Chapter 3
The drive was filled with small talk, mostly about their cars and a bit about the change in seasons. It was perfectly pleasant and rather relaxing. Soon they were pulled up in front of the house, Beatrice's car in the driveway first with her sister's black Range Rover pulled in behind. Beatrice let out an audible sigh, looking up at the house.
"Are you alright?" Hank asked, looking over at the house over Beatrice's shoulder.
"I know she's going to yell at me." Beatrice shrugged softly. "It's alright, she's just protective and speaking of which, I told her that I ran into someone from high school just so you know and said that you had to care of me after I fainted." Hank smiled warmly.
"You're welcome, but I don't think you need to thank me much since I made you pass out in the first place." They laughed softly at this, and Beatrice got ready to leave. "Ah.. before you go..." Hank started before pulling a piece of folded paper out of his pocket and holding it out to her. "In case you do want to talk more about what happened, just give me a text." Beatrice nodded as she tucked it away in her purse.
"Thank you again." She smiled wide and stepped out of the car. She waved as he pulled away, dreading turning around.
Beatrice was met by her sister at the front door, sliding into the house past her glare. The other girl was obviously upset by Beatrice's lack of communication as she closed the door behind them both, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back on it.
"Hi, Lottie." Beatrice offered up a small smile as she looked at her sister. Lottie Lane was Beatrice's older sister by adoption, and she was five years older. When standing next to one another the only similarity, save for their mannerisms, was the fact that they were both rather short. Lottie had long, jet black hair, dark brown eyes and tan skin. She was almost always in heels and cared much more about fashion than her sister, except for right now when she was dressed in a comfy pj set and pink fuzzy slippers. While the house belonged to Beatrice now, Lottie ran the family business, a confectionary company that was passed through the generations.
"Bee! You had me scared out of my mind! Do you know how scary it was to come home and see your car and have you be nowhere near it? And you didn't even have your phone on! And then you come home with some guy! What the heck, Bee?" Lottie was out of breath by time she had finished with her miniature rant, and just stood there then staring at Beatrice. Beatrice took a deep breath before pulling Lottie into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Lottie. You know that I love you, and I just lost track of time, okay?" She smiled as she looked up a her sister. "Forgive me?" She asked, flashing big puppy-dog eyes. Lottie sighed deeply before nodding and hugging back.
"Go put on your pajamas so I can give you part of your birthday present..." Lottie grumbled, trying to fight back her smile. They had never stayed mad at one another for a long time, not even when they were little.
After about ten minutes, Beatrice was back downstairs and sitting at the kitchen counter. She had changed into her pajamas by now, and her socked feet swung under the counter. Lottie was scurrying around in the dining room, behind Beatrice's back.
Suddenly the lights went out, and Lottie started to sing "Happy Birthday" as she carried a brightly-colored cake in her arms. Beatrice smiled wide, looking between her sister and the cake. When Lottie finished, Beatrice blew out the candle with a big smile.
"The macaroons from Pierre's?" Beatrice asked, plucking one off the top before savoring a big bite. Lottie nodded her head.
"I had him make all of your favorites and then I shipped it here with me on the plane. Pretty great Big Sis, huh?" Lottie laughed to herself as she went to get a knife and serve the cake.
"Best one, I've got!" Beatrice teased, sticking her tongue out at her sister.
With a belly full of cake, and worn out from all the giggles, the girls collapsed onto the couch together.
"Alright Bee-bee, you've got to tell me why you have that ridiculous bandage on your head and who that guy was." Lottie raised an eyebrow as she looked over at her sister. Beatrice nodded her head and lied down across the couch with her head in Lottie's lap.
"Remember when mom told us how she and ma picked our names?" Beatrice asked, peering up at her sister.
"They liked things that rhymed because they sounded like a superhero's secret identity." Lottie hummed in response, playing with Beatrice's orange hair.
"Yeah well, I'm clearly not a superhero because I fell down today and hit my head and got this." The girls burst out into laughter, shaking their heads. "And that guy is someone from high school who offered to help me get cleaned up. Does that suffice as an answer?" Beatrice asked, giving her sister a bit of a side eye.
"Yes yes, I suppose." Lottie stuck her tongue out at her sister before pulling her into a deep hug.