The Importance of Being Kept

Chapter 26. Precious Ones

The twins did not want her to come to the funeral, but she did anyway. As if she would listen to them at a time like this, even if it was raining outside and cold and the wind was blowing and each had an arm around her to keep her from falling. Even if she thought she was going to be the next person they were going to have a funeral for because she seriously thought she was going to die from this damn flu, she was there for them dammit! Even Kaylee and Brandon showed up at the burial. Kaylee coughed and sneezed and even started wheezing until Brandon got worried and left with her. Mumbling about how stupid he was to bring her here in this weather.

The twins turned to Kia after watching them leave with the exact same expression on their faces. "Let's get out of this weather," Darren told her. She was stuck in the middle of them. They sheltered her body from the wind and rain as much as possible. "We were fools to let you have your way. If you get worse from this we'd never forgive ourselves."

Bryan picked her up easily. Darren held his umbrella over her. They said good bye to their parents and thanked Kia's family for attending and told them they were going back to the penthouse.

"Now wait a minute," Mia said suddenly blocking their paths when they tried to leave with Kia. "My baby is sick. I had no idea how bad it was until today. Sorry boys, but I'm taking her home with me."

Bryan and Darren looked at each other, frowned at the same time, and held Kia tighter.

Kale and Aidan stood behind Mia and crossed their arms ready to fight the twins if they had to.

"You are not allowed to hold our daughter hostage when she's sick and needs her mother," Aidan told them.

"I knew this was going to happen!" Kia said as loud as she could with her hoarse voice.

"You sound terrible, Kia. These fools haven't been taking care of you at all," Kale glared at the twins.

"We can't blame them," Aidan reasoned with Kale. "It's not their fault. Richard's passing has affected us all, they weren't fully capable of taking care of Kia while they were grieving."

"Now wait a minute!" Bryan protested. "We've been giving her the ultimate care while she's been with us. We've barely left her side."

"Mia can do better. She's her mother after all. What do men know about these things?" Aidan told them.

"You should have never let her get sick in the first place," Kale said in accusing tone.

"Now Kale, don't blame them for something that's out of their hands...." Aidan sympathized. "We'll just take Kia with us and leave you to handle what's most important right now."

The twins suddenly stood in front of them blocking them when they reached for Kia.

"She's what's most important to us," Darren told them. "Richard has been laid to rest. We're fully capable of devoting our unwavering attention to her."

"Are you "challenging us?!" Aidan asked with an incredulous expression.

Kaitlyn frowned and stood between them. "I can't believe you're going to try to take your daughter away from my sons at a time like this," she told Mia and the others. "Can't you see they're going to fall to pieces if you take her away from them now?"

"Can't you see my daughter looks like she's about to die?" Mia asked her. "I am seriously worried for her health. Why did you two bring her out here like this? You should know better!"

"MOM! Dad!" Kia managed to speak to them although she preferred to yell, her voice was just too hoarse. "I wanted to come and I forced them to bring me. They didn't want to bring me, but I threatened them so it's not their fault. I want to stay with the twins. If you try to make me leave I swear I'll sneeze on all of you just to get you sick and maybe even bite you. Do you want that? Huh? I'm a grown woman for goodness sake. It's time you let someone else take care of me."