Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS

JOSH DECEMBER

Christmas was supposed to be a time for joy and togetherness, but this year, it felt like one big headache. Jess had been on my case for weeks about letting Asha spend Christmas with them.

"Josh, she's two years old! She needs to be around family for the holidays," Jess had said over the phone. "Mom and Dad are going to be here. It's a proper family gathering. You can't keep her all to yourself."

"It's not about keeping her to myself," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a team event that I can't back out of. It's part of the contract. And honestly, Jess, I don't feel comfortable being that far away from her. She's only two."

I could practically hear her eyes rolling on the other end. "Josh, I have children too. Both alive and kicking. I know how to keep mini humans breathing. Please! Mom and Dad barely see her with you down in Texas. It's one week. She'll love it here with her aunt and uncle, and you know it."

I groaned, already knowing I'd cave. Jess always had a way of chipping away at my resolve. "Fine," I sighed. "I'll fly her over Monday, but I'll be back by Friday"

"Will you..." Jess started, but then she stopped herself.

I knew what she was going to ask.

Would I visit Laura?

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in the silence between us, unspoken

visited, it was like stepping into a mausoleum. Laura was a shell of the vibrant, spirited woman I married. She was alive-technically-but she wasn't there. Her body existed, but her essence, the

I went... she was so still, Jess. So... gone. It's like she's not even there anymore." Jess softened her tone. "Josh, I understand. Truly, I do. But this isn't just about you. It's about Asha, too. She deserves

Asha as she smeared edible paint all over my teak floors. Her blonde hair caught the light, the same shade as her mother's. It was impossible not to see Laura in her every move, her every laugh. Jess spoke again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Don't worry about

There was a pause, and

facility in Germany. They specialize in advanced treatments for brain injuries. Josh, they've had incredible success stories. They've worked with people who had injuries like Laura's. It's...

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In

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felt my chest

"They have cutting-edge techniques that aren't available here

know. I don't want to get everyone's hopes up. Yours. Mine. Mom and Dad's. And even though I don't see her often, I know I'm a few hours away if something...

I said, my voice breaking slightly. "What if I'm not

a moment. "What if it

an

all over my teak floors.

decide right now. Just...

said softly.

were the only ones I had.clearing my throat as I stared at the pile

of the stack was an

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