vulnerable

64.

Stella ran up the stairs gasping for air. She rounded the bannister and paused for the voices downstairs. She peeked over the railing to find Christian in the foyer. He was counting with his eyes open, glancing down at his phone with a cheeky grin.

Stella crept towards the door at the end of the hallway, trying to keep her footsteps soft against the hardwood. She turned the golden knob and pressed the door open with her shoulder. She backed herself inside and shut the door delicately, not wanting to give away her hiding spot. Even if Christian didn't care.

"Stella?"

She almost let out a scream, but covered her mouth. She whipped around to the sound, finding Jack in his bed... in his room. She forgot this was his room. She laid a hand over her heart and frowned. "Jack! I'm so sorry! We're playing hide-and-seek! I tried to hide with Gio at first but he wouldn't let me, so I came up here."

Jack let out a chuckle. He was laying against the headrest. He was watching a show on the television that sat on top of his chest of drawers. He coughed into his hand before patting the space beside him. "Come sit with me."

"Okay." Stella beamed and hopped on his big bed. She sat with her back to his legs. He ruffled her hair a bit, making her slap his hand away. He smiled at her, watching her in a way that her parents sometimes did. She tilted her head to the side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He whispered, nodding slowly like he was still thinking. But he looked really pale. Stella knew he was... sick. That's what her parents had told her. But he looked really sad, like someone had hurt his feelings. She wondered if he'd been fighting with his siblings or Hannah. Jack twisted his lips around in thought. "Can I ask you something, Stella Bella?"

Stella blushed, knowing he must have heard Gio call her that. "Sure, Jack-Jack."

He shook his head, chuckling. He took a pause, squeezing her shoulder softly. "Do you have a crush on my brother?"

Stella's mouth dropped open. She could feel her cheeks turning crimson. She shook her head. "No. No. Why would you ask that?"

"I'm just... curious." He cocked his head to the side, keeping those familiar brown eyes on her own.

Stella turned towards the television, not wanting to keep his gaze. She felt embarrassed. She let out a sigh. "Maybe."

"Maybe? You can't lie to me, I'm older." He grinned.

Stella shook her head. "By a year..."

Jack raised his brow. Stella groaned. "Fine, fine. I have a crush on Gio."

He clapped his hands. "I knew it!"

Stella grabbed his arm. "Please don't tell him!"

"I won't." He grabbed her hand and wrapped his pinky finger around hers. He leaned back and grinned. "Though I'm a little hurt you don't have a crush on me."

Stella picked up one of his pillows and smacked him, causing them to fall into a fit of giggles. "Shut up, Jack-Jack."

"I'm kidding." He let out another couch. Stella reached over and patted his back. He coughed some more before his throat settled down. He leaned against the headrest again and sucked in a breath. "Stella... I hope you marry my stupid brother."

"Why? Because you'll technically be my brother? And I'm just the coolest."

"That too." Jack nodded. "You guys love each other."

"He kicked me out of his hiding spot." Stella groaned.

"He's just young." Jack shook his head.

"You're young too."

"I have an old soul." Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "I had to grow up a little faster than everyone else my age."

"Because of your... sickness?" Stella gulped.

He forced a sad smile. "Yeah, because of my sickness."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Stella." He grabbed her hand. "I'm not saying you have to marry Gio or anything, but I hope one day you two will end up together. If... because of my sickness... I might not be here when you guys do... I'll be really happy wherever I am."

"Why wouldn't you be here?"

Jack had some tears in his eyes, but he swiped them away. "No reason. Just know that I'll always be your other brother... honorary brother."

"Possible brother-in-law." Stella giggled.

The door flung open and Christian walked in with Gio trailing behind like a sad puppy. He looked past Christian and winked at Stella. "I told you not to hide with me. He would've found you first too."

Stella whirled around to look at Jack again. They belly laughed until they could barely breathe.

"Stella." Christian shook her awake. She bolted upright, looking around at the dark cabin of the jet. Hannah was standing in the aisle, stretching her legs. Stella shook her head, trying to rid the sleep from her body. All the memories of what happened with Gio came rushing back. She wondered what Jack was thinking now? Did he still want them to get married? Stella sighed, wishing he was still here. "We landed. Time to hop off."

"Oh, right." Stella unbuckled her seatbelt. She stood up and stepped into the aisle, grabbing her bags from Christian's hand. She felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned to find Joah. He pulled her into a hug and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry about my brother. I hope you'll still love us."

"Of course I still love you guys." Stella took a step back and gripped his arms. "That will never change."

Joah seemed sad, but urged a smile anyway. He moved out of the way so Carolina could say her goodbye. "We'll see you soon, right?"

"Right!"

"I love you, Stella."

"I love you too, Caro." Stella kissed her forehead.

Carolina looked around her and waved at Christian. "Bye, Chris."

Hannah rolled her eyes as Caro blushed. Christian chuckled, leaning past Stella to kiss her cheek. "Bye, Caro."

He spoke with Joah for a minute while Stella hugged Hannah. "I'll text you. Make sure you let me know when you guys land."

"I will." Hannah agreed. "Tell Devyn I send my love."

"Will do."

"And feel better, Stell. You're so strong. You'll get through this... better than any of us could have."

Stella smiled at her. "Love you girly."

"Love you too." Hannah squeezed her cheek.

Christian turned to Hannah and grinned. "I enjoyed our time together, Hannah Banana."

"Oh God." Hannah groaned. "You pulled that one out of 1999."

Christian chuckled. "Don't forget what I told you."

Stella furrowed her brows but didn't say anything. Hannah bit her lip. "I won't, tiger."

"Good girl." He winked. "See you soon. Don't miss me too much, princes."

Hannah crossed her arms. "Don't miss me too much, tiger."

Christian and Stella walked down the stairs of the plane. A driver was waiting in a Range Rover on the ground. He came around the front and took their bags. Stella glanced at Christian with a brow raised. "What'd you tell Hannah?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." he chuckled.

Stella shoved him, but he threw an arm over her shoulder. "C'mon. Let's go see our sis."