Puzzle Pieces

Brown Eyes

As it got later Ella started to yawn. I took her from Andre's arms and carried her to my guest room. I changed her into pajamas and set her down to sleep.

Just as Ella falls asleep I hear shouting from my living room. Leave them alone for five minutes and they starts fight. Typical.

I walk into the living room to see Emmanuel on the ground as my oldest brother, James tries to attack him. "I DARE YOU TO TALK ABOUT MY BABY SISTER LIKE THAT AGAIN!" he yells as Marcus and Alex try and hold him back. Andre is griping the side of the couch gritting his teeth.

"The only reason you aren't dead is because Ashley begged me not to hurt you." Andre growls.

"What's going on?" I ask softly as all eyes go to me. I feel like crying. My past came back to haunt me. Emmanuel is back and he has the power to kill me. He wouldn't do it himself but he could make me do it. I'm scared of him. My brothers are back. They love me, and I know it. But what stands out in the room is Andre. He's my future.

Images of my past flash before my eyes. The pills. My brothers pushing me away. How afraid I was. The feeling of failure. Seeing my parents argue. Leaving everyone I grew up with.

I must've started crying because Andre wraps his arms around me and my cheeks are wet. "He can't hurt you anymore. I'm here for you now. No one will ever hurt you again." she whispers into my ear as he kisses the top of me head.

He pulls away and I instantly feel cold. I glance at Alex. His eyes are worried. His strong arms hold James back. I glance at Marcus. His eyes look sad. His strong arms helping hold James as well. I glance at James. His eyes full of anger as he still tries to attack Emmanuel. Emanuel is standing by now and has a smirk on his face.

"In your brown eyes. I walked away. In your brown eyes, I couldnt stay. In your brown eyes, you watched me go. You turn that record on, and wonder what went wrong, what went wrong. If everything, could be everything -" my rant is interrupted by Emmanuel clearing his throat.

"What are you talking about?" He says sounding irritated.

Andre rolls his eyes and scoffs. "Haven't you noticed she randomly starts reciting song lyrics when she's nervous?"

"Brown Eyes, Lady Gaga, right?" Alex says looking deep in thought.

I nod and wonder what the song means to him. Maybe it's one of his past songs with a girlfriend or whatever.

"Mom used to sing that to us, remember? Back when she loved us." Alex says releasing James. Marcus follows Alex's lead.

I nod my head as I start to remember when my mother sang to us.

"Well, as I was saying before you dimwits tried to attack me. Marianna is a no good sl-" Emmanuel starts but Andre grabs his shirt.

"Don't you call her that again." He growls as Emmanuel rolls his eyes.

"Oh come on. You of all people should see right through her. Don't you think that something in that stupid story of hers doesn't match up? If I was her 'abusive' boyfriend that claims I was, then why would I come back?" He says eyeing me.

"To get your betrothed back so you can marry her and get a hold of all of her money, duh." Andre says causing me to snicker.

Emmanuel opens his mouth for a come back but can't think of anything.

Obviously my Andre way smarter than he thought.

"So are any of you gonna leave? I have a little kid here and I have school tomorrow so... uh... bye." I say before pecking Andre's cheek.

"Night babe." He says kissing the top of my head. I walk into my room and change. I throw myself onto my bed and quickly fall asleep...