Page 71 of Puck Your Bunny

"No, it goes right here!" Jade snatches the green piece. She shoves it into the middle of the precarious wooden structure. "Timber!"

Sophie points at the leaning tower. "It's falling!"

Jade laughs. Her voice rings out like a bell. I understand every word. I enjoy the chaotic rhythm of their play. I feel lucky to watch them grow.

My mind feels clear today. The thick, gray fog that clouded my thoughts for so many years stays away. I remember the early days after the crash. Those years felt like a long, dark blur. Every day looked the same.

Vayda played historical programs and nature documentaries on the television for me. I enjoyed the shows. I liked watching the vibrant coral reefs and the massive mountain ranges. The narrators spoke with calm voices. The bright colors flashed across the screen and gave my mind something to process.

But the routine turned monotonous over time. The endless hours of sitting in the same spot blended together into one long day. The walls of the old house felt tight. My words stayed trapped inside my chest.

Vayda looked sad then. Her eyes carried a weight that made my chest ache. I wanted to help her. My muscles lacked the coordination to reach out. I existed in a loop of hums and silence.

Then the guys showed up. Wally, Kel, and Simon came into our lives. They brought loud voices and something different, new. Vayda started to smile again. The air in the rooms felt lighter. I watched her energy shift from grief into a vibrant, living thing. That change gave me a target. I pushed myself to wake up. I pushed myself to find the man buried underneath the injury.

I work hard with the speech therapist every Tuesday and Thursday. The sessions exhaust me. We practice shaping vowels. We practice moving my tongue against the roof of my mouth. Progress keeps me motivated. I speak in small, simple words. The twins act as my best teachers. They drag me into the present moment every single time they run into the room.

The door to my suite swings open. Vayda walks inside. She carries a ceramic mug of tea. The steam rises in a thin ribbon above the cup. She wears a soft linen shirt. Her hair stays pulled back in a loose clip. Silver strands show far more than the red now. She looks happy. I watch the way her expression brightens when she catches the girls playing on the rug.

Wally, Kel, and Simon follow her through the doorway. They fill the space with their size. The familiar scents of worn leather, amber, and bergamot wash into the room.

"You kick like a feral mule in your sleep." Simon rubs his ribs, bumping his hip against Vayda as he passes by.

"You sleep sideways across the entire mattress." Kel shoves Simon's shoulder. "I spent half the night fighting for an inch of space."

"I need room to stretch." Simon grins, dodging another shove.

Vayda laughs. The sound makes my chest feel light. I understand the banter. I let out a low rumble of amusement from my chest. The guys hear the sound and smile in my direction.

Wally walks over to my side. He checks the position of my chair. His hand rests on the backrest for a second. He looks at me with a steady, kind gaze.

"Good morning, Bren." Wally keeps his voice low. "Need the footrest adjusted?"

I give a small shake of my head. "No."

I watch Vayda settle into the room. My feelings for her changed a long time ago. I used to love her with a desperate, romantic hunger. That fire burned out in the long years after the crash. Now, a deep, solid affection takes its place. I love her like a brother loves a sister. I love her with a protective instinct. I want her to keep smiling for the rest of my life.

I love the girls, too. Wally, Kel, and Simon act like the brothers I always wanted. They treat me with respect. They talk to me like an equal. They include me in the plans for the day. They treat this house like our sanctuary.

Kel walks over to the twins. He scoops Sophie off the rug.

"Flying lesson time!" Kel tosses her into the air.

Sophie squeals in delight. "Higher!"

He catches her, pulling her against his broad shoulder. The movement stretches the dark cedar branch tattooed on the side of his neck. The dark ink trails down his collarbone, slipping out of sight beneath the collar of his long-sleeve shirt. He looks over at me and gives me a thumbs-up.

Simon sits on the rug with Jade. He helps her stack the fallen blocks.

"Put the red block here." Simon taps the foundation. "Build a strong base first."

"Like a castle!" Sophie shouts, slamming the red block into place.

Simon shows her how to balance the weight of the tower so it stays upright.

Wally leans against the wall near my chair. He crosses his arms over his chest. He watches the scene with a satisfied expression. He built this life. He helped Vayda create this environment. I feel a rush of gratitude for the strength he brings to the pack.

Jade stands up. She waddles over to my chair. She reaches out with a small, pudgy hand. She presses a smooth, wooden star block against my curled fingers.