Step Brother 2: Jealousy (Completed)

Thirty Three

The whole entire holiday I was anything but fun. I felt guilty, because I knew I must have been ruining Sabrina's holiday, but like the best friend she is, she lay with me most of the days, holding me as I cried.

"You need to cut off all contact with him." Her words rang over, and over in my head. I knew she was right, but how was I supposed to do that? My heart wouldn't allow it, even though my head knew it was the only way I could have any chance of moving on.

It was time to go back home, and although I was engulfed with sadness, I knew it would be worse back home.

Every time I look at Loreto, he reminds me more of Rome each passing day, and it hurts. I smile, because I feel like I'll always have a part of him, but not all of him. It hurts because Loreto won't get that privilege. I know Kaida misses him. She talked about him often, but I think she knew it was hard for me, so eventually she stopped. Not that I'd ever ask her to stop, because hearing about all the ways he impacted her, and made her happy, before and after the loss of Logan, brings me happy tears. I guess it's bittersweet really.

We were lucky. So lucky to have him in our lives.

...

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Sabrina says as she sits next to me on the plane. "I'm trying to be. I'm so sorry for ruining our holiday Sabrina. I really am. It's just I don't know how to come to terms with him not being here with me. I feel like I was robbed of my happiness. Don't I deserve happiness?" My eyes fell to my feet. Maybe I didn't deserve to be happy? After everything I've done. Everyone makes mistakes, but mine hurt others deeply. "Listen Kate, you deserve to be happy. Don't think for one second you don't. I've been with you through a lot, I know everything, and I don't want you thinking for one second you don't deserve to be happy. It's just.. Maybe he wasn't supposed to make you happy forever?" She paused and took a deep breath. "My friend, Cooper, he went through so much with his ex-wife. He loved her just as much as you love Rome, but it didn't work out. He asked himself so many times "what did I do to deserve this?" And he always put it down to his mistakes in life, but you see it wasn't until many years before he realised it just wasn't meant to be. He often tells me he will always love her, but he's accepted it's over. He knows now he will find happiness again. He knows he just needs to be patient." I looked up at her, and I smiled with tears in my eyes.

"Do you believe I'll be happy again, with someone else?" The thought of spending my life with someone else didn't sit well with me, but I knew that would be the reality, and if it wasn't I'd be lonely.

"Yes I really do. You're amazing Kate." She stopped and looked at me in deep thought. "This is going to sound crazy, but before you answer think about what I'm saying. I'm going to set you up with Cooper. Now stop!" She says making me close my mouth again. "It doesn't have to be a date. Just as friends. You have so much to talk to. I promise no pressure." I nodded my head in agreement. Maybe she was right, he's been through similar to me, so maybe having someone who truly understands will help? I've nothing to lose.

When we arrived back to America, and I was definitely not relieved to be home.

"You take that phonecall. I'll collect our bags." Sabrina said with a smile, before she walked towards the bagging area.

"Hello?" I said answering mom's call nervously. I wasn't sure if she was just calling to see how long I'd be, or if something was wrong. "Hi, baby. Are you back?" She says happily. "Yeah mom. We just got off the plane. I'll be about an hour, or so." I tried to sound happy, but I knew I wasn't very convincing. "Listen, I wanted to ask if I could keep the kids until Monday. We've been having so much fun." I knew that was partly a lie. Of course she loved the kids, but I knew that wasn't why she wanted to hang on to them. "What's the real reason mom?"

"Well... Sabrina told me you didn't enjoy the holiday, and I just thought, maybe another few days would help clear your head, but you know I love having the kids, Kate. So I'm being truthful when I say we've had a blast."

She's always been a wonderful grandmother. I know I'm blessed with her, because there is nobody else I would trust more wholeheartedly with my kids, than my mother. I also know she's right. With how I'm feeling right now, I don't want the kids seeing me this way, especially Kaida. I fear that I won't be able to help but break down and cry. I don't want her seeing me like that, because a child shouldn't have to worry about their parent.

"Okay. Thank you."

"Try have fun, Kate." She says almost pleading with me.

"I will, Mom. I love you."

"I love you too."

...

When we arrived at Sabrina's house her kids ran to her, like a child would run to their wrapped presents on Christmas morning. The love in her eyes made me melt, and the love they had for her clearly showed just how great of a mother she was, but that didn't suprise me, because she has been just as much a great friend to me over the years.

I'll forever hold so much respect for her, because I know I could have never found a better friend. I know, and will never forget just how lucky I was to find her.

"Aunt Kate!" Her kids screeched as they ran to smoother me in hugs. "Look at you guys, you're almost bigger than me!"

Sabrina's husband made dinner for us, and I must say, Sabrina is one lucky woman, to have a man who cooks up such a delicious meal. I swear he should he a chef, for real.

"So, Kate how have you been?" He asks me as he stuffs some food into his mouth. "I've been good thanks." I say not wanting to drag the mood down. "I'm setting her and Cooper up." Sabrina says taking a sip of her wine, causing her husband to choke a little on his food. "You what?" He says. He definitely heard her, but I sit awkwardly wondering what the issue is. "You heard me."

"Yes I heard you, but do you really think that's a good idea?" He says looking at me and giving me an awkward half smile. "What's the issue?" I can tell Sabrina is getting annoyed by her husbands response.

"Well, it's just.. I'm sorry Kate, it's just you and Cooper have been through so much. I worry I guess, that neither of you can handle being hurt again." He says full of honestly and thoughtfulness. "I know. I just think speaking to him could help me learn how to move on, there's no harm in making another friend."

"I'm glad you said that." Sabrina says after the doorbell rings.

She slides up off her chair, and onto her feet with a grin as she wiggles her eyebrows.

"What are you up to now?" Her husband says suspiciously.

"He's here.." She replies.

"Who is here?" I ask feeling nervous.

"Cooper..."