Together at last!

In no particular hurry you make your way home, taking several detours and making stops along the way. The unpleasantness with the old couple was soon completely forgotten. The light happy conversation continues as you stroll in the bright sunny day.

At one point out of the blue your grandpa says. "You and Elsie sure are close, aren't you?"

Your head bobs in an upbeat nod. "Oh yeah. She's the best!" You say too loudly. "We do everything together. Why do you ask?"

He laughs. "You've barely stopped talking about her all afternoon!" Your grandma joins him in chuckling.

Really? You think back...shit, he was right. All through your lighthearted chit chat you had inadvertently kept directing the conversation back to your sister. Constantly saying things like. "Oh, Elsie would like that." "This one time Elsie and I..." "Elsie told me once..." and so forth. You had been currently in the middle of bragging about how good Elsie was at video games. You blush as you realize it. You hadn't done it on purpose, it was just what your mind was gravitating toward.

"Um...I just miss her...when she's not here." You explain. You realized how ridiculous that sounded, but it was the truth. She hadn't even been gone a full school day yet but it felt like weeks. You confess a little part of your secret, you were dying to say something to someone It was so hard to hold these feelings in. "You know we were always best friend but...now it is like she is a part of me or something, since the procedure. I miss her so much when she is gone. I don't feel...complete. It's weird I know." You hurry to add. "Please don't tell Aunt Peg, she'll want to poke us and prod us."

He looks at your grandmother. "I told you."

She just smiles and nods. She says to you. "Your Grandpa thinks you two always shared twin souls. You two were always so close. He thinks that is why you turned out like you did."

You blush just to think about it. "Grandpa, there isn't such a thing as a soul! It was just a DNA accident during the procedure. Peg used some of Elsie's DNA in the treatment." You explain.

He just looks at you with kindness. You were wondering if you were about to get some more of his worldly wisdom, instead he simply says. "Sure, if you say so Jesse."

"With you two being so close, Elsie must know who this secret love of yours is." Your grandma says slyly. You were about to protest but she stops you. "Don't you worry dear, Grandpa won't say anything. We'll keep your secret." She looks at her husband. "We don't keep secrets from each other, I had to tell him."

You didn't mind them knowing, as long as they didn't know who it was. You nod. "Yeah, El knows. We talk about everything." El knows alright.

"It's good to have a confidant." Your grandma responds. They mercifully let the subject go, once more they just seemed happy to know you were happy.

The group of you make your way back to the house and fritter away the rest of the afternoon drinking tea, listening to old music, and doing a few things to get ready for dinner. They aren't ones to watch television so it never gets turned on.

As the afternoon stretches on you are constantly looking up at the time. Elsie was almost home. Elsie was almost home. Elsie was almost home! At this point there was no distraction possible that could keep you from thinking of her.

By the time you hear the car door close out front you are like an exuberant puppy when their master returns. You spring to your feet. "Elsie's home!" You squeal, you couldn't contain yourself. Your grandparents chuckle at the enthusiastic display.

You run to the door and wait. As the door opens you see...her. As you feel your connection link up once more it is like a cooling cream on a persistently stinging sunburn, sweet relief from your torment was at hand.

She looked rough. Her hair a bit rustled, her face slightly puffy and haggard, her eyes pink around the edges...she'd been crying! You remind yourself that while you had had people and activities to distract you Elsie had to sit through long droning classes at school.

She doesn't even shut the door, she just drops her backpack and you rush into each other's arms. You can't greet each other how you'd like with your grandparents right there watching you. Holding each other around the waist you close your eyes and put your foreheads together gently. You both take a long breath in and out in unison. You were whole again.

I missed you Jesse. Oh my god I missed you. I don't know if I can do that again.

I missed you too El.

You just hold onto each other as all was made right in the world once more. Finally you look into each other's eyes and begin doing your cute nose rubbing thing that you do. You are making jubilant little noises to one another and you steal a quick kiss.

"Love you Elsie."

"Love you Jesse."

"You're the best Elsie."

"No, you're the best Jesse."

You both say in unison. "Love you."

You are smiling and giggling now in your pure unabashed joy in seeing each other. Fiona would be retching at the over the top saccharine display had she been there to see it. Your grandparents are just beaming. "You two are adorable!" Your grandma exclaims.

Once more the pair of you giggle. You hold hands. El picks up her pack as you close the door. El greets her elders. "Hi Gran, Hi Grampy. You guys had a nice day I hope."

They both nod. "It was just wonderful Elie." They come up and each give her a kiss to her cheek.

El excuses herself. "I'm going to go freshen up a bit, I'll be right back down." They nod as they return to make themselves comfortable in the living room once more.

Hand in hand the pair of you head upstairs, stealing happy glances at one another. Your heart was simply singing with joy right now.

I made you something.

"You did!?" She says excitedly. She looks at you for a moment... Brownies! Yum! I love brownies.

No keeping secrets from her. You nod. Careful though...

She smiles. Green is good.

Hey, that's right! Mind reader.

You both start giggling once more.

(Author Aside: Holy crap guys, I just noticed Runt is now among the top ten liked stories on the site!!! Wow! You guys rock, thanks again.)