Cross My Heart (Explicit Version)

"What?" I asked, startled.

"You deserve a steady relationship. There's always been so much uncertainty and unsteadiness in your life. You need more constants," he said.

"My life is generally pretty steady and certain," I said.

"School?" He prompted.

"Okay, so I was teased for having an American accent, but now I have an Australian one that I'll never lose and I was teased in college. So what?" I asked.

"Lu, that's terrible. Your life has been screwed up. I'll talk to him before Thursday when you come back. Just spend time with your family right now," he said.

"You are my family," I insisted.

"Stop arguing with me. With this family. I'll be waiting for you at the airport, ready to show off my driving skills," he said.

"Alright. See you later, nerd," I said.

"See you too, Lu," he said. I scrolled through the rest of my notifications, telling everyone I would be back Thursday and calling Clark.

"Your cousin just threatened my life should I be worried?" He asked. I laughed.

"Unless anything happens to us," I said, "What's new?"

"Well, livestream tickets are happening fast. We're having fun but I miss you. When you come back, we need to talk," he said.

"You're not breaking up with me, right?" I asked.

"No, nothing like that. Go spend time with the Criss clan," he said, hanging up.

"Rude," I muttered, putting my phone on the kitchen counter. I noticed Darren was asleep, so I went to Sophia's room. She had woken up and was having a doll tea party.

"Aunt Elle, come drink tea!" She exclaimed.

"Where do you want me to sit?" I asked.

"Here! Put on the crown!" She exclaimed, sitting me by the corner of the table and giving me a crown.

Stayed occupied helped me. At noon, Darren poked his head in. "We're eating something," he said, "Come on, Sophia."

We put away everything we used and went into the kitchen, where Julia and Chuck were tending to the newborns. "Pizza'll be here in a minute or so," Julia said, looking at her phone.

"Give me the baby," Darren said to Chuck. "And get the pizza when it comes."

"Yes, brother," Chuck said with a fake salute, going to the door. I sat down. Everyone shut up as the door opened.

"It's gluten-free," Julia called as I grabbed the box and opened it.

Thursday came and I went to the airport, upset to be leaving, yet happy to be back. I didn't see Mom at the airport, which was disappointing, but I still had a great flight. Robert was there to pick me up and to show off his newly acquired driving skills. We set off and he was still getting used to the miles per hour instead of kilometers.

"What the bloody fuck does 50 miles per hour entail?" He asked, looking at the needle on the speedometer.

"Look at the inner circle. It shows you a ballpark estimate of kilometers per hour," I said.

"Hold up, I'm trying to change lanes, stop distracting me, Lu," he said. I smiled and leaned back. "How the fuck did you learn so quickly?"

"I saw my brothers drive and I generally got it quickly," I said.

"It's not my fault I don't pay attention. What were the twins named?" Robert asked.

"Harry and James," I said.