Joe's POV

I waited outside Bea's house. I didn't want to leave. I had no where else to go. I couldn't tell Stella or Macy just yet. Everything was so fast. I couldn't stand the sudden intensity after I thought everything was fine. I knew that something was going to give, but I didn't think Nick would throw or hit something. I was thinking about going back in the house, but I heard Bea's voice. She was fine, he was fine… well sort of.

He would talk to me when he was ready to. I knew I had to take the fall even though I didn't know he was my brother until about twenty minutes ago. Things were so screwed up without our knowledge. There was no way out of it. We had to face it and get through it.

Bea opened the door and stepped out the porch. She knew me too well to think that I would just take off after I dropped the bomb. I don't know what Kevin said to her to make her feel like she couldn't tell him, but I'm glad I did it. It had to come from someone who felt his confusion. He would hate me… he would hate them for the longest time. We all let him suffer… all except Bea, "Hey," she sniffled.

"Bea" I said, "I'm sorry… I didn't know until just recently."

"Yes, I know," she said, "I know you would've told me if you knew."

"Is he okay?" I asked.

"He wants to talk," he said, "To you too… are you ready for this?"

"Yeah," I said, "More ready than him I think." Bea nodded and took my hand, leading me into her house.

Nick was sitting at the kitchen table, not making eye contact with me. I was hoping he would make amends with me, get everything straightened out. I had no control over what he though about my parents and Kevin. But I could change things with him I tried. When he heard me enter, Nick stood up and looked at me from head to toe. I don't think either of us was prepared to look at one another and think: He's my brother… my family.

"You knew?" was all that came out. I shook my head. He sighed… possibly in relief or distress. He had been crying but cleared it up before Bea let me in the house. She was in the corner of the room again, avoiding us, "What happens now?"

"I don't know," I said, "I sort of left before I could get to that point in the conversation."

"Why did your… why did Kevin come in here and tell Bea?" he asked. He obviously didn't like the way Bea was uncomfortable and distraught. I had no idea why Bea took it so emotionally. I looked at her.

"What did he say to you, Bea?" She shook her head, not wanting to say anything.

"Bea," Nick said looking at her short-temperedly. She shut her eyes, like her head was hurting.

"He told me if said anything he would tell my dad he walked in on us having sex," she said a little too quickly. She was hoping Nick wouldn't hear her. But he did. We shared the same expression; anger. We both went for the front door. Bea ran in front of us, fresh tears in her eyes, "Stop!" We both stopped at the sound of her voice. It wasn't pleading; it was demanding, "Go back in the kitchen right now!" We both backed up slowly, like Bea had a weapon ready to use against us.

"Bea-" I began.

"You cannot do that!" she yelled, "You two just found out something that has changed your lives forever and you want to go start a fight?" She was right and Nick and I knew it. We had to worry about what was important at the time. Kevin wouldn't get away with attempted blackmail. But we had to figure out what was about to happen to us. Nick went for Bea and calmingly put his hands on the sides of her face.

"Bea," he said, "Its okay." She shook her head. She shook her head but felt a lot more controlled. She left the kitchen in frustration, slamming the door to her room. Nick nor I went after her. It was silent.

"What do you want to do?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"I don't know," he said. He didn't want to be anywhere near my parents… I mean our parents. Maybe someday… maybe. He wasn't ready either way though. He was going to have to wait it out… but who knows what could happen in that time frame. He looked at me curiously, "You're my brother."

"Yeah," I said.

"Do you want me to be?" he asked. I had a new found respect for Nick. It was always there when I saw the way he made Bea feel, his strength and compassion. He has been on his own for his entire life.

"Of course I do," I said. He stared at me through teary eyes.

"I'm not ready for everything at once," he said slowly, "But… will you still be my brother?" He was testing me, making sure I wouldn't leave him. The only person he had was Bea. But he was afraid that Bea might not be enough this time. I had to be there too. Since I wanted nothing from my parents right now, I needed him and Bea two.

"Yes," I said, "I'll still be your brother." I think the reason Nick was asking me this was because he didn't know what it meant to be held… loved by a true, real brother. It was a fast decision that probably needed more thinking. But for now, when he was at his weakest, he needed me and Bea… that was all he wanted.

Bea's POV

"Bea," Nick knocked on my door before slowly entering. I was sitting on the floor, gripping my mom's picture tightly. I couldn't stand this yet Nick had calmed so quickly. He came and sat next to me, "I'm sorry I scared you."

"I know," I said, "You should be madder than this."

"I know," he said, "But then I saw the way it made you." He put his hand softly on my knee, "Joe's downstairs. We would like it if you came down with us."

"And what?" I asked, "What are we suppose to do? Pretend like nothing's happening?"

"For now, yes," Nick said, "Tomorrow, I think I'm going to pay a visit to Florence. She has a lot of explaining to do. After that… well, we'll go from there." He stood up, holding out his hand for me. I took it hesitantly and he pulled me up. He kissed me softly, probably tasting my salty lips from the crying. He rested his forehead on mine, "Run away with me, Bea."

"What?" I said.

"I'll be 18 soon… after that just run away with me," he said, "Just me and you…"

"Okay," I said. But it still made me edgy. I would worry about it when it came though. He sat back down the same time I did. He held onto the picture of my mom and I.

"Is she like this?" he asked, "My mom?" I nodded.

"She's a beautiful woman," I explained, "She didn't know you would be hurt." I was hoping he would go easy on Mrs. Lucas especially. I'm sure none of them knew he would end up here in their lives unaware and in all of this pain.

"I know," he nodded. I heard Joe enter my room silently and sat on the other side of me. Looking back, I remember that one book I was reading. It was the one about the girl committing suicide because she couldn't chose between the two brothers. Those thoughts made me laugh sadly. I winded my fingers through Nicks and rested my head on Joe's shoulder.

Us against the world I guess.

Macy's POV

"Where the hell are they?" I asked Stella. I tried calling Joe and Bea but neither of them was answering. We were still at Stella's passing the time with low-budget horror films. Stella insisted that we wait for them to call. She wasn't concerned at all. She trusted Joe and hoped he was alright.

"I don't know," Stella sighed, "They'll call." Right when she said that, my cell phone rang. I sighed when I saw it was Joe's number.

"Joe," I said, "Where are you?"

"I'm at Bea's," he said, "Look, I need to stay there tonight. There's a problem."

"What?" I asked, "What problem?"

"I'll explain tomorrow," he said, "But tonight I have to stay here with her and Nick."

"Um, okay," I said, "You should probably talk to Stella." Stella met eyes with me and suddenly became worried.

"Yeah," he sighed, "Yeah put me on with her." I tossed the phone to Stella who was giving me a questioning glance. I shrugged.

"Hey," she said, "What's going on?" There was a pause, Joe explaining to her partially what was going on. Why did he have to stay with them tonight? Something was up. He said there's a problem. What kind of problem. "Okay." She waited, "No, Joe I'm not mad. Just call me tomorrow okay?" She smiled then hung up.

"Said the same thing to me?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, "He'll tell us tomorrow. But he also said one more thing."

"What?" I asked.

"Don't let Kevin in the house," she said.

Bea's POV

"Bea," my dad called. I strolled downstairs, letting Joe and Nick slowly follow me. I had to explain to my dad what was going on too… but tonight I wanted Joe and Nick to stay with me. They didn't want to leave anyway and I didn't want to be alone.

"Hey," I said, "Dad… I um, have to tell you something."

"That's funny," he said, "Because I think I have a good idea what it might be." He was mad. I stared at him puzzled but aggravated.

"Okay," I said.

"I got a call today," he said, "From Kevin…" I rolled my eyes.

"No," I said, "What he said is false. He's an asshole who's trying to keep you from the truth." My dad was surprised at my words.

"What?" he asked, "Why in the world would he lie to me about something like this?"

"Dad," I said, "You know I wouldn't do that."

"Where is he?" my dad asked. He was referring to Nick.

"Why?" I asked. I was afraid he was going to banish Nick from our house.

"He won't lie to me," he said, "He'll tell me."

"Nick," I called. Nick shuffled in the kitchen where my dad hesitated to hang up his gun belt. He was trying to scare Nick and I didn't really appreciate that… not after today.

"Son," he said, "Did you…"

"No, sir," Nick replied weakly. Joe walked in angrily.

"Nick's my brother," he said. My dad looked at him like he was a ghost. His mouth was gaping open a bit. I stepped back next to Nick who was searching for my hand. I grasped it firmly.

"What did you just say?" he asked.

"Nick is my brother," he said, "Kevin came here and told Bea not to tell or he would call you. He's a liar."

"Joe," he said, "That can't be possible… how did you find out?" I looked at my father like I would look at my step-mother… enough said.

"You… knew," I said through gritted teeth. Nick winced by how hard I gripped his hand. I let him go and strode forward so I was neck and neck with my own father, "You knew this… whole time?"

"Bea," Nick said, "Step back."

"No," I said still looking defiantly at my dad, "You knew all about it… but you never said anything? Even when he saved my life… even when Joe and him met? All of that meant nothing to you did it?"

"Of course it did," he said guilty.

"Then why would you keep them in the dark," I said slowly, "Would it have killed you to at least tell them that?" I've never talked to my dad that way.

"Bea," he said, "You don't understand the severity of the situation. You are blinded by your own judgment."

"Would it look any better to me if I wasn't?" I asked. Nick came behind me and pulled me back gently.

"Bea," he said, "Just calm down… its okay." I looked at him as if he was crazy, hoping he was going to elaborate, "It wasn't his position to say anything to me. And… he was very kind to me and Joe."

He was right and I knew it. I just didn't want to believe my father would've kept this from me. But he knew if he told me, I would tell Nick and it wouldn't be any different from what Nick had explained, "Dad," I said looking at him. I ran into his arms and he accepted my silent apology.

"Its okay, Bea," he said. He backed me up and looked at me, "It's been a long night. You all need some rest and tomorrow we'll figure this out."

"Can Joe and Nick stay with me?" I asked.

"Of course," he said. He looked at Joe, "I suggest you have a meeting with Sandy and Tom tomorrow though." He nodded and looked at Nick, "Are you ready for this?" Nick shook his head, holding his arms tightly, "I understand. We'll talk to the foster home tomorrow. I'll give them a visit right now."

"Thank you," he said quietly. I went back to Nick and put my hand on his shoulder. He loosened up and put his hand around my waist.

"You should all get some sleep," he said, looking at me, "Especially you." I nodded, but did not enjoy his parental worries right now.

After my dad left, I followed Nick and Joe up to my room. Even though, I was with Nick I couldn't have loved these two boys any more than I did now. They were here with me… we were like our own family. We had each other… and that was enough.

Nick tucked me in while Joe set some blankets on the floor. I took my last pill then shook my head at both of them, "This bed is big enough for both of you." They both looked unsure but didn't want to see what happened if they refused.

Joe was on my left. I rested my head on Nick's chest as he ran his fingers through my hair. I reached my hand back and held on to Joe's. He glided his thumb over my hand, helping me drift into sleep. I looked up at Nick who had already fallen asleep. I still felt Joe's hand moving but I knew he was becoming tired too. I shut my eyes and let sleep take over me.