by K E Osborn
Sniffing, I tighten my hand on Alana’s. She can’t hold her tears any longer, and a stray one falls down her cheek. Chewing on my bottom lip, I let out a long sigh. “Mercs is using the jet to fly home to be with Kiera and Gran. He wants to spend some time alone with his family, but he wants us to go on, to continue the tour. And then at Christmas, I’m going to go and spend time with them. He’s in a world of pain right now, especially not knowing where things will go with Kiera. It really doesn’t look good, but knowing we’re here for him is all he needs.”
Tank exhales shaking his head as Andi cuddles into his side. “I don’t even know what to say to him. I just can’t believe it… the treatment was supposed to work,” Tank murmurs.
“It’s horrible. But if Mercs wants us to keep going, we have to. We have to do it for Mercs, and we have to do it for Kiera. She believes in Luminous. She loves this band, this crew. So we keep going. You keep going. You’re all strong, just like she is. I’m hoping she can pull through this,” Luke encourages, standing up from where he was leaning against the table and we all nod.
“For Kiera,” I call out.
“For Kiera,” everyone replies, as we all stand up and collectively sigh.
MERCS
Running through the halls of the hospital, I pant for breath while trying to find Kiera’s room. The thought that she’s having difficulties is scaring the absolute shit out of me. I round the corner and see Gran talking to a nurse outside a room, and my chest squeezes at seeing her hunched, tired frame. I immediately think the worst. So I run, as fast as my legs will carry me, and bolt to Gran.
“Thank you, nurse,” Gran says as I reach them. She turns as I grind to a halt, dropping my backpack to the floor at our feet, her eyes misting up and I don’t hesitate to pull her into a massive hug.
“Tell me she’s okay?”
She holds me tight but shakes her head. “It’s not good, Kaden. She’s fading so fast…” she pauses pulling back from me and looks into my eyes. “It’s bad, sweetheart. I-I’m so glad you got here in time.”
My stomach churns at her words. Kiera was supposed to be getting better, not fucking declining. This is not supposed to be happening. Shaking my head, I try to swallow the bile rising in my throat. “Can I see her?”
Gran nods. “Of course, sweetheart. She’s out of it most of the time, but I know, she’ll know, you’re here with her.”
I nod, reaching down for my backpack and grab Gran’s hand and head off to her room. It smells sterile, clinical, and reminds me that Kiera’s in a world of trouble. I round the pulled curtain to see her lying in bed. A drip hanging from her arm, her face pale and gaunt. Her eyes simply closed like she’s sleeping. She looks… oh fuck!
My chest tightens, and I shake my head dropping my backpack to the floor again. I let go of Gran and step up to Kiera taking her hand in mine. Her skin is cold to the touch, and I smother her hand in mine trying to send some semblance of warmth through her.
“It’s going to be fine, Kiera. I’m here now. You’re going to be okay. You can fight this, booger-butt. I know you can… we can do this together.”
The sound of heavy footsteps startles me, and I look up to see a doctor wearing one of those long white coats walk in. I steady my stature, his face stern and strong as he carries a clipboard. He looks down at the board, then to Kiera, and then to Gran and me. “I’m assuming you’re Kiera’s brother?”
I nod.
“Okay, now that the family is here I can discuss options with you.”
Furrowing my brows, I crack my neck to the side. “Options? What do you mean?”
He takes a deep breath and drops his folder to his side. “Kiera isn’t progressing the way we had hoped. She’s deteriorating quite rapidly, and we need to consider what might happen if her functions give out.”
My muscles clench. “What? No! She isn’t going to stop fighting. We are not talking about fucking DNR orders, or whatever the fuck you’re going to start throwing down our throats. Don’t you dare come in here talking about this shit in front of her.”
“It’s something that needs to be discussed. Kiera’s rapid decline is of concern, and she might not make it through the night…”
My head begins to fog, and everything starts to haze as I tune out. Hearing those words, listening to him talk about my sister as though she’s already gone, makes my stomach churn.
Everything is closing in around me.
I can’t stand being in this room anymore.
I need to get out.
I can’t handle this.
Letting go of Kiera’s hand, I stumble out of the room, my head a jumbled mess of confusion.
Kiera might not make it through the night. The words ring through my mind as I race through the halls needing air.
She can’t die.
She can’t!
A world without my sister is a world I want no part of.
Somehow, I find the hospital exit and stagger outside. Finding a park bench, I slump down on it and let out an almighty, “Fuck!”
Kiera, my precious sister, could die.
Everything I’ve done was for her, and it still wasn’t enough.
My eyes flood with tears as I look up to the sky. And as I glance up, I notice the brightest of stars, right next to the moon and the pressure on my chest eases fractionally. I feel like Effa’s with me, like her presence is somehow soothing me from afar as I look to that very star we saw that night on Stage Rock. The memory takes me back…
“I think that star right there, that really bright one next to the moon...” I pointed to it, and Effa nodded looking at the giant light in the sky. “I think that should be our star. It shines as brightly as you, and so no matter where either of us is in the world, whatever we’re doing, we can look at it and think of this night and know we’re both connected. Even if we are a world apart.”
She wrapped her arm around my knee and held onto me as we both stared up at the stars not saying a single word. I leaned in, my lips gently caressing her temple as we sat on the giant rock formation after her outdoor performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
While gazing at that same bright star—even though I feel completely shattered, even though I need to do this on my own right now—I know Effa’s with me.
She might even be looking at the same star right now and thinking about me like I’m thinking about her. Knowing she’ll help me through whatever’s going to happen with Kiera is the only thing pulling me through this agony right now.
But one thing I do know, is I need to pick myself the hell up, be the big brother Kiera needs me to be, and head back in there.
No matter what tonight brings.
No matter what hell I might endure.
Because whatever the outcome I will be by Kiera’s side until the end.
Epilogue
MERCS
Six Months Later
The last six months have been really hard on us all. I’ve missed Kiera more than I can express in words. When she got sick after the treatment, it was the most difficult time of my life. I never thought I would recover. Life without her in it seems empty and cold. Not having her by my side every day is the hardest part. Not seeing her beautiful face lighting up my world is a pain I struggle with daily. And some days I find it hard to function, but I have to push on.
But today isn’t about regrets. It isn’t about how bad things went in the past. It’s about how I’m finally taking a breath and moving forward. I’m doing what I promised Kiera I would do. She made me promise I would marry Effa, and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.
The sun is shining brightly through the vast array of lush green trees lining the forestry of Linn Run State Park. We’re only just under seven miles out of Ligonier, but this place is beautiful. When Effa wanted somewhere picturesque, I knew that Linn Run, with its evergreen forest and natural trout stream, would be the best throwback to nature as possible. It would be the connection to the earth that she craves. And I was right. She loved it
instantly when I brought her here, and we booked it immediately.
That was back at Christmas, and now six months later, I can’t believe the time has come. It’s swung around so fast that I’ve hardly had time to prepare for it. But I’m fucking excited to be standing here by the edge of the stream waiting for her to arrive. Adrenaline is pumping through my system, and as I look down at the guests that are gathered, I can’t contain my excitement as I turn to Tank beside me.
“Do you think she’ll be here soon?”
He grins at me, his hair styled back nicely for once, and he rockin’ the dressed up look in his black pants and white shirt, sans tie. The same as me.
“Calm your farm, bro, she’s not even late yet. And isn’t that a tradition or some shit?” Tank snorts as he turns to Jay beside him and elbows him in the ribs. “Talk to him will you, he looks like he’s going to burst.”
Jay chuckles and nods. “Yeah, Mercs, I swear if you smile any more your face might actually explode,” Jay teases.
I roll my eyes. “Shut the fuck up,” I groan as I take a deep breath straightening out my shirt again for the fiftieth time, as I look down to the end of the makeshift aisle. An arbor is at the end of the walkway, round in design and decorated in white and light pink drapes as they hang from its top. Flowers dangle from the sides in an elegant way, as a white silk carpet lines the floor beneath it. It’s boho and very Effa. The whole atmosphere screams Effa, and I love every touch she’s put into making this us.
Everyone’s here. Half the town of Ligonier, and it’s great that they’re so switched on about our privacy, because not one fucking paparazzi asshole has shown up. So far, it seems we’ve managed to keep this under wraps. Toward the back, Lilah and Johnny are seated next to each other, and I can’t help but smile as I notice Johnny wrap his arm around Lilah, and she leans into his side. Seems like things are going well for them. Johnny and I have our friendship relatively back on track and knowing he’s with Lilah, and she can move on with someone who can make her happy, makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Glancing around, I observe Gran making her way through the crowd. I look down and see she’s pushing a wheelchair. As my chest constricts, I notice Kiera, out of the hospital, wearing a purple dress and looking stunningly beautiful. Blinking my eyes a few times to stop them from watering, I race down the aisle to meet them as they move toward me sporting the brightest of smiles.
“You made it,” I call out bending over and leaning in planting a tender kiss on Kiera’s cheek.
She smiles, her hair slowly growing back, smoothing over her scalp in silky tendrils of chocolate. It’s only a very small amount of hair, but it’s pretty fucking special to see her without a beanie.
She giggles and the sound is awe inspiring. “Of course, you think I’m going to miss the wedding of the century because I’m a little weak? I don’t think so.”
I stand up and shake my head. She’s been in and out of the hospital for the last six months since she crashed. Kiera died three times, but they managed to bring her back each time. I convinced the doctors to fight harder for her, and we worked together to bring her back to the point where she started to fight for herself. She finally woke up, and now she’s becoming stronger and stronger every day. The transplant worked, and things are looking good. All she needs now is to gain her strength.
The band has been in Australia for a small promotional tour, over the last month, and being away from Kiera was hell. But Kiera’s much stronger now, and I needed to be with Effa to care for her, so I chose to make the trip even though I missed Kiera like crazy.
But being apart from her has been a hell I don’t wish to ever go through again. So for now, we’re going to be spending our time in Ligonier, and if the band decide to tour I will be staying behind for the time being and Tank will take over. Gradually as Kiera becomes stronger and more able to take care of herself, I will venture out with the band again. I have Effa’s full support, and that in itself is a blessing.
“You look beautiful, booger-butt.”
She snorts and smooths her hands over her dress. “Oh… this old thing? Nah! But you… you scrub up well for a man who used to run around wearing Gran’s red high heels naked.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I love you. I’m incredibly happy you managed to get leave from the hospital to be here.”
She looks at Gran and smiles wide. “Here’s your wedding present, Kades. I’m cleared to go home. Gran is taking me back to Ligonier after the wedding. I’m a free woman!”
Pride swells inside of me, and I feel like I could fucking burst. I didn’t know if this day would ever come. Fuck! Six months ago, I was sure I was going to lose her. Now she’s coming home for good. She’s in remission, and I’m getting fucking hitched. Could this day get any better?
“She’s coming! She’s coming!” Andi calls out in a hurry, and I open my eyes wide looking down to Kiera and shrug.
“Guess that’s my cue.”
Kiera nods and squeezes my hand. “You’ve made me so happy, Kaden. This is all I’ve ever wanted. Now go and marry the best thing that ever happened to you.”
I chuckle and nod. “Yes, ma’am.” I lean down pressing my lips to her cheek as I look to Gran who winks at me, and then wheels Kiera into position in the front row, as I jog back to my place.
Turning back, I wait for Effa with a nervous heart.
Eventually, the car pulls up making my breath catch as I look over smiling so wide my cheeks damn-well hurt.
This is it.
The moment I’ll see her.
The moment she truly becomes mine.
The car door flings open, and Kristy slides out wearing a pale pink dress. I don’t take too much notice as she turns back to the car, and Alana slides out wearing a yellow dress. I chuckle liking the fact they’re wearing different colors. Tank pats my back as my breath catches in my throat, and my muscles tense while Raoul steps around the door and places his hand out.
Effa’s hand exits the door, and then she slides out. She stands up, and my breath is knocked from me completely as she stands there in front of me… a vision… an angel. Completely mine!
Her hair is down in soft waves, beautifully blonde, and on top of her head a wreath of intricate flowers which looks almost like a crown. It’s so Effa. I glance down at her dress. The neckline is low, and the dress is nearly see-through as the lace covers her breasts coming down in a v between her perky tits that I really want to smother myself in right now. I swallow hard, following the line of her body-hugging dress that caresses her hips then fans out in a mermaid tail at the bottom forming a sort of train.
It’s elegant, but not overdone. It’s definitely Effa’s style, and it screams Effervescent. I’m sure she had it designed especially for her, and it’s fucking perfect. My cock twitches in my pants as my eyes glance up and down her body. Her eyes catch mine, and we smile at each other. I feel like every part of me is going to explode if I don’t touch her soon.
Alana hands her a small bouquet of daisies with wisps of baby’s breath, and Kristy starts the walk toward me. I don’t even look at her, my eyes stay focused only on Effa. Donny steps up to Effa’s side and links his arm with hers.
Tank leans into me with a slight chuckle. “You should see your face right now, bro. Fucking priceless,” he beams.
I shake my head as I keep my eyes locked on my girl.
Alana walks down the aisle behind Kristy, and then Effa and Donny begin to make their way toward me. I’m anxious to touch her. She looks so fucking good I can’t stand it. I can’t focus on what song’s playing as she gets closer and closer to me.
I feel alive, so fucking alive as my breaths start to become shallow. She’s fucking radiant, and everyone here is staring at my bride, just like I am, in awe of how utterly perfect she looks today.
Donny walks her to me, I step to them, and he places her hand on mine. A spark so intense shoots through my hand as she touches me that I fucking shudder from the shock.
She ignites me.
She makes it hard to breathe.
But fuck if I don’t love that she’s the one to take my breath away.
Donny leans in kissing her cheek and then walks off to stand with Livvy.
Effa smiles at me as she steps closer, the energy between us becoming so enhanced, I can feel it bouncing between us in waves. She takes both my hands in hers and looks me in the eyes. “You look so good,” she murmurs.
I shake my head. “You, my bride, look better than good. I have no fucking words.”
She giggles as the marriage officiant looks at us and smiles. “We’re gathered here today to witness the eternal joining of Vespa Marie Carrington and Kaden Edward Mercury, to be bonded together in a sacred union. The coming together of these two blessed souls is divine and extraordinary. And they call upon you all to bear witness.”
I grin at Effa knowing she’s chosen every word spoken today with careful precision, with her charm and character. It has her flair, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The officiant grabs a box from the table beside her and looks to Alana with a smile. “Vespa and Kaden are choosing to symbolize their love and commitment in a handfasting ceremony. Vespa and Kaden, please join your hands.”
We’re already holding hands, but we let go and take hold in the way we’re supposed to as if each hand is shaking the other, but holding at the wrist almost as if we’re in a knot with all our four hands.
“For the ceremony today, Vespa and Kaden have chosen a specific colored ribbon representing each quality they will bring into their marriage, depicting their important values based on the color symbology of the chakras. Vespa’s step-sister, Alana, will place the ribbons over Vespa and Kaden’s joined hands as I share the blessings.”
Alana steps up as the officiant opens the box and Alana smiles wide as I look to Effa enjoying how unique our wedding is. Alana begins to place the ribbons over our joined hands.
