Zayn Malik's Long Lost Sister (Unedited)

65. Where Is It?

And for the first time since he got here, we hugged each other properly. Not one armed, not with one laying in a hospital cot, not with one needing to be taken to the bathroom. But an actual hug that seeped something genuine, it was something greater than just an embrace.

My feelings for Edward didn't fade since I left Florida. They didn't falter after I saw all of these gorgeous foreign men and their attractive style.

If anything; they grew.

When we pulled away, we didn't move very far. In fact, his arms stayed steady around my waist, my hands lightly fisting the fabric of his shirt at his hips. Though we didn't move, our breathing deepened noticeably, our eyes locked and I felt a strange sensation of something tickling my the insides of my stomach.

Are those the metaphorical butterflies I've heard about?

"Marley..." Edward softly whispers before slowly, hesitantly, leaning his face toward mine.

Yeah, those were the butterflies. They erupted at the way he said my name. His voice had deepened, and if I wasn't already so familiar with the sound of it with its normality, I would've mistaken him for someone else.

My hands tightened on his shirt as soon as I felt his lips ghost over mine and I couldn't help myself; I pressed mine against his. It was a bit too much and we both had to pull back. My cheeks heated with excitement and I knew I ruined the moment with being eager for more of his warm and comforting touches.

"I'm sorry." I quickly apologized, my face turning up at the realization that I just screwed this all up. "I was just-"

He chuckled before I could explain further, a gentle shake of his head was all that was seen before my eyes shut because he made the move to plant his lips on mine this time. One of his hands lifted from around my waist to caress my cheek.

His kisses are so gentle but....needy? Soft, yet wanting. Cautious, but inviting. So many things, yet so restricted.

"Excuse me!" I hear a loud voice behind the door seconds before it was pulled open and Yaser stepped out. "What's going on?"

Edward and I jumped apart, only to look awkward in front of Yaser. Was he peeking through the glass by the door? Isn't that creepy?

"I was... Edward just..." I was at lost for words because Yaser's face looked so much like a fathers would. I feared for Edward. "I kissed him."

"Well, come inside, sweetheart." The man in the doorway says just as he steps aside. "And, Edward, you too. But I've got my eye on you."

"Yes, sir." He answers, bending over to shove all of his clothes back into his bag while I leave him under the glare of Yaser and trudge into the house.

"What did it say?" Safaa asks as soon as I step into the living room. Glances were shot her way, a warning, but she didn't seem to see it.

"Edward couldn't find it laying in his bag, so he's gonna look in the folds of his clothes. But, can I shower now?" My eyes look up to Patricia, who's face starts to look appalled that I even asked.

"Of course, pet." She says, her feet carrying her toward me and she helped me up the stairs. When we finally made it to the top, I was out of breath.

"This cast is heavy and making it difficult to walk." I complain. I didn't need her help to practically drag my casted leg down the hall and into the bathroom, but she left to collect my clothes Zayn had brought to the hospital, the bag being downstairs with everyone else.

She was quite quick and before I could unlatch my locket from around my neck, she was back.

"Thank you, mom." I quickly tell her, bending down to collect my comfortable outfit from the confinement of the bag.

"I..." She takes a deep breath before her body seemed to relax in a more comfortable stance. "I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing that."

I gave a soft smile before averting my gaze away, trying to end this conversation so I could shower but before she was out of ear shot, I called her back.

"Uhm, h-how do you feel about my parents trying to reach out to me again? I mean, they never seemed to have bothered before." I caught the fabric of a soft oversized T-shirt, the one I found I'll be wearing after my shower, between my fingers.

"Marley," She said in a quiet tone after a long pause following my question. "I've gotta tell you something."

"Yeah?" My eyes search hers, pleading for an answer. I didn't know how to feel about my parents ignoring me. They've called me all but once since I've been here, ad it was only my mom. I needed guidance and oddly enough, I wanted to find it in Patricia.

"You see, the thing with the letter is-" She stopped abruptly, as if she choked on her words. Her mouth shut, lips pressing into a strict line as her eyes were trapped in my gaze. "You're crying."

"What? No, I'm-" As I brought my hand to my eyes, I felt the bit of moister that built up there. "Allergies." I quickly said, my gaze pointedly stayed down, not wanting her to see another slip up.

"Maybe it's best that they had left you alone. I mean, being here with family is what you wanted, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Maybe this letter was to tell you that they missed you. And that they're sorry for lack of contact." Patricia stepped forward and caressed my cheek but I didn't look up. "Don't be upset, pet. They probably miss you, I know I would if I were in their shoes."

"Thanks." I give a soft nod before looking up and she kissed my forehead.

"Get yourself cleaned up so you can get back down there. We'll be lucky if they save us a piece of that cake."

I chuckled and gave another soft nod. She exited the bathroom and I walked over to the door to shut it. Before the barrier blocked me from the rest of the open house, Edward's voice traveled up the stairs.

"Where is it?"