Unbreakable

“Stephen!” I jump into my brother’s arms.

“Hey Tum,” he laughs. “How have you been?”

My head is burried in the crook of his neck, taking in his comforting boy smell. “I’ve been really good Stephie.”

“Hey stop hogging Tummy,” Uncle Derek smiles. “Share the love.” Stephen lets me go, and I crush into Uncle Derek. “I’ve missed you Leasey.”

“I’ve missed you too,” a grin can’t keep itself off of my face. Happy tears form in my eyes, and I make no effort to stop them from flowing. “I’m sorry.”

“Aw Tummy,” Uncle Derek pulls me tighter against his chest. “You have nothing to apologize for,” his voice cracks, and he sniffles. We stand in the luggage claim in a hot mess of tears. My brothers come in to join us too, and before we know it, we are all crying. We may look like lunatics, but it feels so nice. I am above the moon with happiness.

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“Lost your touch Tum?” Greg teases after he scored another goal on the tiny football nets. It’s a tradition of ours. When all of us get together, we play two on two football with uncle Derek being the referee. The winners get the losers as slaves for a day.

“I lost my touch like you ‘lost your virginity’” I shoot back. A chorus of ‘oohs’ come from all around, and Greg’s face turns as red as a tomato. Stephen takes the opportunity to score on Mark, making the score 3-2, the older ones.

“That’s cheating you little git,” Mark laughs. Stephen runs by me, and we high five.

“Always be prepared grasshopper,” Stephen says in his sensei voice.

“Oh shut up,” greg says, giving him a good shove.

“Last goal, all or nothing,” I sing.

Stephen and i look at each other and nod, our secret code for our special play. When we break eye contact and give our brothers a challenging look. “Bring it on kiddies,” Mark taunts. He knows we hate that nickname.

Stephen taps the ball back to me, and the real game begins. Greg charges back at me like a bull to red. I rainbow the ball over his head, and send a pass to Stephen at the other side of the field. It’s Mark’s turn to play the ball.

Mark is a lot more patient than Greg. he waits for Stephen to get closer before he plays him, but Stephen and I know how he works. Stephen chips the ball up to my waiting foot. I know Greg is right behind me, so I pass the ball back to Stephen. Mark makes a valiant attempt to block the ball, but he wasn’t quick enough. The ball hits the soft netting with a satisfying swoosh, and Stephie and I go wild. We’re hooting and jumping, and hugging like madmen. Greg is on the ground, pounding it, and Mark is just lying where he fell. It’s a picture perfect scene. “You slavery starts tomorrow bitches!” Stephen exclaims. “Tum, let’s go get ice cream.” He bends his elbow, and places a hand on his hip so I can link my arm in his. We skip away like the real children we are.

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Stepping into Hazel’s Ice Cream Shoppe is like stepping into the 1950’s. The floor is black and white checkered, and the chairs are a bright red. There’s even a jukebox on the wall.

And don’t get me started on the ice cream. There is hard and soft serve, custard, malts, milkshakes, and even healthy smoothies. They make the ice cream and yogurt fresh every day, and you can actually taste the love in them. This is why Hazel’s is our favorite hangout place.

“How’re my little starlets today?” Ruth asks.

“We’re great Ruth,” Stephen girns.

“And how have you been Ruth?” I ask my favorite waitress.

“Well i’ve been just grand thank you very much. Terry and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.”

“Congratulations,” Stephen and i say in unison. Terry and Ruth are the epitome of relationship goals. They were highschool sweethearts, and they are still in love. He brings her flowers once a week, and picks her up for a date every Friday. They make my heart smiles.

“Will you be having the usual today loves?”

“Of course,” I smile.

“Why would we have anything else?” Stephen says.

“I don’t know, it might be nice to change it up a bit,” she says over her shoulder. “I’ll get that right out for you dearies.”

“Thanks Ruth!” We call. Stephen and I sit in our booth with huge grins on our faces, and laughter in our bellies. Every time one of us stops laughing, the other one drags them back into it.

Okay,” Stephen chuckles. “Now that we’re calmed down a bit. How have you been? Tell me everything.” He pauses for a second, “well not everything. I don’t want to know about your sex life. At all.”

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t tell you anyway,” I laugh. “Um, things have been really great. Ashley and I have been really happy. We have two little dogs, and they light up our world. Of course I’d still like to have children, but…” I don’t have to go on because Stephen know what I would say.

He puts a comforting hand over mine, and we share a small smile. “"Ná bí ag cailleadh dóchas riamh" Don’t be losing hope ever. The Gealic words warm my heart.

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The rest of the time spent at Hazel’s is lighter. We catch each other up on life on tour, and share fan stories. We joke over Chocolate and Cherry malts. Time spent with Stephen is the best time.

Right now we are pulling into the driveway. “Gram is here,” Stephen says. “She got a new car.”

“Ew, it’s a prius,” I reply. “I don’t think we’re dressed up enough to visit with Gram.” We have to dress up to talk with her. Our gym shorts and muddy faces will not cut it.

“She’ll probably just make us change when we walk in there,” Stephen shrugs. I nod, and get out of the car.

Stephen and I smile as we walk in, but the smiles disappear when we see who Gram brought with her. His jet black hair, and hazel eyes still haunt my dreams. I had nevr thought that I would see Aiden in my living room again.

Notes

Hey guys! I don't know if you've read the other story I've just updated,but I think I'm on a cliffhanger streak. it's weird, but really fun. Anyway, I want to thank you all so much for reading, rating, and subscibing. Please don't be afariad to comment, I love hearing from you guys. Thank you so much for reading, have a great night;)