And please people vote for my book, I beg of you and thank you again.

Christopher

Song: Stay - Rihannah.

Its been almost five days without a word from Damien and everyone is really starting to panic.

Is he dead? People keep asking and its driving me nuts. Fuck, I miss him.

James is the only optimistic one in this house, he cares about Damien even though Damien never wasted anytime reminding him that he could never replace our Dad but James made it clear time without number that he doesn't want to replace dad, even if he could. I guess the reason Damien hated him so much was because James wanted to be a father figure instead of a friend.

And Damien loved my father too much to let anyone else in. The first two days after Damien's disappearance, James blamed himself for it. He said 'who was he to try to be a father to us?' and he drove Damien away... That kind of bullshit.

We had searched everywhere he could be but we still couldn't find him. I even went to the old skate park where we used to hang out before he went to that bloody military school.

He changed a lot after that school. He became more responsible and maturity hit him Like a truck. He became so uptight, it drove me completely crazy.

Sitting in my room, staring at the ceiling and wondering what he is doing now isn't really helping but I need something to occupy my mind. What would he do if I was missing?
He would try to find me, that's for sure.

What if he doesn't want to be found? I know I can't think like this but I have to consider all options here.

A knock on the door brings me into reality "Chris?" Samantha's voice sound like she had been crying. I can't really blame her, Damien was like her back bone, he helped her with anything she needed, even before military school. He always tried to help me but I pushed him away, I hated depending on people, I love independence but he always said it's my ego.

I guess I am egotistic, that's why I didn't say anything that night when he left "Come in" I finally say. her eyes are red and swollen.

I was right.

"What's wrong?" She sits on the bed beside me and tears start falling out of her eyes " Is he dead?" I feel my chest tighten at the question.

I try to talk but I don't know what to say because yes is not an option. I open my arms and she leans in, I hug her tightly before answering "shh"

I place my chin on her head "I am sure wherever he is, he's safe" she wipes her eyes with the back of her hand "You think so?" She says into my chest. No i don't , for all we know he could be dead or sold as a slave.

"I know so" I lie. I have to tell her what she wants to hear "Damien's a tough guy" that, I don't lie about.

She gives me a half smile "Yeah, he is" she sits up and hugs me "Thanks" We both lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.

"What do you think he will say if he was here?" She asked with her eyes still facing up. I think for a minute.

"Get your fucking asses out here!!!" We both shout and start laughing uncontrollably.

Then silence rules the room once more. My eyes dart to the door as it was flung open "Lunch's ready" James said excitedly.

He is only this happy about lunch when he cooks something good. Another trait he and my father shared... Good cooking.

The moment I step out of the room the aroma punches me on the nose.

*sniff*

"It looks better... Come on" We both follow behind him as he leads us down the stairs, the table was filled with plates and bowls filled with different varieties of foods.

"Your mum should be back any minute"

*Ding dong* 

Samantha was excited to see mum as she dashes for the door, she flings it open and gives her a tight hug and I join in.

"Welcome home, Karen" James said with a kiss, she smiles faintly but it disappears as she look around the house "Still no word?" She asks and we all shake our heads.

"Its okay, the food does smell great right?" James' attempt to lighten our mood fails.

Dinner was going rather awkward, no one had said a word since we started eating; just the sound of spoons hitting plates and chewing sounds.

"So, how was work today honey?" James asks mum. "It was fine" she answers flatly, "Any new clients?"

"None" she says again.

Mum always told us she was a lawyer but it doesn't add up, a few weeks ago I saw her come home looking all dirty and greasy, it was an ugly sight.

I know she isn't a lawyer but we never really cared to ask... Until now "Are you actually a lawyer?" With my eyes strained in her direction.

She seemed a little thrown off by my question but quickly puts herself back together and sighs.

" I... Can't hide anything from you guys anymore since you're all grown kids so... No"

Samantha's mouth falls open, I would have laughed on a normal day. Besides I don't believe she actually just told me the truth "So what then?"

James looks a little uncomfortable but he keeps on eating "I work for the FBI" Wow, my mum is an FBI agent that explains a lot.

"You knew this?" Samantha shoots at James, he looks up with the spoon in his mouth, he swallows but I don't think its the food "Well... I-" He is cut off by her storming out of the table.

Samantha has never acted like that before "I'll go talk to her" I offer "No, I should "Mum counters, while getting up and trailing behind my little sister.

SAMANTHA

I get up from the table and walk straight to my room.

Why, why,why all the lie's? Dads gone, Damien's possibly gone, now I find out mum works with the FBI? I could lose her too.

I can't handle that... I can't live with myself, I can't lose someone else in my family. My cheeks are wet from the crying, I hate crying, and I cry too much; its annoying.

"Honey, I'm coming in" Mum says after her knock. She opens the door and walks In slowly "What do you want?" I ask harshly. She sighs and sits on the bed.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I don't understand why you're crying" I wipe my eyes and look at her tired face "I can't lose you too mama" I say into my sob.

Her eyes soften and she wraps her warm arms around me "Shhh" this is the second time I am hearing this today " Its okay, you won't lose me" she continues.

We stayed in that position for God knows how long, "So you're an agent. You shoot and arrest bad guys and stuff?" I break the silence.

"Yeah" she answers "Is that why Damien went to military school?".

"Yeah and that's how I met your dad" she smiles "He was an agent too? Is that his he died?" I know this is a sour topic for Mom but there was no better time than now to get the truth out of her "Something like that"

"How'd you meet him then?"

"I was on a job and he was the leader of the special ops team escorting me and my colleagues. The first time I laid my eyes on him, I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach, he was the most handsome thing I had ever seen. With his slightly white beards and there was this wildness in his eyes"

"I thought I was the only one who was crushing until I caught him staring at me, I think I fell in love with him the moment our eyes met" We both giggle.

"It must have been nice" I say "Oh, it was. Until guns started blazing and one of his friends got seriously wounded so, we had to get outta there"

She sighs before continuing " I got to the chopper along with his squad mates and when the pilot wanted to take off without your dad I shouted 'if you dare!' And he was so intimidated by me he had to wait. After a few more minutes I was starting to get worried... Then I see him; with the sun at his back, the wind in his hair,  his friends arm across his shoulders... " She giggled "He carried him to the chopper then when he got in, I said 'I leave no man behind"

And she starts giggling even more "And he smiled, that smile. He smiled the smile" she said "That's a lot of smiles " I say and she chuckles. I was so engrossed in the story that I didnt notice her start crying "You still love him don't you?" I asked and placed my hand on hers "Yes I do and I will never stop"

"I love you, mum" I said and there my arms around her "I love you too baby"

Hope you love the story, if you don't tell me and why. Thank you, have a good day ;-)