I gazed at my little sister's sleeping form on the hospital bed. The heart monitor beeped steadily on, and her chest rose and fell with each breath. She looked so small and fragile, it broke my

I sat alone in the room. Lisa was outside, conversing with the doctors in low tones.

When Dad saw Iris, he just broke down. Lisa comforted him- and us- and I could see that she was hurting too.

Jax was the most affected. He rarely left Iris' side. When he did, it was usually because he was forced to go to school, or to track down the woman who shot Iris. We also met Iris' boss and friend- Harry. We agreed to put aside our differences in the gang and work together to try and track down that woman. Harry was an amiable man with brown hair and blue eyes. He was beyond angry when he saw Iris' condition.

The two of us questioned the security guard, who broke down and admitted he left his post for a quick smoke. That's how the woman managed to sneak in. Needless to say, he was fired.

I slumped in my seat and rubbed my eyes tiredly.

"Hey," I looked up and saw Lisa standing there.

"Hi," I mumbled.

"Go home Elijah," Lisa said gently.

I shook my head, "I want to stay."

"What will you do here?" Lisa countered, "plus, Iris wouldn't want you undernourishing yourself just to watch over her. I'll call you if her condition changes. Go home, get some rest, and take a shower while you're at it."

I smiled weakly, "is that a polite way of you telling me I stink?"

Lisa laughed, "it might be."

Chuckling slightly, I stood up and stretched, my joints cracking from lack of use, "Thanks Mom."

I froze when I realised what I'd just called Lisa. However, I couldn't think of any reason to take it back.

Lisa smiled happily, "no problem Elijah."

I sat next to my baby sister, holding her hand and closing my eyes, praying that she wakes up soon. Jax had gone out somewhere, so it was just the two of us.

The door opened and I looked up to see Lisa smiling at me.

"Hello," I said, wondering what she wanted.

"Hi Brandon," she replied, taking a seat next to me. We sat in silence, staring at Iris and listening to the steady beeping of the heart monitor.

"You should go back home and freshen up," Lisa said softly.

"No," I replied flatly.

"What good would it do to sit here and compromise your own health?" Lisa asked, "Iris wouldn't want that."

I shook my head adamantly, "I don't want to leave," subconsciously, I gripped my sister's hand tighter.

"Why?"

Suddenly, I couldn't hold it in anymore, "what if she never wakes up?" I asked, my voice small with fear.

Lisa wrapped her arms around me and I leaned against her, crying softly.

"Brandon, Iris is a strong young woman. She will pull through; I'm sure of it. Meanwhile, it's not good to compromise your well-being to look after Iris. Go home, get some rest, take a shower and come back once you've cleared your head," Lisa kissed the top of my forehead. She felt warm and safe- like a mother should feel like.

"Thanks Mom," I smiled and she beamed, "I'll take your advice."

I kissed Iris' forehead and squeezed her hand before leaving.

I sat alone in the hospital's waiting room. I was overflowing with emotions. Unable to hold it in any longer, I groaned loudly in frustration and pulled my hair, hot tears cascading down my cheeks.

My sister had been shot. She could die.

I barely ate or sleep, each time I shut my eyes, I could see her pale and broken form behind my eyelids.

Please, whatever Gods or Goddesses are up there, I prayed, please don't let Iris die.

"Daimen?" I looked up and saw, through blurry tears, Lisa standing over me.

"Lisa," I harshly wiped my eyes. I tried to compose myself, even though it was incredibly hard.

"Let it all out," Lisa said, "don't bottle up you feelings."

I began crying. My shoulders racked with sobs and I let all my emotions out. Anger, fear, sadness, frustration. Lisa wrapped me in a warm, motherly embrace and hugged me until my tears ran dry.

"It's so hard," I choked out.

"I know," she whispered, "I know. But you should stop punishing yourself. Go home, get some rest and relax for a bit."

"I don't want to."

"It's unhealthy to starve yourself of food and sleep," Lisa chastised gently, "what would Iris say?"

"She'd say that I'm an idiot," I admitted, "and to quit moping and start looking after myself."

"There you go," Lisa smiled.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up and hugged Lisa, "thanks Mom."

Mom hugged me back, "you're welcome, Daimen."

I sat in the cafeteria with my head down and resting on the cool table. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to block out the world. I was dimly aware of my brothers sitting beside me, neither of us saying a word.

The door opened and I didn't bother looking up.

"Boys," Mom's voice echoed and I roused myself.

"Hi Mom," we greeted before going back to our sullen moods.

"You should go home," she continued.

I looked at her, "I don't want to."

The twins agreed with me- for once.

"What if," Oscars voice cracked slightly, "what if it's like last time?"

My heart clenched painfully. Ten years ago, Mom was pregnant. We found out the baby was a girl, and me and my brothers were so excited. However, little Rosie was stillborn.

Flashback:

"Val," I asked my baby-sitter and neighbour, "when will Mummy come back home?"

Val smiled at me, "I don't know, sweetie. She should be here soon with your new sister! Are you excited?"

I nodded enthusiastically.

Will, Oscar and I were chatting about Rosie and how we would shower her with love and affection, when Val got a call. Her smile faded and she looked incredibly sad and sympathetic.

"Val, what's wrong?" I asked, but she didn't reply.

Later, I found out my sister was dead.

A week later was the funeral.

Rosie got a simple white tombstone with an angel carved on it. I remember it was raining and the water dripped on the stone, giving the allusion that the angel was mourning the loss of a young life, snatched by Death's cruel clutches.

End of flashback.

That was the darkest day of my life. When we found out we had a stepsister, my brothers and I were naturally protective over Iris. I was terrified of losing her. We all were.

Mom's face softened and she hugged us all, "it won't be the same as last time," she promised, "Iris is a strong young woman; but it won't benefit her, or you, if you guys stay here. Go home, freshen up and come back when you're feeling better."

We sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying each other's presence.

Reluctantly, the three of us agreed to go home- for the time being. We decided to drop by later to see how Iris was doing.

Mom said that she'll call us if Iris' condition changed. Slightly satisfied, me and my brothers left.

Lisa flopped into the wooden chair and rubbed her eyes tiredly, but a small smile adorned her face. She'd managed to convince six of the stubbornest boys to leave and take care of of themselves. She texted David, giving him an update on his daughter's condition. He'd wanted to stay, but she'd also convinced him to go.

She watched her step-daughters sleeping form and prayed to all the deities she knew to keep Iris safe.

The funny thing is, she looked after everyone else. She tended to everyone's needs before her own, and not one person asked if she was okay. She minded slightly, but understood that the family were grieving.

She was like an angel on Earth, spreading happiness (and common sense) to those around her (but mess with her family, and you're dead). She always had a smile on her face, and would always be there for you. She looked at the positives in each situation because, after all: