Chapter 27

• Danni came out of the bathroom in her sports bra and panties and headed over to Mike's bed. The rest of the family had accepted her need for someone understanding to sleep next to. Emma watched as her sister crawled into bed next to him and curled up on a pillow, waiting for Mike to get in.
• Emma pulled herself into bed, feeling a bolt of jealousy fleetingly pass through her. She couldn't hold it against her sister, though, knowing how much she'd been through. She felt her heart warm as she saw how her sister responded to Mike just being near. She knew that Mike wouldn't ever hurt Danni, wouldn't force anything on her, would just be there for her whenever she needed him. She found herself desperately wishing she could be held in his arms as well. She turned over, trying to go to sleep, but couldn't and soon turned back to her siblings.
• Mike yawned, stretching his arms. It had been a long day, but a good one. He pulled the covers up and lay down beside Danni, relishing the feeling of her body relaxing and melting up against his. She looked up at him as he smiled at her and kissed him gently on the lips.