Escaping Eden Chapter 2

Big Brother

1 month later

It was really late and momma couldn't get you to stop crying. I'd woken up to hear your cries and walked down the hall to the extra room that had become your bedroom to see what was wrong. Rubbing my eyes, I watched momma blow at her bangs, blond like yours and mine." What's the matter sweetie? You hungry?" She whispered, slowly rocking you in her arms. Your head was on her shoulder, your face red with unsheddable tears.
"Momma what's wrong with Evie?" You were getting louder and I didn't like it. I didn't like to see you cry. " It's alright Luc. She's just gaving a hard time getting to sleep."
" Did you try the rocking chair?" Daddy asked and momma nodded her head.
" She's not like Lucas. She's stubborn."
" Like you and your mother." Daddy chuckled and momma blew at her bangs again. She did that when she was flustered. Daddy rubbed her shoulders gently.

"Now, now." Daddy cooed, taking you from Momma's arms. She kissed your pinkened cheek as you moved from her arms to his. "Maybe she's hungry." She thought out loud and grabbed an empty bottle. As she made to leave the room, she knelt down and pulled me into her arms. She smelled of you and daddy.But mostly like you. Her bright blue eyes looked tired, but happy. " Can you do a big favor for momma?" She asked softly and I nodded my head. I liked doing "big favors" for momma. It made me feel big. She smiled. " Go and help your daddy with your sister until I come back. And then I'll tuck you back into bed, ok?"
" Yes, momma."
"That's my good boy." She kissed my cheek,  gently stroking my hair as she walked past me.

  Daddy was sitting in the soft, white chair that he'd bought especially for you room. He lightly rocked you, his voice low so only you could hear. Your curly head bobbed on his shoulder, but you wouldn't stop crying. So I walked over and lightly stroked your cheek and you suddenly opened your bright blue eyes and looked at me. You sniffled and your wails turned into soft sobs, then slowly into small hiccups. You reached out for my hand, I gave you my finger and you squeezed. I smiled and your eyes brightened and I thought they looked like fireworks exploding. Daddy watched silently, his brown eyes looked from me to you, and back to me. " Well, well, well. I'll be damned"
" Christoper!"  Momma came into the room, a warm bottle in her hand. She only called him Christopher when she was mad. Daddy just laughed. " Do you hear that Megan?"
Momma listened, and then catching on, she smiled. " She stopped crying. How come?"
Daddy gestured towards me as I played with you. You had forgotten to be sleepy and now you smiled toothlessly at me.
Momma smiled, leaning over to kiss my forehead. " Your such a good big brother. Oh, my baby." She picked me up to hold me close and daddy stood so you could still see me and wouldn't start crying again. " You'll always be there to protect your sister won't you? To love her and guide her?"
" Yes, momma." I was looking at you when I said it. I was beaming and you laughed. I'd be the best big brother! I'd be the only one to make you smile, to make you laugh. I'd be the one you'd run to when you were sad and crying. Or when the boogeyman was in the closet. I wanted to be the only one to make your eyes twinkle like stars. That's what I thought as momma kissed me good night, after putting you back to bed. And that night I dreamed I had a gold crown,with the THE WORLD'S GREATEST BROTHER in big red letters on the front. The letters were rubies and I had a robe. Momma said that when she woke me up I was smiling.