Aurora 

I stood looking at the house and remembering how he carried me over the threshold after the wedding. I remembered the day we bought the house, the day that we finished the renovations, and we popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate on the front lawn. Life was simple back then.

I remembered our weekly date nights to keep romance alive. We would get dressed up, go out to a nice restaurant, then go to the movies. And we usually finished the night with a round of lovemaking. It was nothing spectacular but he was an attentive lover, not that I had anyone else to compare him to. The one thing missing from our relationship was the passion; we had that at the beginning of at the relationship like when we were 16. That felt like forever ago. Andy was content in one position. Not that I was a sex fiend or anything, I knew there was more to satisfy this pent-up frustration. Lying there underneath him wasn’t enough to satisfy the carnal cravings running through my mind.

“It feels odd to be back here. It’s familiar, but like I’m seeing everything as a stranger. I don’t even know if that makes any sense.” I steeled myself for the confrontation. I could only hope their shock at seeing me standing there was enough time to get everything I had off my chest.

My heels clicked softly against the black pavement leading up to red brick pavers until I was standing at the door. My heart was in my throat. I knocked loudly to echo the arrival of a visitor. At first, I thought nobody was home, but then the door flung open.

“Don’t worry, I will get rid of them and we can get back to what we were doing.” Andy was bare-chested with lipstick smeared on the nape of his neck.

“I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.” It was the first thing that came out of my mouth laced with sarcastic wit.

“I… I… can’t believe it’s you. How… how is this possible? I must be having some sort of stroke.” His face had lost all color which was exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

“Is this your way of welcoming me home with open arms? I was expecting a whole lot more. It’s not every day your wife comes out of a coma. Then again, it’s not like you would know.” I poked him in the chest to show him how unhappy I was with his behavior.

“You…you don’t understand. I need you to know I have never stopped thinking about you. I’m sure it doesn’t seem that way, but I’ve always had your best interest at heart. I had… I had… other obligations.” He was referring to the baby but wasn’t man enough to come out and say it.

“I would think your obligation would be to your wife. Did our vows mean nothing? I seem to recall you passionately declaring you were going to be with me through sickness and through health.” I was purposely making him feel uncomfortable and feeling justified in doing it.

“I don’t think you are in any position to judge me. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was let you go. I was a broken man. I’m ashamed to admit I was weak. I clung to a gesture of friendship a little too tightly.” He wasn't coming out and saying it, but I knew he was talking about Jemma.

“It’s bad enough you left me in that place, but what’s worst is that you never visited me. How can you look yourself in the mirror in the morning? I’m sure it helps to have someone to cuddle up to in our bed.” His mouth had fallen open and I could see his eyes darting around trying to formulate the right response.

“You know about…” I cut him off with my finger to his lips to silence the name. I didn’t want to hear it coming from his mouth.

“Don’t even say her name in front of me. I was there for her through all her shit and drama, and this is how she repays me. I look at you and I see a shell of the man I used to know. She has taken away the light in your eyes.” The words came easily with the angry tone to make him believe there were consequences for his actions.

“I have no excuses. She was there for me when my world was crumbling around me. I gave into a moment of weakness. Nobody could see my quiet desperation, but she did. I tried to remain strong for you, but I failed.” I was home, but it didn’t feel like my home.

“Are you going to invite me to come in or do you expect me to stand here at the front door? I hate to pull you away from your lover, but I think what we have to say to each other trumps getting some.” I made it sound crass like what they were doing was something dirty behind closed doors.

“You have to admit this isn’t easy for any of us. I’m trying to wrap my mind around the fact that you never got along with her. She has a compassionate side, but you were never willing to see it.” He was making it sound like my relationship with my sister was strained because of something I did or didn’t do.

“There’s a reason why she wasn’t invited to the wedding. I love her in my own misguided way, but she can be her own worst enemy.” He moved aside and I walked in to find my life expunged like it had never even happened.

The furniture was replaced with white leather and every picture on the wall was void of my image. There was the smell of cinnamon coming from a diffuser by the front door. There was a trail of clothing including a red bra and a matching pair of lace panties leading up the stairs.

“I haven’t had a chance to tidy up. I know I’m going to need a cup of coffee to have this conversation. I don’t suppose I can offer you and your guest something?” I had almost forgotten about Travis.

“I can’t speak for him, but I don’t think caffeine is the answer. I would hope you would still have some of my favorite on hand.” I wondered if he remembered the health kick I was on prior to the injury. He had this light bulb moment and went scurrying into the kitchen to make the green tea.

“I’m going to be the strong silent type. It’s hard enough for you to be here and I don’t want to make things awkward between you and Andy.” They couldn’t have been more awkward, but I still hadn’t seen my sister.

“I’m glad you’re here with me and I’m not sure I could’ve done this without you. The strong silent type is exactly what I need right now.” He was staying true to form by being my rock and not interfering where he had no place.

The furniture was my sister’s sense of style and I had a feeling Andy had no say in the décor. It was just like my sister to take over. It always had to be her way or the highway. She was stubborn to a fault. I thought I had gotten used to her eccentricities. The girl was a throwback to the time where hippies were screaming to make love and not war.

She was comfortable in a threadbare pair of jeans and a tie-dyed shirt barely big enough to cover her obvious assets. She was always flaunting her body making me feel inferior in my own skin. It took a long time for me to come to terms with how open she was with her sexuality.

“I found one tin of green tea in the back of the cupboard. I know we still have a lot to talk about. I do have one concern. I’ve been paying the clinic a lot of money to keep me abreast of any information concerning your care. They never called me about this latest development. I have to assume that was your doing?” I knew his curiosity was going to get the best of him.

He lowered the scalding contents of the cup to the glass coffee table. I had mentioned buying one, but he said he wouldn’t know where it was in the dark. Apparently, Jemma was able to change his mind. I didn’t want to think about what that might have consisted of. She could be very persuasive with her seductive charm

“I gave them strict instructions not to inform you. I know it was in bad taste to show up here unannounced. It’s not like me to want to make a scene. I guess things have changed for the both of us.” He hadn’t mentioned Travis or what kind of connection we had to one another.

“I think that goes without saying. I also gave your business partner the option to have me buy her out, but she was never going to let your baby go. I didn’t want any reminder, but it wasn’t like the money to open it came from me. You were solely responsible for breaking new ground for women’s fashion.” I wasn’t sure, but I think his praise was his way of saving face.

“I should’ve known Sheila was never going to roll over for you. She didn’t like you from the very beginning and told me I was making a mistake. I thought she was jealous, but I think she saw something I didn’t.” I took a sip of the concoction and it certainly was an acquired taste.

“Honey bear, I’ve been lying upstairs waiting for your return to my arms. What is taking you…?” She stopped short and was staring at me like she was seeing a ghost. Her hands instantly went to the short red robe, pulling it closed to hide her nudity.

“What’s the matter, little sis? Must be quite a shock to see me. It shouldn’t be, considering this is my house. I see you have been making yourself comfortable.” It was a good thing she wasn’t wearing my lingerie or that would have been the final straw to break the camel’s back.

“I guess there is no way to keep a good woman down for long. I hope there are no hard feelings. We didn’t go out looking for this. It just happened.” She was rubbing her belly and looked ready to pop any second.

“Let’s not do anything or say anything neither one of us can take back. I would like to say I understand, but how can I when you’re standing half naked in front of me? You stole my husband when I was in a coma. It’s nice to see you both getting along, but this isn’t what I had in mind.” I had tried to reach out to her, but she declined my offer.

“This is nothing I planned, but I have every right to fight for what is mine. He might have planted his flag in your backyard, but the next generation is coming from me.” She was gloating and enjoying seeing me squirm.

“You haven’t changed one bit.” Her shock had worn off significantly quicker than I would have imagined.

“There is too much water under the bridge between us. I’m willing to make the effort to get along for the sake of your nephew.” She was throwing it in my face.

They were going to have a baby boy. She was trying unsuccessfully to sound like she wasn’t boasting. It was what he always wanted. That was supposed to be my job. We agreed to put it off until my business found its sea legs. I wanted a legacy that I would be proud to have my child carry on in my name.

“It looks to me you enjoy being a kept woman. Not that I should be surprised.” I was alluding to the fact she could never keep down a job for any longer than a couple of months.

“It’s just like you to bring up the past. I don’t have to stand here and justify anything.” She couldn’t resist putting on a show and pretending she was the victim when it was the other way around.

“I find it galling that you can stand there. You took advantage of him and we both know it. The one thing you have always wanted was anything I had. You took this opportunity to swoop in to pick at the bones.” I stood up quickly with my nostrils flaring and the cup of tea rattling on the coffee table.

“I resent your accusation.” I took a few menacing steps towards her with my fingers drawing in to make a fist.

“I don’t really care how you feel. I bet the ink wasn’t even dry on the divorce papers before you had him walking down the aisle. Did you carry the shotgun behind your back or did you press it up against the back of his head? We both know the only reason why he would marry you is that bun in your oven.” It was good to push her into a corner and wait to see what her rebuttal was going to be.

The only thing remaining of my life was the dark brown drapes thick enough to keep the heat in and the cold out. They also made it unnecessary to have an audience for this impromptu family reunion.

“You are just jealous and petty. Bringing up my untimely pregnancy is a new low even for you. We took every precaution. Things happen.” Like as if she was ever the responsible one, I could almost see her using a safety pin to punch a hole in the condom.

Andy would have been too far gone during the moment of truth to even recognize something was wrong. It was a tragedy the child was going to be raised by a vindictive bitch like her. I pitied his childhood. She would use the bond she had with him to manipulate his actions. Any girl getting close enough to take him away would find themselves on the receiving end of her wrath.

“I can assure you she was as surprised as I was when we confirmed she was with child. She did the honorable thing by giving me the option of being involved or not. She didn’t even think about getting rid of it.” Andy was foolish enough to believe her and be wrapped around her little finger.

“I’m sure you believe that, but she always has a method to her madness. It doesn’t matter what I say and you’re not going to believe me. I don’t wish what she has in store for you on my worst enemy. You’re just going to have to learn the hard way like everybody else in her life.” I wasn’t even looking at Andy, Jemma and I were having this intense stare down to see which one was going to break first.

“You have every right to be angry, but not at her. I hold myself fully responsible for my actions. Nothing is going to be settled here today. The wounds are still fresh and we need time before we make any decisions. I don’t know the legal ramifications of any of this.” He might’ve not known, but I had a feeling Jemma had already done her due diligence.

“You heard my husband. If you don’t know how to take a hint then let me make it perfectly clear. There’s the door. Don’t let it hit you on the way out. Be careful what you say next. We haven’t even addressed this stranger you brought in the middle of family business.” She always did know how to pull that one frayed thread almost about to break.

“I would suggest that you get in touch with a lawyer. I wouldn’t want you to think I was trying anything underhanded behind your back.” I stormed out with this intense need to slap the taste out of her mouth.