Chapter Twelve: Family Bonding.

Jake and I leave just after sunrise. It's nearly a five hour drive and we want to get there early. A duffle bag with both of our necessities is on the trunk of the car since we won't be returning until tomorrow in the afternoon. I'm excited and nervous to meet someone as close to Jake as Ethan is, when it comes to family. I've seen a couple of pictures of the two brothers together and although they weren't recent, even as youngster, there was a fair similarity between the brothers; which makes me wonder if now as men there still is. Jake has a few family photos in his loft in Los Angeles. He's had the property since before I met him. Even though, he doesn't spend a lot of time in the West coast anymore, he still decides to keep it and not sell it. He only puts it to use whenever he goes there.

Jake told me Ethan and his wife Jen, have two daughters. Lizzie, who is turning three years old today and is named after Jake and Ethan's mother, Elizabeth and Maddie, who is eight months old. Jake hasn't seen them since September for Ethan's birthday, three months ago. Having two girls, makes me wonder if they will pursue a little boy or stay with two dolls. I'm intrigued to see Jake interact with his nieces. I've seen him with younger fans -- the few times we've gone out after I was discovered -- and it melts my heart but I think that seeing him with family will melt it even more. He's always been kindhearted and it's what every woman likes in a man, specially if he's her partner.

Being awake so early has me drifting on and off of sleep throughout the drive. Jake makes a quick stop and buys us both coffee. At the stop, he's recognized by the cashier with wide eyes and stuttering but she keeps the discovery to herself only quickly telling Jake she's a big fan as she gives him our order. We decide to skip breakfast since Ethan informed Jake they would be having tons of food from Lizzie's birthday party today. We return to our driving and I laugh as one of the radio stations plays Jake's last single. I crank the volume up and continue to laugh as Jake becomes weirded out by listening his voice on the radio. He should be used to it by now.

"He's pretty good, you know?" I tell him, after the song is done. "Can tell he's quite a charmer just by the lyrics." Jake chuckles, shaking his head and my jokes. "But he's absolutely not better than my babe, Adam Levine. God." I fake a swoon as Jake glances towards me.

"Your babe?" He questions, incredulously, raising his eyebrows.

I nod, "One and only."

"Okay." Although, I'm joking -- and he knows it, the clenched muscle on his jaw doesn't go unnoticed. I'm ashen at the fact that even though I'm not serious, he's still possessive and jealous.

I stretch across the console and kiss his cheek, smiling as I put my hand on his thigh. "You're cute when you're jealous."

He turns to look at me, the smile still present on my face. After a while he gives up and smiles back at me, taking my hand from his thigh and kissing it.

• • •

We enter the long gravel driveway of the large two-story house located in the suburbs of Maine. My nerves escalate the closer we get to the house until we park. It's just after noon when we arrive. Traffic wasn't so bad for it to be a Saturday. Highways tend to be more crowded during the weekends. Jake cuts off the ignition and turns to look at me, sensing my nerves. "It'll be okay." He kisses our joined hands before opening the door. Jake takes our duffel bag from the trunk as we come out. He locks the car and we join our hands, again, walking to the front door. Jake rings the bell. A few seconds later, the door knob turns, opening the door. A man nearly as tall as Jake with brown hair and brown eyes stands on the other side. Jake and his brother could pass as twins if it wasn't for their eight year difference. The only very noticeable difference between them is their eye color. While Jake has vibrant green eyes and messy disheveled sort of long brown hair, Ethan has chocolate brown eyes and brown clean cut hair, giving him a businessman vibe. Although they look similar, their personalities and likings couldn't be more different, also. While Jake has a rock and roll style with his hair and sleeve tattooed arm as well as other tattoos, Ethan has a business aura with his looks and outfit of black pants and a turquoise polo shirt.

"The incredible EC," Jake greets his older brother before hugging him as I awkwardly stand in the back.

"I haven't been called that since college." Ethan smiles as he returns the hug, pulling away. "How's it going, J?"

"It's been good, busy like always but good." He answers, reaching for my hand.

After Jake answers him, Ethan nods, glancing at me. "You must be Sky."

I nod, extending my unoccupied hand. "Nice to meet you."

He shakes it, firmly. "Nice to meet you , too." He releases my hand, turning to Jake. "Come inside. Lizzie is out in the backyard with Jen and the other guests."

We enter the house. An elegant, grandiose chandelier hangs from the high ceiling of the foyer. Several crystals hang from it like unfallen teardrops. A little bit further into the house, there's a beautiful marbled staircase with big glass windows next to it, leading to the second floor of the house. The architecture of the house is Victorian yet elegant and classy, making me wish if I ever have a home with Jake for it to be like this. Jake drops our duffel bag on the floor of the coat closet before we follow Ethan outside. Jake steals a look my way with an unspoken question. I nod, assuring me I'm okay. I'm not so sure about Ethan liking me yet since he didn't really expressed any distaste or liking for me when we greeted each other.

We exit the house, going down to steps before entering the backyard. A woman -- whom I'm assuming is Ethan's wife Jen -- points our way, directing the little girl's attention to us. She smiles, widely before running our way. Her brown locks inherited from Ethan and her fluffy pastel pink dress bounce as she runs, beautiful blue eyes shining with glee. Jake lets go of my hand as he crouches down to catch her.

"Careful, princess." Ethan says before she collides into Jake's arms, saying, "Uncle Jake!" Her small, short arms go around his neck.

Jake playfully groans when she hugs him. Once she's in his arms, he stands up, bringing her up with him. The smile on his face is contagious as well as the happiness he feels about seeing little Lizzie. "Surprise!" She pulls away, her hands go to his cheeks, scrunching them together. "How's the birthday girl?" Jake manages to ask her through fish lips.

Lizzie giggles. "Happy." She quickly answers him, continuing to play with his cheeks.

"Can I get a hello kiss?" Jake tells her, turning his face so his cheek faces her.

She shakes her head, smiling mischievously. Ethan silently laughs at his daughter's denial and I instantly catch on his thoughts, acknowledging that Lizzie will be a heartbreaker when older.

Jake fakes a pout. Lizzie giggles again before giving him a quick peck, hiding a smile behind her tiny hands. "I brought you a new friend." Jake tries to whisper to her as he points my way.

Ethan wife's Jen approaches us before Lizzie gets the chance to answer. She has light brown hair, almost a dirty blonde with Lizzie's blue eyes and a very slender figure for a mother of two. "I see she's already clinging to you." She kisses his cheek before standing next to Ethan.

"Of course." He exclaims. "I'm her favorite uncle."

"You're their only uncle, Jake." Jen laughs.

Jake rolls his eyes in response. "Where's the other munchkin?" He questions, changing the subject as he puts her down. Lizzie runs off to play with the other children. Jake pulls me into him, his arm going over my shoulder. I bring my hand up, interlocking our fingers.

"She's with Mom." Jen replies.

Ethan nods towards me, "This is Sky, Jake's girlfriend."

Jen's blue eyes widen, "Hi!" She reaches and hugs me. Her approach takes me by surprised after expecting only a handshake. "It's nice to finally meet you." She speaks, brightly. "Jake talks about you every time he visits. I was starting to wonder if you were just a creation made by him. I was afraid Lizzie's imaginary friends were starting to rub on him."

I chuckle as Jake protests, "Hey!" Even Ethan laughs at his wife's words.

• • •

I stand alone, watching the children play as Jen entertains her guests after her introducing me to them. Jake was talking to Ethan the last time I saw him. Jen's mother and two sisters are just as nice as her and Maddie is just as bubbly as Lizzie. But unlike, Lizzie who got her father's looks except for her eyes, Maddie is all Jen with the dirty blonde hair, blue eyes and her little button nose. While I held her, Maddie was all infectious giggles as I bounced her on my lap. Although, Ethan hasn't expressed any liking at least I'm sure that his wife and daughters like me.
Even though it's supposed to be a cold December day, today's weather is fairly warm; close to the fifty degrees. I enjoy the sunny day by only wearing a sweater while outside. As I people-watch, I feel someone tug at my sweater. I look done to find little Lizzie staring at me. Her brown waves look like silk when the sun shines on them. I crouch down to her level, not wanting to stand tall and intimidate her.

"Hi," I smile.

"Are you Sky?" She asks me, her index finger between her teeth in a shy manner.

"Yes. And you're Lizzie, right?" I ask, trying to make the conversation more comfortable for her. As a stranger to her, I can still notice her desire to ask me a question but her shyness gets in the way.

She nods before saying, "You have a funny name."

Her comment makes me laugh. I don't blame her for thinking it is. It's very uncommon for someone to name their child after something blue normally filled with white cotton-looking things. I notice Lizzie smile and I know I'm close to breaking the ice. "I do but I like your name better."

She giggles at my complement. "You kiss uncle Jake cause you his girlfriend. Daddy tell Mommy that." Lizzie comments.

I immediately blush from embarrassment and surprise. I try to control it as I find a way to answer her. "Oh, he did? Your uncle Jake also told me about you." I say, changing the subject.

"Really?"

I nod, continuing the conversation with the birthday girl.

JAKE

Ethan and I head inside the house, to the bar in the kitchen for a drink. He takes out two glass cups from a cabinet, filling them with ice from the small refrigerator. He pours the liquid into glasses before handing me one of them, then leaning against the bar as he takes a drink. It's nice seeing my brother after three months, specially with Sky here with me. I'm curious to know what he thinks of her. Clearly, Jen likes her since she's been parading Sky around the party, introducing her to the guests.

"So, you and her, huh?" Ethan breaks the silence, taking another gulp of his drink.

"Yeah," I answer, unsure of what he's trying to get at. I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean against the wall.

"How long have you known her for?"

"Almost a year." I answer. Ethan hasn't been very keen about my past relationships, hence why I never made the effort of introducing them to him. Most of them were involved in the industry and often tried to use me or my fame to increase their social status.

He nods, staying silent. He takes another drink. "I saw her talking to Lizzie and playing with Maddie. They seem to like her."

"What about you?" I ask him. "Do you like her?" I take a good sip from my glass as I wait for my response. Ethan is always reluctant to say if he likes someone I'm dating and although, I don't need his permission to date Sky, as my older brother and it being Sky, it matters to me that he likes her. She's different than the others by many different reasons but, also, because unlike the others, I love her.

He sighs, setting his drink on the bar. "Obviously, you know her better than I do. As your brother, I want to be honest but at the same time, I don't want to say something about her that may not be true."

"Answer with a yes or no. Do you like her?"

He sighs again with a small smile in his face that throughs me off again. "I want to say yes but I'll answer you definitely tomorrow." His smile turns mischievous. He tries to hide it against the rim of his cup as he picks it up again and takes a drink. I narrow my eyes at him. Even, now, as adults Ethan takes advantage of his older brother label.

"Do you have a favorite one?" I turn around as I acknowledge the familiar voice.

"Yes! Her dress is like mine." Lizzie excitedly answers.

"Really? What's her name?"

"Lulu. Come, let's go! Let's go!"

Ethan and I see Lizzie holding Sky's hand as she drags her to her room. Sky notices us in the bar and gives us a shy wave as Lizzie continues to guide her around the house, disappearing around the corner.

"Looks like you'll be sleeping alone, tonight." Ethan comments, grinning.

"Haha, you wish." I'm the one grinning, right now. Ethan's grin instantly falls, knowing what I'm indirectly saying. If he thinks Lizzie will not let go of Sky and keep her new friend, he's wrong.

"You wouldn't." He threatens. "Your room is near Lizzie's and Maddie's."

I shrug before replying, "We'll try to be quiet." I pause before adding, "No promises, though." just to make it worse.

"You, little shit." He snickers.

I laugh, finishing the remaining liquid in my cup. I enjoy riling him up and between today and tomorrow morning, I'll be doing it a lot.