Chapter 2

The following Tuesday afternoon I was sitting in my room with the new tools and jewlery pieces Azmuth gave me. I was debating on what to give what to whom. I didn't have any homework, so I played a video game while I decided. Mira was outside exercising. She joined the softball team earlier in the year as well as the basketball team. Anna was in her room listening to music. She was going to be in the Varsity choir next year. Isa was still apart of the cheerleading team, and she was in the living room watching TV. Mom and Dad went to buy groceries so I was left in charge. Isa hadn't been too open with me unfortunately, so I didn't want to force it. I decided to talk to Anna first. My parents explained everything to them about the bracelets, but told them it was up to me to give them out when I was ready. I was so grateful that my sisters now had an extra layer of protection over their lives. I knocked on their bedroom door loud enough for Anna to hear me.

"Anna...Can I come in?"

"Yeah! It's open!"

She took off her headphones as I entered.

"Okay Anna..."

She gasped.

"It's me! I get a bracelet first?!"

"Yesss...and Mira and Isa will get one after this. Hold out your hand."

As she did I slipped the bracelet around her wrist. It had a blue stone in it.

"Anna...you now have the power of water."

"Wow..."

She just stared at the bracelet.

"Gosh...now I feel sort of...strange."

"Strange?"

She looked up at me.

"I mean strange in a good way...I always wanted to know what it felt like to have the same pressures you have...just so you wouldn't be alone."

"Thanks Ann...but remember this is for emergencies only."

"Got it...of course I'll have to practice with it so that I'll be of more help to myself should I need it."

"Sure. You can practice when mom and dad get home."

"The inner workings of the design of the bracelet is just so fascinating."

She smiled again and looked at her bracelet. I left her to find Mira out on the back patio doing situps. I had to talk to her in between crunches.

"So you see Mira...it'll just be for emergencies."

"I know! I know! Mom told me. Just hand me one. After this I've got to work on my layups."

"Okay here...hey are those my shorts?"

"Mine were in the wash don't be a priss."

"I'm not a priss!"

"Okay...sorry." She retorted in a huff. She got to her feet and pulled her ponytail tight. Sweat was dripping off her face. She walked over to our patio furniture and grabbed a towel and her bottled water.

"So which one is mine?"

"Fire...here...though that might be a mistake."

"Fire? Why not electricity? Maybe I could use it to accelerate my speed."

"It's fire and it's for emergencies only!"

"Okay chill out Bry I'm just messing with you."

She took the bracelet and put it on her wrist.

"It's so girly."

"If I remember you are a girl. I think I have a sister not a brother."

"Well that is true, but I'm not like Isa! All frilly and weak. And just...eww. Pink and glitter and all that gross stuff."

"Didn't you and Isa played Barbies last Saturday."

Mira blushed.

"Tell anybody that and you're dead Bryan Jay!"

I smirked and went back inside. Isa was stitting by herself on the couch covered up with a blanket.

"H...hey Isa."

"Hi Bry."

"I uh...wanted to give you your bracelet. It's the power of Earth."

"Thanks."

She held up her wrist and I slid it over her hand. I noticed her wrist trembled so I grabbed it and pulled her toward me.

"Hey!"

"Isa...you're trembling all over... you haven't really talked to me since what happened. I'm sorry I told you that abortion was a good idea. It's made you so distraught! I was just trying to help! And...and if you're afraid of me now because of what happened with Stan or if you hate me I-"

"Bryan!"

"What?!"

"It's okay...it's okay, we're cool. Nothing's happened between us, and I'm fine.

"Then how come you've been acting like-"

"I've been working on myself Bry. I got distracted. It's not your fault...and...that day at the clinic-"

"Yeah?"

"I talked to the nurse there. She told me her job isn't the best. The babies they take are normally anywhere from a few days to a few weeks old. She said sometimes they just give the mother something to take home to cause a miscarriage. She said it happens all the time. Sge said girl's like me are lost, and scared. We don't know what to do so we resort to doing something we think is the only way. But she explained that's not the only way at all. She told me about adoption places. That there are families out there that need loving babies that can't have them on their own. She then told me, it's the mother's that keep the baby after everything that inspires her. She said it won't be easy but there are support systems and local groups for people my age, people like me. I was so scared and uncertain before; but now I know exactly what I want. And what I want is a baby. Even if Stan wants to be a father or not. I'm going to be a mom!"

She placed my hand on her stomach.

"I'm pregnant and I'm going to stay that way until the baby comes...and when they do; they'll be so happy to see you. Their Uncle. My brother, the one who saved them."

I almost teared up and hugged Isa around the neck. She wasn't ready to tell everyone yet, but I knew my family well. They were going to be just as happy as I was. Wednesday afternoon I asked Dad to drive me over to Uncle Jesse's place after school. I decided to give Jesse the power of Air, and Justice the power over Electricity. Grampa Ben said there's a story there, but Justice forgave himself a long time ago. Giving him back an old power he used to have, now that he'll be able to control it; will help him with his new dream. Starting a family and protecting them. Of course naturally Aunt Tabby and Patrick know all about our super powered family. They were cool with it as long as they weren't around it or it didn't involve the safety of their own lives. Now with these two watches they would be safe and wouldn't even have to worry about it anymore. The apartment my Uncle Jesse stayed in was a one bedroom, one bathroom, open floor plan two person house. It was ideal for him, Patrick, and their cat Nina. I knocked on the door and Patrick answered.

"Hey Bry! Come on in buddy! Jess! Baby! Your nephew's here!"

"Coming!"

The apartment was decorated in a very relaxed, bold, and unconventional style. The look typically involved a diverse mix of natural elements and many colors, patterns, and textures. There was a cat tree, cat house and bowls by the front window. Nina was an American shorthair grey kitten with black stripes and olive green eyes. She had on a light pink collar with a bell. All of her stuff was pink too, from the bedding to the toys. She was almost 5 months old. She was tiny and purred a lot. She jumped down from her perch and greeted me.

"Jess is just doing some laundry." Patrick exclaimed. He bent down to pick up Nina.

"Have a seat hun, make yourself comfy." He grinned and sat on the couch with Nina. I sat on the opposite couch. My Uncle entered carrying a large basket of clothes.

"Hey Bry!"

"Hey!" I said back.

He sat next to Patrick and gave Nina a pat on the head.

"Dad told me you wanted to give Justice and I those watches for safety. I want you to know Justice and I have a history with these things. Not something that concerns you or anything you have to worry about. I talked to Justice and he's cool with it."

I smiled.

"Now which one am I?"

"Air."

"And don't worry Bry if Justice doesn't want the watch I'll be happy to take it." Patrick said as Jesse put his watch on.

"Ew no...This Azmuth guy has no taste in wristwear. Does it not come in purple?" Patrick revoked his previous statement. Jesse laughed.

"It's for protection not fashion Pat."

"So do you think Justice really will be okay with it?"

"Sure. I called him last night. We had a long talk about it. We're almost 30 now, it's all in the past over and done. Can... can I take you over to his place?"

"Okay."

Dad allowed Uncle Jesse to drive me over to see Uncle Justice. He and my Aunt Tabby were renting her deceased Grandfather's house until they could find a new place. Uncle Justice stepped outside to talk to us.

"Hey Jesse. Bry. Come by to give me one of the watches?"

"Yeah." I answered.

"Hey Jess..."

My uncles then hugged each other. They hardly did that in front of me.

"You alright Jess?"

"Yeah you?"

"Yeah."

It was almost as if they were preparing each other for a long battle.

"Okay Bry...the watch."

I gave it to him. The moment he put it on he sighed heavily.

"Jus, you okay?" Uncle Jesse asked.

"I'm fine. I can't even feel the effects of it like I could with the suit. Now I can do what I should have done with it in the first place...protect my brother."

Uncle Jesse smiled and they hugged each other again. Jesse hid his face in Justice's shoulder.

"I love you man." Uncle Justice whispered.

"I love you too Justice."

I never had a brother, but as much as I cared about my sisters I could see where they were coming from. Friday afternoon we got out early for summer break. Harvey was coming over to spend the weekend with me. Rosie was going home for a little while. Mom took Harvey and I over to her house to say our goodbyes. I never knew I'd have an alien girlfriend who has tons of responsibilities to her planet, and also non human problems that couldn't be settled on Earth. After visting Rosie, Mom was going to take Harvey and I to get whatever snacks we wanted for the weekend. Being with Harvey would take my mind off Rosie. I do tend to get very depressed when we're apart. Harvey let me talk to her last, and talk to her the longest. She was packing a suitcase full of her Earth clothes.

"How long are you gonna be gone this time?"

"Probably a few days at the most. Spring is almost over now."

She paused and leaned forward on her knees. I knew she was in pain. I shut her bedroom door and held her from behind.

"I...I'm gonna miss you."

"And I you...but think of it this way once they train me, and I have better control over my body and my powers it'll make so much more time for us."

"I love you Rosie."

"And I love you, darling."

She slowly backed up into me and put her hand to my face stroking it.

"Being part Flourana and Anodite you still have a lot to learn I guess?"

"Mmhm. According to my people I'm still just a sapling and an ever growing mana of energy.

I sighed. She almost melted in my arms. I put them around her and ran my hand down her waist. She groaned and turned to face me. Abruptly, there was a knock at her door. I opened it slightly and stuck my head out.

"Oh hi Mom..."

"I don't mean to rush you Bryan...but I got to get home and get dinner ready. Not to mention take you and Harvey to the store. I know you'll miss her...but her father says he's seen this in her kind before it's really nothing they can't fix."

"Okay...see you in a few."

Mom left and I shut the door. Rosie just hugged me. She then just placed her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and held her. It really wasn't me that was sad she was leaving this time. It was her.

"I'll be here when you get back." I told her.

"I know."

We looked into each other's eyes. I held her head in my hand and grasped the side of her face. I pulled her into a passionate kiss. The moment our lips touched a tear rolled down her face.