“That’s not fair!” I shout as Em hits me again with the water gun. She continues until I surrender and throw her over my shoulder as she laughs at me. “Kingston put me down.” “What, baby?” She starts pinching my behind and I can’t reach her hand to slap it away. “Stop that.” “Well put me down now.” I throw her in the water. She breaks the surface and her stern gazes meets mine. “Not like that.” “You asked for it.” “I said put me down not toss me in the lake.” We are up at Miles’ vacation home in Cape Cod we have come the past two years as one big massive family. It has enough beds for everyone. We play games, cook together, laugh, have fun, it’s a tradition I don’t see us breaking anytime soon. This is sort of our last hoorah. All together. After this we all go our separate ways. Yeah we’ll stay in touch but it won’t be the same. Unless we all live near each other again. When we leave here tomorrow we will be making the journey to New York. Sin
Time flies when you are busy, overworked and exhausted. I feel like I blinked and now it’s a week out from my own wedding. I’m getting married to the love of my life in a week. I couldn’t be happier or more excited. But first, the bachelorette night courtesy of Josie my maid of honour. I knock on her apartment door, box in hand and question ready on my lips. “Oh Em you look nice, did you want Josie?” Austen asks opening the door to greet me. “Thank you and yes I would like my best friend.” “Did Kingston ask you yet?” “Yeah last night although I’m kind of sad I didn’t get a box too.” “Oh well, guess you don’t have the better best-friend.” That’s something we all fight over who has the better best-friendship, which duo is better. The sisters by love or brothers by choice. We don’t know. There will never to be a correct answer. Because really we are just a lucky bunch of people to be surrounded by amazing company that we get to share, live and love with.
REHEARSAL DINNER | the night before the wedding MATURE CONTENT | 18+ “We are getting married tomorrow. Like tomorrow.” Em says from her spot resting on my chest. “Yeah we are, surreal huh?” I respond. “Um yes, but I’m excited.” “Me too, no nerves?” “None not with you ever.” That makes my heart swell. “So you aren’t going to pull a Burke and leave me at the alter?” I ask referring to one of the many weddings on Greys. “Not at all, I want this so fucking much.” “Me too Em.” “I love you.” She whispers. “I love you more.” “How are your vows going?” She asks. Ugh those things, the declaration of love. Matrimony. They are coming along nicely but I just know Em’s are going to be like 1000 times better than mine. “Good. Yours?” I ask and she smirks. “I’m happy, Josie loves them so I hope you do too. Because there’s still time for Jos and I to run of into the sunset.” That’s not the first time either of them have mentioned their happily ever afte
5 YEARS AGO. It took 7 seconds for my world to turn upside down. All the memories, smiles, happiness and love gone with the words ‘there’s nothing we can do’. In one hour, I lost the two people in my life that mean everything to me. I’ve seen the same 4 walls for the past week. My older brother, Damien is sleeping on a chair in the corner of the plain, sterile hospital room with my younger sister Tate on his chest. Meanwhile, I’m bouncing between both mum and dad’s hospital rooms with my older brother Cole. Just waiting. Waiting for changes. Updates. Something to happen. But at this rate, nothing is changing and nothing is happening. Except everything’s changed. It was only a week ago, everything changed. Yet it felt like yesterday but also like it didn’t even happen. I can’t comprehend it, how could it happen. To us. My family. What did we do to deserve this. flashback (one week ago) Since mum and dad were away after being on their annual anniversary trip to London. Damien my ol
THE YEARS BETWEEN (15-20 years old).Every time, around that day. I get overly anxious. I can’t help it. I try implement what my psychologist taught me, but it gets hard sometimes.Their deaths hit me hard. I mean it hit all my siblings hard. We were still kids, really. We had no idea how to live on our own, well except for Damien who had done so for the past 4 years prior to their passing. I still think about them. I try not too, but it’s hard you know.The smiles can only go so far.Concealer can only cover so many tear stained cheeks.In the years, following their deaths, things only slightly improved for me. Damien was happy, he found someone. Cole left me at high school for a year, when he went to college (I followed him the year later, but still my final year sucked without him). Even Tate started school and was now 9 and the cutest, bubbliest little sister ever.Damien quit the NHL before he even started.Because with no family on either side.We were left with just the four of
The harsh brightness from my laptop screen slowly comes into my vision when my eyes start to open. Shit. I must have fallen asleep watching Grey’s, again. Every single time. Shit. It’s 3 when I last looked at the clock, before sleep consumed me. What time is it? I can’t be late on my first day of junior year.2 more years, I remind myself. Two more year and your dream will begin.I lean across my bed to grab my phone soaking up the final minutes of warmth before I have to breach the outside world. I take a quick glance at my clock. 5:00AM, why am I up so early. 2 hours of sleep is not enough. It’s getting worse again.Class starts in 5 hours. 4 more hours of sleep, for me. Leaving an hour to get ready, grab my coffee and stroll to my first class. Shit. My phone. Who is ringing me at 5 in the morning?That’s when I see his name. My big brother Damien. Why is he ringing at this early in the morning? What could he possibly want? That’s when I remember it’s Monday. The weekl
The first thing I feel when I open my eyes is the crisp cool air following through. Fuck, I left my window open last night, If I catch a cold Coach is going to kill me. No literally. He threatened Dillon once when he showed up to practice with a runny nose. It doesn’t help that we play ice hockey. I mean a rink, isn’t really the place you go to get a tan.Ice hockey. I love it. More than anything. My passion. Not NHL level dreams. But still, something I love whole-hearty. It gives me drive. Senior year. I’m here, after everything I finally made it here. Honestly didn’t think I would.Ok, what the fuck is going on outside my door. Miles should be at work so it can’t be him, Dillon I can faintly hear snoring through the wall next to me. So it’s Cole. Austen isn’t here yet, he arrived home yesterday but went to his parents last night so he gets in later today since he doesn’t have classes on Monday, lucky bastard.What is Cole doing out there? Last night was fun and
I stumble in the door after a long day of classes on Friday, the night of the party. Why did I agree to go? For Josie, that’s right. Also, why did I think it was a good idea to have classes on Friday. I’m greeted with the smallest patter of steps along the floor.That’s when our little pure white husky greets me by sitting at my feet. Begging for my attention. We bought her after Josie lost a bet with Sutton. I don’t even remember what the bet was about but after it we got her. We love and adore on her. She truly is a little ray of sunshine.The fifth member of our squad. Lulu. She is small, adorable and feisty. I guess I’ll take her for a walk before the party as it appears no one else is home.After I call out “Hey honey I’m home?” I’m met with pure silence. Yep ok, no one’s home. Addison is probably out with her boyfriend. Josie is at her textiles lab and Sutton is probably doing something for her dad no doubt.I put my bag down, whip up my 4th and final cup of coffee f
REHEARSAL DINNER | the night before the wedding MATURE CONTENT | 18+ “We are getting married tomorrow. Like tomorrow.” Em says from her spot resting on my chest. “Yeah we are, surreal huh?” I respond. “Um yes, but I’m excited.” “Me too, no nerves?” “None not with you ever.” That makes my heart swell. “So you aren’t going to pull a Burke and leave me at the alter?” I ask referring to one of the many weddings on Greys. “Not at all, I want this so fucking much.” “Me too Em.” “I love you.” She whispers. “I love you more.” “How are your vows going?” She asks. Ugh those things, the declaration of love. Matrimony. They are coming along nicely but I just know Em’s are going to be like 1000 times better than mine. “Good. Yours?” I ask and she smirks. “I’m happy, Josie loves them so I hope you do too. Because there’s still time for Jos and I to run of into the sunset.” That’s not the first time either of them have mentioned their happily ever afte
Time flies when you are busy, overworked and exhausted. I feel like I blinked and now it’s a week out from my own wedding. I’m getting married to the love of my life in a week. I couldn’t be happier or more excited. But first, the bachelorette night courtesy of Josie my maid of honour. I knock on her apartment door, box in hand and question ready on my lips. “Oh Em you look nice, did you want Josie?” Austen asks opening the door to greet me. “Thank you and yes I would like my best friend.” “Did Kingston ask you yet?” “Yeah last night although I’m kind of sad I didn’t get a box too.” “Oh well, guess you don’t have the better best-friend.” That’s something we all fight over who has the better best-friendship, which duo is better. The sisters by love or brothers by choice. We don’t know. There will never to be a correct answer. Because really we are just a lucky bunch of people to be surrounded by amazing company that we get to share, live and love with.
“That’s not fair!” I shout as Em hits me again with the water gun. She continues until I surrender and throw her over my shoulder as she laughs at me. “Kingston put me down.” “What, baby?” She starts pinching my behind and I can’t reach her hand to slap it away. “Stop that.” “Well put me down now.” I throw her in the water. She breaks the surface and her stern gazes meets mine. “Not like that.” “You asked for it.” “I said put me down not toss me in the lake.” We are up at Miles’ vacation home in Cape Cod we have come the past two years as one big massive family. It has enough beds for everyone. We play games, cook together, laugh, have fun, it’s a tradition I don’t see us breaking anytime soon. This is sort of our last hoorah. All together. After this we all go our separate ways. Yeah we’ll stay in touch but it won’t be the same. Unless we all live near each other again. When we leave here tomorrow we will be making the journey to New York. Sin
There are future spoilers for other couples (who will eventually have their own stories). It’s hard writing this time for K&E and not talking about where their friends lives are at. They are all so close like a massive family. So read at your own discretion. Pause reading here, if you want to read Josie and Austen’s story from the beginning and not where they end up, I try keep it to a minimum, but again kind of hard since it effects King and Em directly. It’s up to you where you go from here! These chapters and this time was my favourite to write and are probably some of my best “Come on Em we are going to miss our flight if you don’t hurry up?” Kingston shouts from the bathroom. “Josie you too. Hurry up.” Austen adds. “Em what is taking so long?” “Just need to finish, last chapter…” “You have time for that on the plane, now get your butt in gear. Are you packed, do you have everything?” He says snatching my iPad from me. He pulls me into his chest. “Yes
6 MONTHS LATER… Graduation, baby. We finally did it. Boston U’s Class of 22! It’s been an amazing, adventurous, sweet, crazy journey. But we did. Us four girls stand hand in hand in their apartment before we finally head out to walk across the stage. After four years. All the ups and downs. Every party. Failed grade. Library study session. Coffee from Glazes. Hockey game. Sorority event. We made it through. Stronger and better than ever. We all have incredible futures ahead of us. Me as at nursing school. Josie at an internship for Vogue. Addison as a teacher at a prestigious school. Sutton at an insane PR and Marketing firm for Sports Professionals. I can’t believe we did it. I love these girls more than life itself. Without them this would have been a boring journey. We are sisters. Wherever we end up we will always have each other. “You girls ready to go?” Cole asks from his spot next to the door. He’s accompanied by Kingston, Austen and
We’ve enjoyed a perfect state of bliss bridging the gap between Christmas and New Years. We spent the time with Em’s family. It’s important for her mental health to spend time with them and during the semester it doesn’t happen that often. So we soaked up all the time we could with them. Along with bouncing back and forth to my parents as well. Over the past year our relationship has grown to new heights. All because of the girl next to me. She was the catalyst. The fighting force. My parents thank her every time. She just smiles and says sweet words in response. But she truly has no idea how strong they feel over this. Knowing I could have ended up like him scares them the most. But more importantly it scares me. We also took time and brought Cora and Tate with us. Since the two of them are two peas in a pod. It’s adorable honestly. Seeing them get along so well is amazing. We are home now. And tonight is party night. We are getting all dressed up and heading t
Christmas is in full swing at the Hale-Cooper and Fitzgerald-James apartment. Like it looks like Santa and his 12 reindeer threw up in our apartment. There are decorations everywhere. Not that I expected anything less from Josie. I mean she makes ‘Winter Wonderland’ her bitch. The tree is real for god sake. Real. Like pine and woody smelling. It fills the apartment day in and out. Oh and if that isn’t enough there is about 16 Christmas soy scented candles in our apartment. There’s bound to be 2 burning at all times in every room. The carols and music fill our speaker system in our apartment every morning 9am sharp. Then throughout the day its the alternating routine between music and movies. There are snacks always out. Candy canes. Hershey’s kisses with festive flavours. There is always a round of Pillsbury Christmas cookies in the cupboard and one in the oven. Oh and fresh ready to bake packet in the fridge. Just for safe keeping. In case we eat them all. We’ve b
It’s been a month since Em’s incident. It scared and terrified me. Receiving that phone call from Callum. I knew I shouldn’t have left her… I’m cooking dinner for us at home, the vegetables are prepped and chicken is cooking now. Josie is studying at the breakfast bar. Austen’s not home and Em isn’t home from the library either. “Not studying with Em today?” I ask Josie. “Nah cramps got really bad today, so I just decided to stay home. That smells good.” “Thanks.” “Ugh Kingston your phone is ringing.” “Does it say who it is?” “Callum. I think.” Miles’ boyfriend why would he be ringing me. “Pass it here.” “Alright.” She leans over and grabs it. “Hi Callum.” “Umm hi I’m with Emerson now, something’s happened. She needs you. We are on our way to the hospital now.” With that all the colour drains from me. Emerson, hospital, what the fuck. “Kingston what is it?” Josie asks worried. “Emerson something happened.” “What? Where.” “I don’t know we need to
“Damien, I can’t….. that……. I hate….. It hurts Damien, I can’t breathe…” “Emmy you’re ok, slowly in and out, there you go, you are safe now. You have a concussion, you are going to need stitches for the cut and will need some wrapping on your wrist.” “WHERE IS SHE?” I hear the familiar voice I love come down the hall. “Do you want to see him? He’ll understand if you don’t.” I just nod and squeeze his arm. “I love you Emmy, you’ll get through this. We’ll see Lily together alright. I’m not leaving you alone.” He enters to hallway leaving me with the nurse in the room. It’s protocol, I know that. Kingston enters the room and I can see his tear stricken eyes. “I’m so fucking sorry. Emerson. I should have been there. I should have. I’m so sorry.” “It’s not your fault.” “I know but I should have been there, I shouldn’t have left you there by yourself.” “How were you meant to know. I’ve done that many times. Just tonight something happened.” “It’s not your