Chapter 5
Aurelia didn't know what to do. Inessa was coming back that day, and she still felt bad from the whole nightmare thing a few hours ago. But Natasha wasn't angry, she thought, so that made her feel better.
"Should I....give her something?" She wondered out loud.
No, no, she should just wait for them to come back. Or maybe she should cook something?
But you know how to cook anything, that's just stupid.
When did Natasha say she'd be back? She would've gone with her but the long car ride was too much for her.
Aurelia didn't have time to dwell on it when the doorbell rang. She rushed to open it and Inessa barreled into her with a hug.
She was caught off guard and glanced nervously up at Natasha, who gave her an encouraging smile. Aurelia didn't have any little siblings, not that she could remember. Hugging Inessa back felt nice. It'll take some time to get used to, but it was nice.
Inessa was the first to pull away. "Hi!" She greeted, beaming.
Aurelia's heart pretty much melted into a puddle right then and there. Inessa's so adorable.
"Hi, Inessa." Aurelia greeted in return.
The three of them walk into the house, Inessa excitedly chatting about her adventures with Yelena's daughters, racing to the creek and rolling down the hill. Aurelia was jealous for a moment, until she remembered she might have the opportunity to do that if she visited. She kind of wanted to visit.
Inessa raced up the steps to put her things away, leaving Natasha and Aurelia downstairs.
"I'm sorry I pushed you away earlier." Aurelia apologized, not knowing what else to do to fill the silence.
"You don't have to apologize. You can be angry, you can be scared, you can be upset. I'm not angry now and I won't be later."
"Are you sure?" Aurelia isn't. Maybe she was mad and this was a trick. Her parents had played tricks like this before.
"I'm sure. And I'll tell you as many times as you need. I love you." Natasha reassured, wrapping Aurelia in a hug.
"Thank you, mama." Aurelia melted into her touch. Natasha's hugs always made her feel better.
"Of course, Lia. I'm gonna take a shower, okay?"
"Wait! Um, before you go...what should I say to her?" Aurelia asked, hoping that Natasha would have an adequate answer. Admittedly, she was kind of terrified of being around Inessa and definitely wouldn't be able to think of anything to say.
"Just be yourself." Natasha advised, heading further upstairs.
Funny, considering she didn't know who she is.
"What if she doesn't like me?" Aurelia mumbled.
Natasha turned around, her features softening. "She'll love you, like I do."
Inessa came bounding down the steps after Natasha went upstairs. "We should watch a movie." She suggested after sitting down on the other end of the couch.
"Sure. What should we watch, though?" Aurelia wondered. She only remembers one movie. Well, two, actually. This one about a princess, Snow White, and then another called-
"Lilo and Stitch!" Inessa provided. "We should watch that one, it's really good."
"Oh, I know that movie! I used to watch it all the time when I was- when I was, um, younger." She trailed off at the last part, remembering how bad she always felt as a child, how watching those movies was the only thing making her happy.
Inessa reached over to hold her hand. She doesn't acknowledge it, just reached out to comfort her. "Do you want to watch it?"
Aurelia swallowed thickly. "Yeah, sure."
So Inessa found the movie and played it, Aurelia whispering every word under her breath.
And suddenly Inessa was next to her, her head on her shoulder. Aurelia tensed up, then relaxed, not wanting to move her away.
Is this what having a little sister felt like? She always wanted a sibling, someone to protect and someone to protect her.
"I like having you here." Inessa said amidst the comfortable silence they'd fallen into.
Her heart might explode or something. "Thanks. I like being here." Aurelia replied.
She didn't know what she was saying, but Inessa snuggled in closer. Aurelia never wanted her to stop.
So this was her sister. She never had a sister, but she'd protect her the way no one ever did for her.
Natasha found them asleep on the couch, curled up with each other. She covered them with a blanket and snapped a picture, then took ten more.
She grabbed a sharpie lying around, labeled the photo, and put it on the fridge.
"My Daughters"