Our Hearts Beat For Anne

Vincent

Anne's presence has increasingly brightened my mood from the moment she walked in through the door until now.

For the past few weeks, I've been feeling so frustrated and handicapped. My patient diagnosed with cancer has been getting worse and my efforts to help him futile.

I can't really ascertain the reason for my mood change. Maybe, it's the aura she exudes or how clumsy she gets, whatever it was, it has left me wondering.

After the food we had, I had gone up to tidy Andrew's room because I knew the storm wasn't abetting anytime soon. I also knew she would be more comfortable staying in Andrew's room where she's more familiar with rather than the guest room.

I straightened up Andrew's bed and removed his clothing lying around then walked down the stairs to summon Anne.

On reaching the living room, I noticed that Anne was no longer sitting on the couch.

I looked around but there was no sign of her.

I didn't hear her come upstairs and the storm was still raging, so she couldn't have left.

Movements on the couch caught my attention but the headrest shielded my view so I had to move closer to see but the sight I met on reaching rooting me to the ground.

My heart tightened and my protective instincts ignited.

There on the couch, Anne was resting her head on the armrest sound asleep with the lower part of her legs on the table.

She enfolded her arms beneath her head looking so fragile and vulnerable.

She had on a plain yellow t-shirt and loose jeans but that did little to conceal her slender waist and curves because her top had ridden up a little exposing her smooth, caramel flat stomach and the upper part of her rounded h.i.p.s.

I just stood there and stared, trying to figure out what was really wrong with me.

I felt like shielding her as a brother would, but at the same time, I felt like running my hands against her smooth skin, exploring those soft curves.

I shook my head at my ridiculousness and proceeded to cover her, removing her legs from the table, placing it on the couch.

I went back to Andrew's room and got a blanket.

Moving quietly so as not to wake her, I pulled the blanket gently over her body.

I tried tucking the blanket but then she moved, turning and facing the couch, taking my hand with her.

Still asleep, she rested her head on my hand leaving me stooped over in an uncomfortable position.

"I've missed you, mum," she whispered softly and I couldn't stop the smile that crept to my face despite my stooped position.

She wasn't making things easy for me. A part of my arm was beneath her b.r.e.a.s.ts and I could feel her softness through her clothing pressed against my arm, plus her lavender smell which filled my nose

and wasn't helping to abet the rising need in me.

I shook my head again to expunge the illicit scenes invading my thoughts and slowly removed my hand from the almost strong grip Anne had on it.

I breathed deeply and sat down in the small space remaining on the couch.

I had thought of carrying Anne to Andrew's room but decided against it partly because she might wake up midway and freak out, that I don't need, and partly because of the urge to watch over her.

Anne

I opened my eyes and immediately knew I wasn't in my room.

I rubbed and squinted my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room.

I checked my phone on the table and it was five o'clock in the morning which meant it was still dark outside.

Sitting up, I stretched my muscles and realized I had slept well despite sleeping on a couch.

I noticed the blanket which wasn't there last night. Vincent must have covered me with it.

' How sweet.'

I felt really good inside.

He should be sleeping up in his room.

Imagine my shock when I turned to the side of the couch and came face to face with a figure on the couch.

I covered my mouth from screaming and squinted to see clearly.

Slowly I could make out his face. I moved really close to getting a better look at his sleeping face.

He was resting his head on the headrest, his face bent slightly towards me, looking so cute and peaceful.

His sideburns we're well carved running down to end just below his ears giving him a sharp-edged look.

'it's sealed, I have a crush on Vincent.'

The jingling of what I presumed to be keys drove me out of my reverie and I looked towards the door where the sound was coming from.

'Andrew.'

I returned my gaze to it's former and found a set of clear dark brown eyes staring back at me.

I jerked back and almost fell off the couch.

The eyes followed my movement and then looked towards the door.

I followed his gaze to the door which opened to reveal Andrew who was bent over removing his shoes.

"These shoes are done for," he said carrying his sneakers that looked like they were run over by a trailer, but I am guessing it was the rain.

It was when he entered and looked up that he noticed us.

He stood there staring from me to Vincent then back at me and I could have sworn I saw a flash of something in his eyes that I couldn't make out because it left as fast as it came.

He then broke into a gorgeous smile and ran towards me.

"Anny, I've missed you!"

He grabbed me and gave me a bone-crushing hug that left me gasping for air.

"Hey you," I said breezily.

"Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, the rain was terrible."

"It's cool, we don't need you drowning now, do we?" I said with a smirk and he gave me one of his award-winning smiles.

"No, I am really sorry you had spent the night with my boring brother."

Vincent who has been quiet stood up and smacked the back of his head.

"Shut up freak," he said and made his way to the kitchen.

"Boring and bully of a brother!" Andrew said after the retreating back of Vincent, rubbing his head where he was smacked.

I stood there giggling with my hand over my mouth.

"And youuuuu....." he said picking me up easily and placing me over his shoulders.

I squeaked, struggling to get off.

"Put me down this instant!" I said when my struggle came out futile.

"Nope. Weeeeeeeeee!" He sang and ran around the room. Jumping up and down.

"Andrew Benedict Sawyer, I swear if I get down, I will kill you," I said exhausted from all the jerky movements.

"You sound like my mum, speaking of mummies, I'll tell yours you swore to kill me," he said mischievously.

"That's if you'll still be alive...Drew please, am getting dizzy," I begged.

"Only cause you asked nicely," he said dropping me gently on the couch.

I gave him the middle finger and he fell to the floor laughing.

Just then, Vincent walked downstairs putting on grey track pants and white polo with a small towel over his shoulders.

He must have gone up during the fiesta with Andrew.

"Hitting the gym, these babies need maintenance," he said tapping his abs.

'hmm c.o.c.ky, that's new.'

"Show off," Andrew said impassively from the floor.

"Hater,"  Vincent retorted, sticking his tongue out, then walked towards their gym room.

I smiled from my sit. This two bicker like old women.

"Oh," Vincent stopped and turned, "mum invited Anne to her birthday party." He said and continued to the gym.

"Really!" Andrew squealed. "Anny bear, you'll be my date!"

"Umm...am yet to decide if ..."

"Shush!" He said mock sternly, "you can't say no."

"I wasn't going to...." I said biting my nails.

He laughed, not convinced by my reply.

I don't know how they hold their parties but somehow I knew this one was going to be grand considering it's their mum's birthday party which I didn't know it was till Vincent said it.

Then again, I've never met face to face with their mum, though she seemed nice from the phone.

But the most pressing problem is the fact that I've got nothing grand party worthy to wear.

'yikes.'

"Don't worry, you'll love my mum, she's too sweet and definitely going to spoil your tooth."

"Shut up," I said smacking him on the arm.

He laughed.

"You'll come right?" He pouted.

"Yeaaaa." I drawled.

"That's my baby."