[Somewhat] Extended Family
“Mom, I’m taking Ralph for a walk. I’ll be back later, okay?”
Adeline’s mom looked up, offering her daughter a smile. “Sure, honey, have fun. Oh, actually, would you mind taking Eddie too? I’ve got some work I really need to get done, and it would be really helpful if you could watch him for a bit just so I can buckle down on it.” Her eyes hadn’t stayed on Addy long, quickly returning to the laptop in front of her.
Addy bit her lip, gripping Ralph’s leash tighter for a moment before closing her eyes and letting out a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, her mom was looking at her, and Addy instantly felt guilty. “It’s just that- I was sort of planning to meet up with Sage while I was out.”
“Well, why can’t Eddie come along too?”
“It’s not that he can’t come, Mom, it’s just-”
“You don’t want your girlfriend to meet your little brother?”
“Mom! I didn’t say that!”
“Well, I didn’t say that you did, Adeline, but it seems like-”
“Okay! God. Eddie can come. Whatever.”
“No, Adeline, if-”
“Look, I already said that I’m taking him. You got your way. Now drop it, okay? Please?” She saw her mom’s eyes narrow, and goddammit she wanted more of her mom’s attention, but not like this. “I’m sorry. I’ll take Eddie along on my walk, and I’ll get him hot chocolate. Is there anything else I need to get while I’m out?”
“No, it’s fine.” The eyes were back to the computer, and it’s like their nearly-fight had never existed. Ugh.
“Eddie! We’re going on a walk! Come on!”
“I’m only going if Ralph comes too!”
Addy groaned and walked down the hallway to her little brother’s room, unsurprised that when she opened the door, Eddie was curled up with Ralph on his bed, watching PJ Masks. “Aren’t you a little old for this show?”
“Yeah. Why do you care?”
“Buddy, can we please just go on a walk? I was gonna take Ralph anyway, and Mom wants you out of the house so that she can ignore her real responsibilities and ‘do work’.”
“Ugh, fine. Why are we going on a walk, though?” He stood up and nudged Ralph off of the bed, grinning when the dog trotted over to Addy and jumped up on her. “I thought you hated walks. And, it’s like February.”
“Yeah, well.” She looked him up and down sheepishly. “Bundle up, I guess. I didn’t actually think about that. I’ll explain on the way?”
“Okay, I guess. Aren’t your legs going to get cold?” Eddie looked pointedly at her skirt.
She rolled her eyes. “Shut up, you little punk. I’ve got thick tights on, I’ll be fine.” She ruffled his hair and pulled his coat from the closet. “Come on, you get to meet my girlfriend today.”
---
Sage stood, shivering and rubbing her hands up and down her arms as they waited for Addy in the park. “I don’t think either of us actually thought about the fact that it’s kind of February.”
“Kind of? It’s February third! It’s fucking cold, Sage!”
Wanda rolled her eyes at her brother’s outburst.
Sage watched slightly warily as she waved her hands at both of them, but once the other girl was done, she instantly felt warmer. “What did you do?”
“I made your brain think that it was warm instead of cold.”
“Um. Does this mean I’ll be really hot if we go inside?”
“No, you’ll readjust after a while. Don’t worry. Tell me if you get cold again, though.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She grinned at Wanda and resumed looking for her girlfriend. “Oh my god, look, it’s a puppy. Oh my god, he’s with a cute girl. Oh my god, that’s my cute girl! Addy!”
The brunette’s head shot up, and she grinned and waved, turning to say something to a little boy who was walking alongside her. He laughed and jogged forward ahead of Adeline.
“Hi! I’m Eddie. You must be Addy’s girlfriend.”
Sage giggled. “Yes, I am. Hi, Eddie, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Are these your cousins?”
“Yep! This is Wanda, and Pietro.” She pointed to each of them in turn, straightening up to give Addy a hug as she drew closer. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself. I think you found the only spot in this park that isn’t cold as hell.”
“What can I say, I’m just that good.” Sage winked at her, and mouthed a thank you at Wanda. “So, these are my cousins.”
Pietro shouldered his way to right in front of Adeline and looked her up and down appraisingly. “I suppose I approve. I think at this point, Sage would kill me if I didn’t.”
Addy smiled at him as she heard Sage mutter damn straight to her side. “Well, I’m glad you think so. What say we all go get some hot chocolate?”
“Yay! Come on, Ralph! Hot chocolate!”
Sage smiled at Eddie’s reaction and looped her arm through Addy’s, side-eyeing Pietro. “So, were you intending to introduce me to Eddie, or Ralph?”
“Ralph. Eddie came along because Mom had work to do. Please don’t ask.”
“Alright, I won’t.” Sage slowed them down slightly so that she could look Addy in the eye. “Are you okay?”
The other girl smiled softly. “Amazing now. Come on, I think they’re getting antsy.”
Sage looked over at Pietro, who was practically vibrating, and laughed.