Broken {Completed}

Brothers

I woke up early this morning drenched in sweat because Jen had turned the ac off, and I got up to turn it back on, I realized she wasn't in bed.

I went downstairs to to find her and Gunnar on the couch fast asleep with the tv on. If there was one thing I knew about Gunnar, its that he would never let anything hurt his mother. I covered them with a blanket and return to my room only to get an hour of sleep.

I got out of bed and went downstairs again. They hadn't moved. It made me wonder how much sleep they had gotten.

I started making some coffee and toast. I wanted a light breakfast because Jared and I were going walking. It had been a while since I spent one-on-one time with my brother, and a talk was long over due. And even though he lived next door, I barely knew what was going on in his life.

As I went to grab a mug for coffee, a pair of slender arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Taking her hands in mine, I turned to face Jen. Her hair was still tousled from sleeping on the couch and there were large bags under her eyes, but she smiled sweetly and kissed my cheek.

"What were you doing up so late?" I asked kissing her tenderly.

"I couldn't get comfortable, my acid reflux was acting up, I ate a chocolate frosting hamburger, then puked my guts up. So needless to say I had a pretty crappy night." She leaned into my chest and resting her hand over my heart.

"I'm sorry baby. Why didn't you wake me up? I could have ran to the store to get you some ginger ale and saltine crackers."

"Well in my wild escapades last night in trying to get comfortable, I kicked you a few times and you didn't budge mister." She poked my chest emphasizing the last four words.

"I'm sorry." I hugged her close and kissed her. She pulled away just enough to allow me to see her stomach. She had a small bulge toward her lower tummy. I gingerly rubbed my hand across it.

"What are you thinking?" She asked lifting my face to meet her loving brown eyes.

"How much I love you, and how much I can't wait to see our beautiful angel." Her cheeks reddened slightly as she placed her hand over mine.

"I love you," she said pulling me closer to her.

"I love you too." Our mouths met in a heated kiss, and she trailed her hands down my chest to the waist of my sweats. Neither one of us knew that Gunnar was now awake and stood at the entry of the kitchen until he cleared his throat. We jumped apart feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Yeah I'm still here guys." Gunnar went to the refrigerator grabbing the milk then walked to the cabinet and grabbed a bowl and cereal. He fixed his food and sat down at the table.

Jen walked over to him and kissed his temple before poring herself a glass of milk.

The front door opened, and Jared joined us in the kitchen. "Good morning," he greeted happily giving everyone hugs. "Do you mind if I steal Shannon for the day?" He asked Jen while grabbing an apple from our fruit bowl and shining it on his shirt before taking a bite.

"Not at all! And besides I have errands to run today anyway." She kissed me on the cheek and went upstairs.

I finished my coffee and toast before turning back to Gunnar. "Don't let your mom over work herself, okay? If something should happen, call me."

"Okay," he said down into his bowl.

Something wasn't right with him, but I've learned to stop asking. Every time I did he only withdrew further and further from me.

Jared and I decided to go to the park and walk around. "So how is teaching going?" I asked as we began walking along the trail.

"It's fine things are getting pretty hectic at the school. The FBI showed up and began questioning the teachers about Adam Donovan. Apparently that kid has major psychological problems. How is Black Fuel in London holding up?"

"It's getting there I guess. Englishmen are more about teas than coffee, so I'm trying to get the funds to start a line of different teas, but I think that's more your area."

"I'm here if you need suggestions."

I nodded and slowed as a ball came bouncing our way. I stopped to pick it up and handed it to a little blonde haired girl with dark brown eyes that was chasing after it.

"Thank you," she said shyly.

I smiled at her and said, "you're welcome cutie."

"Speaking of children, how are you feeling about becoming a dad again?"

"I don't know. I mean-I... I feel like I'm going to mess things up. I try my hardest with Gunnar, but it's like every time we talk or I try to be a 'dad' he just seems to draw back further. So I don't know."

"Well it's different when you raise a child from birth, verses raising them when they're already a teenager. I guess what he's feeling is you're more of a stepdad because he's already gone through most of his life without you."

"I guess."

We were silent for a while just walking and watching the people enjoy their Sunday morning.

"Maybe he feels like he doesn't feel like he has a lot in common with you. When was the last time you played the piano? Gunnar is amazing at it, and to be frank I'm surprised the two of you haven't been drumming together or starting your own band. He does it all. Guitar, piano, violin, drums, I'm sure if you asked him he could learn to play any instrument you needed. He's good."

"I didn't know he could do any of that. Jen never told me."

"She shouldn't have to tell you. You're his father, you should get to know him on your own terms."

"You're right. I feel horrible. I'm his father and I've been in his life for almost five months now and I had no idea he was that talented."

"Don't feel to bad. After all, it is your first time being a dad, and you're new to this," he said lightly patting me on the shoulder. "Let's go get brunch. I'm buying."