Brian always wanted a little brother.

He wanted someone he could take under his wing. Someone to guide, and take care of, who would look up to him. He wanted a little brother he could teach all sorts of interesting things to, someone he could play with. Having a little brother would be so much fun! He'd begged Mommy and Daddy to get him a little brother. He had all sorts of cool things planned out for him. He already knew he was going to teach him to play ball and they'd catch tadpoles in the creek in the summer. That's why Brian was waiting patiently by the phone for Mommy to call and tell him he had a little brother.

Today was the day the doctor would tell Mommy and Daddy who the baby was, and Brian even had a name picked out. He'd struggled long and hard to decide between Benny or Ryan. Ryan would rhyme with Brian, but it didn't start with a "B" like Benny. He'd chosen Benny of course! Brian and Ryan sounded too close, people would mix them up! Brian and Benny sounded nice. He'd struggled to keep it a secret, because he was gonna surprise Mommy and Daddy with the clever name. Every time he'd asked what they'd decided, they'd always smile and look each other and say there were too many good names and it was hard to choose. So Brian did his best to pick a good name. He'd asked all his friends for name ideas too.

The phone was snatched up as soon as it rang by a grinning boy of roughly six years of age. He was practically vibrating with excitement waiting to hear about his little brother. He knew it was a little brother, because of course it would be. He heard Mommy's voice, and the words began tumbling out of his mouth.

"I have a little brother right!?"

His grin faded, and the little boy standing on a chair to reach the phone on the counter began to droop.

"Oh... you're sure?"

He waited patiently for the answer, disappointment on his face.

"Okay. I got it. Uh huh. Love you too. Take care Mommy, see you soon."

Small hands carefully hung up the phone, and then the little figure slumped into the too-large chair.

 

Four months later, Brian found himself in the back of Uncle Grant's car on the way to the hospital. He stared out at the passing scenery, fidgeting all the way. His little face was worked up into a worried and frustrated expression. The longer he sat in the car, the more he fidgeted, until he finally popped up and leaned forward.

"How much longer?"

Uncle Grant chuckled and glanced back as he pulled to a stop at the intersection.

"Ten more minutes, kiddo."

Brian's look of horror made him chuckle a second time.

"Excited to meet your new little sister?"

Brian closed his mouth and nodded, worry creeping back into his expression.

"Uh huh."

"Don't worry, we'll meet her soon."

Brian slumped back into his seat and returned to looking out the window.

His mind returned to well-worn trails. What if he didn't like her? What if she didn't like him? After all, James and his big sister hated each other. What if they hated each other too? Even worse, what if Mommy and Daddy loved her more?

Optimism warred with anxiety.

He'd be the best big brother ever. He'd be such a good big brother that she'd like him. Mommy and Daddy would be proud, he was sure. He was a big boy, and he wouldn't need his diapers changed or have to be carried around. In fact, he could help Mommy and Daddy take care of her. Except... he didn't want to help change her diapers.

Brian grimaced. Babies were gross.

He perked up when the hospital was in sight. The parking lot was a little full, and he wound up drumming his heels on the seat in his impatience. As soon as the car was parked, he was out the door and practically dancing in place as he waited for the slow adults to get out.

He darted in the doors to the hospital and searched around for clues to where his parents were. Grandpa was coming down one of the halls!

Brian launched himself into Grandpa's arms. It took more time than he wanted for Uncle Grant to catch up, and even longer for them to head to where Mommy and Daddy were. They were gonna meet Kayla!

Kayla was uglier than he expected, and tinier too. Her face was all red and wrinkly, and she was sleeping.

The next hour was a bit of a blur. Brian vaguely recalled poking at his baby sister, and getting to hold her only after he'd climbed up into Mommy's bed so that he wouldn't drop her. What he remembered after, was Mommy getting sleepy, and Daddy pulling him outside to let Mommy sleep.

That night, the elder Campbell looked at his son, and had a conversation that would shape his life.

That night, Brian Campbell looked his father in his eye with all the gravity a six year old could muster, and solemnly promised he'd always protect his little sister.

Lightning streaked across the sky, momentarily lighting up the room. Nine year old Brian lay in bed as the storm raged on. He waited, his eyes on the door. Rumbling thunder nearly covered up the sound of someone turning the door knob. He propped himself on one arm as the door opened. A toddler stood silhouetted by the dim light from the night-light in the hallway.

Brian reached over to his bedside lamp and twisted the small knob. A soft click and he squinted in the light. He turned the knob back down, dimming it to a more bearable glow.

"Brian? I'm scared." the toddler spoke. She flinched as thunder rumbled yet again. "Can I sleep with you?"

"Sure. Of course you can."

Brian pulled back the covers as she darted across the room to him. She climbed into the bed and huddled up against him, shivering a little. Brian smiled as he pulled the covers over them both and he wrapped his arms around her. With one hand he gently patted her back.

"It's okay. I'm here. Want me to keep the lights on?"

She buried her face in his chest and shook her head. He felt his protective instincts stir. Carefully he reached up and turned off the lights and soothed her with quiet reassurances until the shaking stopped.

The next morning he awoke to find himself faced with a serious dilemna. His arm was numb and prickling. Did he dare risk waking her up to save his arm? Or should he try to wait it out.