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Walt
Whenmyeyespop open the next morning, I feel a smile playing on my lips. Something that hadn’t happened since I’d awakened from my coma. While there are still massive holes in my memory, I’m able to wake up with some level of contentment. I roll to my side and watch Everie sleep for a moment. She always looks innocent to me, so it’s not different while she’s sleeping. The major difference lies in her relaxed state when she finds her deep sleep. Everything that makes her jumpy or skittish disappears for a while, leaving her truly relaxed. It’s times like this where I don’t go out of my way to awaken her or Coco.
I get through my morning routine quietly and sneak out to get breakfast started. I didn’t bother bringing up Anika because she didn’t belong in our moment anymore. That talk can be had at any moment, but the night we had was special. Besides, most of what I know about her is a combination of what Everest and Whit told me. I’d love to have some of my own thoughts on her besides the bone deep dislike and the desire to kill her.
Changing subjects, I shake away the frustration of my memory loss. I can’t force it. One day at a time. Pancakes are one of the things I’m glad to remember, especially after hearing how much Rowe loved them as a child. I’m still glad that although we missed out on bonding and father and son, I was still a prominent figure in his life and therefore didn’t miss much of his childhood. Plus, Whit is an excellent father.
Rowe’s white hair is the first thing I see when I enter the kitchen and I can’t help but pull him into an enormous bear hug despite him being technically grown.
“Whoa, Zombie. Did you have a memory?”
“No,” I answer him with a laugh. “I just know that I love you.”
I’m pretty sure he’s blushing because he’s awfully interested in his chipped polish.
“I love you, too,” he finally says with a soft smile.
“What? No ‘too much affection, old man?’” Whit questions him with his hands on his hips. He may look serious, but I can see the amusement radiating off him.
“Just take your geriatric vitamins and relax, old man. You’ve gotten plenty of hugs. Everything isn’t about you.” Rowe looks at me with his face full of amusement. “Can you believe this guy? The Whitman channel. All day, every day.”
Rowe laughs when Whit wraps him into a headlock. “This is why we’re always sparring, you little shit.”
I’m laughing but stop when this scene somehow pulls a memory out. It’s a good one, but I let it float around my head until I realize they’re both watching me.
“When you were a toddler. You and Whit jumped me so I could get up and make pancakes.”
This time I’m the one on the receiving end of a surprise hug. Whit squeezes me. His sigh is heavy with emotion. I hug him back because he needs it as much as I do. I feel the loss of time with my other half with my limited memory, so I know my absence gutted him.
“Sorry,” he says when he steps back. “It’s just still so surreal that you’re here.”
“You never have to apologize for hugging me.” I look at Rowe. “Neither of you. It was different since much of my memory is still missing, but we all felt the loss of being separated.”
He nods with a smile but walks away. I get that he’d want to get a handle on his emotions. I pull Whit into another hug because he’s been through so much.
“Like I said before, you don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone. I’m here to help.”
I feel his nod, but we don’t say anything else because we feel a little body squeeze between us.
Sparrow sighs, contently. “Much better. Continue,” she whispers.
Whit laughs first, then I follow since I’m confused. “Dammit, Sparrow,” Rowe yells from the hallway. “How many times do I have to tell you that my dads don’t want you?”
Moonlight giggles as she enters. “Old crushes die hard. I guess.”
“I’m going to crush her if she keeps playing with me,” Rowe growls as he stalks in her direction.
I laugh harder since I get it now. I swoop Sparrow into a quick hug and drop a kiss on her forehead. “Have a seat, little one. I’m about to make pancakes.”
She rubs one of my loose strands with a happy sigh but yelps when Rowe smacks her butt.
“You’ll pay for that, little bird,” he threatens as he throws her over his shoulder.
“Babe! Just look at me as being excited about what you’ll become,” she pleads her case as Rowe carries her away.
“We’ll be back,” he yells over his shoulder.
“Should we tell him he shouldn’t act like such a possessive neanderthal?” I ask with a straight face, but when Whit and I look each other in the eyes, we throw our heads back and laugh.
