Thank You
Summary: Josslyn notices something about the relationship between her brother and Sabrina.
Josslyn smiled as she stepped off of the boat and onto the dock, hair windblown. She felt breathless as she walked over and sat on the bench near the boat house. Her hands reached out and stripped off the jacket her brother had made her wear, much to her chagrin. She'd tried to argue that after surfing with her father and being as great of a swimmer as she was, she didn't need a life jacket for a simple boat ride, however, he'd insisted.
"That was great!" She enthused as she beamed at her brother, eyes bright.
Michael laughed and sat next to her. He reached out and gave her a one armed hug. "Glad you had fun, Joss." He answered.
Just then, Sabrina walked up to them, smile on her pretty face as she leaned on her tiptoes to give Michael a kiss on the cheek. "Hey you two." She said with a wide grin. "Alice told me to tell you guys that she has lunch ready on the patio. Apparently, she has all of Josslyn's favorites."
The ten year old let out a squeal at that and ran in the direction of the patio in a hurry.
Michael laughed and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend as they followed her.
"Your sister is quite the character." Sabrina said with a giggle.
He nodded at that, smile on his lips. "She's basically a carbon copy of my mom. Well, and Jacks. But she gets the wildness and stubbornness from our mother." He replied as he bent his head down to give her a soft, sweet kiss.
When they got to the patio, Josslyn had already taken a seat, one leg curled under her and hair pulled in a damp ponytail, away from her face as she ate her corn on the cob. They didn't notice her watching them as Michael helped Sabrina into her seat.
Josslyn couldn't help but look at them, however. They looked so sweet and happy together. She didn't think she'd ever seen her older brother, her hero ever smile so brightly.
When Michael left the table to go thank Alice for the meal and bring in the dishes, Josslyn quietly stood, something rather uncharacteristic for the usually energetic girl
"Sabrina?" She asked quietly, staring up at the dark haired woman.
Sabrina turned her attention to Josslyn and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" She asked, giving the girl a smile.
Josslyn swallowed hard and spoke the words clearly. "Thank you?"
The woman looked at her, confusion written upon her face. "For what?" She wondered curiously.
The little girl shrugged and played with her long ponytail. "For making my brother so happy." She stated simply. "Mom and Michael don't know that I know this. But I know my brother was hurt when he went to jail for protecting me and mom. I don't think he even really realizes that he's my hero for saving me."
"Josslyn..." Sabrina tries to speak, swallowing hard at the little girl's words and feeling tears sting her eyes.
Josslyn shook her head and let go of her ponytail before she rushed the few feet over to Sabrina, wrapping slender little arms around the woman's middle. "Thank you for making Michael smile so much."
Sabrina doesn't say anything as she hugs the little girl back, looking at Michael who is watching them, stunned. "Well, your brother has made me happy, too." She whispered gently, small, wet smile on her lips.