Anita
There was a huge storm coming in tonight. I didn't want to stay out in it and I didn't want to go home without Raven. I was torn between my decisions to make and it was making me emotional. Raven has been there for me with every storm since that dreadful night. The terrified look in Amelia's eyes when the storm was mentioned helped me make my decision. I put her before myself and I didn't want to see the scared look in her eyes. I meet eyes with Raven and knew she knew I was going home. Worry filled her eyes and looks to Lexi. Lexi gives an understanding nod and I watch Raven relax against her hospital bed. I walk over, caressing her cheek before leaning down to give her a kiss. As I turned to leave with her parents and Amelia, I felt her grab my hand. I look back at her, standing next to her bed. She kisses her fingers and places her hand on my stomach. Tears fill my eyes at the gesture and she takes my hand to kiss my engagement ring. Lexi places her hand on my shoulder and I look at her as the tears fell rapidly down my cheeks. "It's just for the night," she says in sympathy, knowing that Raven has always been there during a thunderstorm. I briskly walk passed her, Raven's parents and down the hall to the main lobby of the hospital. I felt someone hug at my side and look down at Amelia. Tears of her own fell rapidly and hid her face in my stomach. The rain was starting to fall and the clouds grew darker. I knew there wasn't much time before the storm hit and turn my head to the waiting adults. Without a word, I took Amelia's hand and walk out to the car. We climb in the back, I get her buckled in her booster seat and she kept a tight hold on my arm with her head on my shoulder. The thunder hasn't started and she was trembling. She's always been like this with the rain and it's worse with the thunder. The night she was born traumatized her and I was the only one able to calm her like Raven was the only one able to calm me. I did some research after she was born. Apparently while still in the womb the fetus can still hear what goes on outside the mother. She could hear the thunder that night, the gunshots, our mother's screams. Screams that very much sound like my own. It's believed that a fetus can recognize voices when their born. Being I sound like my mother, my voice, my touch soothes her. A newborn is immediately familiar with the mother because of the fetal bond inside the womb. It's why even though I'm terrified of the storm myself, Amelia finds comfort with only me. A slight shake to my shoulder shook me from my thoughts, following a low rumble of thunder. The eyes staring into mine were relieved when I kept calm. I wasn't calm, I felt numb, lost. I was lost without Raven and that seemed to overpower my fear of the storm. I realize we're home, but don't remember the drive back from the hospital. I look down to see Amelia sound asleep with a death grip on my arm as if she were afraid to let me go. I carefully undo her seatbelt and lift her from her booster seat. Lexi was about to take her, but I shook my head. Amelia would only freak out with the growing thunder and I'm fighting against my own fear of the storm. I knew she could see it in my eyes and quickly guided me to the soundproof basement. Tears fill my eyes as Raven's scent floods my nose. She's alive. She's going to be fine. She has police protection. She'll be home soon. I kept thinking those four sentences over and over again as I lay in bed, cuddled with Amelia. Her scent and lack of presence had tears soaking in my pillow. I close my eyes and try to imagine her in bed next to me. With calming breaths and my eyes closed I could feel someone lay behind me. I look back to see Lexi and she wipes my eyes. "I know I'm not her, but I thought I could try so you could sleep," she says in a soothing whisper, concern in her eyes. "Your face was showing a mix of emotions while your eyes scream how exhausted you are." "I can't sleep in a storm without Ray, I can't sleep without her period. I had a room upstairs before they finished the basement for me. I would wake up, screaming from nightmares, screaming from being woken from a storm," I say in a wavering whisper as my voice cracks with heavy emotions. "Ray would come running every time and hold me, rocking me. Before we realized our feelings, she'd kiss the top of my head in effort to soothe me. "It took half a year to remodel the basement to what it is now. After a month into the renovation Ray ignored her parents wishes for us to sleep in different beds. I started having less nightmares and only freaked out during a thunderstorm. She strokes the scar on my chest when it gets bad and I can't sleep," I say in a shuttering breath as I calm down from talking about Raven. Lexi cuddles at my back, reaching over me to stroke the scar on my chest. I found it soothing, comforting even. The only person to ever do this for me was Raven and now my adopted sister was doing it for me. I looked up to her as family since that night. I focused on the slow strokes and matched my breaths to it. I felt sleep slip it way in and let my body relax against Lexi. I held my arms secure around Amelia as she snuggled closer to me in her sleep. As my eyes grew heavy with sleep Raven's parents came to check on me and Amelia. They always check on us when we stay during a thunderstorm like this. I could see relief in her mother's eyes as she leans down to kiss my forehead. "Get some rest sweetie, I'll make breakfast in the morning and then we can back to Raven," she says in a soothing whisper. "Don't go," I mumur sleepily as I close my eyes and feel as she lays on the other side of Amelia. Raven The look in her eyes before she left, it tore me apart not being able to go home with her. I'm always there for her during a thunderstorm. I remember when we first brought her home with us from the hospital, she had her own room while my parents were building a soundproof basement. The first month was spent waking up to her either screaming from nightmares or thunderstorms. I'd run into her room, take her in my arms and gently rock her until the storm passed or she calmed from her nightmare. One night I went against my parents wish for us to sleep in different beds and let her sleep on my chest. The first night I stroked the scar on her chest, her body rigid at first. I kissed the top of her head, my arm around her back holding her close to me, protectively. She moved her head over the beat of my chest, wrapping herself at my side like her life depended on it. Her heart pounding slowed as I continued running my finger over the mound of flesh. Her breathing calmed and slowed as my parents watched from the doorway in amazement. That night she slept peacefully while I stayed awake, watching over her. I'm torn from my thoughts when my phone starts ringing. I'm quick to answer it thinking Anita was calling to help calm down with the storm. I noticed my father's name on my screen and answer the phone in a panic. "Calm down Ray, she's asleep," my father's soothing voice fills the phone. "Lexi is cuddled with her and your mother is facing her behind Amelia. They're both calm and asleep. I was calling to check on you." "I was thinking about the first night I helped her sleep, I thought you and mom would be mad that I didn't listen," I choke quietly. "I've never been apart from her when it storms." "I know Ray," he says in a soothing whisper. "Do you need me to come keep you company?" "Please," I plead in a whisper. "I'm on my way," he says softly and I let out a relieved breath. "Can you bring something of Amelia's and Anita's, please," I ask, missing their cuddles. "Of course," he says before ending the call. I pick up the print out of our baby she left on the table next to me. Tears fill my eyes as a smile forms on my lips. Before meeting Anita, doctors told me and my parents that even though my testosterone levels were higher than my estrogen levels, I'd never have kids or it would be a low chance. Looking at this printout was a miracle. It was proof that I was capable f having biological children and Anita is carrying one right now. I saw her reaction when I kissed my fingers before placing it on her stomach. She knew of the low chances of getting pregnant and I knew it bothered her more when she thought she lost me in my car accident caused by Joe. I was torn from my thoughts when my father walked in with Amelia's favorite teddy bear and one of the first bears I'd gotten Anita. He hands them to me and I bury my face in them. I found comfort in Anita's lingering scent in the stuffed bear and let out a calming breath. I hug them both to my chest and meet eyes with my father. "Feel better," he asks with sympathy and I nod lightly. "Try getting some sleep, your mother is bringing them after breakfast in the morning." "Thank you for letting Anita and Amelia live with us after they were released from the hospital after that night. I'm not sure I'd have met someone who would have accepted me if you didn't," I choke quietly and he smiles lightly. "I probably wouldn't have a baby on the way or a fianceé." "We saw the way she held onto you while waiting for paramedics to arrive, the way she looked relieved when you walked into her hospital room. We saw the way you tended to Amelia while Anita slept. We couldn't find it in us to stay no when you asked that we took them in," he says with tears in his eyes. "You may have only been a teenager, but we saw how responsible you were, taking care of them." I woke to a kiss on my forehead and cobalt blue eyes already looking in mine. Unshed tears looked ready to fall with an unspoken question hidden in them. I didn't need her words to know she wanted to lay with me. I held my right arm up and she didn't hesitate on the invitation. She snuggled as close as she could, bringing me back to the first night I held her all those years ago. "Don't make me sleep without you ever again," she chokes in a wavering whisper, sniffling back tears. "I promise," I say in a soothing whisper and she lets out a calming breath. I noticed Lexi in the doorway with Amelia and my parents and they all were relieved to see her calmed down. I kiss her head and drew her closer to me. She let out a relieved breath and let her body relax against me. It wasn't long before the sound of her even breathing told me she was asleep. Lexi steps next to the bed, looking down at Anita's sleeping face. She smiles lightly, tucking hair from her face. I could tell she admired Anita, more than just an adopted sister. Her smile fades and looks at me. "We tried helping her sleep. She told me how you stroke the scar on her chest, I tried it, she slept for a little while, but couldn't get back to sleep. She had this unreadable look in her eyes and when I tried to get her to talk to me, she blew up wanting to come here." "Anita isn't someone you can just walk up to and ask her what's bothering her. She shuts down and takes longer for her to say what's wrong," I choke quietly, knowing that after learning the hard way. "I tried it once and she went months without speaking." "I'm sorry if..." I shake my head for her to let it go. Anita grips at my gown, face scrunched up in fear. "Ray," she whimpers in her sleep, tilting her face up in my neck. I wrap my arm tighter around her back and she lets out a content sigh. "Stay with me?" It's what she said every night after the first night we shared a bed. "I'm here, it's safe now," I say in a soothing whisper and her hold on my loosened just a little. She kept it tight to ensure I couldn't get up and disturb her sleep. I look at Lexi and she was looking at Anita with sad eyes, knowing fair well she'd never stand a chance. Her phone ringing brings a sigh from her lips before stepping in the hall to take it. Is she someone else to look out for? I hope not. Anita has already lost so much. Losing Lexi as her adopted sister with crumble her already broken walls.RavenIt was two agonizing days before I could go home. We'd have to stay with my parents until I was capable of getting around for myself. With my fractured left wrist and multiple fractures in my left leg, it's at least three months before I can use crutches. By then we should be okay to go home.My mom had set up the guest room on the first floor for me so I wouldn't have to climb the stairs. The only problem is there's another storm tonight and it's not soundproof for Anita. Having to sleep two nights without me and I knew she'd deal with the sound of thunder than sleep another night away from me.She was currently helping me get comfortable in my parents living room, elevating my leg. Though we didn't have eye contact at the moment I could still see the battle of emotions in her eyes. I take her hand from fluffing the pillow under my leg and her eyes flick up to meet mine. Pooled tears threaten to roll down her cheeks as I watch her lower lip tremble, fighting against her crippli
AnitaAfter spending the last hour in the tub thinking, I had to tell Amelia the truth. She's smart for her age and understands more than you'd think. This lie has been eating at me and I can't live with it anymore.After collecting the courage to talk to her, I walked out to the living room where they were all watching a movie. Amelia was the first to notice me and came to give me a hug. "I didn't mean to upset you," she says feeling bad and it made me feel more guilty. "You didn't upset me, but I need to tell you something, something you probably won't fully understand. I was going to wait until you were older, but this has been eating at me and I can't keep lying to you," I choke quietly and the three adults watch in sympathy. I sat with her straddling my lap and looked into a pair of eyes that matched my mother's and mine. "I'm your sister, not your mother...""I know," she says quietly, unfazed by what I just said. That's until I saw tears fill her eyes. "I heard you talking wit
AnitaI woke the next morning and Raven was still beside me, her left arm and leg elevated. Thinking back to last night, I broke into relieved sobs, hiding my face between her neck and shoulder. She's still here, I'm not dreaming.I feel her hand slip up the back of my shirt and shutter a calming breath at the contact. I lay a kiss on her neck and move my head over her chest. Her heart beat was soothing to me and I'll never get tired of hearing it. I trace my finger over drawing Amelia did on the cast on her arm, a heart with a bandaid."Anita," Raven asks with concern and I look up at her. "I know I normally wait for you to express your thoughts, but this morning you woke up sobbing.""I thought I was in a dream yesterday and didn't want to go to sleep or wake up and you'd be gone," I say in a wavering whisper."I'm sorry," she says feeling bad, but she has nothing to apologize for."Don't apologize for being alive Ray," I choke quietly as her mother walks in. "Can you help her to th
Anita At the mention of me having twins, my thoughts immediately went to Avery. I remember how we always stumped our parents because they could never tell us apart. We would apply to the same extra curricular activities and if one of us got rejected, we simply didn't join it. We literally did everything together. There wasn't anything we didn't agree on.We even consulted with each other before entering a relationship. She was the first I came out to and she was quick to accept me. I told her about my crush on the girl who lived next door, who at the time I didn't know was Raven. We would watch her from our backyard as she did yard work in her sports bra and baggy shorts. She was there for me when I came out to our parents and just as she was, they were quick to accept me.Then thoughts of that night flooded my head. The way she was huddled against me after our mother was killed. Her lifeless body pinning me down as I struggled to breathe passed the blood gushing from my mouth.Green
Anita I woke up the next morning in the hospital. Thinking last night was a dream, I look in the bed next to me and Avery was still asleep next to me. Tears fill my eyes as I realize she's really here. I move to lay on her chest and feel her slightly stir in her sleep. Her heart beat rhythmically in my ear and I silently sob as I hold onto her. A low rumble of thunder makes me jump. A loud rumble follows shortly after, bringing a scream from not just me but Amelia. I feel arms around me, but it's not Ray. I look up at Avery, but all I can see is her scared face from that night. "Anita, look at me," Raven says in a soothing whisper, holding Amelia in the spare bed. I meet her green eyes as tears fall from mine. "Keep your eyes on me." I lay my head back on Avery's chest, keeping eye contact with Raven. A rumble of thunder echoes, but I don't break eye contact with her. I feel as Avery strokes my hair and close my eyes. I let out a calming breath as more thunder rumbles. "Don'
Anita It starts with the rain. It paralyzes me. Then the rumble of thunder cracks, sending me back to that dreadful night. The night that changed my life forever. The night I watched my family killed. The night I was left for dead, but survived. The night I wished I’d died with my family. I see it all happen as if I’m living it all over again, the scariest night of my life. Four men in black had us tied up, searching for something my father had been working on. A program worth millions, but if it fell into the wrong hands it would be chaos. They wanted the combination to the safe but my father refused. One of the men put a gun to my little brother’s head. Thunder rumbles as the storm outside picks up. Even over the loud rumble of thunder I could hear the loud BANG of the gun. My brother’s tiny form crumbled to the floor in front of me as blood poured from the small hole in his forehead. His lifeless eyes stuck open. The screams of my mother and my twin sister drowning out the plea
RavenSurprisingly Anita and I slept through the night without a nightmare. I was cuddled at her back while Amelia was cuddled against Anita's chest. Anita's arms wrapped securely around the small child. The peaceful look on her face told me she was content.I look out the window facing us, seeing gray skies. The first signs of rain falling loudly on our roof. Anita stirs in my arms, a light whimper coming from her. I whisper soothingly in her ear and feel her relax in my arms. Her facial expressions relax from her brief frowning in fear.A low rumble of thunder causes her eyes to fly open, breaths quickening. Amelia starts crying and it seems to distract the woman in my arms. "I'm here sweetheart," Anita says in a trembling whisper."Mommy, where's Daddy," the fragile voice asks in a choked whisper."I'm still here baby," I say in a soothing whisper, startling both of them. "It's okay, I'm here."Amelia carefully climbs over Anita and lays on top of me while Anita rolls to face me. I
Anita Little did Joe know, I moved the contents of my father's safe. The combination to the safe had been my parents wedding anniversary. I head back down to the basement where I had asked Raven's parents to put in a hidden safe in the wall. I frantically open the safe and take out the entire contents my father kept. Knowing what I was looking for and gathered the information needed, putting the rest back along with the USB that held millions of dollars of my father's work. I call the detective handling my family's murders. She was a friend of my mother and also skeptical about Joe. Though she's only five years older than me, her mother was friends with mine. When her mother passed away, my mother was the person she turned to for motherly advice. "Lexi, it's Anita," I choke quietly. "Everything okay, you sound like you've been crying," she says with concern. "I discovered something that you need to see. Can you meet me at the neighbors house from my parents house? It's urgent,"