Forbidden (Fallen 2)

I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, put on a little mascara and eyeliner, and hastily tied my hair back into a messy ponytail. I was too upset to bother with looking nice. I hated to have to say goodbye to my brothers. Especially not knowing when I might see them again. They promised they’d spend the summer out here with me, but promises are easily broken.

There was a light knock on the door before Diana poked her head in. “Are you ready?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, my slight smile faltering at the corners.

“You’ll see them again soon,” she said. I nodded trying to look optimistic. But she didn’t know what I knew. Selena was still alive and still continues to hunt me. I might not live long enough to see them again, a sad but true possibility.

Everyone was already gathered downstairs, waiting on me, like always. I probably wouldn’t be on time for my own wedding. My brothers were talking to Mason and Danny, Jonathon and Joseph stood off to the side talking in hushed strategic tones, Diana was at my side, and Patrick and Amelia were looking at all of us like loving parents. Next to my brothers feet were a cluster of a few bags. It made it more real seeing their bags packed, ready to leave, to leave me, to go back to their simple lives.

Jonathon stopped talking and looked at me. He knew how upset I was to say goodbye. “Are you ready?” he asked, and I wondered how many more times I would be asked that.

“Yes,” I said in a quiet subdued voice.

Jonathon and I would be taking Adam and Aiden to the airport so the others would say goodbye here while I could put off my inevitable goodbye a little longer. Danny and Mason looked truly sad to say goodbye to their partners in crime. My brothers shook hands with Patrick and Joseph and surprised me by not shying away from the cold, hard as a rock, hug they received from Amelia.

After my brothers said their goodbyes to the Pulmers, we headed outside, Jonathon in tow with my car keys in his hand.

Adam and Aiden climbed in the back of my BMW X6 while Jonathon climbed into the driver’s seat and I took my place in the passenger’s seat. The expensive SUV hummed quietly to life. Jonathon expertly backed out of the complicated driveway. My heart felt heavy knowing we were going to the airport. The last time I had been at the airport I had been on the Pulmer’s private plane with my dead father in the cargo. The thought made me feel sick to my stomach. Jonathon, sensing my distress, laid his arm on the arm rest, palm of his hand up. I let out a sigh of relief as I put my hand in his. I instantly felt calm at his cool touch. It was amazing how just a simple touch could make me feel so much better. Adam let out a chuckle from the back seat.

“What?” I asked, a slight smile resting on my lips.

“You two act like an old married couple,” replied Adam. Jonathon smiled down at me and I smiled up at him.

“Maybe one day,” Jonathon said to my brothers, glancing at them in the rear view mirror.

“We already consider you part of the family,” spoke up Aiden.

My mouth popped open in a small O. This was interesting. I knew they liked Jonathon but here they were discussing marriage! Lord, I’m only eighteen!

We finally turned into the airport before the conversation could move from marriage to babies. I wondered if Adam and Aiden’s easy acceptance of Jonathon didn’t come from some freaky vampire thing that I didn’t understand. Maybe because he was my soul mate they had to like him? But then again Jonathon was just likable.

Jonathon and I sat with Adam and Aiden until their plane was ready to board.

I stood up, my hands shaking slightly.

“I love you,” I said to Adam, huggi

ng him.

“We’ll see you again soon, Ky, don’t get upset,” He said, seeing the tears forming in my eyes.

“You better come see me again,” I said punching him lightly on the shoulder, making him chuckle. I moved on to Aiden.

“I love you, Aiden. Promise you guys will come spend the summer in Rome?” I begged like a petulant five year old but I didn’t care.

“I promise Kylie. Maybe after we graduate we’ll move out here,” he said. “Be closer to our little sis.”

“I’d love that. You have no idea how much I miss you guys,” I said. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“Oh, I bet you do. You need your two older brothers around to keep the gentlemen callers away,” he said, joking like only brothers can. I laughed despite my sadness at having to say goodbye.

The final call for their plane sounded.

“I love you, Ky,” Aiden said hugging me and then ruffling my hair. They picked up their bags, hugged me one more time, said goodbye to Jonathon, and then departed, heading for their plane.

I watched until I could no longer see them.

Jonathon’s cold but comforting hand found mine. “You’ll see them again,” He said.