tidal wave

• chapter twenty four •

Bre didn't know whether to go back into the house and stay or get her keys and never turn back. She'd lost everything that she loved and she didn't know if she'd ever be able to look at Laurel again, or even talk to her. But she knew one thing for certain she wouldn't allow herself in that position again.

"Hey" Steven said creeping up behind her. She turned to see Belly and Steven walking over with a glass of water. Bre turned back to look out at the ocean. She didn't want to start another conversation with them over it.

But they both knew that so Bre's siblings sat down next to her and took in their surroundings all together. They all subconsciously knew this would be one of their last moments in Cousins. Belly rested her head on Bre's shoulder while Steven put his arm around her. They needed each other at this moment. All of them for a rare moment felt a peace in each other's company.

"Has Mom gone?" Bre asked wiping her tears from her eyes. Steven shook his head no.

"Conrad told us you'd be here" Belly said taking Bre's hand. Bre rolled her eyes, another thing he did to help her.

"But we all need each other, if there's any hope with Mom helping us we need to band together" Steven said, it was the truth.

"She doesn't want me here, you heard her" Bre shrugged, she'd given her all and it wasn't enough.

"She didn't mean any of it, she's grieving. Just let her explain" Steven commented. It was the way he'd seen it the whole time. None of them had given each other time to breathe or grieve which is what they needed.

"I'll be in soon" Bre said turning to look back at the ocean. Steven gave Belly a quick nod before he headed inside. Belly awkwardly stood behind her wanting to say something but not knowing how.

"Bre I've got to tell you...Conrad and you need each other. I'm sick of this moral high-ground bullshit from both of you. You are better with him same for him. And everyone knows it. You need each other. We've all needed each other but you two are better together. And you need to see it" Belly sighed before heading back to the house. The words that Belly was speaking were words that Bre needed to hear. Whether she liked it or not. It didn't matter if they were friends or together, Conrad and Bre breathed the same way. Which is why they needed others to survive.

Bre didn't even think she just got up and pulled Belly into a hug. They always needed each other, they are sisters after all.

"Thank you" Bre admitted. Belly took her hand and they walked together back to the house. When they reached the garden Bre saw Laurel talking with Conrad and she knew she'd have to bite the bullet.

"I'll be inside," Belly said before heading inside with Conrad. Leaving just Laurel and Bre by themselves. Bre sat on top of the stairs with Laurel following. Bre didn't even want to look at her.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. But it will never happen again" Laurel admitted with a shaky voice.

"You've never hit any of us before" Bre cried, the thought of it made her uncontrollably angry.

"I'm sorry" Laurel teared up, she didn't think she'd ever lay a finger on her kids but somehow she did and she didn't know how she was going to forgive herself. Bre didn't say anything just stared down at the water in the pool.

"You were right. I have been angry. I'm so angry at how unfair it is that Beck isn't here anymore. But I didn't let myself feel it...because if I let it out" Laurel said sniffling. Bre looked up at her almost as if they'd been secretly going through the same thing because they had.