We both sat down on a bench. Our arms automatically wrapped our arms around each other. There is where I sat with her, watching the sky, and the tall buildings of Vancouver. I could hear the kids playing in the background, sliding down slides, and playing on swings. The quiet but steady beat of the ocean against the shore.

       She called my name, halting the thoughts inside my head. I looked into her eyes, the perfect blue that matched mine.

“Can we go?” she asked.

” Sure,” I said, as I stood up. Without thinking, I grabbed her hand, entwining my fingers in hers. There was a slight smile on her face. She knew I hated how much time we had; knew I always wanted to be as close to her as possible.

        We started walking back towards her house. Our feet padding softly in the snow. The walk wasn’t that far.

        As I walk inside, I shake the snowflakes from my blonde hair. Then I watch as she brushes the snowflakes off of her hair, which is similar to mine, in color. The house is warm, taking the sting from my cheeks and making me more comfortable. After I take off my coat, I help her with hers. Then our boots are removed, and we walk farther in.

     I hear a laugh. It’s a warm, easy sound, something I’m not capable if making. Mine always seem forced.

     Suddenly, a tall figure walks in. I know it’s just Alex, but his 6’4, 190 pound frame tends to scare me.

“Have fun?” he asks.

“Definitely.” my love says.

      I can tell he’s playing with us. His eyebrows arch up. I see the implication in his eyes. Then she turns to me.

“I love you, Paul.” she says.

“I love you too, Sophie.” is my response.

      That drives Alex crazy. He rolls his eyes as he turns to me.

“Bro-in-law, are you having fun?”

        I tell him yes and I walk toward the kitchen. He doesn’t hear my quiet chuckle at the name he calls me, that they all call me. Sophie and I love each other and we want to get married, but they still call me that, even though it’ll be years before I get married to her. But we still use the appropriate names.

       Cooking in the kitchen is Maman. The sight of her makes me feel guilty and ashamed. She has four kids to look after, so why should I jump in and ask for anything? I try to pacify myself with the fact that once I’m older and when I have a job, I’ll pay her back, along with Alex, because both of them have helped me. More than I deserve.

      They may not be my family by blood, but they are very close to me. I love all of them dearly.

       Natalie walks in as I’m thinking, with Nick in her wake, talking. The twins’ accents make me smile. All of them are so alike in stature, while they have some similarities with their appeareance. They are like me, having blonde hair and blue eyes.

      I meet Nick’s eyes and I smile. He and I get along so well, probably due to the fact that we are so alike. We are close in height, weight, and in our personalities. It’s easy to see the question in his eyes.

“Where did you go?” he asks.

“Just down to the park.” I say.

      I could see the curiosity burning behind his eyes, behind all their eyes. But I don’t say anything.

      Sophie breaks the silence, by pulling me in. Her hands wrap around me neck and I instinctively wrap my arms around her, one hand in her hair, the other on the small of her back. Our lips meet breifly, and the moment is sweet and warm. I hear her laugh, one of my favorite sounds, and I know my cheeks are a deep red.

     Instincts take over again, and my eyes meet Alex’s. But there’s no sign of anger, or hatred. Just a slightly grossed out look. Finally, I breathe.

     Alex is by far my best friend. Although he’s a couple years older, he is everything I aspire to be. He’s smart, funny, kind, strong, fast, and one of the major differences between us is he is beautiful. He is the only male in the world who can be described that way. Compare us to cars and he’s a shiny, new, fast Corvette. I am more of an old, rusty, fall-apart car. My flaws are numerous.

     I give him a half-smile, tentatively, to see if he will return it. That makes him laugh, and he smiles back.

“So, Alex,” I say, “Can I listen to you play the piano?”

“Sure.” says Alex.

        But Maman interrupts us to say that dinner is ready.

“How about after dinner?”

         I nod once and I smile. Grabbing Sophie’s hand we walk toward the table, and eat one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while.