Sister Mother

Chapter 36

Addie

Last night, I dreamed of my college graduation. In real life, I skipped the commencement because it took place a week after Mom and Dad's car accident. In my dream, Mom and Dad were the chancellors. I wore my cap and gown, my gold honors cord and beamed as my parents handed me what I'd worked so hard to earn. Except, it wasn't my diploma that they handed me, it was Gabe and Beatrice. They were infants, wrapped up in baby blankets but I held them the same way I'd proudly carry my degree. Mom and Dad cheered for me as I crossed the stage, and then the dream got even weirder.

Leo joined me at the end of the stage. He too was in a cap and gown, and he took one of the diploma babies from me. I wasn't sure which one. He helped me step down from the stage and then he waved to my parents.

I sat up so quickly after waking up that I almost cracked my hip. I threw my face into my hands and waited to feel the big wet tears streak down my cheeks. None did. It took me several moments to realize that I was smiling. Beaming. Grinning. Almost laughing into my warm, sweaty and finger-crossing hands. Leo woke up a few minutes later and asked if I was okay. I told him that I needed a minute. He asked if I wanted Gabe or Beatrice. A few times on the trip, he stepped aside and let us take the time to grieve. It came in waves without warning.

I didn't need time to grieve that morning, but I did need time to screw my head back on.

⫷👁⫸

We went to the beach again. Our flight back was the next day and that single thought was the only cause of the slight bitterness in my stomach. Everything else was blissful. The faint breeze in my hair. The warm sand falling through my fingers. Leo's callused fingers against my skin. The sight of Beatrice building a sandcastle right near the edge of water, and Gabe bringing her seashells. I put my hand on my forearm and pinched myself.

Nope, still not dreaming.

"If you need physical contact to convince yourself you're not dreaming, I can help with that," Leo said as he rolled onto his side. The sight of his bare chest almost made me drool. He reached over and dragged the back of his hand across my shoulder, bikini top and stomach.

I inhaled, felt every skin cell that he touched spark with excitement, until he took his hand away. "Really?"

"We're in public. Your brother and sister are six feet away."

"Then don't start—"

"You looked at me. From now on, you should expect me to touch you every time you look at me."

I am going to get a skin condition from blushing so much. My cheeks are going to explode like fireworks.

"Please shut up and kiss me again."

Leo smirked and perched himself up on his elbow. I grasped his shoulders and pulled him close to me. His lips rubbed against mine gently. Leo's kisses never failed to surprise me. His skin set mine on fire and his mouth—not even his tongue, just his lips—controlled my every feeling and thought.

"I love you," I exhaled as soon his magical should-have-come-with-a-warning-label lips fled from mine.

"I love you too."

Leo

For lunch we stopped at a local pizzeria where we could sit outside, enjoy the scenery, sip punch, lemonade and slushies. I sat with my arm behind Addie's back, looking like a knock-out in her purple bikini and high ponytail. Beatrice's face was scorched with sunburn, evidence of the fun she'd had this week.

Over the past few days, Gabe had relaxed around me. He'd forgotten to make jibes at me, and while he still made me a bit nervous, I think I was growing on him.