I was only 16 years old. I’m not too social or popular or outgoing, I guess. I’ve been on the quiet side since I was small. This is my story…

When I was 14, my mother re-married. Along with a new father, I gained a brother and a sister. My new step brother was 16 (2 years older than me) and my new step sister was 7 (7 years younger than me). Being a single child, then all the sudden becoming a middle child was a huge step. Since I didn’t have many friends, well… I didn’t have any friends, I was so excited to have a sister and a brother.

My brother Cody was very sweet to me to. My new sister, Maria, didn’t seem to like me for some reason though (avoided me for the most part). But Cody and I got along so well it was as if we were twins! We hung out, and he would always play with me too.

One day, Maria left to sleepover at her school mates house for a slumber party. While Maria was away, our house had a power outage! There was only enough hot water to fill one tub, not much candles and flashlights either. So, no matter how weird it was, Cody and I bathed together.

We were just siblings, close family, and best friends. But when we got in the bath tub, I washed his hair and he was telling me a story about something funny that happened in school. Then he started teaching me things I never knew about. I wont go into to much detail, but there was a moment where he kissed me. I didn’t understand… I kissed him back. We were gently kissed inside of a bath tub together.

Months past, it was as if that night never existed. We were siblings, best friends. That was when things changed. Our parents were away on business, and it was my birthday. For my birthday, he gave me a ring. It was so pretty, and it must have cost him a lot. I looked up at him and hugged him tightly and said, “I love it. Thank you so much!” I was beyond happy. He kissed me on the cheek and just by that, I felt a strange spark electrify me. More than what happened during that power shortage.

“You’re blushing.” he said.
“No way.”
“You totally are!” he laughed, “Are you falling for me?”
That killed me, and made me feel a strange tight feeling in my chest.

I called my cousin Sandy that night and I remember asking:
“Sandy, I feel strange around this boy. He’s my best friend. We’re super close, and get along almost unbelievably. He got me a present. When he kissed me on the cheek today, my chest felt tight, and it felt painful, yet I felt beyond happy… Why am I feeling so weird?”
She told me… that I was probably in love.

I couldn’t ever believe it.

Weeks later, Cody invited me to hang out with some of his friends at a small get together/party. When one of his friends, (I think his name was Gregory or something) started chatting with me, I felt a bit happy because not many people like me. But then Gregory started to move closer to me and touching my hair.

But when he put his hand on my waist, Cody acted immediately. He pulled Gregory’s hand away and pulled me close to himself.

“Woah! calm down, Cody.”
“No way. Don’t dare touching her like that.”
“She your girl, Cod.?”
He pulled me closer, “She’s more important to me than just my girl.”
I stuttered, “What do you mean?”
Cody leaned over and kissed me, softly but quickly…

I felt that feeling again. Cody suggested we leave early and go home. He held my hand, and just smiled, without looking at me in the eyes. Just starring off into a distance, smiling. I felt flustered, and butterflies fluttered through my mind and my stomach.

That night, we cuddled on my bed in my bedroom. I snuggled on his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. It was the first time I’ve ever kissed a boy. He hovered above me and kissed my face and neck, softly and sweetly. I wrapped my arm around his neck and we locked eyes… soon we locked lips.

I never felt so loved, and cherished, and the tight feelings deep in my chest squeezed my heart until I felt like I would melt.

Suddenly, after five minutes of feeling like we were in heaven (we only made out)… I realized someone had been standing in the doorway of my room.

Cody and I pulled apart and we sat upright, seeing that Maria had seen her 17 year old brother and 15 year old step sister had made out passionately. She was expressionless. Maria stared at me, not acknowledging her brother but had her eyes glued onto me. She was only 8 years old.

“I hate you.” she said. Then she walked away.

I buried my face in my pillow and felt horrible. Cody pulled me up and hugged me lovingly and we locked eyes. I felt like I was going to cry, he kissed my forehead and slowly spoke to me, “Go to her.”

“But… Cody… I don’t know what I’ll say.”
“Just go.” he smiled for a moment and I left my room.

“Maria? May I come in?”
I do not hear anything, and open the door a bit. She looks at me and nods. I step inside her room. It was the first time I’ve entered Maria’s room. I saw pictures framed on top of her dresser, her desk, and some hanging on her wall. All pictures of her with Cody as little kids.

I walk up to Maria and she faces my way. I was shocked beyond belief. She raised her hand and smacked me across the cheek. I couldn’t say a word.

“He is mine. He’ll never love you like he loves me. You should just disappear.”

Those were the last and only words she has ever said to me. Even to this day.

Many things happened, and today, I’m 21 years old (almost turning 22). I work as a custom designer. I make clothing (girl clothes, mostly). I live in my own house, and I have been blessed with pregnancy. I married the man of my dreams, who happened to become my brother when I was a teenager. We live together, spend every day together, and always care and love for each other.

Yes, Cody and I married.

Our parents eventually approved of us. Maria grew up to be beautiful and smart, but still we never talk. Cody and I are expecting a baby soon, and I can’t be more than happy to start a family with my first and true love.

Not many people know I married my brother.
Only our parents, few relatives, and a few close friends.