Surviving the Andersen Brothers

Twinkly Lights and Goodbyes

It was early afternoon; the sun was shining through the nursery window on Arden and I lying on the floor. I smiled at her and cooed, rubbing her cheek with my index finger. Arden let out a soft giggle and her arms flung around uncontrollably for just a moment.

            Arden was such a cute baby with white-blonde fuzz for hair and eyes as blue as the sky. She had chubby cheeks—which was given for just about any baby, I suppose. She was curious and she loved the lights.

            It was obvious, just by looking at her, that she was an Andersen.

            The clock in the hall chimed a lovely tune, giving away the time of the day—reminding me that my last day with Vincent was quickly passing my by.

            What was I going to do? How was I supposed to even start such a conversation? Even if I could get to talking, what would we talk about?

            I sighed.

            "Lilly entered the room then, a bottle of milk in her hand.

            "Time for your nap, Arden!" she announced. "Jasmine, honey, Vincent has been looking for you."

            I looked away and out the door.

            "It's his last day..." Lilly said. She must have been watching my reaction.

            "I know," I sighed.

            Lilly's mouth opened as if she was about to say something but she closed her mouth. She smiled down at her daughter, her demeanor changing drastically, and began feeding.

            I walked out of the nursery and down the hall to my room.

            She knew. Lilly had to know what the importance of today was. Maybe she even knew that it could mean leaving or staying. There was no way she could look at me the way she did and not know.

            When I reached my bathroom door, it was locked. I felt around in my pockets but I already knew I didn't have my keys.

            "Today's the day, huh?" Lucas said, his voice drifting to me from somewhere behind.

            Startled, I turned to face him.

            He was standing a few feet away; close enough to hear but too far for it to be considered normal. Given our past, I understood why.

            "Of course you know. You're probably the only person who knows him better than I do," I said.

            Lucas smirked. "The only advantage I have anymore is knowing how he thinks. You know him," he assured me. "He's waiting for you in the library."

            What was this? Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

            "Don't just stand there like an idiot," Lucas snapped. "Go!"

            Startled again, I jumped into motion.

            I thought I heard Lucas chuckle, too, but I dismissed that as wishful thinking.

            My mind raced as I made my way down to the Library—trying to think of a reason, any reason, not to go and lay everything out and make my decision. But there was nothing. There were no dishes to be done, no dinner to be made, and no one needed to see me.

            This was it. My future would be decided today. I'd talk to Vincent about everything.

            My hand hesitated just before taking the door handle in my grasp—for only a moment.