Mended

27

Izzy's POV

Rose and I watched Ethan and Sophia tread out of the kitchen, the former throwing me a quick glance before disappearing from my line of sight. I assumed they were heading up to the study where I knew Elijah and Kaiden waited.

"Izzy."

My head snapped towards Olivia when I realized she'd been calling my name. "Sorry, what?"

Concern crept into her soft hazel eyes and every nerve in my body itched to turn away from that knowing stare. The effort it took to maintain a neutral expression was almost unbearable as I thought about how she'd been a witness to my break down earlier today. I wanted nothing more than to go home, but I knew I couldn't. It would only worry them more.

"I asked if you were hungry," she repeated. "Elijah and the rest are probably going to be up there for a while longer, so we can get started."

I shook my head. "No, I'm good. I can wait," I said quietly. Hesitating briefly, I continued. "Do you know what they're doing up there?"

Rose also glanced at Olivia at the question, obviously curious like I was as to why my oldest siblings had disappeared upstairs. I knew Caleb was still somewhere down here with us considering I could hear Noelle's laughter all the way from where I sat.

"I'm not sure," Olivia told me, taking a deep breath as she leaned against the counter opposite of us. Her gaze flickered between Rose and me. "All I know is it's about Ethan."

That was the confirmation I needed as I realized Elijah and Kaiden were probably trying to clean up the mess my brother had made. A part of me wanted to go up there and know what was happening, but a bigger part of me was drained in every way possible and wanted to stay oblivious as long as I could.

Caleb caught my attention as he walked into the room, a fed up look on his face as Noelle sprinted in after him. "Alright, I've done my time," he huffed, gesturing to Noelle who was following his every step, a mischievous smile plastered on her face as she grabbed the hem of my brother's hoodie. Caleb's eyes zoned in on Rose. "It's your turn to deal with her. I've had enough."

Rose laughed and pushed away from the counter. "You're so dramatic," she rolled her eyes at Caleb, moving towards the two of them.

Caleb glared at her, and I held back a laugh at his messed up hair. Noelle had made him carry her around on his shoulders for the past half an hour. 

"She tried making me play Just Dance with her," Caleb growled, frantically running his hands through his dark hair. "I'm not doing that."

An annoyed expression flashed across Noelle's face as she registered Caleb's words. She huffed and opened her mouth, but Rose quickly stepped in.

"Elle, what do you say I play with you?" Rose asked, crouching down to be on her level. "Caleb's not any good at dancing."

"That's true," I said, grinning. Caleb rolled his eyes and took a seat, the relief at being left alone visible on his face.

Noelle didn't need any more convincing before she grabbed Rose's hand and dragged her out of the room.

"Finally," Caleb groaned, dropping his head back against his seat. "I don't know how Elijah does it."

Olivia smiled. "He has experience from all of you."

"We weren't toddlers when he started taking care of us," Caleb replied flatly.

"You and Ethan acted like it," I commented.

Caleb scoffed. "I was nowhere near as bad as Ethan."

"From what I remember, you were pretty equal when you were little, Caleb," Olivia said, amused.