Chapter 4: Forgiveness

*Meanna*

When Jax completely ignored me when we passed in the hallway I was really confused, but now that I know what happened I am having a complete mental breakdown.

"Oh my God! He hates me and he's never going to talk to me again," I manage to gasp out.

"Baby, you need to calm down. You're going to make yourself sick," Jake says, rubbing on my arms to try to soothe me.

"I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't forgive me," I sob.

He just pulls me close and rubs my back as I bury my face in his chest.

At some point, I crawl into Jax's bed and cry myself to sleep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Jaxon*

Jen walks with me back to my room and what I see breaks my heart. There is my twin, best friend laying in my bed, curled up in a ball, hugging my pillow to her chest. The sight breaks my heart and makes me feel so bad for how I handled things. Jen goes and lays down next to Mea and I go over to Jake.

"Go on a walk with me," I say and he gives me a nod, following behind me.

We head to the fountain outside our building and sit on the benches in silence. After a few moments of silence, he is the first to speak.

"I'm so sorry man. We didn't mean to keep this from you. We were just worried about what you would say, you know. It's different from you dating your sister's best friend than when your best friend is dating your sister," he says quietly.

"I know and I understand where you're coming from. I'm just hurt you guys kept it from me for so long. I feel like you didn't trust me enough to tell me this," I tell him honestly.

"We didn't mean to hurt you," he tells me, turning to look at me.

After looking at the water for a minute I turn to him and look him dead in the eyes. "I know and after talking to Jen I have a more level head. I forgive you, but there can be no more secrets between us. You're like a brother to me and I want to be able to trust you."

He perks up. "No more secrets, I promise. I will do anything you want me to so that I can make it up to you."

I give him a smirk and he lets out a nervous laugh. "I'm gonna hold you to it."

We get up and do a bro hug, then we head back inside.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Meanna*

I wake up to someone rubbing on my back. I open my eyes but immediately close them when the light hurts my eyes and makes my head pound. I groan and turn over to stuff my face into the pillow.

"How you feeling sweetie," I hear Jen ask as she rubs my head.

I turn over to look at her, letting my eyes adjust. "I feel like someone has ripped my heart out and shoved it down my throat."

"Well that's graphic," she says with a small chuckle.

"Where's Jake and Jax," I ask her, sitting up.

"They left to go talk," she tells me softly. I sit up in a panic, thinking the worst.

"Hey calm down. Everything is going to be okay," she says, trying to calm me down.

I take a few deep breaths and then turn to her, sitting criss-cross apple sauce.

"Did you talk to him," I ask her in a small voice.

"I did," she confirms.

"Does he hate me?"

"Of course not! He's a little hurt that you kept it from him, but that's it. He's just upset that you guys waited so long to tell him."

This makes me start to cry again. "I didn't mean to hurt him or you. I know you were upset and I'm sorry that I kept it from you. I just didn't want to put you in the position of having to lie to him until I was ready to tell him."

"I know babes and I'm not mad at you."

She pulls me in for a hug and we stay this way until the boys walk in. I take one look at my twin and then immediately run into his arms, crying softly. He rubs my back and tells me that everything is okay.

Once I calm down I pull away from him and wipe away my tears.

"I'm not mad at you," he tells me with a soft look on his face.

"You're not," I ask in a small voice. He shakes his head and smiles at me.

"You're my sister and my best friend. I love you with all my heart. Of course, I'm not mad at you," he says.

I throw my arms around him and thank him profusely.

"Aww, this makes me wish I had a twin," Jen says, interrupting our moment.

"You're so dumb," I say with a laugh.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Jaxon*

We're sitting in the cafeteria at lunch the next day when Rodney comes running up to us.

"My mom's in labor," he yells, throwing his hands around. We all immediately spring into action, finding Auntie A so we can head to the hospital.

The girls pile into Auntie Ariel's car while the guys and I pile into my car.

"Hey dad, how is she," Rodney says to his dad on the phone. He listens for a minute before saying, "We're all on our way right now. We'll be there soon."

He hangs up and tells us that she's already fully dilated and that she's about to start pushing. We finally make it and find most of our families there. Mister and Misses Locke aren't present, which makes me believe that they are watching Xahlia, who is seven, McKenlee and Hardin, who are Uncle Brian and Auntie Ariel's five-year-old twins, and Cierra, their three-year-old daughter.

"How are she and the twins," Auntie Ariel asks my mom.

"They're doing alright, Carla and Jer are in there with her. Andrew was in there until she started pushing. They should be here any minute," she tells her.

"Okay cool," Auntie A says, taking a seat next to Uncle Brian.

"Hi my little bean," my mom says, coming over to hug me.

"Mom, please stop calling me that, especially in public," I tell her pointedly. She pouts but then spots Mea and goes to harass her.

"My peanut," she says, making me laugh. She told us that these are the names they called us before they knew our genders.

I can't believe we're about to add two more people to our crazy family. God help these poor kids.