Page 46 of The Twins

“Death does not wait for you to be ready. Death is not considerate or fair.”Tov stands up straight, smooths her dress and strides confidently on her high heels toward the door to my room. “Death is a fucking miserable cunt.”

Bailey and I lay together for who knows how long. Grief is loud. All-encompassing. It swallows you whole and it’s up to you if the bloody crawl back out is worth it. Half my family is dead. I will never hear their voices, their laughter, share their joys and shoulder their pain. How do we move on from this? Rebuild? Do we want to?

“How’s your arm?” Bailey sniffles, rubbing her cheek on my chest.

“I’m fine, Ern.”

“You shattered your arm, Bailey. Are you in pain?”

“Physically, no. Mentally, emotionally…my heart hurts, Ernie. So much I can’t breathe.”

“I just keep thinking…and I want to kick my own ass…but I’m fucking thankful that you are alive. That we are both still here. I can’t imagine life without you, Bailey. I don’t want to. I love you.”

“Oh, Ernie…I know it feels wrong, but we are allowed to rejoice. I have thanked God a million times in the last few days that you were spared. Selfish or not. I love you.”

“We’re getting married.”

She smiles up at me. “Ok.”

“I mean it, Bails. As soon as I’m discharged, we’re going to the courthouse and getting hitched.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I’m not waiting a minute longer than I have to.” I seal my vow with a kiss, taking her mouth roughly, desperate to feel her. Everything has changed. But she’s here with me and I ain’t letting her go.

Ernie 4.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I hug my older brother and sister. They flew in from New York to surprise me. They’ve also come to pay their respects for the family we’ve lost. I still can’t wrap my head around it. But having my big brother Evan here makes me feel better.

“Our baby brother is getting married. You think we’d miss this?”

“It’s just a courthouse wedding. I told Bailey…once things calm down, we’ll do it right. Big ceremony, big reception.”

Emaline fixes the lapels of my suit jacket, her eyes glistening as she glances up at me. “Youaredoing it right. It’s right for you and Bailey. You are marrying your best friend; the rest is details.”

“Thank you.” I hug Emaline again and she chuckles before stepping back and wiping carefully under her eyes.

“We love you, Ern. We’re here for you. No matter what.”

My brother and sister follow me into the judge’s chambers. My foot taps impatiently, waiting for Bailey to arrive. There’s a knock on the door and it opens to reveal my beautiful Bailey. She’s wearing a short summer dress in a very pale pink. Her legs and arms bare. Her painted toes peeking through short, heeled sandals. Her long blonde hair is pinned in some elaborate updo, showing off her long, slim neck. My lips stretch as I take her in…it drops when I spot the gun held against her side. The man behind her using her as a shield to enter the room.

We’re in the courthouse; I don’t have my personal weapon on me as it’s not permitted. Apparently, bad guys don’t play by the rules. I don’t recognize him at first. They step further into the room, and he kicks the door shut behind him. The light of the room hits him just right and my breath hitches when recognition slams into me.

“Hans Gruber?” I can’t believe my own eyes. “But…you’re dead. Alan Rickman is dead.”

“Alan was weak. And so is the Kosher Nostra.”

“But why?” I don’t understand.

“Why?” He smirks, moving around the room with Bailey positioned in front of him. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice my brother shifting his stance, his hand sliding slowly behind him. He’s reaching for his piece. At least he was smart enough to come to my wedding armed. “Because the Kosher Nostra threw me out of a fucking window.”

“WHAT?” I shake my head, my hands itching to reach out and grab Bailey. “No, we didn’t. That was Bruce Willis.”

“Who the fuck is Bruce Willis?”

“Hans, Bruce is the guy who played McClane.”

“Lies!” He waves the gun around, his hold on Bailey tightening. “It was you! Moshe! SHON killed me!”

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