To Love A Brother

DATE -: DECEMBER 16, 1986.

TIME -: 10:00pm.

******

Six years old Stefan laid outstretched on his mother's tender legs. They were in the hospital lobby, on a long uncomfortable chair. He couldn't get his little mind to fall asleep. Different emotions darting through his mind as he waited with the rest of the Fernández family, while they await the birth of the newest member of their family. He blinked his little eyes towards his Aunt Gina who was sitting opposite them, her head rested loosely on her husband's shoulder while long curly hair ran down her delicate breast to rest on where her hand ran smoothly on her round belly. His Aunt Gina has been the last child of his Grandparents and the only girl his father and uncle Jared had. Stefan's eyes lingered on her until she caught him staring and gave him a sweet smile, Stefan smiled back while blinking his eyes away from her to have them fixed on his Grandparents who were two seats away from him, both of them sound asleep, seeking comfort in each other's warmth. Stefan smiled at them, been the first Grandchild has its benefits, they loved him to no end. Stefan's eyes searched for his father until he saw him pacing the theaters' door. His Father's expressions filled with worry for his younger brother whose wife was having a child.

Stefan frowned, knowing his father was sad and so he wished to comfort him. He tapped his mother's side seeking the woman's attention. Vivian blinked sleepy eyes open to stare down at her son.

"Pequeño," She smiled and brushed her fingers in Stefan's hair. "What is it, Sweetie?" She was surprised to find him still awake. She caught sight of the clock hanging on the wall, it read 10:45 pm.

"Can I go over to papá?" Stefan whined.

"No. You should sleep, baby." Vivian looked at her husband who was still pacing. She remembered it was Jared who paced that same door six years ago when she had Stefan. A weak smile crossed her thin lips. "Papá is waiting for your uncle and Auntie to bring out your new cousin." Stefan smiled.

"He is going to be a boy, right Mamá?"

"Yes Pequeño, he will be a boy." Stefan nodded, his eyes finally heavy.

"Duerme bebé," Vivian stroked his curly hair and watched his eyes fall shut. 'Sleep baby' She soothed and Stefan fell into Dreamlands. He couldn't wait to have a baby brother. Stefan had always wanted to be a big brother. He fell asleep with a smile so wide his lips could have split in two, light snoring could be heard as the young boy slept.

***

DATE -: DECEMBER 17, 1986.

TIME -: 9:30 am.

********

SKY

The soft buzzing of the fluorescent light along with the gentle breeze coming through the open window blinds awoke the sleeping boy to the sound of birds chirping on a nearby tree right outside of his window. Stefan opened his eyes, adjusting to the light and trying to remember where he was. He sat up straight looking at the closed door and around him. He was alone. Where are his mother and father? Stefan wondered, why was he alone? This isn't his bedroom. Stefan's heart was hammering in his chest.

He was scared.

A cry for help was about falling off his lips when the door burst open and his mother walked in.

"Mamá!" He cried jumping off the bed and running into his mother's open embrace. Vivian's smiles disappeared at the sound of her son sniffling.

"What is it, baby? Why are you crying?" She held his chubby cheeks as Stefan blinked tears off his eyes.

"I thought you left me, I was scared." He hiccupped.

"Honey, why would you think that? You fell asleep, then we got you a room so you could sleep comfortably on a bed. I'm so sorry if we made you worry?" Vivian kissed his forehead.

"OK Mamá." Stefan hugged his mother, assuring himself that she was really there and that he wasn't alone anymore while enjoying the love and warmth his mother gives.

"Do you want to see your baby brother now?" Vivian whispered into their hug.

"Yes!" Stefan came alive immediately, the moment he has been waiting for. He cleaned the dried tears off his face while practically dragging his mother out of the room. Vivian laughed and followed her son out of the room and into the lobby. Stefan stopped in his tracks, having no idea which way to go. He stared at his mother, his eyes pleading for her to lead the way. Vivian shook her head and smiled while pulling the confused boy down the hallway to their destination. Mother and son came face to face with a closed door and Vivian placed a soft knock on the door as she whispered to her son.

"Try to be quiet, the baby is sleeping on Grandma's laps." At the nod of Stefan's head both mother and child opened and walked into the crowded room. Once inside Stefan hid behind his mother's legs, he peeked from his hiding place and saw his father, his uncle Jared, Patricio Aunt Gina's husband, and his Grandpa were speaking to them in hush tones. Stefan looked to his right and saw his Aunt Mary, uncle Jared's wife, on a bed with wires and tubes connected into her body. Aunt Gina sat beside her and was whispering in her ear. Aunt Mary has a smile on her face. Stefan looked away and in front of him was his Grandma carrying the little bundle, his eyes snapped back to meet his mother's smiling face.

"Go on." His mother gave him a gentle push forward and went to join his Aunt Gina. Stefan stood rooted to the ground with different emotions rushing through him. Emotions his little mind could not comprehend. He pushed forward stumbling on each step he took, his eyes glassy with unshed tears.

He looked towards his father who indicated for him to keep going by a nod of his head. Two more steps and the little boy was face to face with the bundle in Grandma's hands. The baby seemed to be wrapped up in cotton, Stefan could barely see his face, he looked longingly at his Grandma silently pleading for the baby's face to be revealed.

Stefan needed to see his face.

As soon as his wish was granted, Stefan found himself staring into deep blue eyes, he had little or no hair on his head, a dot-like nose gracing his face, his mouth a small red color, it was as if they had painted his lips red. His skin is so fair. The baby was beautiful in the eyes of the younger boy. Stefan was overjoyed.

His baby.

His brother.

"Sky," the word came out of his mouth on its own accord. "Sky," he repeated, wailing up. Stefan reached for one tiny hand of his baby brother and smiled as tears ran down his face as if the baby knew Stefan had smiled at him the baby smiled back. "My Sky," Stefan whispered, teardrops falling off his eyes as he ran back to his mother who held him in a gentle embrace. Mary reached for Stefan's hand, kissing and rubbing a slow circle on it.

"We will call him Sky, you like that don't you?" The sparkle returned to the boy's face once more as he nodded a "Yes!" He is finally a big brother, happy and content, his heart swelled with pride.

The need to protect. To love and To keep overpowering the younger boy. Stefan wondered if this was what it meant and felt like having a baby brother.

"Sky!" Stefan called out loud and the baby cried. Stefan's little heart squeezed in his chest at the sound of the crying baby. "Please, make him stop, Abuela." 'Grandma' Stefan held his chest, he didn't understand why he was hurting over the crying baby. Stefan felt his eyes water as he watched his Grandma rock the baby back to sleep. The moment the crying stopped, Stefan felt better.

His Baby Brother.

Chapter 3.

***

The sixteen years old boy had just rounded the mall for the millionth time that day, his silky honey-colored hair wet with sweat from the walking he had been doing. Like a man on a mission, he was desperate to find the best gift for the birthday boy. Stefan couldn't believe it has been ten years since the birth of the boy in question. He has grown so fond of Sky that he practically lives for him. Seeking him at every given time. The desire to Touch. To hold. To protect and to love was extremely strong, so intense that Stefan needs him like he did the air he breathes in every giving day. Stefan knew from when he was fourteen what he truly felt for the younger boy, but he had nothing to do about it. Stefan had tried to be the best big brother, he hated seeing Sky cry, not when he had something to say or do about it. So he took it upon himself to teach Sky how to be stronger, to stand his ground, to never let anyone intimidate him, never to cry no matter what