Greya's POV...

I can't remember the last time I was on a vacation. I know I've been on one with my parents, before my mom got sick. I've seen pictures. We went to Colorado and stayed up in the mountains. Chase wasn't born yet, so he's never even had a weekend getaway. This is nice!

Come to think of it, I don't think Lox and Liam have ever had a vacation. They probably didn't celebrate Thanksgiving either, having Jack as a father. Maybe the Collins had dinner for them every year like they're doing for all of us now. Chase and I were lucky enough to have our grandmother and the three of us cooked and ate together every Thanksgiving after our father died.

It's been so hot here that we've spent the majority of our time in the pool. AKA giant hot tub, though it's still cooler than the air.

We've been here two days and Chase and Liam are showing us how to relax and have fun. Cohen, Fynn and Tim's joined them and they're now playing Marco Polo; Chase clearly is the better Marco in this game. Meanwhile, Lox is walking the inside perimeter of the pool, holding onto the edge for support with his good hand. He clearly doesn't know what to do with himself. Hell, neither do I, but I'm lounging in a chair with a book in my hands, attempting to relax.

Liam fits right at home with Cohen's family. He has all his memories of growing up around them and being cared for when Jack neglected his sons. Lox on the other hand looks miserable. He hasn't complained lately about his loss of memories, but I know it bothers him. It would bother me if I didn't remember who I was or where I came from or any of the memories I had of being with my friends. He says deep down he knows he was close to these people and has bits and pieces of recollections of them, but it's not enough. The guy can never catch a break though he never gives up and I admire him so much for that.

"Come in the pool Grey!" Chase yells. "And when's Ari and Declan getting here?"

"Soon bud, any time now."

Ari and Declan are apparently bringing Cohen's new girlfriend here with them. None of us have met her yet, Cohen only revealed her name to us yesterday. Him introducing us to a girl he likes is a big deal. He's usually very secretive; something I've never been able to figure out because he's a good looking guy and he's nice and he's loyal. Why he hasn't had a long term relationship is beyond me, but he's been this way ever since I met him.

"Greya!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

I put my book down, not caring that I've only been staring at the same page for the last hour. My minds been preoccupied on Loxley and watching him walking laps around the pool instead of having fun. He's in his own world focusing on his exercises that he doesn't notice me enter the water.

I sneak up from behind and wrap my arms around the front of him. He flinches and tenses at the same time.

"Sorry, B! I didn't mean to scare you." Shit, what was I thinking?

"Not y...y...your fault. I w...was in m...m...my own world," he sighs knowing how pronounced his stutter is now that I've startled him.

I chuckle, "You don't say?" Trying to lighten the mood and fix my mistake.

That gets a smile out of him.

" Are you guys playing?" Chase asks.

"You g...go ahead," Lox says to me, but I swim around to the front of him and grab his hand from the edge.

Obviously, trying to swim around with only one arm and leg would be difficult and would make a lot of noise, splashing around. Chase would always find him. I can see why he thinks he can't participate. But, I'm here now and I'm going to make him have a little fun.

"We're both playing, together." He looks at me, confused and then frowns.

He's still half in his own world until I tell him I love him and he finally looks at me with better clarity.

I turn my back to him and bend down slightly while taking his left arm and securing it around my neck.

"Get on my back."

"Wh...what?"

"Trust me. And you weigh nothing in the pool, so it's fine."

I grab his legs and he places his other arm around me and we join the others while calling out "Polo". Good thing this pool is ginormous as we've all been practically living in it.

We play for a good half hour or so. Lox is even laughing while he's on my back as I try and run away from Chase. Hearing him laugh makes me happy. This is what vacation is supposed to be all about.

"Let the real festivities begin!"

We all turn and see Ari and Declan stroll out to the pool area.

"Ari, you're here!" Chase blurts out.

"Of course I'm here, I wouldn't miss this chance of having a Thanksgiving break with my favorite teenager."

Lox slides off my back but keeps his arm around me for support. Chase quickly exits the pool and walks over to his new girl. We're all awkwardly watching their exchange as he hugs her and then whispers something into her ear before turning back towards us.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Jess."

Still awkward, we wave and greet his blonde, blue eyed girlfriend. While she's taking in her surroundings and watching my blind brother holding his hands in front of him, navigating the pool, I suddenly become a protective mother and guide Chase over to me with my voice.

People stare because they're curious, that's totally expected and I'm used to it, but this girl doesn't look curious, she looks uncomfortable. What will her expression be when she sees Lox trying to use the pool stairs to get out?

Cohen notices me glaring at her and whispers something else. He's probably reminding her my brother is blind. Her facial expression quickly changes and she grabs Cohens hand, asking him to show her the house.

"You d...don't like her d...do you?"

"I'm not one to judge so easily but I have a bad vibe about her."

"Yeah, she's a trip! I don't know where Cohen found her but she's going to make for an interesting week," Ari laughs and her and Declan walk over to the lounge chairs together.

Declan's acknowledged Lox with a friendly nod and that's about it. I've noticed that about him and Lox lately that I really didn't pay attention to at first. Declan is still uncomfortable around Lox and for obvious reasons Lox has difficulty initiating conversations with Declan, due to lack of memory and not his stutter. Makes me sad knowing how close they used to be.

Everyone's out of the pool except for Lox and I. Mrs. Collins is taking Chase grocery shopping and then to the movies. He loves the surround sound in the big theaters and the popcorn, so he'll be happy. I think Mrs. Collins has been keeping Chase busy with her so I can enjoy some free time. I'm not used to any of this but I sure do appreciate everything.

" Hey, we're still going for a walk around town right?"
Fynn asks us all while drying off with a towel.

"Of course we are, when should we be ready?" Ari asks.

Fynn looks to Lox and I. "How much time do you guys need?"

We look at each other and shrug. "Is forty-five minutes okay?"

"Yeah, what ever you two need, you just let us know."

" Thanks Fynn, we'll get ready now."

"Come on Dec, I need a quick shower first," Ari slaps his leg and Declan follows her into the house.

They left us alone in the pool and I'm grateful Cohen took Jessica inside so she's not staring us getting out of here.

I normally don't care what other people think of me, but I care about Lox and it's really going to bother me if she eyes him the wrong way. He deals with enough, he doesn't people looking at him like he's different or incapable.. Maybe I'm over reacting. Jess is probably a nice girl, otherwise Cohen wouldn't of asked her to come.

"B?"

He has his arm around me and we're making our way up the three steps. Without his brace on his left leg doesn't work well at all, yet he does whatever he can to try and improve it everyday.

"Yeah, L...Love."

"Have I told you lately how proud I am of you? And that I'm so happy we're here on this vacation together."

He lowers his head, a bashful gesture and smiles, showing me those dimples I'm so crazy about.

"Have I t...told you l...lately how much I love y...you?" He leans over and kisses my temple.

"Come on, h...help me to our r...room. We have f...forty-two minutes now," he chuckles at himself.

We manage to dodge any curious eyes on the way to our room and Lox leaves me to shower first while he changes into dry clothes. If he showers now it would take too long. Maybe I'll suggest we shower together next time. We're ready for that, right?

Lox is dressed, wearing his AFO so he can walk better and is fiddling with his bionic arm brace.

"I h...haven't used this y...yet today."

I slowly approach him and take it from his hand and place it onto the mattress. "I don't think you should use it the rest of the week."

He raises his eyes to me.

"What if it isn't really helping your arm? I mean, it straightens it out but at the expense of your sanity. You're in severe pain every time you wear it and afterwards you're more comfortable with your elbow bent at your side."

Whether this thing will make his arm better or not, I can't watch him suffer wearing it. Not this week anyway. He can talk to PT about it when we get back.

Less than an hour ago in the pool was the first time I've seen him smile or heard him laugh since we've arrived here. His mind is elsewhere, he's not at home here like the rest of us feel, he's spending his free time doing exercises and worrying about his fathers intentions. No more, not for the rest of this week anyway. I can't control what's going on in his head but I can do what I can to help him be happy and feel more at ease.

"What if I'm s...supposed feel th..this pain while it d...does it's job?"

"I feel like it's hurting you more than helping. We can figure out a different alternative with PT when we get back. This isn't giving up, we're only finding a better way."

He smiles at me.

"What?"

"I like how y...you said WE."

I smile back and he kisses me.

"I'd l...like to stay here and k...kiss you all night but everyone's w...waiting for us."

"There's always later."