Chapter 9

Of course, it was an immediate yes.

Just like my family loved Alex, his loved me. Alex had asked his mom once we got down the stairs. She smiled at me and said, "Yes. You stay as long as you need to, sweetie." Then she glanced back at Alex and gave him a little wink. His face reddened.

"Mom!"

She just laughed and turned back to the stove, where a pot was emitting delicious smells into the room.

Suddenly, I was attacked with a hug from behind. I chuckled and put my hands over the smaller fists that were wrapped around my waist.

"Hello, Michael! It's been a while!"

He let go of me so I could face him.

Michael put his hands in his pockets. "No it hasn't, you were here on Saturday."

"That's right, I was here on Saturday."

"Ya. Hey Rennie, wanna go watch a movie? I can make the popcorn!"

I laughed when he used his nickname for me. I have known Michael since he was born. He had always had trouble pronouncing my real name as a toddler, so he just said "RuRu" when he wanted to talk to me. When he turned five he started to call me Rennie. When I asked why he chose to call me that he said it was because he could 'say words better'. I thought it was the cutest thing ever.

I bent down so that I was eye level with Michael.

"Sure kiddo, but we need to have dinner first."

His eyes lit up. "Oh ya, that's right! Let go eat now!" He grabbed my wrist and began tugging me towards the dining room.

"Hold on there a moment, dinner isn't ready yet. But we can help set up for it, right?"

Michael frowned. "I don't want to though."

I gave an extravagant sigh. "Oh, what a shame! Now, who will help me set the table? Whatever will I do?"

Alex smirked at his brother before saying, "well, I'd love to be your help—"

"NO!" Michael exclaimed. "I'm going to do it. Come on Rennie!"

Alex and I looked at each other and laughed.

"Alright Michael, I'm comin'."

*******

The rest of the night was full of smiles and laughter. Alex's dad came home right as dinner was being served. After we cleaned up from dinner, I let Michael drag me to the TV and we chose a movie to watch. Of course, we ended up watching Spiderman. It was the only movie I ever watched with Michael.

The movie finally ended around nine. I had started to doze on and off, my head resting on Alex's shoulder and Michael sitting on my lap. I opened my eyes again to see the credits rolling. I felt Alex's cheek on my head and I figured he had fallen asleep too.

"Hey," I whispered. Alex's eyes shot open and he lifted his head off of mine. He had always been a light sleeper. He stretched and rubbed a hand over his face.

"Ugghhh... What time is it?"

"Around nine."

"Shoot. We'd better get this little man to bed then."

Alex stood up and stretched again, his arms over his head. The hem of his t-shirt lifted up a bit, revealing a nicely toned abdomen. I bit my lip and quickly turned my gaze to the sleeping child on my lap.

"Michael," I whispered while shaking him softly. "Michael, it's time to go to bed kiddo."

Michael groaned and stirred.

"Come on. Let's go to bed."

He groggily climbed off my lap and waited for me to stand up. I held his hand as we made our way to his bedroom. I helped Michael get under his covers and kissed his forehead goodnight. I walked across the hall to Alex's room and found him setting up a spot on the floor for himself.

Since there were no guest rooms in his house, Alex and I always slept in his room on his bed. Once we turned 13, he started sleeping on the floor when I spent the night. He claimed it was because I kicked in my sleep.

I shut the bedroom door and walked over to Alex. I helped him spread out the blanket before climbing into his bed. Alex flipped off the lights and made his way back to the air mattress.

I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, but I felt unsettled. The weight of today's events settled over me again, making me feel restless and agitated.

After an hour of trying to fall asleep, I gave up.

"Alex?" I whispered into the dark room.

"Ya?"

"Can you... sleep on the bed with me tonight?" I muttered

It was quiet for a while. I thought he had fallen asleep again and I was about to turn around when I heard him reply.

"...Ya."

I heard him pull of his blanket, stand up, and walk over to the edge of the bed. I scooted over to make room for him and he lifted up the covers and slid into the bed.

I pressed my forehead against his arm.

"Thanks," I whispered against his skin.

He shifted to his side so that he was facing me and put an arm around my middle, pulling me closer to him. I curled up against him, savoring his heat. The top of my head rested near his chin, so I felt his breath shift my hair when he whispered, "Always."