" Two damaged people, trying to heal each other is love."
- R.H.Sin
"Rowan! Get down now!"
My little brother laughs at me, jumping down from the wall without a care in the world. He joined the boys as they played a competitive game of soccer, which would no doubt leave one of them injured.
Serenity lingered in my heart as I studied my brother. Since getting full custody of him, there hasn't been a single day where I haven't seen him smile.
They didn't break him.
But sat here, surrounded by my family, I couldn't help but think something was missing.
It took 5 months to get full custody of Rowan and Raven, and 3 more to get our home set up perfectly.
It's been 8 months since I last left Kenzie in that hospital bed. 8 months since I had spoken to any of the Jensen boys.
I missed them, I couldn't deny that.
They wormed their way into my heart, and I can't escape the deep longing I feel towards it.
Sky had informed me that Kade wished to see me, but I refused. Guilt was an unfamiliar emotion to me, yet I couldn't face them boys without recalling everything I put them through.
Noticing Alec staring expectantly at me, I tilt my head sideways and my brows furrow. And then I notice, he isn't staring at me.
He's looking to someone behind me, with a small grin on his face.
Everything stopped then. All my insecurities, all my demons, they paused.
18 months ago, I swore that I wouldn't get attached. I swore I wouldn't give them the power to hurt me.
I broke that promise a long time ago.
"Someone once told me that life is just one big, fucked up party. A room of dreams and illusions scattered like confetti, where just a modicum of us are taking care of the rest who are always falling or stumbling around. The music is always beating too fucking loud. But we love it anyway. Life is a place where everyone is always waiting on someone special to walk through the front door and change their life. And don't get me wrong, I don't know if any of this is the truth. For all we know, this could be complete bullshit made up from some stupid, optimistic values in order to inspire us to do well. But if it is the truth, then please just know that I'll always be saving the last dance."
He read out gently, sending cool shivers up my spine. My heart raced, and my breathing sped up.
"I'm ready for fireworks, Rae." He whispers. My eyes flutter shut as his warm breath tickles my ear. "I'm ready for you."
I turned around, facing him. Tears sparked in my eyes, falling silently down my cheeks. A smile illuminated my face until my lips ached.
He came back.
"Why are you crying?" He asks, wiping my tears delicately with my thumb.
I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my head into his neck. "I thought I lost you forever. I didn't think you'd wake up."
"I'm here now, and I'm never going to leave you." He promised, running his fingers through my hair.
"I missed you so much." My voice broke, "I'm sorry, Kenz. I should've stayed with you...I shouldn't have left."
"Don't apologize." He shushed me, skimming his finger across my lips. "You needed to get your brother back, your family. I get it, I promise I do. I won't lie to you, Rae, when I woke up and you weren't there, it felt like my heart shattered. But then I read your letter, and I understood completely. We both needed time to fix ourselves."
He grabbed my hand, gesturing towards the 5 year old perched on Zach's shoulders. "That's Raven, isn't it?
When I didn't reply, he continued. "That's your daughter. My God, she looks just like you."
"Yes." My voice comes out in a shaky whisper, "Raven Amora Quinn."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell anyone." I admit quietly, "Zach was the only person who knew. I gave her up while I was in Juvie."
"So does that mean her dad is one of the Kings? Killian?" He questions further, yet his tone remained non judgemental.
"Yeah. He doesn't know about her." I inform him softly, biting my lip. I squeeze his hand, "If you're serious about us, Kenz, you need to accept her as well. I know I'm young, and I'll probably do more bad than good with her, but I'm going to try. I can't let her grow up like I did, and I fucked up for five years so I have some redeeming to do."
"I know." He tells me, watching her carefully.
It didn't seem real, in all honesty.
Being a Mom was the one thing I never thought I could do, but giving her up was the worst thing I ever did.
It was a mistake that I won't ever make again.
"I won't ever pick you over her, Kenzie. You need to understand that before you make your choice. She's my kid and no matter how much I love you, she'll always come first. I refuse to fail her like my Mom failed me."
"I wouldn't expect anything less." He pulls my hand so I'm facing him. He smiles at me, "When I came here, I knew I wasn't just coming for you. I came for Rowan, and Alec, and all your scary ass looking family. I came for Rochelle Quinn, the danger. I came back for the girl I fell in love with. Raven's a part of you, a part that I will never ignore or deny. I'll love her and I'll care for her as if she was my own blood."
He brings out a ring, with one word etched so delicately into the silver.
Promise.
"I promise to accept you no matter what. I promise to stick by you, good or bad. And if you ever feel like you're drowning, Rochelle Quinn, I'll be the first to dive into the ocean to save you." He holds my face in his hands, placing a tender kiss on my forehead. "I won't be the boy your brothers warned you about. I won't ever kiss your best friend or break your heart. I won't make you choose between your family and me. I will love you more than anything. I will kiss you when you cry. I won't ever voluntarily leave you. I'll help you fight your demons; I will stand by your side."
"I love you so fucking much." I smile, chuckling lightly as more tears rolled down my cheeks.
He held my hand gently, pushing the ring onto my finger before kissing it. "And I love you, forever and evermore."
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Authors note and Sequel Information on the next chapter. Please read!!
Thank you all for reading!