Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 97

December 24th, 2019

I stood over the backpack on my bed, checking over the list of items Janie had told me to bring. I had everything I needed for the gala tonight, I was sure. I'd gone over my mental list a hundred times. My dress was still neatly packaged in its original bag, lying on the bed. I hadn't opened it since I'd bought it. Part of me didn't even want to go, even though I was really excited, but I definitely didn't want to ruin the mood for any of my brothers.

An abrupt knock echoed from the door along with a series of hushed whispers.

"It's open," I called to whoever was behind it, glancing up at the triplets as they entered. They looked mildly nervous.

"We wanted to give you your Christmas present early," Cayden said, producing a small rectangular box from behind his back, a little red bow tied around it. He still looked a bit sleepy, considering he'd fallen asleep almost immediately after we'd gotten home.

I accepted the package gingerly, glancing up in confusion. "For me?"

"Yes, silly. Open it," Calvin urged.

"Okay okay, I will," I untied the ribbon and lifted the lid to the box, staring at a beautiful diamond necklace lying against the velvet lining. "Oh," I breathed aloud. I couldn't help but stare. Three little diamond stars hung down from an elegant golden chain.

"It was our mother's," Calvin told me, his voice soft.

I stared at them in surprise. "And you want me to have it?" I asked, glancing between the three of them as they nodded.

"Of course. Mom would've wanted you to have it," Colton assured me. "Our grandmother had it after our parents passed, and when she died we made sure that we kept it for you,"

I let out a shaky breath, still staring at the necklace. I only had one memory of my mom, and even though I barely remembered her, I felt a little more connected to her somehow just by holding it, tears springing to my eyes.

"If it's too much, you don't have to take it," Cayden said quickly, rushing forward to hug me.

"No," I sniffled, smiling and wiping my eyes. "No, I love it,"

The triplets visibly relaxed. "You do?"

"Yes, I promise," I held the box out to Colton. "Will you put it on me?"

His cheeks flushed crimson. "Um, sure," He eventually managed to clasp it in place, and I let my hair down, admiring how it looked. It hung just below my collarbones, luckily not interfering with my locket.

I traced my fingers over it gently. "Thank you," I told them, pulling into a group hug. "Thank you so much,"
"We're glad you like it," Colton said with a smile.

"Do you remember Mom at all?" Calvin asked.

Cayden and Colton both quickly elbowed him to shut up.

"It's okay," I answered, internally debating whether or not I wanted to tell them that I'd recovered a memory. "But no, I don't,"

"If we're being honest, we can't remember her either," Cayden admitted, glancing at the others. "We were only a year old when they died. All we have left are pictures and stories,"

It hadn't even occurred to me that they wouldn't remember our parents either.

"Even Eli barely remembers," Calvin said.

Eli was only two years older than the triplets, he would've been three when they died. We'd all been so young.

"Thank you three again," I told them, trying to lighten the mood. "For the necklace,"