The first week after I had been shot was a living hell. Mac was always watching me just like she's always done. Except, she was watching more than she usually does. If that makes sense. She's sitting at the bar on her stool that she's claimed. Watching me like a hawk.

"Mac I am fine. I won't hurt myself, I won't kill myself. It's just a cup of water I'm carrying." I tell her. I see her scuff and cross her arms like she doesn't believe me.

"I promise sis. I'm fine. I won't leave you hanging around this hell by yourself. Remember us against the world." I try to reason with her.

"Sempre e per sempre." She says in Italian.

"Yes, always and forever Sorella." I tell her with a smile.

I walk back from behind the bar and place my water on the bar counter. I pull my stool inches from hers. I sit down and face my heartbroken sister. I drape my arm around her. I pull her close into my chest. She can hear my heartbeat so it should calm her down.

"I was so afraid Bubbie. I thought I lost you." She cries into my chest.

"I'm here sis. I promised you years ago I would be here. No bullet will make me break that promise." I whisper.

"Ti amo. Per favore, non farti mai più sparare. Sono quasi morto guardando il tuo corpo insanguinato. Se ti succede qualcosa. Penso che morirò." She cries into my chest.

("I love you. Please don't ever get shot again. I almost died looking at your bloody body. If anything happens to you. I think I'll die.")

"Anch'io ti amo. La famiglia è per sempre. Anche dopo la morte. Ti amerei sempre sorella. Sempre."

(I love you too. Family is forever. Even after death. I would always love you sister. Always.)

"Never let go." She says.

"Never give up." I finish her saying for her. She finally has calmed down so I let her sit back up right.

"What's that tattoo mean Bubbie?" She questions me.

"Never let go." I answer her. She looks taken back by my words.

"I got it to remind me every single day to never let go. To fight. For you, the twins, my family, for myself. When I'm down, I remember your quote Mac. Then, I just look down at my wrist and I keep fighting. You're my Angel more than you'll ever realize Mac." I finally finish telling her. I climb down from my stool as she does. I feel her arms wrap around my waist.

"I love you Bubbie." She mumbles into my stomach.

"I love you more Sorella." I respond.

"I love you to the Milky Way." She fires back.

"I love you to the Black Hole." I shot back.

"Hey that's not fair!" She whines.
I laugh at my whining 23 year old sister and wiggle out of her grip. I walk away from her and something hit me in the back of my head. When I turned around I see a couch pillow directly behind me.

"Did you?" I question.

"Nope." She said popping her p. Making me quirk my brow at her.

Really?

"It fell from the sky!" She squeaked out.

"The sky? Really Mac." I say while shaking my head.

I toss the pillow back at her and hit her in the face.

"Hey! That's my money maker!!" She yells out.

I start to run because I have this angry minion on my ass. I run pass a confused Dawson. When Dawson sees Mac running not far behind me; he side steps out her way. All you hear is Dawson laughing his ass off. I sprint pass Dylan and when he rounds the corner.

"Ouch!"

"Damn Dylan get your fat ass off me."

All I can do is laugh. I spot dad down the hall and crouch behind my dad.

"Shhh! I'm not here." I whisper.

"Kaiser I'm going to kill you!" Mac yells out in fury.

"McKenzie get off me!!" Dylan yells out. "Ouch! That was my nuts!" He squeal in pain.

"Mom!!!! Mom!!!! Dylan just gave me a wedgey!" Mac cries out.

"So what. You just crushed my damn jewels with your elbow." Dylan fires back. Dad looks over his shoulder with a questionable look.

"If I were you I wouldn't go in there." I whisper.

"If I were you I'd get on a spaceship and land on Pluto son." Dad whispers.

"Where is he!" Mac yells again.

Before I could even think about running, dad fucking moves and Mac has her eye sight set on me. Before she could make a step in my direction, Dylan slings her over his shoulders and sprints down the hall pass dad and I. He run out the back door. Dad, mom, Dawson, and I begin to run after Dylan. We make it to the pool and all we hear is a squeal and Dylan's voice.

"Bombs away!" Dylan has jumped into the pool with a screaming Mac on his shoulders. Rest In Peace Dill you were loved my brother.

"He's."

"So."

"Dead."

"Fucking idiota."

"Looks like you're off the hook Kaiser." Draven says from behind us. Dawson jumps and screams over his voice coming out of no where.

Dawson has jumped clean out his skin and into the water. Mom starts to laugh so hard she is in tears.

"What are you doing back so early? I thought you had the twins all day?" Dad questions.

"Oh I did. They wanted to come to the pool and swim. I see those three beat us to it." Draven laughs out.

"Yeah. No, I'm not getting in that thing until piranha over there calms down. Bitch will drown me." I say shaking my head. She might be 4'11 but my sister is feistier than a bear protecting her cub. That's a negative for me at the moment. If she keeps trying to kill Dylan than she'll lose enough energy to where I'm completely safe.

I think.

I hope.

It's Mac we're talking about here.

Moments later we hear the back door open. By the chattering we all knew it was the girls. Before I could even say hello there is a big splash.

"Cowanbunga!!!!" Tinsley yells before she follows Kenna and Rylee in the pool.

"Kaiser come here." Tinsley yells from the other side of the pool. I walked to the other side and crouch down in front of her.

"Can you help me up?" She asks in a sweet voice. I reach out to grab her hand. Seconds later I'm resurfacing the water.

Fucking idiota.

How did I fall for this trick.....

Again!!!

Mac has now completely forgotten about killing me....

So I thought.

Dad and Link start up the grill a few hours ago. As you can guess we're having a cook out. Mom starts to set the picnic tables up for everyone. We all sit down and begin to finally fucking eat. Dylan surprisingly is still alive, start blaring music through our speakers. Draven leads Eve into the middle of the yard and starts to twirl his princess around. All you can hear is her laughter. Blade grabs ahold of Mac and leads her next to his dad and sister. I watch as he starts to 'twirl' Mac around.

Keyword here is try.

My parents start to dance around like teenagers. Link and Jolene start dancing until Link starts to do a headless chicken dance. This causes Jolene to die laughing. I watch as everyone starts to dance around. Dylan grabs ahold of Kenna while Dawson throws Rylee over his shoulders. Dawson begins to spin while Rylee burst out squealing. Dylan is slow dancing with Kenna and to tell you the truth. They look so beautiful together.

All that's left at the tables is Tinsley and I, which is slightly awkward.

I haven't really spoken to her a lot since the night I got shot. I've been trying to keep my distance some. Fragile heart is easy to break. If mine breaks again, I don't think I'll survive.

I know I won't.

If I don't, I would be breaking the most important promise to my sister. I can't break that. If I did, it would destroy my bubbly and sweet sister. I can't have that. I'm not as strong as Mac gives me credit for. I'm too damaged to try. I can't handle another heartbreak. I can't risk everything I have for something I'm not sure will last.

Baby steps.

Baby steps.

Hell ant steps.

That's what I take every day around Tinsley. Maybe one day I can get the courage to try but that's isn't today or next week or next month. I don't expect her to wait around for me to be ready. For me to get over my fears. Like I said before I'm damaged goods. Too ruined to be fixed.

I feel a tap on my arm and looked over to see Eve is poking my arm.

"Care to dance wiff me Uncle Kai?" She asks. I hold her hand and walk her to everyone else. I place her on my boots and I begin to slow dance with my beautiful little niece. After a few minutes I pick her up and start to toss her ass in the air. Each time I release her into the air, she screams. When I catch her.... She giggles.

This right here is what I live for. What I have to live for. I want to watch these two special kids grow up. Just like my parent, the twins, and Mac. Those two are my world.

I would do anything for Eve and Blade.

As I was heading back to the tables I heard her voice.

"Do you want to dance?" Tinsley calls out.

I glance over at Dylan and Dawson with sheer panic in my eyes. Please one of you two save me.

Distance Kaiser.

Distance.

"I...."

"Actually he's heading inside to go over some paperwork for Draven." Dawson answers for me. I could kiss this fool on the cheek.

"Oh..." She says sounding a little beat up.

"I will next time. If you like." I tell her with a small smile.

"How about I take you to dance for now?" Dylan offers her. She nods her head yes and they begin to walk off. Dylan turns around and I mouth 'Thank you' to him.

Mother fucker flips me the bird.

What the flying fuck monkey balls shit is that!