Yawning I sat up, scrubbing my eyes with the back of my hand as I gazed around my room. Horror overwhelmed me, my lamp was back up, there was no blanket over my window. It was…it-it was really a dream.

Nothing at all last night had happened.

It was all in my head after all.

I wanted to cry so badly, for once my tears were evading me. Instead painful hiccups rose to my throat, my shoulders heaved violently, grazing my ear lobes as I wrapped my arms around myself. I willed myself to stop, but my body only tensed, I coiled my fingers in my bed sheets, sobbing silently.

How was it possible to feel so awful?

As a last resort I swept my hand across the bedding behind me, I did not look, the truth hurting me so acutely. I felt nothing but the sheets behind me, ruffled from my sleep. I gripped them longingly. It had been so real.

Oh God I'm such an idiot. I thought, frantically shaking my head.

"Analeigh." I felt the warmth and bareness of an unyielding chest. I felt the ripple of a scar on my back and the race of an inhuman heart. Dorian's arms tied around me, to pull me harder against him.

"Why do you cry?" He murmured into my hair, I tried to force myself to blink. Had my arms not been pinned to my sides I would have slapped myself. I couldn't still be dreaming, it just wasn't fair.

Yesterday had ended with misunderstanding and conflict. And now my subconscious was trying to repair immortal wounds. Why did this have to happen?

I tugged lightly on his arms and Dorian let go instantly, I wanted to glance over my shoulder; I wanted to check for the flaws my mind would have created. But I couldn't. I wouldn't. What if there was no flaw, what if my dreams had improved? It would hurt even more then when I woke up.

Dorian gripped my shoulder, I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to awaken. Of course, I couldn't wake, not yet, not until this nightmare had it's way with me.

"Love?" Dorian took my chin now. His voice was perfect. I'd outdone myself this time.

I pushed against his hand, but someone like Dorian wouldn't notice slight actions such as that. His thumb dabbed at my cheeks, his fingertips sweeping under my eyes to hinder the tears that had finally begun to fall. Exhaling I took the chance, opening my eyes wide to find Dorian's severely concerned face.

"Nightmares." He murmured to himself, how accurate he was even in my thoughts.

"Can you please go away." I whispered, watching the shock on his face catch flame, spreading like wildfire through his entire being. Dorian's eyes cast down to the sheets, his long lashes carrying with them shadow to pour down his cheeks.

"Have I angered you my love?" He reached out and probed my forearm, a surge of pain coursed through my entire arm. I bit back a yip and brought my arm forth to examine. Should I have been surprised to find a bruise?

I had died before in other nightmares but this was just too…

"No!" I said quickly, wondering if this would sound as ridiculous as I thought it did. "Dorian, I'm not…dreaming am I?" I mumbled. Had I neglected the fact that dream Dorian's lied too. That I couldn't tell even in my subconscious, if he was telling me what I wanted to hear over the truth.

Instead of lying however, Dorian laughed, taking my face between his palms. "No love, you're wide awake." Dorian's elegant fingers threaded through my hair. I exhaled a gust of relief, feeling my face flush red as I realized how outrageous I must have looked.

"I-I…you were gone." I stuttered, straining to explain myself as I turned to face him, blankets coiling around my form. Dorian chuckled, "I've been here since you fell asleep sweetheart. Your brother came to you in your sleep nearly two hours ago.

"You awoke and began crying, I had thought it was your nightmares and then I noticed the…" His voice vanished into a quiet sigh. I gave myself a momentary once over, stretching myself out with a wince. Bruises. Lots of bruises.

"My apologise Analeigh. I was not…as careful last night." Dorian whispered, his hand slipping from my face. His fingers spread as if to show the display of black and blue on my body. "Dorian, I'm okay." I smiled genuinely; I could not recall an instant where he had been too forceful with me.

Lifting my palm I ran my fingertips over the smooth curve of his jaw, when I saw it.

My eyes widened instinctively, "Oh!" I gasped, Dorian's brow creasing as he squeezed his eyes shut. Thick black outlines sheathed my wrist, curving like hills and dipping like fissures. I chewed the inside of my lip as I counted all five of Dorian's fingers.

I shivered, my stomach heaving as the dark colour of my flesh, the nasty blue hint and the purple center. Dorian took my other hand to bring it to my attention, I gasped. Another flawless outline.

Now, I remembered. But the contusions-or any sort of pain for that matter-I could not recollect.

Dorian released my hand, his face clouded by impenetrable stone, his expression unreadable to me. "Why did you not tell me I was hurting you?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Analeigh, t'is all I ask, if I had bitten-"

"You did." I interrupted thoughtlessly, Dorian burying his face in his hands. "You understand how I thirst for you, yes?" He hissed, I grimaced upon hearing his furious tone.

"Y-yes." I nodded though he could not see, chewing nervously on the inside of my lip. My fingers clutched the sheets, gathering them around me. "You understand how you're blood screams for me, yes?" He paused to add a very gruff, "Always screams."

I shrunk into my sheets, "Yes."

Dorian's head snapped up, his eyes a wrathful shade of scarlet as he glared at me, his fangs shimmering. "Then why Analeigh, must I stress to you the importance of telling me such things?"

I was grateful that we were in my room; otherwise I was sure that heated growl would have been an echoing snarl. I tilted my head as he awaited my response. "W-well, Dorian…I never know you're doing it." I murmured under my breath, his eyes narrowing. "It feels so good."

Yelping I brought my sheets up to my chin, watching his eye twitch irately. Dorian clenched his hands into fists, baring his teeth at me. "Don't be upset." I plead uneasily, my voice muffled by my quilt. "They're not so bad."

"You've yet to see all of them." He grunted, rising to his feet to pace.

I would have thought he'd walk holes into my already caving floor. Mother would not be pleased.

"I does not matter." I said, grabbing his arm the moment I had the chance. I gazed up at him, taking in his enraged expression and laced my fingers with his. "Do you know you're doing it?" I asked, tilting my head curiously. Dorian's hand tensed in mine, he did not need to reply, the answer was clear on his lips.

No.

"It just happens." I shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. "I bounce back."

Dorian snorted. "I'm going to break you." He pulled his fingers out from mine. My cheeks flushed a pink hue, my skin warming.

"You can't help it." I murmured, holding my gown of bedding as I swept to my closet. I gasped, eyeing the set of James' sweaters filling one half of my armoire. I smiled widely, withdrawing a green hoodie.

Burrowing through my unfolded clothing, covering the floor of my closet, I found a purple tank-top and grey sweat pants. Dorian continued to pace angrily behind me as I collected my things. By the looks of it, James' sweater would pool around me. I was sure I would be able to fit a whole orphanage under here. The sleeves were soft and well warn, easily rolled to my elbows.

I felt a small jerk at the back of my blankets, staggering backward into Dorian. He rolled his eyes at me, by the way he held my sweater between his index finger and thumb, I could tell how little strength he had used. "Sorry." I whispered with a blush.

"This is what he brought to you this sunrise?" Dorian tilted his head, "Hmm."

And with that he released me to continue his marching. I despised how small my attic was; it felt more cramped than usual with Dorian up and about. I tried to avoid him as I moved around, covering the window and locking the attic door, all the while tending to myself.

More than once we collided, apologise were exchanged, and we proceeded as if the other was not there. It was much more challenging for me, pretending Dorian was not here. Much too often I was dazzled by him and would stumble like a fool over my socks or a pile of jeans I'd long forgotten.

Dorian would only smirk and catch me before I hurt myself or, for that matter, the furnishings.

I left him in my room while I slipped downstairs, holding my clothes and bedding in my arms. It was relatively quiet considering it was a weekend. I was glad for this however, one morning I would not have to race James to the bathroom.

Mother's hushed sobs drew my attention down the dark hallway. James' door was open; he must have left earlier this morning. How perfect this setting was for a horror film to take place. I winced at the sound of another choking rasp from the other end of our narrow corridor.

There were reasons I resented the weekends.

Pushing the trapdoor closed I crept down the hall way, lest I wake Mother. What a horror she would be if I disrupted her.

The bathroom door groaned in protest as I pushed it shut, drawing the shower curtain back and switching the tap. I dropped my clothes to the bathmat below, listening as they slapped messily down on the rug with a thwap!

Glancing out the door in hopes Mother would still be weeping, I held my breath to hear correctly. My eyes nearly rolled back in my head with elation as her terribly stifled blubbers rang in the hall. Ducking back in I closed the door, jerking and cranking on the knob until I heard the familiar crack of the lock.

I spun back around, yelping and stumbling back against the door. My eyes hysterically moved between the rickety door behind me and Dorian. He slipped a long index finger over his lips, my hands already clapped over my mouth.

He chuckled as I tried to talk, my cheeks heating as I removed my fingers to speak properly. "What are you doing?" I hissed, forcing myself to keep my tone at a whisper. The complacency radiating from Dorian was nearly as thick as the clouds of steam, puffing out from behind the shower curtain.

My skin grew sticky from the temperature of my cramped bathroom. Hold on a second. I thought, that steam isn't just from the shower.

I slapped Dorian's shoulder, "Quit it!" He was going to turn this whole area into a steam room!

Dorian caught my wrist on my second backswing, his hands seemingly dry compared to the clamminess of me. He swept thick curls of scarlet from my face, tucking them behind my ears. "You're going to get me in trouble." I snapped, pulling my hand from his.

Dorian tilted his head to listen, "You needn't fret, she's still howling." Dorian rolled his eyes at me. "Whatever the cause, your Mother is troubled greatly. Her thoughts are so scattered."

I frowned, something aching in the pits of my stomach, like a sharp pin prick, vanishing before I could understand the feeling.

"It's because of my Father." I remarked, both Dorian and I stunned by the acid seeping from my words.

"Ah.." He murmured reflectively, "She's finally spoken of him with you." I made a face up at him. "I thought you couldn't read my thoughts." Dorian smiled, pulling me in with his eyes, my sheets rumpling against his chest.

He held my chin between his index finger and thumb, "T'is your face Analeigh, always animated with your sentiments, it is a book I know well."

My thoughts clustered, bunching together in an abstraction of blurs and flashes, mangled words commingling with tangled ideas. I pushed Dorian away with a grin. "Don't." Pointing to the door I silently sent him away. The throbbing concern in my stomach constantly reminded me of my crying Mother.

With a swoosh my sheets fell to the floor, I would need an excuse as to why I had them out here at all. Perhaps to wash? That was believable was it not?

I kicked them away, toppling the pile of my prepared clothes. I drew the curtain back, groaning when I met Dorian's eyes. "What will you do when I'm that fast?" I asked joining him with a shake of my head.

Dorian snorted, proudly raising his chin to me. "You could never be as quick as me." I rolled my eyes at the haughtiness rippling over his features. Warm water had his hair spiralling down his face, clinging to his jaw and throat. Dorian's green eyes so bright in contrast, blinked away the water.

I had to stand on my toes, hands combing drenched strands from his face, twining my fingers in his dark hair. The shower pelted my back heavily, a warped circle cascading across my skin. I shivered violently, scalding water seeming cold compared to Dorian.

My hair twisted across my face, thick tresses of a dark red twirling around my neck, barely able to graze my shoulders. Dorian's eyes began to smoulder, a phoenix rising to burn out the resplendent sea of green. His eyes were ablaze, ever changing and vibrant. So hostile and so gentle in one dance.

I ran my fingers over the gathered skin of his scar, feeling the rough course it took above his heart. Dorian's fangs glittered, his fingers slipping down my throat. I shuddered at the feel of his nails, cutting through the water pouring down on us.

My feet quivered as lift myself up again, Dorian leaning to meet me. I nearly jumped at the feel of his mouth on mine, cold like summer mornings, crisp like a light breeze, and soft like the sun's rays.

A sigh overwhelmed me, Dorian smiling on my lips. Time stilled when kissing The Prince of The Undying, I could not even hear the water pouring around me. My senses though, were always heightened when presented with actions such as this. And as my blood rushed to warm my skin in a blush that had my heart racing, my mind could only configure such senses.

Taste. The taste of the fabrication of flame, passionate, untameable, majestic combustion bottled in one being. My lips could not be more overpowered. Could not be more delighted to be moved, pressed, parted by such a force.

The taste. The way he tasted was so…unimaginable. Perfection, delicious, irresistible, dazzling. He was everything and beyond that, beyond what there were words for. And it was endless.

Smell. I smelt everything and nothing. The torrent of water, earthy and hot. The soapy scent of my skin, the indescribable, mouth-watering scent of Dorian. Which, held an underlying tang of sweat, I could picture it melting from or skin under the pressure of the water. Such a subtle scent, yet it made me shiver with the reminiscence of last night, of nights past.

Sound. Sighs, murmurs, quiet words whispered under one's breath, elicited moans and groans, hushed growls and stifled gasps. My ears rang with the hard pound of water around us. I could swear I heard every drop, shattering into millions of droplets, splashing the porcelain below. Scattered beads painting our skin, spilling down in a current, curving around every bend of the human body. The rush seeming so loud to me, yet it was but a mumble over us.

Sight. Black. Behind my lids lie nothing but ebony. Even still, I could see him; view him just as clearly as if my eyes were open and wide. I could see his hands moving over me, lithe and tender. Nothing was as beautiful.

Touch. So much touch, so much feel. We never stopped. Dorian's skin was soft, slippery. His shoulders were broad and smooth, unmarred by goose-bumps unlike mine. Dorian's hands ventured from my hair to my thighs, leaving no place uncharted. His hands were hard where they went, curving, gliding, tickling, brushing, savouring.

Together, came the quiet sounds of skin moving against skin, a mere whisper beneath a burble of water. My skin crawled, a snarl budding in Dorian's chest, rising to his lips and tangling with my tongue.

I gasped, sucking down a breath and opening my eyes. Dorian straightened while he kissed my forehead. I sighed unintentionally as he caressed my belly, only now did I notice our baby had grown, a fair amount. Gentle pushes from inside met his hands, Dorian's lips twitching faintly as he tried to conceal his smile.

Suddenly his head snapped up his eyes seeking an object outside the curtain. I froze hearing the loud banging from outside the door, my hands tensing to sink dull nails into Dorian's chest. He did not notice.

Dorian's lips curled, his shoulders hunching as he sent a glare I worried would burn a hole through my shower curtain. His hiss made me shudder, blue veins pulsing from his temples to his hair line.

"Analeigh come on! It's been like, an hour!" My eyes widened, I hadn't expected Gavril to be in my house so early. What was he doing here?

I gripped Dorian's shoulders, giving him a shake which he ignored. "Stop it!" I scolded, receiving a nice little growl from The Undying. Dorian's hands grasped the curve of my lower back, not in the hot-blooded, amorous way he had before. This was the back-off-or-I'll-eat-you possessive kind of hold.

And, despite the butterflies swirling in my stomach, I bat away the girly urge to hold him just as closely. I pushed against his chest, Dorian eyeing me furiously. Wiggling my hand free I twisted the shower knob, the water going from a sporadic heat wave of a current to a small dribble. I clapped my hand over his lips, averting my eyes as Dorian glared.

"I-I'll be out in a minute!" I stammered, my voice rising and plummeting in the same instant. My anxiety was turned to pleasure in the same second it took for Dorian to bite into my knuckle.

Abruptly where, what and why flew out the window as my heart flipped in my chest. What started as a soft gasp turned into a fully elated moan, my free-or not bitten hand-went to work. My hand in a fist I tried miserably to hit him. Though the little room we had between each other, made punching his chest rather irksome.

I exerted a great deal of effort trying to say stop, but it seemed he wasn't having any of that, as Dorian's fangs stabbed deeper my, "Dorian stop," became a loud, luridly sensual: "Don't stop!"

When I thought he was going to bring me to tears, Dorian removed himself from within me, withdrawing the onslaught of ecstasy with him. I glowered groggily, still soaring on the high he had just lathered on me to be as angry as I was.

"You are such an ass-hole!" I shouted at last, Dorian rolling his eyes, his turn it was to cover my mouth. His laughter echoed in my small bathroom as I bit his hand, or thumb, or, well, I tried.

"Shh! Analeigh, what shall your guest think?" Dorian asked dramatically, eyes wide his horrified voice exaggerated. I smacked his chest pulling away. "You started it!" Something was made very clear to me then.

I could tell the realization showed on my features, for Dorian smirked, his fangs glistening. Had this been a plan? Petrifying and possibly launching my best friend into a state of shock? For interrupting a very, very good shower? Dorian was diabolical.

"Why you-" I didn't get a chance to finish, Dorian drew the curtain to the side, his long finger slipping through his hair. I forced my eyes away from his wet, glimmering figure so I could glare blackly into those gleaming crimson eyes.

I went to speak again when I was met with a sharp, agonizing slash in my hip. Every step I took seemed to evoke the same terrible feeling, until I was very much falling out of the shower. I watched the ugly tiles become closer as I spiralled down. The sheer panic that splashed across Dorian's face made me want to scream.

The screech, however, only managed to smack the roof of my mouth before his arms encircled me. I gripped Dorian's forearms as if I had nearly fallen into the mouth of Jaws. What scared me even more was that I was crying, rather hysterically.

When I looked I'd set jagged scratches across his arms, his skin had already began to heal at it's alarming rate, but it set me off. My stomach leapt and knotted painfully in my throat as I struggled to breathe again. I trembled and in return the world around me shook, I held on to him to still that world, to steady myself.

My eyes fixated on the black that was yet another bruise. This one sort of deformed, like the way a beach ball would look had the air been sucked out. Purple mixed with a disgusting shade of blue, creating the ominous shape. It made my stomach lurch.

But my eyes, as well as Dorian's no longer cared for such an unsightly thing. If it was the culprit of my fall or not, neither he nor I had any concern about the discoloration.

Instead, for the first time, I was seeing past the breasts I'd often confused with mountains and, analysing the lump that was our Lilly. It was a near fall for me. It was a near death for her.

Of course, considering the fact that Dorian was truly the man of steel, I wondered if a fall would have such a…fatal effect on her. Then I banished the thought from my mind, I would be extra careful I decided.

Just because Lilliana Alexander was going to be Super-Girl didn't mean I could be reckless, or, damn it, I couldn't be normal clumsy Analeigh.

"D-Dorian." My voice cracked, he lifted me to my feet, wrapping my towel around me, holding it in place with his arms. I wasn't sure what this was, bubbling up inside me.

Then I realized, clutching him to me. Fear.

&&&

I had made a usually composed Dorian antsy, he was nervous to leave me, which in turn made me nervous. In the end, we both hated departing. But Dorian was in a vital state of needed rest and, Gavril and I had much to do on our science diorama.

I thought, after previous incidents with Dorian in the bathroom, being home was out of the question. We would work at Gavril's house, which, after what he had heard, was agreeable. I left Dorian, in my closet-it was quite large without all of those unfolded clothes. He was not pleased that I was leaving him to create a periodic table with his newest nemesis.

However it was much worse now; I was leaving him during daylight hours where he could not protect me or our daughter. No, Dorian was not at all pleased.

Gavril and I had been hunkered up in his room for the past two hours, gluing, colouring and labelling. I had memorized most of what he needed done by me and, Gavril as quite content with his markers and glue sticks.

We listened to explicit rock music, Gavril twirling in his computer chair gulping down his second Red Bull. Meanwhile I tossed him the markers and pencil crayons he desired, keeping my focus on the labels I was cutting out.

Neither of us mentioned anything about the earlier noises heard in the bathroom. This did not seem to bother Gavril, as he would not want to know the truth regardless. I was throwing Gavril-whose face was so concentrated on catching another of my horrible tosses it was funny-a blue pencil, when Kellen barged in.

Despite the utter astonishment that rendered my tongue still, I felt…at home.

Greeted by the incandescent sensuality of Kellen's hazel eyes, his crooked grin followed. A mimic of his Mother's, I saw the left corner of his mouth slip north as the right side rose smugly. I felt my cheeks warm at the deepening of his slight dimples, and narrowing of his pretty eyes.

Had he been any more brawny, with freckles and a shock of scarlet hair-not to mention a shade of fuzzy stubble-I may have confused him with James.

Instead, Kellen wore the wave of murmuring sandy blond to his earlobes, looking like a classic surfer. His sun kissed skin stretching over bands of exposed biceps and triceps, in which his grey t-shirt proudly revealed. His blue jeans were well worn, adorned in grass stains and fraying tears.

His lips parted to bare his glimmering teeth, I glimpsed the single 'fang' in his top row, making me glance over at Gavril. "What have I told you about girls in your room?" Kellen worked to sound reprimanding. His eyes withheld a humorous glint to them as he smiled at his brother.

Kellen's voice was strange; due to his appearance I had always come to expect 'duude!' to be the first word out of his mouth. It always surprised me to hear this Al Pachino kind of husky, rough tough guy tenor. Although, knowing Kellen it was easy to hear that exciting, fun, unpredictable and seductive undertone.

Gavril rolled his eyes. "One at a time?" I blushed, quickly turning back to my work. Kellen chuckled as he leaned on the doorframe that squealed under the familiar amount of weight. I felt his eyes on me, my blood racing through my veins like spreading wildfire.

"Nice get up James, you got hot." He remarked, laughing as I dropped my scissors.

That was another of Kellen's special traits, ever since I met Gavril; he had never once called me Analeigh. It was always James or kid. I'd come to like it.

"Th-thanks, you haven't changed." I said back quietly, fumbling to fit my fingers in the rubbery purple handle of my scissors. "Dinner's ready, have you guys seen the devil child?" Kellen asked casually.

I would never grasp his urge to pick on Stellar though, both Gavril and Kellen did. I'd grown sympathetic towards the poor boy. Gavril shrugged, "Probably hosting a séance or something creepy." He waved his hand at me, "C'mon Red I'm starving." I scowled at him for his comment, rising from the bed to stretch and follow the from Gavril's room.

I could smell the many cooking spices from the stairs, as the three of us carried onward I began to taste the tomato on the hatch of my throat. My nose tingled with the faintest hints of garlic and peppers. When we entered the kitchen Mr. Cohen had just finished setting the table and was drawing a sixth chair to the table.

Mrs. Cohen lathered a pile of spring-like pasta in thick, steaming tomato sauce. My mouth watered, my stomach grumbling as I watched her place plate after plate down. I felt a weak push from inside my stomach, balling my hand into a fist instead of rubbing my tummy like I longed to.

I swept a frown from my face, replacing it with a wide smile. Mr. Cohen looked up, brushing his blond hair from his face with a heavy sigh. He still wore his work ensemble, his blue dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves, the collar left undone, his beige tie loose around his throat.

He grinned hugely upon seeing me, missing my arrival; he drew me into a hug. I felt my body tense and freeze, I could feel the panic strike both my face and Mrs. Cohen's. Releasing me he gave me a knowing glance, winking as he turned to take his seat at the head of the table.

He knew!

I swallowed my gasp hastily, sucking in a deep breath. I tried my hardest not to look frightened, or worse, devastated as I sat down between Gavril and Kellen. My eyes however we so wide it hurt. They grew dry yet my lids were wooden, keeping me from the blinking I wanted so badly to do.

I gulped loud enough that Gavril peered over at me, the questions that roamed his features I silenced with a false grin. Mr. Cohen cleared his throat, my nails gouging into the wood of my chair to keep me from jumping up.

"Where's your brother?" The question was directed at Kellen who pointed beyond me to Gavril. Mr. Cohen's brown eyes tapered as he glowered at his son. I took note to the fair wrinkles that bunched along the outer corners of his eyes. Those eyes had seen much laughter.

"Your other brother." Mrs. Cohen stepped in as she took her seat beside Stellar's oddly empty one. I saw Gavril smirk from the corner of my eyes, preparing to kick him under the table.

"Sacrificing a goat to his ant-Christ." Gavril put forward, his lips fidgeting to stifle a smirk.

"Writing Helter Skelter on his walls." Kellen snickered quietly, both Mr and Mrs. Cohen grunted disapprovingly as the two broke out in laughter.

I rammed my heel into Gavril's calf; he swore elbowing me back. I glowered blackly at him, receiving Gavril's frown in return. Kellen cleared his throat loudly, drawing eyes toward him as he nudged his chin toward the kitchen entrance. "Speak of the devil." He muttered.

My gaze travelled upward as Stellar entered room, his brown-green eyes flickering to each of our faces as he wordlessly took his seat. You could hear Kellen and Gavril's jaws hit the table as they stared, wide-eyed at their brother. Even I was surprised.

Never had I seen any of the Cohen boy's without shaggy blond hair, and now Stellar's was black. A sleek, well coifed, shinny ebony. Peculiarly enough, it made his eyes seemingly brighter, though I was still unable to wrap my head around this predicament.

Gavril stuttered like a mangled record before he was able to word a proper sentence. "He's broken." Stellar stared coldly back at him, skewering a curly noodle with his fork. I flinched at the sudden clang of metal hitting porcelain, gripping Gavril's sleeve as I gathered my composure.

Though, I did, as well as Gavril, see the glint off of his younger brother's matching nail polish. I was sure everyone saw the first sign of seriousness on Kellen's face, this was frightening, never in my life had I seen Kellen unsmiling.

"Oh my God you're gay!" His words were a shrill squeal, in an instant I witnessed humourless become horrified. Mr. Cohen spoke up now upon viewing the terror on both of his son's faces.

"Kellen," His voice was very angry, I shuddered. "We have no issue with homosexuality-"

My shoulders leapt in a silent giggle as Kellen launched into a childish fit, plugging his ears and chanting: "girls, girls, girls!"

Mr. Cohen shook his head, "I swear your mind gave maturing up at two." Gavril, much more curious and excited about the topic inclined himself over the table. "You're gay?" Stellar's hand rolled into a fist around his fork. "No I am not."

Kellen exhaled, drawing his fingers from his ears. "Don't ever scare me like that man." Mrs. Cohen scoffed. "Enough of that, I don't want to hear you talking like that young man." She jabbed a slender finger at both Gavril and Kellen. "Out of either of you."

Kellen made a face to counterpart with Gavril's scowl. I kept quiet and to myself, gazing around the rectangle that was their table.

Events were never boring in the Cohen household.

"There's a girl-" Stellar had begun when his elder brothers interrupted. "That makes you wear nail polish?"

I sunk down in James' sweater, as Mr. Cohen glared at both of them. "Go on." He motioned for Stellar to continue, who rather gazed around the table a second time shrugging his shoulders.

"She's coming here this Sunday." He finally said, I found myself smiling supportively, Stellar sending me a weak grin before shyly fixing his attention on his food.

Kellen exhaled his relief, Stellar rolling his eyes up at him. I looked between Gavril and Kellen, my hair tickling my neck in my motion. I licked my lips, checking my slouch and yanking my sweater down further.

"And her name is?" I raised a brow at him, the corner of Stellar's lips twitching upward.

"Or his." Gavril coughed, Kellen bubbling with a hushed titter. "You guys are horrible brothers." I scorned, shaking my head as they both snorted.

"Her name's Alexis Edgard." Stellar gave me a shrug; I smiled, resting my chin in my hand at the edge of the table. "That's cute, what's she look like?" I continued my questioning, ignoring Kellen and Gavril's crotchety grunts and grumbled.

Mrs. Cohen grinned thankfully at me. By the way Stellar had described her I knew he liked her more than he was letting on.

Personally, I thought it was adorable. The way he knew her favourite colour, remembered her birthday and knew all the classes they had together. Meanwhile, his actual siblings were more interested in getting their second fill of pasta than hear what their brother had to say.

James had listened to me go on about Brandon Avery for weeks on end when I was Stellar's age. I know now James hated hearing it all and yet he was willing to hear everything, from what Brandon wore Tuesday to what colour he streaked his hair the next month. It's silly but, I do really have the greatest brother out there.

This Alexis or Lexie, as Stellar was now calling her sounded interesting. She was extremely athletic, intelligent, humorously clever and cute.

I was truly honoured when Stellar asked me to meet her. After all, it wasn't unusual for us 'babies of the family,' to band together.

And I was more than happy since it would involve dragging Gavril in with me. He deserved it for treating Stellar that way after all.


A/N: Okay, I just wanted to apologize to everyone, I know this took waaayyy too long to upload, and I was going to post two chapters because I felt bad lol but I want to edit more of that chapter, but I promise it will be up before the end of this week :D. Anyways, thank you so much for not flaming me in the past couple days...or was it weeks :s. But I hope you enjoyed this, I'm trying to lengthen my chapters again lol that sounds weird. Oh! I want to thank my super awesome amazing cool and wicked niece, who's been on my back to keep me uploading :) she is now a character in this.

Thank you so much to everyone too, after all, I guess I wouldn't even be writting this if it weren't for you guys so thank you very much, I love you all. Okay, I'm gunna get back to editing lol, so please review and message me.

~Selene