Christmas was wonderful. We spent it with Spencer's family because I am no longer speaking to anyone in mine except for Emily and Uncle Albert. It's March and the kids are four months and smiling and making noises.
Spencer and I haven't had sex but we've done about everything else. I'm not mad because it's Spencer and I'll wait forever for him.
I walk out of the bathroom. I just got out of the shower. Spencer and I are taking the kids to the Flea Market today with his family. Everyone is downstairs waiting for me. I pull on a pushup bra and a black lace thong and a blue loose tank top and white jeans, and I put my hair up in a neat bun, and then I walk out of the bathroom and put on sandals. I roll on deodorant and grab my phone.
I have a text.
Caitlyn: I miss my little sister. please don't push me out of your life.
I miss her so much, but I know that anything going on in my life with go right back to my father.
I sigh and go downstairs.
The doorbell rings.
Spencer opens it.
Hesitantly, he turns around to look at me.
"Who is it?" I ask, picking up Daniel.
"It's your sister." He says quietly.
I bite my lip and start shaking my head frantically.
"I'm sorry Caitlyn. Just give us a minute."
He shuts the door.
"Come here." He says. Olivia is being held by Mrs. Key.
I follow him to the kitchen.
"She's your sister." He says.
"So?" I ask.
"Don't push her away. You're mad at your father, not her. You should just make up with them."
"All of them?" I ask.
"Yes."
"No." I say. I'm happier without them in my life." I start to walk away.
"Natalie, you cry every night because you miss her so much." He whispers. "You might not ever get the chance to see her one day. One day, your father could get into a car crash and you'll really lose him. What about Caitlyn? If you don't talk to her, she could leave here in tears and drive right into a pole. Life is too short to hold grudges. Please love, please don't do this."
I study his eyes for a long time, and then I sigh.
"I'm not letting all of them in." I say. "Just Caitlyn, Jeremy, Cameron, and Jason." I open the front door.
Caitlyn looks up from messing with her fingernails.
Her eyes lock with mine.
"Natalie." She says. "I'm sorry."
And for the first time ever, my sister breaks down in front of me.
Silently, I turn around and pass Daniel to Spencer, and then I shut the front door.
I hug her.
She doesn't cry long.
In fact, she takes a deep breath and forces her to stop.
"I'm sorry, I just, it's been hard. I'm not talking to Mom and Dad anymore because Dad is so mean. It's just been Jeremy and the kids and I, and Jeremy's family. I've missed you." she sniffles.
"I've missed you too." I whisper.
"Are you still mad at me?" she asks.
I hesitate.
"I wasn't mad at you. I was mad at Dad. I still am."
"What about Jeremy and the kids?"
"I'm not mad at them, either."
"Good. They're in the car." She sniffles.
"They can come out." I say.
She nods and waves for them to come out of the car.
Jeremy approaches me.
"I want to say you're a bitch, but I love you." he hugs me.
I hug him back, and then greet the kids.
"You guys can come in." I say.
They nod.
I open the door.
Right when everyone steps inside, it starts to downpour.
"Look at how grown up they are!" Caitlyn gasps, ripping Daniel from Spencer's arms, and pick Olivia up off the floor.
"Well, looks like the flea market is off." I say.
It takes five minutes for all of Spencer's family to leave.
After a couple minutes, Caitlyn leaves too.
"I can't wait until next Friday." Spencer whispers.
"What's next Friday?" I ask.
"It's a surprise." He admits.
I frown. "I don't like surprises."
He pats my leg and leans in and kisses my shoulder.
"Trust me on this one."
What do you guys think the surprise is?
~Sam
