It’s of adoration, respect, and love.
I’m not immune to jealousy, and for once, I am putting my sister and her son before my own selfish needs as hard as it may be.
They deserve to be loved. Everyone deserves to experience love. Whatever it may be—fate, destiny—I no longer care. He will take care of them. I’ll make sure of that, and I finally take a step back and allow the universe to do its own thing.
“Listen, Edwards, I owe you. For getting rid of it before it became a problem,” Julian mumbles under his breath, careful that the cops can’t hear.
“Well, I owe you for saving my wife and baby. Call it even, shall we?”
He nods his head, and that was that.
I look into the sky and stare directly into the stars. “Brother, if you can hear me. I’m leaving it all up to you.”
And from that moment, Elijah will forever protect us.
That was his nature, and this is his calling.
The room falls quiet, and the only sound to grace us is Andy’s tiny snores. The night light is on, not wanting to frighten him with the dark. He is nestled between Julian and me as we struggle to get a grip on how emotionally draining this day has been. Not only is Andy back in my arms, but he’s also here between us.
Us.
With the faint glow allowing Julian to caress my face, we talk in whispers allowing Andy to get some much-needed sleep.
“There are so many questions…” I trail off.
“And so many answers,” he returns.
“What happened the night of the party? I still don’t understand what changed?”
“Plain and simple… those parties are full of crack addicts. My dealer was there.”
It all makes sense now. Julian is strong-willed, but we all have our weaknesses, and if I didn’t lash out with my jealousy, we could’ve talked it through.
“I pushed you when I should’ve listened to you.”
“Yes, you did, but the truth
is that I’m so in love with you that I can’t think rationally. With Lex present, Charlie, and my dealer, the scene was too familiar. It was almost like I was afraid of the past rearing its ugly head. When you came to see me, and I was with Charlie, it was only because my dealer was trying to corner me. I was attempting to look happy and distracted because if he knew I was weak or even thought for a moment I had issues, he’d be all over me so fast, you and I would be back to square one.”
“You can’t resist it if it’s in front of you?”
He stays silent, and I don’t want to push him further.
“Your brother saved me today from possibly making that mistake again.”
“So, then you’re even,” I state, not expecting a response.
“I want to make one thing clear. I haven’t touched the stuff in over a year, but I’m not as strong as you think I am, and that lady at the bar the other night, she is my rehab counselor.”
Wow, how easily I misconstrue things. And how very relieved I am.
“You’re in rehab?”
“I’m not staying in a rehab clinic, but I attend weekly meetings with specialized counselors who help me move forward. I want to be a better person for you, Andy, and most importantly, myself,” he admits.
With his palm resting on my face, I move his fingers toward my mouth and kiss the tips gently.
For now, the nightmare is over.