We finally got home. I dropped my bag on the floor and took a deep breath. This was going to be harder than I thought. I stretched my arms up. I flinched when I felt his arms around my waist.

“We should talk about what happened,” he said trying to hold in his laugh. “Sorry.”

I nodded and headed towards my room. I glanced at the other room – Ash and Vic aren’t home. We’re alone. I felt a little relieved.

I sat on the bed with my legs crossed. I watched him close the door and make his way next to me. I don’t even know where to begin explaining my brothers’ actions. I started rubbing my head to ease the pain I’m feeling. Everything that happened in the past is coming back to me now, and I feel like going back to my brothers’ place and beating the crap out of him. How dare he act like that? He never gave a before and now, all of a sudden, he does? And him claiming my mother like that – she’s not some object to just..

“Babe?” his voice broke my thought process. He grabbed my hand and I realized I was ripping a hole in my blanket. I finally looked up at him and I could see he’s worried. His rubbing my hand softly and I think he wants to say something, but he keeps stopping himself. He took a deep breath and pressed his lips together. “Are you okay?” He finally said.

I nodded and looked down at the hole I created. I laughed. He looked confused and started smiling. “Why are you laughing?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.. it’s just.. I knew this was going to happen.”

“What?”

I took a deep breath. I shouldn’t rant to him about my brother. It never does any good. It just makes me hate him more. “My family isn’t perfect.”  He smiled and opened his mouth, but I placed my fingers on his lips. “Let me finish.” He closed it. “My brother is a very self-centered person. He never admits he is wrong. He never apologizes. And he will never make himself look bad.” He just nodded. “Everything that has happened in the past between us as a family has made me not care if he is part of my life. If I never talk to him again, it wouldn’t affect me anymore.”

“Wha-“ His eyes widen with disbelief.

“Let me finish, please?” I held onto his hand tighter. I could feel my voice cracking. “What would affect me is not seeing my niece and nephew anymore. My brother is an amazing husband and father. He is a horrible brother and person.” I saw his expression change. Everyone always gets confused when I say that. “He will do anything for his wife and kids. But whenever I need him, when OUR mom need him, he remembers and expects us to pay him back. He uses people. He uses our mother. She cleans, watches the kids, does laundry – she’s 65 and she’s unhealthy!Her hearts weak. And you saw his temper -  he lets it out on anyone who s up on the tiniest thing. I’ve gone through -” I noticed my voice change. I noticed how tight I was holding his hand. I felt my heart pounding against my chest. I felt heat roaring through my body. I was angry. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” I laid myself on the bed trying to breathe normally. “Lay with me, please?”

He frowned and his eyebrows were pressed together. “I’ve never seen you like this.” He tugged my hand. “Tell me more.”

I sighed and let go of his hand “I spent years pushing this feeling away so I can be civilized with him.” I closed my eyes resting my hands on my chest. “The only thing I should be worried about is my mom.” I took a deep breath. I opened my eyes again and looked at him. No matter what, his face was always breathtaking. His lips were slightly parted. His eyes were focused on me. His eyes were the best part of him. They were glossy and a deep chocolate. When he looks right at me, like right now, I feel so relaxed.

“This is important to you,” he took a deep breath, “and it’s important to me now.”

I looked at the ceiling. “What’s important to me is you.” I started smiling. I saw a smile forming on his face.

He laid down on his side next to me and placed his hand on my lower stomach. “This is important too.” I placed my hand on top of his. He kissed me. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Our eyes were locked for awhile. He grazed my cheek and pulled me closer to him. I wrapped my arm around him. My other hand was beneath my head. “I know this is too soon,” his eyes started wondering my face, “but everything is perfect.”

I smiled and kissed him. I closed my eyes and rested next to him. He hugged me tighter. His lips were on my forehead and he started humming a song to me. I felt so relaxed. I started giggling – everything has been perfect.