As morning comes I realized that today was my birthday... we were stuck at the hospital anxiously waiting for Vera to wake up from surgery. That's the only thing I wanted, I wanted her to wake up and smile up at me like it was just another day. Henry garbed my arm and squeezed it as he pointed down the hall, "Well I'll be damned look who decided to show up," Ralph, Ava, Dixie and Erin picked up their heads immediately.

   I knew before even looking up it was him, "Happy birthday," he said stopping in front of me giving me a solemn smile. I didnt know exactly how to feel, I didn't even think he would come... Standing up and facing him with my knees weak I tried to speak but nothing came out, "Can we talk Mar?" He shifted from foot to foot. He looked fine more then fine he looked great there weren't bags under his eyes and he got a nice tan making him golden brown like me.

   I didn't know what possessed me but as he reached out for me I picked up my hand and slammed it flat onto the side of his face. He stumbled back slightly cupping his face too stunned to speak. The hall went quiet and everyone was now looking at me even the doctors, "Your sister is in the room behind you we have nothing to talk about," I hissed suddenly embarrassed with myself. Before I could cry or possibly try to hit him again I stomped off, I have never hit Lucas not like that. I didnt even mean to but looking at him made darkness strike all around me I almost felt sick.

   When I looked into his eyes I just snapped the rage all coming back and that was all I could stew in. How dare he ask to talk? How dare he even speak to me! I clenched my fists as they bit into my palms, "Slow down," Henry called out behind me.

   I turned around as Henry caught up, "If you are going to lecture me, save it," I said hotly.

   He frowned giving me a hurt look, shit. "I just want to make sure you're okay."

   Of course he did and now I look like an asshole, I leaned against the wall and let out a shaky breathe, "Is he okay?"

   "He was more shocked then anything we all were, not that he didn't deserve it if you didn't do it I might have," he gave me a small smirk, "Come here," he held out his hands and I fell right into them.

   "I didnt think he'd even listen to my voicemail," I said burying my head in his chest.

  "He loves you why wouldn't he?"

   "If he loved me he wouldn't have left."

   He rested his chin on my head, "I guess you've got a point... I would never leave you I couldnt imagine a day without you now that Ive met you neither could Vera or Ralph..." I knew what he was trying to say.

   I pulled back slightly so I could look up at him, "You like me that much?" I teased sniffling a bit.

   His honey eyes were dark and his face now serious, "I like you maybe too much," he said painfully. I knew that feeling.

   "Kiss me," I said mindlessly as I searched for his reaction.

   "You dont-"

   "Please dont tell me what I want," I begged. "I'm tired of people-" without letting me finish his lips pressed into mine. Of course this wasn't our first time kissing but he has never kissed me so patiently, his hands feverishly gliding through my hair and tugging at the nap. He kissed me like he had something to lose all but at the same time something to gain. I pressed him closer to me as his tongue gently brushed mine, I almost could unravel just by how soft his lips were. How powerful his hands felt all over my waist, back and neck he had me pined against the wall and I had not a single complaint, worry or-

   "Shit..." Henry and I almost leapt away from each other as Ava and Lucas stood infront of us, Ava crossing her arms and sucking her teeth as Lucas just stared at me.

   "When I told you to take care of her this is not what I meant," he said to Henry as his jaw twitched. He then looked back to me, "I didn't expect you to wait," we both knew he did. "But I also thought I had nothing to worry about with him, you never really stopped liking him did you?" The way Lucas was looking at me made me feel almost ashamed but then I gained back my confidence, I had nothing to lose anymore.

   I shook my head, "You dont get to feel anything about this you were the one who left me shattered and I had to pick up the pieces all on my own. I loved you," there I said it. "I trusted you and everything I said was true-"

   "Then why are you sticking your tongue down Henrys throat?" Ava asked raising a brow for once I just wished she would disappear.

   I was two seconds from loosing my mind I stepped forward and looked my friend in the eye, "Because I wanted to, because theres no reason why we wouldn't now that we are both single right?"

    "You knew how I felt about him-" She put a hand on her hip trying to make herself seem taller, which she was. 

   "Yes felt as in past tense as in you are already dating other people why cant he?" I then realized we were standing in the middle of a hospital arguing about absolutely nothing... "You know what if the two of you would rather stand out here while Vera is in surgery be my guest. We're waiting outside till we get news," I grabbed Henrys hand and yanked him along. "And by the way I'll be in Scotland for thanksgiving so dont make me a plate." I figured there was no better time then now, I almost swore Ava called me a backstabbing bitch but at this point I could care less.

   I'm living for me.

   Henry ended up going back home not feeling very welcomed around anyone at the moment. To my surprise Lucas didn't even mention anything as we sat talking to Vera who was starting to feel her left toe in only an hour after surgery, the doctors had high hopes. 

   "I'm just glad your back," Vera finally said after Lucas told them about their dad, "You are back though, right?" Maybe she was too stunned...

   "Yeah," he said keeping his distance from me. "I got what I needed and I think I'm better, better then I've ever been actually," he said glancing over at me.

   "Who do we give our thanks to? And how was this time any different then the last?" Vera was always rough with Lucas mainly because she didnt want to get her hopes up, she was always his mother hen.

  "This girl I meet at Tampa she is a camp councilor she works with kids and brought me along after she got me sober."

   "I thought you hated kids," Jasmine accused now curios with what he had to say.

   "I did too until talking to them made me feel more sane then I have been in years, they give you a different outlook on anything they remind you that there is a future. That there is a moment past today and thats what I'll hold onto Harmony also was an alcoholic she's been four years clean."

   "Sounds like you had quiet a journey," Jasmine smiled nervously not often do you hear your son say he recovered by the side of another addict. 

   "I dont mean to be rude but those meds are kicking in right now and I'm about to pass out," Vera groaned giving me a thin smile.

   "You need your rest," Lucas said coming up to Vera to bend over and hug her. "I'm sorry for everything," I could hear him tell her.

   "Just make it up," was all Vera said, "To everyone," she looked over at me.

   Once Lucas was out of the room Vera looked over to me, "I knew it would be painful the two of you being around each other but not awkward."

   "Lucas walked in on Henry and me kissing," I blurted. I couldnt hold it in anymore I made tons of reasons why I shouldn't tell my best friend but they were all just excuses.

   "When did this happen?" Oddly she didnt look to shocked.

   "Just a few hours ago," I gulped waiting for her reaction.

   Vera looked down at her hands, then me and back to her hands. "He'll get over it," she said, "He left you at your weakest time you deserve to feel happy with whoever you want, not that Ava will say the same," she grinned at herself she never really loved Ava at least not the most.

   I blinked twice, "You arnt mad?" Maybe these docs had her on too many medications...

   "Why would I be? Sure I had my heart set on my best friend and brother dating but its your life and well he fucked this one up theres really nothing I could say to excuse that. If Henry makes you smiled through all the messed up shit you've been going through then so be it, plus I'm not blind the guys madly hung up on you. If I had to chose it would be Henry for you the two of you just make sense you know? At least in this moment give it a chance and dont let anything sabotage this not even Ava."

   Nothing really made sense anymore I felt like I was in the middle of the ocean letting the waves drown me to the bottom. I felt out of control but all at the same time I couldn't care less if that wave took me to the bottom of the sea right now. As long as I could feel whole in some type of way. Swiping away a few tears as she held my hand I smiled, "I dont know how to explain it but he just snuck up on me. One second he's my friend and the next I couldn't stop thinking about him."

   "Thats what happens when the heart wants what it wants now I need a nap girl," in spite of the long recovery ahead she seemed in high spirits. Maybe it was because she didnt have to take care of anyone, she was being pampered here I would be having a ball too. "Say hi to henry for me," she teased.

  "How'd you know I was going to see him?"

   "When are you not at the cafe?" She scuffed snuggling deep into her bed, "I knew before you knew that he was going to hook your heart, why do you think I never cock blocked? Fuck what everyone says or thinks Mar this is your life and live it large while you still have love," with that she turned over and turned the lights off with her bed switch. "Love you."

   "I love you."