Chapter 13
After their very emotional talk on the graveyard, Kate and Nastya arrived back on the Janeway farm with heavily beating hearts, their minds going a mile an hour.
The girls practically dashed up the stairs to Kate's room, the redhead closing the door behind them, locking it, causing the blonde to blink. “Kate? Why would you lock your door?”
The younger girl's cheeks turned crimson, shrugging. “I... I just figured we may need some privacy. Don't want people randomly barging in here and all...”
Nastya nodded, standing uncertainly in the middle of the rather small room. Kate sat on her bed, motioning the taller girl to sit down next to her to which Nastya complied.
Their gazes were cast down, both afraid to look into the other's eyes. Their hands had soon found each other, seeming to have a life of their own, their fingers speaking a language of their own.
After a while, Nastya spoke up. “I had been convinced you would wish to talk to your parents right after we had arrived back here, Kate.”
The redhead gasped, only now remembering the main reason she had wanted to go back home so desperately in the first place.
'You fool! How could you have forgotten?'
Kate nodded slowly, biting her lip. “I'm sorry, I honestly kinda forgot all about that. My body seemed to have a mind of its own...”
Nastya quirked her left brow, her tone an octave lower than usual. “Indeed. You practically dragged me up the stairs and you brought me directly to your bed as well...”
Kate's cheeks turned crimson, utterly humiliated at the older girl's words. “N-Nastya, that's... I did not do that intentionally...”
The blonde pecked the younger girl's cheeks softly. “You are seriously so precious, Kate. Forget what I just said there, please. It was a bad habit, a relict of my worst times...”
Kate smiled softly, wrapping her arms around the elegant long neck of the taller girl. “It's quite alright, Nastya. I understand. There's no need for you to apologize. I'll go down and try to talk to ma and pa right away.”
Nastya nodded slowly in agreement. “That is acceptable, Kate. I best be waiting here for you then-”
To her surprise, the redhead shook her head. “I'd like you to accompany me, Nastya. This matter concerns you as well, after all.”
The blonde agreed hesitantly, still not fully convinced that her being present for such an, as she deemed, a rather personal talk with the younger girl's parents.
As the duo descended the stairs, they were greeted by excited cries. “Kate, Nastya!”
The two girls exchanged a look before directing their attention at the two younger girls awaiting them at the bottom of the staircase.
Both their features lit up at the sight of their siblings, each greeting their respective little sister.
Phoebe grinned widely, babbling about her day at school, Kate having a hard time catching up with the young girl's incessant rambling.
Meanwhile, Natascha and Nastya's greeting was far calmer but no less tender. Natascha happily nuzzled the taller girl who had crouched down to her level, gently running her hands through the soft strawberry blonde hair of the younger girl who was the closest thing to family she'd ever known.
Nastya asked her younger sister gently. “Have you been well, milaya?”
Natascha grinned widely. “Very well, Nastya. Phoebe and I have been doing lots of fun things together and Dee has taught us a trick earlier.”
Nastya looked at the younger girl with genuine interest. “She has? I would love to see that trick later. Could you show it to me once we will be back at the camp?”
Natascha nodded happily. “I'll do that, Nastya! How are you doing though?”
The blonde swallowed, feeling caught at the younger girl's question, answering her honestly. “I have been in a ditch, but I am well now. Kate is aware of our past and she was nothing but understanding.”
The four girls went to the kitchen together where Edward and Gretchen Janeway were already awaiting them with dinner.
Their faces brightened at the sight of all four girls entering together, Gretchen quickly placing two extra chairs so everyone could be seated.
Phoebe squealed as Nastya held out Kate's chair for her, which caused the redhead to flush in humiliation.
Gretchen nudged her husband, the couple sharing knowing glances, Gretchen muttering. “I told ya, Eddie.”
The kind man simply nodded, a smile on his face. “Whatever makes 'em happy, Greta.”
His wife grinned. “My sayin', Ed. I dunno whatcha getting at.”
Nastya, thanks to her enhanced hearing was able to hear their whole conversation, feeling her heart melt at the, as she deemed, adorable display of the older couple.
'That could be us one of these days...'
She shushed the thought away, afraid that ever nagging voice of her mother would torment her again if she got too carried away, or that reality would hit her too hard if she continued to live in what she deemed to be a dream world in which Kate and she could live happily ever after.
'Society does not approve of this. I am pleased to know Kate's family is different, but they are exceptions, I am afraid, just like Dee...'
Right when Nastya had finished that thought, a familiar voice could be heard. “Pardon the intrusion! I'd been hoping I would find you here.”
Nastya turned over towards the door in which none other than Dee stood, smiling at her in that blindingly bright fashion, pearly whites on display.
'Speak of the devil...', the blonde mentally chided herself, not daring to finish that proverb in her mind.
Dee was, by no means, the devil, if anything she was probably an angel. However, she had an awful tendency of showing up at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
Nastya got up from her seat, walking over towards her friend, pulling her to the side. “Dee, as much as I am happy to see you, now is not a good time.
"Kate is currently leading a very important discussion with her parents for which she wished for me to be present as well.”
The brunette nodded in understanding, mentally facepalming at her terrible timing. “Of course, sweetie. I sincerely apologize. It was, by no means, my intention to disturb or intrude on anything.
"Much like that time at the cottage when I barged in on Kate and you...”
The last phrase was merely muttered, but Nastya, curse her refined hearing, was able to hear it regardless, blushing softly at the memory of that night.
Dee was about to coo out at the rare display of Nastya's shyness when Kate's voice prevented her from doing so. “Nastya, is everything alright?”
The blonde dipped her head, walking over to the smaller girl. “Do not worry, Kate. Dee and I were merely having a talk. I am going to accompany you back inside now.”
To her surprise, Kate stated. “Great. Dee can actually come in as well if she wants. We'll be eating dinner now.”
Nastya blinked rapidly. “But what happened to the discussion you were having with your parents?”
Kate grinned widely. “That went very well. I have their approval. Oh, and Phoebe may accompany us for a while. She has aspirations to become an artist anyway and you know how close Natascha and she are.
"Ma and pa simply couldn't say no to those combined puppy eyes.”
Nastya chuckled, relating all too well to this, never being able to deny Natascha anything when she gave her that adorable look of hers.
Dee chimed in excitedly. “Kate, you are going to accompany the Voyager theater?”
The redhead nodded. “If Nastya's father will agree then I am, yes.”
The brunette grinned. “Oh, don't worry about him. Pjotr, so far, has never rejected a new potential addition to the family.
"Also, I can imagine you possessing quite some talent in the show business. You may even turn into our new star.”
After dinner was finished everyone gathered outside on the front porch, enjoying the warm spring air when out of the blue Kate got distracted by a sound. “Psst.”
She blinked and looked around before seeing a shadow in the back which sent chills down her spine.
The young girl, against her better judgment, crept over there, afraid of what may be awaiting her.
Once they were standing in the dim light of the street lantern, Kate's eyes turned wide. “Aunt Beverly!”
The older woman grinned and wrapped the young girl into a warm embrace. “I'm glad you still recognize me, Katie. Looks like I haven't aged as much as I feared since the last time we met.”
Kate chuckled at her aunt's antics, nudging the taller. “Stop acting like you're ancient, Bev! What are you doing here though and what's with the sneakiness?”
The taller woman waved her hand dismissively. “Hear ye, hear ye. The youth has spoken! I just came by to see how ya'll are doing, especially my girls.
"It was supposed to be a surprise, that's why I'm being a little sneaky today.”
Kate nodded in understanding, practically dragging her aunt over to the others. “Enough with the sneakiness. I'm sure ma will be elated to see her baby sis again after all this time!
"You're always welcome here.”
The older woman nodded slowly, biting back the remark that had been on the tip of her tongue, not wanting to ruin the mood, or hurt her favorite niece's feelings...