Our Little Recap

I opened an eye, "I am exhausted... but it's okay." Her smile really cheered me up and made it a whole lot easier to handle this and her mood swings didn't seem nearly as terrible anymore.

*Zack*

Soaking. I was soaking wet and didn't realize it was going to rain or I'd have made sure to have an umbrella. I walked into the house, kicked off my shoes and climbed the stairs. I walked into the room I shared with Ian and saw Katie sitting on my bed.

"Hey Kat." I said as I went into the bathroom to change, "What's new?"

-Katie-

I shrugged and flopped backwards on the bed. "I just missed you is all. Did you have a good day at work?"

I stretched my arms up to get the little knots out of my shoulders before coming into the room again, jeans only. "It was good for once but I'm really ready to just graduate and get a real job." I admitted wearily, "There's so much I want to do, getting a house and a car would be great..."

I nodded. "Yeah... I want one with a wrap-around porch. Those are always so pretty..." I said softly. I sat up so he'd have room to sit down. "A white house with red trim..." I hadn't watched him come out of the bathroom so when I looked up at him... "Oh my duck!!" And I fell off the bed.

"What?!" I helped her up off the floor quickly and frowned, "What's the matter, are you okay?" I tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at her closely, "I'm sorry, did I say something bad...?"

"N-No! I just... haven't seen you without a shirt on before!" I said, looking away, knowing my face was most likely the same shade of red as my dream house's trim.

"Oh." My face was burning up a bit, I must have looked pretty terrible, scars and burns... all of that. "S-Sorry, I wasn't thinking about it, I didn't mean to freak you out." I walked into the closet to get a shirt.

"No!" I ran for the closet and jumped in front of him shutting the door. "No shirt for you!" >(

I smiled at her and then went to flop back on the bed, "As you were saying... about the house? I like your idea but maybe we could build it from scratch... brand new, just like our lives..." I grinned, I wanted her to sit next to me so I could hold her hand and close that silly distance between her and I.

Did I really just hinder him from grabbing a shirt...? I stared at him, then smiled and ran to the bed, jumping on it beside him. "That sounds good... but I'm no good at building things..."

"I think you're good at building things... or maybe we are. We've built our relationship so I think we can just continue to add to it." I closed the gap by taking her hand and lacing my fingers through hers, "Write down the things you want in a house and I'll run it by my uncle... I think it's time you met some of my family, my grandma Lee would really like you." I offered.

I didn't talk about my family very much, my mom was dead and my father was in prison... there really wasn't a lot to say there.

I gasped and my eyes got really wide. "I didn't know you had anymore family..." I scooted close to him to drop him a hint for a hug. "I mean, not that I don't want to meet them! I'd love to!"

I put my arm behind her and pulled her close to me, "Yeah. My grandma actually found me the other day and we had a bit of a reunion before I left work..." I smiled, "She told me about mom's brother, Uncle Ryan... apparently he's pretty big in housing and so he's always building. I think I'll give them a call so you can meet them later."

I gasped. "I'd love that!! When can I meet them?! Ah! I'm really excited now!!" I suddenly felt like I was special again, and I loved it.

"Whenever you want!" I grinned and picked up my phone, "I'm actually off tomorrow so let's see..." I began to type in the number and got in a short conversation with my grandmother.

"The day after tomorrow? Yeah. I want you to meet my girlfriend."

"A girlfriend? Oh my, Zachery McGregor, I had no idea you had a girlfriend! <3" Speaker phone.

"Yup, I thought I'd bring her by to meet you and Uncle Ryan."

"I'd absolutely love that! I'll make pasta!"

PASTA! 8D I grinned at him and tackle hugged him tight. Of course, I was being as quiet as possible! <3 I love you. I mouthed to him, grinning big for the first time in a very long time.

So it was a date. I hugged and kissed her quietly but it lasted long enough that grandma had to ask if I was there a couple times.

"Yeah, sorry, just talking to Katie about tomorrow." I said with a grin and then said I'd talk to her then and hung up. So tomorrow she would pick up Amanda and then the next day it would just be the two of us going on a long trip, like a date! We hadn't had one in so long, it was time. <3

-Next Morning-

"Zack!!" I tackled him that morning and kissed him. "I love you. I just wanted to say that before I left to pick Amanda up. You have to work today, don't you?"

I kissed her back, "Yup, just for a couple hours to fill in for someone so I'll be home for dinner." I said, smiling warmly, "But don't be late to pick up Amanda, she's probably excited to get out of that hospital." I kissed her one more time before getting down to tie my shoes. "And have fun!"

I nodded and kissed him again before leaving. I had missed those kisses a lot. I grabbed my car keys and ran out the door to the car, on my way to the hospital. Next thing I know, I opened Amanda's room door with a flourish. "AMANDA!"

*Amanda*

I was shocked, "K-Katie?!" I hadn't seen her in so long and I wondered why but maybe we'd end up talking about that on the way home. I was struggling to get my jeans on at that point, my legs were so bad and my back still hurt from surgery. I felt so tired all the time and sick but it wasn't so bad... not really. "It's so good to see you!" I smiled, trying to catch my breath. I was ready to give up and just wear my dress by itself but I didn't want to show off how thin I'd gotten.

I ran over. "Oh, Amanda... let me help." I helped her with her jeans. I imagined it'd be hard to get them on. "I'm sure you can button them. Will you hug me please?" I asked, holding my arms out. "I love you, little sister."

I buttoned them and then hugged her tightly and to my surprise I began to cry a bit, why was I crying? I sighed in relief, I missed Katie, she was always looking out for me and being a great sister. I felt so small next to her, weak and so tired, this battle was not for the faint of heart and if anything I felt so much stronger.

"I missed you." I cried, "I don't want to be here again."

"I know, I don't like you being this far away from home." I looked around at all the flowers and posters. "Did Aaron decorate for you?" I laughed. "He's good on the color."

"Yeah, he brings stuff all the time..." I leaned heavily against her and frowned, "C-Can you help me get it all? I have a box on the other side of the bed." I pointed, this stuff would move from this room to my room at home, which was probably just as cluttered with gifts and get well cards.

I couldn't believe Katie came to pick me up still. I was so surprised that I just started crying as I tried to get back on the bed for the moment. I hated for her to see me like this... I'd rather her just see me like I was before.