Page 22 of Entwined IN YOU (IN YOU 2)

Through the fog, I hear a man’s voice speak to the woman. “I was skeptic about your choice to move away. I see now that it is necessary. She must face the trauma...”

For a moment, I drift off and then resurface again.

“…push us away… We will never be able to forge the bridge back. Children need their mother, Laisa. We must find a different solution to this problem. She deserves...”

Eventually, their voices dissolve in the sea of other voices calling me.

Mummy…please…

Chapter 9

SPARK OF HOPE

~Logan~

“She is so depressed, Dad. I’ve never seen her this way before.” Desperate, I look to my father for advice. He went through this before and understands the situation better when anyone else.

When we were little, our mother didn’t fare well after another pair joined our set of triplets. It was dark times for the family, if not for Dad’s decision to stay home…

“She needs family support, and a little bit more time. You heard Dr. Neil, she will start with a new treatment plan straight away.” Dad’s hand lands on my shoulder as Lucas joins the conversation.

“You shouldn’t leave her.” I turn to him as he continues. “She needs at least to be able to see you or her children. Cassandra is trying to punish herself for walking away from her kids, so she is pushing you all away. It’s her trigger. The guilt and shame.”

“She asked me for space. I can’t take that away from her.” Frustrated, I pace around the kitchen, not knowing how to help her.

“No one suggests that you shouldn’t give her space, but you could choose to stay here in London instead of flying to California. What’s the point of this anyway? You love her, and she loves you. Stay, and help her to get where she needs to be. One step at a time, brother. Give her a few months, and then reinforce the fact that you are going nowhere.”

“To be honest, I think that’s a great idea. You both have a better chance to reconnect if you stay close.” Dad’s advice and his understanding light my beacon of hope.

“I thought you wanted me back in the States, helping you with the company?” I honestly don’t understand his intentions. “Why the change of heart, Dad?”

“I got to know her, and I think she is the one for you. If I’m being honest, Logan, there is no marriage without hard work. You are probably already starting to realize that the most precious things in life are the ones you work the hardest for,” he answers, sipping his scotch, intently watching me.

“I made a deal with her. If I break it, she won’t trust me. I need her trust. Besides, if I leave, I need to know that she is completely taken care of.” I look at Lucas and my dad, trying to find a way to ask for their support.

“Leif told you that he is staying, and I can, for a week or two. Let us work on the techniques I learned from the Marines. Let’s push her a little bit further in the recovery. Isolation is not the best idea for a depressed person.”

Jealousy rears its ugly head as I try to imagine them spending time with her, providing support. I want to beat the hell out of my brother, who definitely sees my intentions painted across my face. This separation will kill me.

She is my friend and partner. Now I am giving the green light for my brothers to spend nearly every waking moment with her.

“Relax, Logan, you should start trusting us because we want you to get together. You should know that Leif feels at home here, and he isn’t leaving. Perhaps this is our chance to forge the bridge between us three. Let’s work as brothers for once, instead of butting heads every chance we get.”

“She is mine.” My fists are clenched tightly, ready to swing if challenged, and my restless heart starts to thrum with adrenaline. Lucas raises his hands as if to placate me when Leif strides in the kitchen.

“Wow, brothers, are we having a match? Count me in!” He makes it harder for me to calm down, as he always pours gasoline on the fire.

“Just offering help here, we aren’t going to fight,” Lucas tells Leif, watching me.

Leif takes a long pull from the bottle of beer he opened and nods, looking at me seriously for once.

“You should stop treating us as your enemies. We are family, for Christ’s sake. We are old enough to make peace, not tear at each other’s throats like idiots. No offense, Pops, but we are starting to bond here.”

“None taken,” Dad nonchalantly shrugs, smiling.

Leif sits in the chair, kicking up his feet as he tells me, “I like her, even if she’s screwed up. You’re a goner, brother. I tried to save you from the crazy head, but you still fell into the rabbit hole. So, we’ve come to the conclusion we must help the person you can’t live without. You were in a shitty mood and an arrogant dick to us. She makes you more bearable, so I say we go and fix her. Cheers!”

“For fuck’s sake, she’s a person, you know!” Leif always had a way to make me mad.

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