It had been five years since Marcus "Mack" Alexander had opened his own detective agency in Gulfport, Mississippi. In those years, he’d faced everything from smuggling rings to dangerous criminals, and each case had left its mark. But on this day, as he sat in his office sipping a cup of coffee, there was a different kind of weight on his shoulders—one that had nothing to do with the usual suspects and dark alleys.
Today was his 37th birthday.
Mack had never been big on birthdays. They came and went, the years blending into each other like the waves crashing against the Gulf Coast. But this year, something felt different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but maybe it was the reflection of everything he’d built over the past five years. The cases, the struggles, the victories.
Just as he leaned back in his chair, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—Camille.
"Hey, babe," Mack answered with a smile.
"Happy birthday, Mack," Camille said, her voice warm. "How’s the day treating you so far?"
"Not bad, just another day in the office," he replied with a chuckle. "But I’ve got a feeling this year’s gonna be a big one. You got any big birthday surprises for me?"
Camille’s voice softened. "Actually, I do. We need to talk about something. It’s… big."
Mack felt his heart skip a beat. "What’s going on?"
There was a pause on the other end, and then Camille’s voice came through, steady but filled with emotion. "Mack, I’m pregnant."
For a moment, Mack didn’t know how to respond. His mind raced, processing the words, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. Camille was pregnant? They had talked about it before, but hearing those words now made everything feel so real.
A laugh escaped him, a mixture of joy and disbelief. "Wait, you’re serious? You’re really pregnant?"
"I am," Camille replied, laughing softly. "I know it’s a lot to take in, but I wanted to tell you first. I thought maybe we could talk about it tonight."
Mack took a deep breath, his heart swelling with excitement. "Tonight sounds good. I’m in shock, but I’m happy, Camille. Really happy."
---
Later that evening, after a quiet dinner, they sat on the balcony of their Gulfport apartment, the Gulf Coast breeze cooling the warm night air. Mack, still processing the news, found himself reflecting on his life—how much it had changed over the years, how much had happened since he first arrived in Gulfport. The thought of becoming a father was overwhelming, but also something he looked forward to more than anything.
"I’m glad we’re doing this together," Mack said, his hand resting on Camille’s as they both stared out at the horizon. "We’ve been through a lot, but this feels like the biggest chapter yet."
Camille smiled, her fingers gently squeezing his. "We’re going to be great parents, Mack. I know we’ll figure it out."
But just as the conversation was beginning to settle into the happiness of their future, Mack’s phone buzzed with an incoming message.
"Got a case," he said, looking at the screen. It was from a contact in North Gulfport, the rough part of town. "I’ll take care of this one, but we can talk more after."
Camille’s brow furrowed. "North Gulfport? That area’s trouble, Mack. It’s dangerous."
"I know, but I’m not gonna let a little danger stop me," Mack said with a wink. "Besides, you know how I work. I’ll be back before you know it."
---
The case in North Gulfport was one Mack had seen before: a missing person. The woman, a single mother named Tasha Williams, had disappeared a few days ago, and no one in the neighborhood seemed to know where she had gone. But Mack knew that missing people in this part of town often didn’t stay missing for long. Whether they left on their own or were dragged into something darker, North Gulfport had a reputation for swallowing people whole.
Mack arrived in North Gulfport just after sunset. The streets were a maze of dilapidated houses, empty lots, and flickering streetlights. The air was thick with tension, and the hum of the city seemed to buzz louder here. The area was a far cry from the beaches and tourist spots in other parts of Gulfport, but Mack had always felt at home in the gritty, unpredictable parts of life.
He knocked on the door of the local laundromat, which doubled as a small bar and gathering spot for locals. The owner, a woman named Trina, had seen the missing woman around before. She was an informant for Mack when he needed information. Trina was tough, but she always gave him what he needed.
"Trina, you got a minute?" Mack asked as she opened the door.
"Always for you, Mack," Trina said, her eyes sharp. "You looking into Tasha Williams? I heard she’s been mixed up with some bad people lately."
Mack leaned against the counter. "Tell me what you know."
Trina looked over her shoulder, making sure no one was listening. "Tasha got involved with a crew dealing guns out of New Orleans. They’ve been trying to expand their territory. I don’t know how deep she’s into it, but I heard she owed some money, and when she tried to back out, she went missing."
Mack’s instincts kicked in. "Who’s running the operation?"
"Guy named Lamar. He’s bad news, Mack. You don’t want to cross him," Trina said, her voice low. "He runs with a crew from the West End. Real dangerous people. I’d be careful if I were you."
"Thanks, Trina. I’ll be careful."
Mack left the laundromat and headed toward the West End, where Lamar and his crew operated. He had to tread carefully. In North Gulfport, one wrong move could lead to a bullet, and Mack wasn’t about to let that happen.
He spoke to a few more locals, gathering details as he pieced together the puzzle. Tasha had been trying to get out of the drug trade, but it wasn’t easy. People like Lamar didn’t let you walk away once you were in.
---
By the time Mack tracked down Lamar, it was well into the night. Lamar was sitting outside a rundown warehouse, a group of men lounging around him. Mack approached him cautiously.
"Looking for someone, Lamar?" Mack called out.
Lamar looked up, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell are you doing here, Mack? You don’t belong in these parts."
"I’m looking for Tasha Williams," Mack replied. "She owes you money, and I’m here to make sure she’s alright."
Lamar stood up slowly, a smug grin crossing his face. "She owes me more than money, Mack. She tried to run, and now she’s got a price on her head. If you’re looking for her, you’re wasting your time."
Mack’s jaw tightened. "Where is she, Lamar?"
Before Lamar could answer, a shout rang out from the back of the warehouse. One of Lamar’s men had spotted something—or someone. Mack didn’t hesitate. He moved quickly, grabbing Lamar by the arm and shoving him out of the way as he headed toward the commotion.
---
What followed was a chaotic confrontation, but Mack’s training as an ex-Navy SEAL kicked in, and he was able to apprehend Lamar’s crew, rescue Tasha, and bring her to safety.
By the time Mack returned to Camille, the adrenaline had worn off, but the weight of the case—and the news Camille had shared earlier—stayed with him. Camille was waiting for him at home, her expression soft with concern but filled with warmth.
“I’m glad you’re home,” she said, pulling him into a hug.
“I’m home. And we’ve got a lot to look forward to,” Mack said, his voice filled with certainty. "Happy birthday to me, huh?"
Camille smiled, rubbing her belly. “The best birthday gift I could ever give you.”
---
This was just the beginning of a new chapter for Mack, filled with both challenges and blessings. As he looked ahead to the future—both as a detective and soon-to-be father—he knew there would be more cases to solve, but now, he had something even more important to fight for.
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