Three years after his mother's death, Noah Reed is lost once again. Unsure of where to go after running from his problems for so long, he ends up back home, wanting a place to finally settle down. He's ready to tie up loose ends and to try and corre...
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Sunday nights are family nights, a tradition that began once I started college.
I'll admit that it had been weird to move out at first, to leave behind my family and start over on my own. I'm quite a homebody, so moving out of my parent's house and into a dorm had been harder on me than I'd thought it'd be.
As I enter my parent's house and find myself met with commotion, I begin second-guessing my former thoughts.
Immediately, I notice the twins (who are now 15) in the living room, tossing a toy back and forth for Toby (the collie puppy my parents got last Christmas), who races between them. Jackie (now a very outgoing and adorable 7 year old) wanders into the room, dragging a dog rope behind her, which instantly steals Toby's attention. Reeve and Grayson watch our sister with faint smiles as she plays tug-of-war with Toby, ending up on the losing side.
Watching the scene play out, I'm amazed by how much my younger brothers seem to have matured. Three years ago, the boys would be fighting each other for Toby's attention. Not to mention, there would probably be a lot more screaming.
"Hey!" I say to grab their attention.
"Blake!" Jackie cries, racing up to me and wrapping me in a bear-hug. Though I'm smiling, a sadness seeps through my chest. It's hard to see Jackie every once and a while and realize that I'm missing out on watching her grow up. I try to visit home as often as I can, yet not living here full-time means I miss out on more than I first thought I would.
Reeve and Grayson approach to greet me, both offering smiles and quick hugs. The twins really stepped up when I moved out, helping to keep the house tidy and babysit Jackie when the time calls for it. I had my doubts at first, but I have to admit that the twins are much more responsible than I sometimes give them credit for.
I ruffle Grayson's dark hair as I tease, "So, how'd your date go last night, Gray?"
Grayson shies away from me, his cheeks tinted a light shade of pink.
"Cut it out," Grayson murmurs, adjusting his hair.
"Yeah, Gray," Reeve chimes in. "How did your date with Maddie go?"
"Why don't you tell Blake about that girl I caught you kissing in the hallway instead, Reeve?" Grayson shoots back.
"Her name is Sabrina," Reeve says with a smirk before adding, "And I don't kiss and tell."
Grayson merely rolls his eyes, walking away from me and Reeve. I watch him go with a faint smile, realizing that my brothers really have grown up. It's a happy thought, at the same time it leaves me feeling hollow. However, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't grown used to the feeling of being empty. Sometimes I wonder what it's going to take to make me feel whole again.
"Hey," Reeve says, startling me out of my thoughts. Glancing at him, I'm amazed to find he's nearly taller than me now.
Peering at me intently, he questions softly, "You okay?"
