PART 3
§ 1
When we finally make it to Annah's place a few hours later, everyone except Sienna and I are wiped out, still in need of rest, so we help the three of them into the house and straight to bed.
First I get Annah to her room while Sienna takes Summer to a third bedroom located in the basement. I tuck Jenni into the guest bedroom, the one we were supposed to sleep in during our previous visit.
Once we're finished, Sienna and I tour the rest of Annah's house. Out back, in the small pool house, we discover a cozy little guest room with barely enough space for a twin bed, a small chest of drawers and a small closet. Conveniently though, there's also a small bathroom which includes a three by three shower.
I decide to claim that room for myself. Sienna insists on helping me test how comfortable the bed is, first on her knees, then on her back. Throughout the testing phase, she provides plenty of feedback, clearly indicating she's more than satisfied with the quality of the accommodations. As quietly as possible.
Afterwards, we check on the others, but they're all still sleeping soundly.
The following twenty-four hours are spent caring for the others. Between meals and short, quiet bedside talks with Jenni, Summer and Annah, Sienna and I cook what we can find and keep the place tidy. We also double check my bed to make sure it's still comfortable.
But we don't risk sleeping together. Instead, we take turns sleeping so at least one of us is awake and available in case one of the others needs something.
Sienna mostly shares a bed with her sister, but both of us spend some of our sleep time with each of the three. Whoever we happen to be lying down with, we sometimes hold protectively close, thankful they're okay.
Probably due to her youthful resilience,
Summer recovers first. Sienna is with her when she wakes up around four in the afternoon. After a short time, Summer sends her sister to retrieve me.
"How are you feeling?" I ask Summer as I sit down on the bed next to her.
"Like I've been sleeping for a year," she answers groggily. "Sienna, will you please keep watch outside the door? I'd like to talk to Uncle Chase alone for a few minutes."
"Sure," Sienna answers, curious, but leaves and closes the door behind her.
"What's up?" I ask, concerned.
"Will you hold me for a little while?" she asks, beginning to cry.
"Of course," I tell her, laying down next to her and wrapping her up in my arms.
She cries for a few minutes before whispering, "Please don't ever leave us."
"All the King's horses couldn't drag me away," I assure her, kissing the top of her head as it rests against my chest.
"Promise me," she pleads, her voice cracking.
"Shhhhhhh," I reply, pulling her tighter against me. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I promise."
"Thank you," she says, turning her head to look at me.
I brush away a few of her tears, but they keep falling, so I go back to reassuring her. "You don't need to thank me. This is right where I want to be."
She smiles, then pushes herself up enough to kiss me on the lips. It's short but sweet. Then she lays her head back down on my chest.
A quiet knock on the door precedes Sienna opening it enough to let us know she's alone and that Annah and their mother are both still sleeping.
"You can come in if you want," Summer tells her sister.
Sienna does, then closes the door again. She notices immediately that Summer is upset, so she crawls onto the other side of the bed and hugs Summer from behind.
"I'm sorry," Summer tells us. "I'm still a little freaked out about what happened."
"It's okay," Sienna says, adding her own tears to the mix. "You don't have to be sorry. I'm still freaked out too. I was afraid I'd lost you when we saw the house was on fire."
Summer turns towards Sienna and pulls her close. As the two of them hug each other, I wrap my arm around both of them.
"I made Uncle Chase promise he'd never leave us," Summer confesses, laughing through her tears.
Sienna laughs in return. "Good. Now I don't have to."
"Alright," Summer announces. "I'm getting hot now." We all laugh. Sienna and I back off a little to give her some breathing room.
"So... what have the two of you been doing to keep yourselves busy while the rest of us have been sleeping?" Summer teases, looking at her sister.
"What makes you think we've been doing anything?" Sienna counters with a smirk.
"Because when I woke up a little while ago, you were practically glowing, and now you have a guilty look on your face," Summer answers. "Plus, it's what I would have done." She turns towards me and smiles. "I guess I'll just have to catch up."
"Uhm..." I begin.
"Not right now though," Summer clarifies, laughing. "I'm not ready yet. Maybe tomorrow though."
§ 2
Jenni wakes up close to eight-thirty that evening and wanders into the living room to find us watching a rom-com on TV. She plops down in the middle of her daughters on the couch, both of which lean over to hug her.
"How are you feeling, Mom?" Summer inquires.
"Sleepy," Jenni answers with a yawn, hugging both her daughters in return. "But restless. I can't lay around anymore. I need to do something." She pauses. "And I'm starving."
"Well that's a good sign," I observe. "How about I take you to get some grub? We could hit the drive through then find a nearby park so you can stretch your legs."
Jenni replies with a smile, "That sounds wonderful Chase." Then addressing her twins, she asks, "Would the two of you mind staying here in case Annah needs anything?"
"Of course, Mom," Sienna answers for both of them. "You two go ahead and get some fresh air. We'll hold down the fort. Right Summer?"
"Yeah. We'll be fine," Summer concurs. "Maybe you could pick up a malt or something for us on your way back." She smiles sweetly.
"We might be able to swing that," I reply, standing up and offering my hand to Jenni. She smiles up at me as she accepts my gesture. Together, we leave the girls sitting on the couch.
After Jenni raids her friend's closet for something clean to wear, I help her into my car and we cruise the streets until she spots something that appeals to her appetite.
