𝟏𝟓- 𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sisters.

❂

THE baby's kick left Aria in awe.

She looked up at her sister, Rylee with a proud smile, "He's so active."

Rylee grinned, "That he is. He gives me more back pain than Larkin did."

Aria laughed wholeheartedly, glancing over to Rylee's first son, Larkin, who was currently blabbering to his dad in toddler tongues.

Rylee and Lorenne's birthday is tomorrow, so visiting her sister for a couple of days was non negotiable.

The past weekend— and the events at Memphis's home during it— was pushed to the back of Aria's mind as she focused on her family.

The redhead had taken off of work for 'family reasons', providing her with three days to rest.

Rylee's home was beautiful, classic and homey. She lived in a typical suburban neighborhood in a four bedroom, three bath home. Her location was more in the family, friendly area of Los Angeles where every neighbor knew one another and children experienced weekly play dates.

Rylee was a stay-at-home mom, but Collin worked in engineering— a career that left them living comfortably.

A loud squeal came from behind Rylee and Aria, neither of them shocked by who it was.

Lorenne, Rylee's literal twin, stood with an awestruck expression on her face. Her sunglasses were on top of her head, pushing against her dark hair. She wore a skin tight dress, its material hugging her body in a comfortable manner. Her sandals slapped against the floors of the home as she scurried over to her twin sister, immediately crouching to inspect her growing belly.

"Oh he's gotten so big." she cooed with a smile.

Rylee and Aria laughed, watching their star struck sibling observe.

"She didn't even acknowledge us." Aria mumbled playfully.

"At this point I'm popping out babies for her own entertainment." Rylee giggled, tilting her head towards her younger sister.

"I can hear you two." Lorenne glared, shifting her attention away from Rylee's stomach.

"Good." Aria grinned, reaching down to pull her sister into a hug, "I've missed you."

Lorenne pouted, pulling a pregnant Rylee into a group hug, "I've missed you guys too."

The sisters embraced one another with deep affection. There was nothing as strong as a sister bond- no mind the matter that they rarely saw one another.

"We have to catch up over dinner." Rylee spoke softly, pulling away from the hug first.

"Now we're talking." Lorenne nodded enthusiastically.

❂

ARIA observed her family. Lorenne was setting the table, lighting candles and placing down utensils while Rylee laughed along with Collin as they watched Larkin sneak a strawberry off of the homemade cheesecake.

The moment was wholesome— comforting.

Aria felt blessed that her bond with her sisters was genuine.

"What're you thinking about?" Lorenne interrupted the shorter woman's thoughts.

As much as Lorenne presented herself as the nagging, awfully comedic sister, she was the most protective. She was always the first to defend Rylee and Aria, whether that be with a punch to the face or a smart remark.

She had range.

"I just miss you guys." Aria grinned, her smile growing bigger once her older sister pulled her into a hug.

"You know that we're always here for you, Riri." Lorenne consoled.

Aria giggled, pushing her sister away at the childhood nickname, "Yeah, yeah."

Eventually, everyone was sat at the dinner table. Rylee and Collin sat on one side whilst Aria and Lorenne sat on the other. Larkin was placed in his high chair, wasting no time in eating his dino nuggets.

"How's fashion week preparations going for you?" Rylee asked Lorenne, kissing Collin's cheek after he finished plating her food.

"Stressful as always." the redhead sighed, removing her sunglasses from her head, "But this is a nice break before I have to jump back into it all."

At the mention of the twins' birthday, Aria clapped her hands together, "How do you guys feel about turning thirty?"

Both women groaned to themselves, eliciting laughter from their young sister and Collin.

"I feel so old." Rylee slightly teared up.

Collin frowned, catching on immediately, "Oh no baby. You've still got so much life to live."

Lorenne gagged, "Stop reminding me how single I am."

"Cheers to that." Aria cringed slightly at the affectionate interaction.

Rylee's pregnancy hormones had gotten the best of her and she began to dab underneath her eyes, absorbing any fallen tears.

Collin reassured her with sweet nothings and back rubs, attempting to calm her emotions down

Larkin looked up at the sight of his mother crying, pouting slightly, "Mama?"

"Mommy's okay. Don't worry." Collin assured his son, kissing his cheek for reassurance.

"I'm okay, baby." Rylee smiled comfortingly, helping prevent a mutual crying session.

Larkin successfully went back to eating without a single tear being dropped.

"Anyways." Rylee smiled softly, "How's life been for you, Riri?"

Lorenne chuckled at the nickname, the irony of Aria's previous comment about it amusing her.

Aria rolled eyes, "I've been good. Kiera, Parker, and I are still glued to the hip and work has been smooth."

"Mm. . . Kiera?" Lorenne teased.

Parker wasn't the only person who 'shipped' Kiera and Aria— Lorenne was a huge supporter as well.

Rylee noticed the blush on Aria's cheeks and pushed, "Are you guys finally putting on your big girl panties?"

Aria scoffed, "Do not word it that way."

"She's not wrong." Lorenne shrugged, "Everyone noticed but you."

"Whatever." Aria mumbled, taking a bite of her caesar salad.

Collin laughed at the sibling bicker, "On a serious note, how's she treating you?"

Collin took his brother-in-law title seriously. He was quite literally an older brother figure when it came to his wife's sisters.

The man listened to their worries when needed and gave an unbiased opinion, knowing that the sisters loved to mess with each other.

"She treats me really well." Aria spoke with honesty, "She's away in Japan right now so it's been a minute."

Rylee nodded with a smile, "That's all we care about."

"Yeah, nothing matters other than your happiness." Lorenne agreed, slightly pushing her shoulder against Aria's.

Aria felt a surge of acceptance flow through her chest. When your parents have made it known that they are severely disappointed in you, simple acknowledgment from sisters was enough to make anyone satisfied.

Aria felt at home.

❂