep, so I waited for this place to open up. Care to join me? I was headed to figure out what happened to your family. I know, I could use some company right now. That's all really, not trying to stop you from doing your job. Since you put it that way, I don't mind. I grabbed my coffee and joined Braxton. At first, I thought it was kind of weird he asked me to join him. It was like he didn't want me going to investigate what happened. Once he said he needed the company, it made sense. I know I would need the company too if I came home to my entire family dead. Although, he seems really claim. A little too claim for somebody who just lost their family.

    What you working on? Just a few things for work, Braxton said. What kind of work you do? I'm an engineer. Really? Yeah, it's not as important as your job. It could be, depends on how you look at it. What made you get into this kind of work? Growing up, I always watched my dad and grandfather build and remodel stuff. I always thought it was cool seeing them create all kinds of stuff around the house. When I was in school, my focus was on arts and crafts. Once I got out of school, I got into engineering a little more. That means you're good with your hands. I guess you can say that, Braxton said while smirking. What made you want to be a detective? I always wanted to make a difference I guess. Make my name really count for something. You must be good at what you do for you to be Captain. The old Captain got sick and he decided to retire. The department felt like I would be a great replacement. I was on the fence about taking it but the department believed in me and believed I could handle it. Are you single or married? I'm married, you? No, Braxton said. That's hard to believe, I said. Why is that? You a good looking guy, I can see any woman wanting to be with you. I'm flattered you think that, Braxton said. I just haven't been lucky enough to find that right woman. You'll find her when the time is right. What about you, how you meet your spouse? I actually met him while I was on call one night. His neighbors were fighting, he called it in, I spoke with him for a few minutes outside, we exchanged numbers, and we been together since then. Wow, that's the craziest hook up story ive heard. Really? Yeah, it's not often you hear stuff like that. It wasn't too serious was it? What you mean? The neighbors, it wasn't too bad? Oh, no it wasn't. It was just a typical argument that went too far. It was mostly a she pushed me, I was only defending myself type thing. Oh, I understand.

     You have family here? Yeah, just my mom. What about your dad? He hasn't been around like he should. He only comes around when he needs money or he's in trouble. For years, it's just been me and my mom. No brothers or sisters? Nope, it's just me. You have any kids? No, not yet. What about you? I'm actually waiting for marriage, Braxton said. WHAT! Yes, you heard it right. You waiting for marriage before having kids? Yes, don't sound too shock. I've never heard a man say that. I can tell, Braxton said while laughing. I came very close to having a child. Really, what happened? My ex and I known each other since we were 9. We eventually got together when we were teens. We were so excited to finally be boyfriend and girlfriend, we rushed everything. The fact we grew up together, we fell in love pretty quick. She got pregnant at 15 but her parents made her have an abortion. They were furious! They did everything they could to keep us apart. She got pregnant again at 17 right before prom. Her parents didn't want her to be that "girl" so they made her get another abortion. Right after prom, they moved to another state just to keep me away from her. I haven't talked to her in months afterwards. 

    I got a full scholarship to a college. I ended up in the same city as her and her family. I didn't know that's where she moved to or that's the college she was going to, none of that. Of course, we were happy to be together again. She didn't tell her parents that I was there. We basically picked up where we left off. She ended up getting pregnant again freshmen year. She hide the pregnancy for as long as she could. Eventually she had to tell her parents. Although she was 18, they still wasn't too happy. This time around they couldn't force her to get an abortion. Around the time she got 7 months, she told them she was pregnant by me. They were more pissed, Braxton said while laughing. It wasn't nothing they could do about it so they pretended to accept it and me. She had triplets, all girls. Wow! She ended up dropping out of college to raise them. We agreed she would go back once they turned 4 and was able to go to school. We talked about marriage and everything. I proposed to her weeks before the girls 2nd birthday. Everything started to really fall into place. I had graduated college, had a great job, and had her dream house built from the ground up. Everything just changed after a while. What happened?