Iris

•*Chapter 17*•

M A T E O

I put Iris down on my bed and covered her with my blankets. When she wakes up she'll more than likely be confused as to where she is so I left a note on the bedside table. I put on some slides and quickly go downstairs into the dining room. As that's where we usually have important family meetings. This being no exception.

When I got in the living room, all my brothers were there. I felt my energy change from urgency to depressed in a few seconds so I instantly looked over to my twin and saw him with the saddest look on his face. I quickly made my way over to him.

"You ok Em?" I asked ruffling his hair a little bit.  He looked up at me for a second, then looked back down.

"No." Was all he said.

I sighed and patted his shoulder, moving to the head of the table. It's a rule we have that if you called the meeting, you're in charge.

"What is it Mateo, I have more meetings." Alejandro pushed impatiently, quite rudely might I add. Asshole.

"Your meetings will have to wait, Al. This is serious." I said. I was just trying to emphasize the importance of the matter. Because once they hear this, all hell will break loose.

"I went to call Iris like you told me to Luca, but when I knocked numerous times she wasn't answering. So I opened the door and saw her on her balcony. On the outer part of her railing."

When I added the last part, my brothers' heads snapped up at me immediately, concern stamped on their faces. I continued.

"When I ran to her she turned around and let go." Alejandro pushed his chair back, standing up to make a move. "But I got to her in time and caught her before she fell. She beat me up, pushed me away and tried again but I caught her. She had a breakdown saying 'you should've let me die!' over and over again until she just got exhausted and fell asleep. She's in my room right now." I finished, taking a deep breath so I don't do anything stupid. Hearing it out loud is unbelievable.

I look around and acknowledge the solemn atmosphere. We were all thinking the same thing, "How do we save her from this?" But none of us knew the answer.

It was straight silence for a few seconds. About five. But then Emilio randomly burst into tears. He held his head in his hands and sobbed continuously. Alejandro was staring into space, Luca was trying to calm down Emilio and Lorenzo had a few silent tears streaming down his face, eyebrows knitted in anger. I was just breathing really heavily. I feel like I've been a bit too composed about this. So I got up and punched the wall, unsuccessful when it comes to causing any damage. But I feel like if I really wanted to put a hole in the wall I would. It feels like ever since Iris has been here, all I've wanted to do is be better, for her. She's like a part of me that has been missing for way too long. And now that she's back, I don't know what I would do or where I would be without her. I just need to let her know that.

"This is all my fault! I told her so many bad things earlier and she'll never forgive me, I don't even know what I was thinking! Oh my god, I'm a horrible brother! I don't deserve her! Oh my god!" Emilio continuously wailed. He is really sensitive so I can't even imagine what's going through his head right now. Luca grabbed him tightly, hugging him towards his chest

Lorenzo started hiccupping and Luca took one of his hands that were around Emilio and used it to pull Lorenzo into a little group hug. Emilio was still bawling so Luca rubbed his back. Alejandro migrated to the other side of the room, his back against the wall. His eyes were closed and he was pinching the bridge of his nose. I was still standing up but it was like me feet weren't touching the floor. I had to let her know how important she is to me and how she'll always have a place in my heart, just like when she was a baby.