His Step-Angel

Family

"I want to go to the beach."

I looked up from my plate and glanced out the window where a storm was raging.
"Um...today?" I asked around a mouthful of eggs.

"No silly." Karen said smiling "Tomorrow. The weathers going to be beautiful and I would love to go to the beach."

"Darling, the closest beach is a two hour drive from here. And you're supposed to be resting, the doctor said to take it easy, I'm not sure that's a good idea." My father voiced.

I watched as the spark in Karen went out and the smile she wore diminish.

"Oh you're right. It was a silly idea." She waved the thought away and shuffled over towards the couch my father right behind her with a blanket he draped over her shoulders.

"Thank you, pumpkin."

"I'm sorry, my love. If I could I'd take you to the beach right now, I just...I don't want you to hur-"

"It's fine, really" she smiled and stroked my fathers cheek as she placed a kiss against his lips.

I dropped my eyes to the counter feeling like I was interrupting a very private moment . The look on Karen's face...I felt awful. I hadn't seen her smile like that in weeks.

I furrrowed my brows and stared into the speckled marble counter top until an idea sparked. I smiled to myself.

...........................................................................

Abby's P.O.V

I gasped, jolting awake from my sleep. It took my eyes a moment to adjust and realize I was in my room. The dream had been so vivid. So real. I felt my eyes prickle and rubbed at them furiously. No. I was tired of crying. I sat up slowly and reached for my phone on the nightstand. 3:00 AM. I pushed my hair away from face, and looked around the dark, empty room. It felt unfamiliar. Not comfortable and a place of relaxation like it once was. I realized that part of the reason why was because I was alone in bed. James had been spending so many nights beside me, I had grown used to the presence of another person in my bed. No, not just another person. Him.

He has been so supportive. Through all of this. At the thought of him, I looked around now wondering where he was. I slipped out of bed and quietly made my way across the hall and towards his bedroom. The guilt that I had once felt at sneaking around had been replaced by my need to feel...something other than pain and worry. For my mother. For her health. For this family. My family.

Quietly I eased open his bedroom door and softly shut it behind me. I spotted him hunched over at his desk, his laptop open and his head resting on his propped up elbow. How did he fall asleep like that? Shaking my head a smile pulled at my lips when I was close enough to see his features, illuminated by the small lamp on his desk. He looked so young as he slept. I've watched him all these years, I know every smile, every laugh of his. His face has changed slightly over the past couple of years. His jaw is more pronounced, face full of stubble that took him years to grow. It seemed like his body matured...but his eyes-oh his eyes were still soft and held that same sweetness that I've always loved.

His nose wrinkled as he slept and he mumbled something unintelligible under his breath. I stifled my laugh and gently touched his shoulder "Jamie" I whispered. Another wrinkle of his nose. "Jamie." I said louder.

He jumped from his sleep "What?" He mumbled and at the sight of me he was on his feet instantly. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Is Karen-"

"No, no. I'm fine. She's...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I woke up and you weren't there-"