"We met for a reason, either you're
a blessing or a lesson."
~ Unknown

...♛...

"So his blood pressure and everything seems normal, he should be waking up soon," the doctor informs me.

"That's what you said two days ago. When should I start worrying?"

"Give him at least twenty-four hours. If he doesn't wake up, you can contact me and our next step will be to admit him into the hospital to run further tests."

"Okay, uh- thank you," I shake his hand.

"You're welcome and do you mind handing these over to Xavier for me?" he hands an envelope of papers.

"Sorry, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are these for?"

"The results to your DNA test," he says.

"Oh, okay. I'll pass them along," I smile. I walk him out before heading upstairs to my father's office.

"Is he in there?" I question the guard standing watch outside the door. He nods in response so I knock on the door.

"Come in," I hear my father's voice. Taking the knob in my hand, I twist it. The door opens and I take a step in, closing the door behind me.

The office is exactly how remember it. All the walls are still lined with bookshelves, a small coffee table with two seats on the right side of the room and his personalized wooden desk right in front of the large window. From the window, the whole city can be seen and my eyes hold their gaze at the view.

Once I take it all in, my eyes drop to my father. Sat on his large seat and wearing another one of his suits, I walk up to his desk dropping the file in front of him.

"The results to the DNA test," I make known. He looks at the sealed envelope and then back up at me.

"I didn't do it for me. I did it to prove it your brothers. I hope you're aware of that."

"If I cared why you did it, I would've asked," I look him in the eyes as he speaks. His light brown eyes are something I never got from him.

"Would you like to discuss why you've come home? I'm sure it's important," he says.

"As soon as my friend is off his death bed, I'd love to share details."

"He has the blood of The Black Knights running through his veins. I'm sure you're rational enough to understand why Vince did what he did."

"He's a grown man. I'm sure Vincent doesn't need anyone advocating for him and I'm also sure, that you and I both know why he did what he did."

"You've matured a lot in the last two years," he says as his face holds a faint look of approval.

"The world does that to you," I retort. His lips form a small smile defining his wrinkles and once I feel there's nothing left to talk about, I turn around to leave.

"There's a celebration at Uncle Eric's place tonight, I'd like you to come with us," he tells me as I make my way to the exit. "And it's not an option."

"Good, I don't need an option to say no."

"Bring your friends if you must, but you're going out with us tonight."

"I don't want to meet people from the family. I'm not ready," I insist facing him.

"It's a good thing no one's asking you to be ready then. We're leaving at seven," he says before dropping his eyes down on the paper in front of him.

I open my mouth to say something, but close it right back up. There's no use in arguing with him. If he's demanding, it'll happen with or without my consent so I take a step back, exiting the room.

Everywhere I go, people are just waiting to order me around and dictate what I should do or shouldn't do. He's going easy on me right now. He knows if he pushes too hard, that I'm capable of walking away again. I hope that fear stays with him, I don't wanna walk away. At least not yet.

"Hey, so I'm going to a party at my uncle's place tonight. I need you guys to keep an eye on Kai," I say walking into Cole and Alec's room.

"Meeting with the family so soon?" Alec inquires.

"Trust me, it wasn't my idea to go."

"Your dad?" I nod letting him know his guess is right on.

"I'd invite you guys, but I'm sure you don't wanna come and I also need someone to watch over Kai. The doctor said he'll wake up soon."

"You don't wanna stay and be here when he does?"

"Of course I do, but I don't think I'll be the first person he wants to see and I have no other choice, I have to go," I notify. "Dakota and Amelia are landing soon, right?"

"Yeah, their flight lands at two."

"Okay. I'll go and tell one of the drivers to go pick them up."

I'm under the door frame when I remember something, "There's leftovers in the fridge from last night; I don't think I'll have time to cook today. And if anything happens or if Kai wakes up, call me. I put my number into the new phones I gave you."

"Gotcha, anything else?"

"I'm gonna take Dakota and Amelia to the party with me if I can convince them. I'll definitely need some help tonight."

"Sounds like a plan," Cole says.

"Okay, bye."

"Bye, stay safe."

"I'll try," I laugh and head out. I make my way down to the main floor where I find Lane.

"Hey, Lane?" I stop him in his tracks. He takes a bite out of the apple he's eating and looks at me. His eyebrows rise, questioning me as I walk towards him.

"Do you know if any of the drivers are free? I need someone to pick up my friends from the airport."

"I know you claim to be Summer, but until it's proven, you can't boss anyone around."

"Lane, just answer my question," I roll my eyes.

He sighs, "Nope."

"Fine, are you busy?"

"Yes," he replies without thinking. I cross my arms and look at him accusingly.

"Doing what?"

"Eating this apple, clearly."

"Lane, will you just do me this favour? I can't leave the house or I'd do it myself."

"I have actual work to do woman. I can't be your chauffeur," he breathes taking another bite of his apple.

"Fine, I'll just go to Ant and tell him how rude you're being."

"He won't care," he replies nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

"Lane! Fine, if you won't do it then I'll just sneak out of the house and do it myself. Once I get caught, I'll be more than happy to tell my father about our little conversation," I start to walk away.

"Fuck, wait!" his voice stops me. "I'll do it."

"Great, you're picking up two girls named Amelia and Dakota. Their flight lands at two. One is brunette and the other is blonde. Don't be late."

"God, you're just as annoying as Summer was," he mutters under his breath.

"Maybe because I am her, idiot. Oh, and thanks!" I wave at him as I make my way into the kitchen.

Now that, that is complete, I head into the kitchen and grab myself an orange. I take a small bowl and sit down at the round dining table then start to peel it.

As I'm peeling it, Graham walks in. Instead of wearing a suit like all the men in the house usually do, he's wearing a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt.

"I didn't know you were home," I comment. His hazel eyes take a quick glance in my direction before he heads to one of the cupboards dismissing my words.

Since my back is to him, I can only hear the rattling of cutlery and cereal pouring into a bowl.

Graham is one of Anthony's best friends. He's strong, but knows how to keep his anger under control. He's not one to show off his skills as far as I can remember. When I was a kid, him and Anthony used to never let guys at school be around me. I was young then, so I didn't really notice the difference. I just stayed with a lot of the girls and that was enough for me.

I hear the screeching of a chair and jolt back into reality. Graham takes a seat across from me and starts to munch on his cereal.

"You remember me?" he questions.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I? You and Ant ruined any relationships I could've had with all the boys at school."

"Not my fault all the guys wanted to get in your pants."

"I was in grade six. I was still figuring out what sex even was," I protest.

"Not like the guys cared. They even bet on who would take your virginity first," he complains.

"Oh my god, Gram. I was twelve!"

"Doesn't change the fact that guys are always horny."

"I'm sure not all of them wanted to have sex with me."

"Maybe not, but it wasn't worth taking the risk," he shrugs, shoving a spoonful of cereal in his mouth.

"I hate you, you know?" I laugh as I eat my orange.

"So, did you go back to school in the past two years?"

"I did, it's my last year."

"It is?" his voice a bit higher displaying his surprise.

"Yeah. I caught up to whatever I missed and I continued on; though, I don't think I'll graduate with everything going on," I admit.

"I'm sure after everything is sorted out, Xavier will let you live as we used to."

"I hope so," I smile. I eat the last piece of orange. "So, tell me about yourself, how's life been?"

"After we heard the news about you dying, things got a little hectic. No one really knew how to react so after the funeral, we kind of just pretended like it never happened."

"Wiped me out of existence, huh?"

"I guess you can word it like that, but even then, it took a big toll on Dean and Anthony. They changed."

"I think my death helped them, they were too soft then."

"But you can't say you didn't love them the way they used to be."

"I did love them. They were amazing brothers to me, but that softness was a weakness for the both of them. It would never help them in the field."

"The Summer I knew would say that a little softness never killed anyone," he shakes his head.

"She was also a kid who was never allowed out of her house alone. I only interacted with people I was allowed to talk to. Since when did you get so... bluh?"

"Bluh? Really?"

"Well that's how your words make me feel, okay?" I get up and take the bowl of peels dumping them in the garbage and wash the bowl. "Whatever. Forget about it and just tell me if you're going to the party tonight."

"I am."

"Is it formal?"

"Yes."

"What's the celebration even for?"

"Your uncle and aunt's twenty-fifth anniversary," he informs.

"Summer!" my head snaps to the door.

"Amelia! Dakota! You're here!" I yell. Both of them sprint and enclose me in a tight hug.

"Oh, guys," I wince as I feel the pain on every single wound still healing on my body.

"Sorry," they both speak in unison. "How are you?"

"I'm good."

"You know we only left you for two weeks? I can't believe all of this happened."

"I know, right? You missed all the fun," I claim joking.

"Don't worry. We're back now and we're not leaving," Dakota says.

Graham clears his throat gaining my attention. He lifts his empty bowl and I figure out that he's trying to get to the sink. I shove Amelia and Dakota to the side giving him room.

"Guys this is-"

"Graham?" Amelia finishes for me.

Hearing her voice, Gram turns around. His forehead creases at first, but as soon as he realizes something, his eyes widen.

"Amelia?"

"Yeah," Amelia nods.

"You guys know each other?"

"Yeah, yeah we've... we've met before."

"Really, how?"

"It's not important. You live here?" the question is directed towards Graham from Amelia.

"I crash here sometimes," he explains.

"So you work for The White Dragons."

Graham hesitates but nods. His eyes are glued to Amelia's unimpressed expression.

"Mh," Amelia says. "Where's Alec?"

"Uh- he... he's on the third floor, west wing," I inform. "Sixth door to the left."

"Okay, I'm just gonna go see him. You wanna come along, Dakota?"

"Sure," Dakota looks between Amelia and I.

"Do you wanna freshen up or eat something first? It was a long flight."

"No, we're good," Amelia answers for both herself and Dakota. Without much warning, she takes Dakota outside with her.

I turn to Graham and find him standing still under some deep thoughts. I wave my hand in front of his eyes, but he doesn't budge.

"Graham? Hey!" he snaps out of his haze. "What was that about?"

"What was that about what?" he speaks gibberish. "Dude, I gotta go. I'm late for this meeting."

"What meeting?"

"This meeting for this thing with this person," he speaks fast as he walks away. "Bye!"

"Well, that wasn't at all odd," I mumble.

"Whatever," I huff. Looking at the time on the stove, I have four more hours until we have to leave for the party. Two and a half before I have to start getting ready.

Since I didn't get to ask Dakota and Amelia if they want to come to the party with me, I head upstairs to talk them. On my way there, I look into Kai's room.

His whole body shaking, I open his door.

"Why did you do it?" he yells.

"Kai?" I run up to him.

"Why are you doing this to me!"

"Kai! It's me, Summer. Kai," I try to hold him down, but the machines connected to his heart, start beeping loudly.

I pull out my phone. Through his yelling, the doctor picks up the phone and I speak.

"Kai's stuck in some sort of nightmare, I can't get him out."

"I'll be right there," he says. I end the call and try to talk to Kai.

"Kai, hey! I-it's me, open your eyes," I urge. I cup his face and make his head turn in my direction. "Look at me!"

His eyes open. The beeping of the machines, lowers as he keeps his eyes intact with mine.

"I'm here, Kai. It was just a dream."

I watch as his irises shed the dark colour and become lighter.

"G-get out," I hear him speak through the oxygen mask.

"Kai," I sigh.

His hands lift, ripping mine away from his face. He takes off his oxygen mask.

"Kai, don't."

"Get, out," he breathes sternly.

"Kai, I'm-"

"Get out!" he yells with all his force. He takes a gasp of air and puts his oxygen mask on finding it hard to breathe.

His chest expands and compresses as he tries to catch his breath. I stand there foolishly unaware on how to respond.

This isn't even about me, it's about him and he's still refusing my help.

He doesn't want you, Summer.

I feel the sweat in my palms grow and my eyes blur with tears. His head pivots to the other side avoiding to look at me.

I clear my throat and exit the room. I'm not causing him more pain. If he doesn't want me near him, then I'll comply with his wishes.

And that's a lot more than what he's ever given me.

"K -Kai's awake," I inform standing at the door of Cole and Alec's room.

"He is?"

"Yeah, he..: he doesn't want me there so if one of you could just stay with him until the doctor gets here, it'd be a lot of help."

I finally find the courage to look up through my teary eyes.

"Amelia and Dakota, my room is on the floor above, east wing. Third door on the right. Just meet me up there in a couple of minutes?"

"Yeah, uh -sure," Dakota answers.

"Thanks," I force a smile and head to my room.

Get yourself together, Summer.

I enter the guest bedroom that I'm staying in and lie down on my bed. I reach for the pillow and press it against my face as I scream into it.

I knew he wouldn't talk to me. I just fucking knew it. I should've never kept my hopes up.

I throw the pillow to the side and put my hands on my face blocking the light from eyes.

"Fuck!" I yell. "Ugh!"

I hear a soft knock on the door. Sitting up, I blink several times trying to dry the tears clean. Using the back of my sleeve, I wipe my cheeks and voice for the person to come in.

Both Amelia and Dakota enter. They take light steps and hold gentle expressions on their face.

"You wanted to talk?" Amelia speaks first. Both of them stand in front of me and I look up at them.

"Uh..." I try to remember what I needed to talk to them about "Oh, yeah. My uncle and aunt are having their twenty-fifth anniversary celebration tonight and my father wants me to go with the rest of the family. I was hoping one of you would like to come along."

"Sure, sounds like fun," Dakota smiles.

"I think I'll skip this one," Amelia says sounding a little exhausted.

"Is it about what happened between you and Graham?"

"No, it's about this," she lifts up her shirt and I see a bandage soaked in fresh blood.

"What happened?" I gasp.

"The Russian's were onto us. When we received Alec's call a couple days back, Amelia was still in the hospital. That's why it took us a while to come here," Dakota explains.

"The stitches opened on the way here," Amelia adds.

"Well, the doctor's coming so I'll get him to check up you too."

"Thanks," her lips form a thin line as she takes a seat on the bed and puts her feet up. Her back leans against the headboard as she closes her eyes. "I think I lost a lot of blood, I feel really tired."

"Most likely. There's painkillers in the drawer next to you and water right on top as well," I mention getting up from the bed. "I'll tell the doctor to meet you in here. Until then, Dakota and I are going to head to her room and get ready for this thing. Do you mind if I go through some of your clothes and pick something out?"

"No, just don't touch my cash."

"Gotcha," I smile. "If you need anything, there's a phone right there and a list of numbers. You can call for food or anything you could possibly want. You can talk to Alec or Cole as well."

"Okay, thanks Summer."

"Welcome," I say before taking Dakota's hand and heading out.

We walk a couple of steps down to reach Dakota's room.

"Why didn't you tell me she was shot?" I question Dakota as she takes her suitcase and puts it on the bed.

"All of you had tons on your plate to worry about and anyways, she's alive," Dakota shrugs. She throws the hood of her suitcase back and starts going through her clothes. "So, what do you think, periwinkle or something darker?"

"Darker," I reply. I stand next to her and go through her clothes.

"Oh, this'll look gorgeous on you," I pick up a dark blue velvet dress. It's a full sleeve dress that ends probably halfway down her thighs. It's simple, but the the low front with strings gives it just the perfect amount of detail.

"I actually love this dress and Amelia has one just one like it in black, you could wear that. It's paired with a choker and doesn't have the low stringy front. It's flat cut, full sleeve," Dakota says as she picks up Amelia's suitcase.

She hunts through her clothes and pulls out the black dress she was telling me about.

"Oh, wow," I look at the dress with puppy eyes wondering why I don't own it myself. "I'll take it."

"Okay," Dakota laughs.

"So how much time do we have?" she queries.

"We're supposed to be ready by seven."

"Oh, it's only four we have plenty of time."

"No, we actually don't. I gotta shave my legs and take a shower."

"You weren't expecting to go out, were you?"

"Not at all," I say as I head to the bathroom. "Don't mind me using your bathroom."

A/N: