LIPSTICK KISSES

“You might be able to occupy her along with the one my sister does have left. I don’t know, I can’t keep track of them.” Luke shrugged with a shake of his head, a grin forming at the corner of his lips. “—Good.” He simply replied that Ale and her own dog would try to stay out of any more danger. It had him certainly content that she knew he meant the caution out of way that they were growing to care, trust one another genuinely within a friendship. Being taken off guard initially could really end up taking off at times. “Ok. You’re the expert here, taking your word for it.” He stated through an eased sigh as she went right on proceeding with the washing process. Although his eyes flew right open again at the impending ‘warning,’ instantly nodding in affirmation. Before Luke knew it, Ale announced his hair was done at this step and once upright, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder in attempt to stop her from moving any more forward for the moment. “I definitely understand, I do the same for my own sister. You have my full word, I would never hurt Indi.” He still reiterated before her. “…And no matter what, I want you to know that you, as my friend, isn’t going to change. — it’s why I don’t really bring what I have with your sister up a lot. I know you don’t think it, but just.. also know I’m really not trying to gain anything.” Luke defiantly addressed. He hadn’t been actively looking for romance, yet, now this spurred chance re-surfaced with Indiana presented itself, there was no way he wanted to not try. “Let’s get past Friday first, though.” Luke then followed her to her salon station, seating himself in the chair. “About the date you mean? And yes, a trim’s just fine I think.”

“I think it’s just me, honestly, she never does it for Adam. He works from home a lot so I think she’s got a complex that I abandon her or something. She’s not fun if we’ve both been out for the day.” For Alessia, although the sisters were working on their relationship, she was definitely more protective over Indiana than she ever had been before. The two had been through so much that she wasn’t sure if her sister could really handle anymore hurt, just like she couldn’t. It was one reason she did hope something could blossom with Luke and Indiana, he understood and not one part of Ale was scared for her sister. Nodding as he placed his hand on her shoulder, the brunette couldn’t help but smile at him. “I know, honestly, I do, if I got any hint that you would, you’d be no where near her, I promise that.” Quickly towel drying his hair as he sat down, Ale grabbed her comb, measuring his hair between her fingers before reaching for her scissors. “I’ll say the same though, I don’t want to get involved and I do value your friendship, I wouldn’t want that to change because of what may or not happen between you and my sister.” Nodding, Ale began to trim his hair, a small smile on her face. “Do you know where you’re going to take her yet? Or has she called the shots on this one? I don’t want to get involved but I definitely want to know what’s going on. It’s been so long since I’ve been on a first date, there’s nothing quite like that excited nervous feeling.”

       Pressing her lips together, she shook her head at the brunette, a sarcastic ‘ha ha’ sounding as she rolls her eyes. “You just love rubbing it in,” she smirks, nudging her sister with her elbow before taking the bag from her. “Oh, really?” Her brow raising in piqued interest as her gaze lands on Alessia, Indi feels a smile tugging at her lips. She glances inside the bag, spotting the photo album, a prickling sensation already igniting behind her eyes, feeling her cheeks heat up the way they did whenever something emotional was to occur. “Okay, I’ll.. I’ll have a look through it later. I can’t believe you guys did this!” Clearing her throat, she tucks her hair behind her ear, pulling out the photo frame Ale was referring too, a wide grin forming on her features as she wraps her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “Look at us..” It was as though the photograph captured the peak of their relationship, and it made her emotional to think of just how far they’d come. “I’ll have to thank Adam, but.. thank you so much,” she says as she pulls her into a tight hug, mostly because she was trying to hide the tears threatening to escape. Yes, she was an emotional wreck, particularly when it came to anything to do with family. “I already love it. Couldn’t’ve asked for a better birthday present.”

“I’m your little sister, I’m pretty sure I’m doing that title an injustice if I don’t point out how close you are to the next decade. It’s not like you need to worry, you have the skin of a twelve year old, no one will believe you.” Her grin softened into a smile as she saw the familiar emotion on Indiana’s face as she described the photo album. More and more, Alessia was realising just how similar the sisters were in so many ways and if how emotional she had gotten making the album was anything to go by, she would want to be with Indiana, on their own when she went through it. “It was tough but it was so much fun making it. I’m not sure if I preferred the baby pictures or the awkward teen phase, but both of them had Nana full of stories.” Determined to lighten the mood, Alessia moved to stand next to Indi as she pulled the frame out of the bag. It was truly a lovely picture of the two of them and as she had her own copy hanging up on a wall of her apartment, to Alessia, it was another step towards a solid relationship between them. “He’s stuck at work but he’s going to come by and pick me up later so he said he’ll come and say hello when he does.” Wrapping her arms tightly around Indiana, she moved one hand to the back of her sister’s head to comfort her. “Don’t cry, sis, it’s your big day.” Maybe she should’ve waited and done presents when they weren’t at her party. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it honestly, I knew it would mean more to you than something random. But it wouldn’t be a birthday without a little something extra so of course, there is a treatment day waiting for at the spa, whenever you can make the time.” Releasing her sister from the hug, Alessia winked at her sister in a bid to make her smile. “Shall we get a drink?”

        Her eyes immediately brimming with tears at mention of ‘Jo’, Indi quickly threw a glance over at Alessia, the pain and heartache clearly visible now, and the sight tore at her. There was just no way.. this was a prank, someone had surely spoken to the lady and told them of the nickname. This wasn’t real, her skepticism kicking in to fight against what she knew to be true — they were very likely hearing from their lost loved ones. That, this was real, no matter the crappy excuse she’d devise to be realistic. She would deny, deny, deny until it all went away. But as the lady went on, the squeezing of Alessia’s hand only tightened, tears brimming in her eyes as she locked her gaze unto the lady. Tightening sensations were felt in her chest, heart practically pounding in her ears, she near couldn’t hear the elderly lady’s voice. “I don’t..” she couldn’t even continue, her whisper barely audible, voice caught in her throat as the lady went on. How in the world had she hit the nail on the head?! Unless.. “Don’t be afraid to let yourself feel, don’t be afraid to move on and be happy. We’re always with you.” Indiana’s heart was racing so hard, it was practically in her throat now, a wave of nausea washing over her, wanting suddenly to take her sweater off. But she couldn’t move, she was paralysed with the possibilities and the words that were now ringing in her ears. Tears were streaming down her face uncontrollably, and she couldn’t do a thing to stop it. 

        “My, my… such a strong presence this one has. And so much to say.. dears, it seems there’s a lot left unsaid. And.. goodness, this other presence.. He says nothing makes him happier than to see you two getting along.” Okay, this had to stop now. This was a sick joke, a sick joke and.. and yet, so very real and heart wrenching. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take. 

This is exactly what she had been afraid of. So much of the time, Alessia avoided her feelings about anything, scared that it would only open the can of worms where she couldn’t stop it. More than anything, she avoided anything to do with her grief and now it was confronting her so harshly. No one but her family knew that at home, her name was more commonly ‘Jo’ than Alessia, all thanks to Lucas and his inability to say her name when he was little. No one but her family knew that her father called her pumpkin, thanks to unfortunate incident at a pumpkin farm one Halloween. Pressing her free hand over her mouth, Ale’s eyes clenched shut as the tears flowed freely, although she was desperate not to make a sound. The sob caught in her throat and her eyes only opened as Amara continued to talk to Indiana. She was clinging to her sister’s hand as if her life depended on it and it was almost reassuring to feel Indi squeezing back just as tightly. There was no way this couldn’t be real, it was too realistic, too specific to be anything but. “You never truly lost them, my dears, they are with you, every second of every day.”

As soon as Amara continued, Ale felt herself shaking her head. Her father was one thing, but her baby brother? There wasn’t a single cell in her body that knew how to deal with it. “He wants to you to know that they’re alright, he doesn’t want you to cry anymore.” Shaking her head again, Ale clamped her lips together to stop herself from sobbing. It was just too much. “I-I can’t do this. I can’t do this.” She wanted to leave, she wanted to run as far away as possible but she was glued to her seat. She couldn’t bear the thought of taking her hand away from Indiana’s, she couldn’t bear to leave the only connection she had to them. “They want you to say yes, say yes to everything. To not live in fear. They never wanted that.”

        Sawyer released a short chuckle, amused by the girl before her. “Fair call,” after all she used to have.. quite the experiences with cops before in her time. Not that she was going to disclose that with a stranger, much less a civilian she’d be working on a case with. She nods some as the brunette moves to explain further, biting down on her lower lip in thought. “Alright, well, the only thing we can do I guess is have a look over those tapes. If you.. recognise anyone or something about the person, we can go from there.” 

Nodding, Alessia took another deep breath to calm her nerves. She had nothing to be nervous about, but for some reason, that made her even more nervous. “It’s like when you go through airport security, right? You know your liquids bag is fine but the second they take a closer look.. Panic.” Shrugging, Ale nodded, clamping her lips shut as the detective spoke. “Sure, I’m pretty good with faces of clients, I usually do recognise them if I’ve seen them in the spa before so it might be worth seeing if I don’t recognise anyone?”

“I can probably attest to that with my own sister and her dogs. — Well, dog now. One apparently ditched her for our mother.” Luke explained further with a shrug. “But either way, you both should still maybe try to avoid situations like that?” The remark came from second nature, from the fact they were establishing a mutual trust, understanding between each other. His place wasn’t and never would be regardless to over-step or tell her what to do. It didn’t happen often where he connected with others off the bat easily, but there surely was something admirably engaging about the Harpers. All in all, even with a personal connection from his end, it’d been telling that he and Ale valued this bond, what they could keep learning from one another. “Good, really glad to hear it. Same for mine.” Luke nodded, closing his eyes momentarily as she began her work. “You’re just saying that to be generous, huh? I mean, you were right. I did need it. No matter though, only getting the best hair-cut.” Small grin remaining, he stared up at the ceiling. “You know me too well already. — But maybe..” Luke’s tone clearly still gave the answers away to her questions regarding the upcoming date. Yet he felt his feet shift a bit, still trying to cease the strange, impending nerves about it all.

"Oh really? I wish my dog was that sassy. She just pretends to run away and then comes back sulking when you pretend to walk away from her. She’s more demanding than a child, I swear.” Shrugging once, Alessia grinned. “We’ll try, I’ll tell her you told her so.” In truth, she didn’t really know Luke all that well. They had met a few times and had started to get to know each other but there was still a lot to be learned. Despite this, Ale felt a unique bond that she didn’t really have with any other men in her life. She wasn’t used to having guys as friends, really, the last had been her brother. Even if Luke could never and would never replace her brother, he was certainly starting to fill the void of a male friend. She continued to work as they spoke, her hands working quickly to wash of the shampoo before she started massaging the conditioner into his head. “It’s really not that bad, it’ll just look a damned sight better once we’re finished. Unable to stop herself from smiling, Ale leaned over to look down at him. “My official sister line is ‘hurt her and feel my wrath’ but I know you won’t, so we don’t need to go there.” She liked Luke, she did and she knew enough about him to trust that he did like her sister and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, something Ale craved for Indiana more than anything else. “Am I allowed to know anything or is it a highly guarded secret?” As she finished the massage, she quickly washed his hair once more before turning off the water. “You’re done, follow me.” Pulling off her gloves and dropping them into a bin, Ale grabbed a towel and led Luke over to her station. “So before you tell me the juicy details, what do you want done? Just a trim?”

       Indiana’s heart was racing beyond anything she’d ever experienced before, the likes of hope and skepticism filling her core, and she hated herself for it. The woman speaks of loss close to them, two men, and she suddenly feels like she can’t breathe. It’s only when Ale reaches over and clasps her hand that she takes a deep breath in, trying to ease her worried features so as not to alarm Alessia yet. She calms herself, then, with logical thinking — anyone could experience loss, two men.. it was a wild guess as any. She didn’t want to be disappointed, there was no point getting her hopes up.. but, deep down inside, she couldn’t help it. Above all, she knew that this would hurt. She remains quiet, watching Amara as she closes her eyes, a smile appearing on her features. “Ah, yes. What a handsome smile you have.” Brows pulling together, Indi focuses on steadying her breathing, unable to tear her eyes away from the woman. This was crazy. This was insane. This was just a laugh, right?And suddenly, her eyes shot open, looking pointedly at Alessia. “Jo, sweetheart, you’re in far too much pain.”

Never in her life had Alessia felt so uncomfortable. She had felt many things after the accident, she had felt lost, desperate, out of place but she had rarely felt uncomfortable, especially to this level. As she shifted on her chair, her hand gently squeezing Indiana’s, she couldn’t help but eye the exit. In reality, Alessia couldn’t decide what she more scared of, that the visit would work, or it wouldn’t. She tried not to think too much into what the woman had said so far. There were so many ways that anyone could know about the accident, especially given that their mother had been here only a couple of weeks before. A small frown formed on her forehead as Amara spoke again, her eyes flitting to Indiana as she tried to gauge her reaction. As Amara focused her look on her, Ale felt herself shrinking back into her chair. “Jo, sweetheart, you’re in far too much pain.” Hearing her nickname had a similar effect on her as if she’d been winded. Her lips parted in shock as she felt her eyes instantly brimming with tears. “Daddy..” Her voice was barely audible as she ripped her hands away from both women, although it didn’t seem to affect Amara. “Don’t live you life in fear, Jo. We never really left, pumpkin..” Only her family ever called Jo and they so rarely did that anymore, because they knew it was painful for her. Above that, only her father had ever nicknamed her pumpkin. “How is this happening?” She watched as Amara then turned to her sister, her eyes wide with anticipation. “You don’t need to protect everyone, Indi. You don’t have to be so strong all the time but I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”

       It couldn’t be a birthday without her sister, right? Ever since the losses they’d faced, Indi couldn’t help but to want to keep her loved ones closer than ever, remembering the way she used to spend birthdays in Boston and New York. She couldn’t do that now, an underlying need prominent now to celebrate such an occasion with the ones she loved the most. At the sound of one particular familiar voice, Indi spins around, coming face to face with one person she’d been hoping to see. Her sister. “Hey you,” an amused grin forms on her features, reaching forth to pull the younger brunette into an embrace. She held her there for a moment longer than necessary, because seeing Alessia then and there on her birthday, Indi felt complete. “Thanks, little sis.. and don’t worry about it, really. I’m just glad you’re here now. —What’s this?” She asks as she pulls back, glancing at the bag dangling from Ale’s fingertips.  

As soon as Indiana reached for her and pulled her into a hug, Alessia sighed in relief. Knowing that her sister didn’t mind that she was a bit late was a strange weight off of her shoulders. Both of the sisters had been making effort and investing time into properly working on their relationship that Ale didn’t want to seem as if she wasn’t trying. In truth, she was trying more than she had at anything. “You look considering you’re a year closer to thirty.” Laughing quietly, Ale dropped her sister a wink before handing the bag over to Indiana. “Well, there is a bit of a story about it. There’s two parts but they’re linked.” Grinning at her sister, Ale motioned for her to open the bag. “So I really didn’t know what to get you and then it hit me, I just wouldn’t open it here.” Clasping her hands together, she nodded as if to reassure her. “It’s a photo album, mom and nana helped. It’s an album of your life up until the last picture I took of us on New Year’s.. We all got a bit emotional making it, so maybe don’t down your mood.” Leaning over, Ale wrapped one arm around her sister’s waist, pulling her close to her side. “Everything we could think of is in there, the frame is from Adam, which is totally cute and you can look at.” Inside the delicate frame held a picture of the sisters from Ale’s birthday party, a candid shot of them laughing at something. A picture she also had up on her shelves at home.

       Sophie could make a home out of the bakery she works in, invigorated from the moment she steps into the Parisian paradise and inhales the ever-present scent of freshly baked pastries. Not many people can sincerely say that they love their job, but in her case it’s the bona fide truth. Weekends tend to be chaos, both regular and touristing customers floating in and out the door every minute, but she loves it. Busying herself in the kitchen, she’s already baking up a frenzy for Saturday to make sure nothing gets sold out too quickly. Lord knows they don’t need another uproar like last weekend when their macaroons and croissants disappeared by noon. The tinkling sound of their door’s wind chime signals a new arrival, motioning her to head to the front counter since their usual girl left early. Bright blue eyes flicker with warmth as a friendly smile spreads across her face, her hand gesturing to the vast selection of baked goods. “Do you have anything you’d like in particular? If you’re open to suggestions, our blueberry scones just came out of the oven and are still piping hot.”

“Why do I even attempt to stick to New Year’s Resolutions with you in my life, Nana? Yes, I’m at the bakery now. If I can’t fit into my jeans on Monday morning, I’m blaming you. Love you too, see you tomorrow.” Hanging up the phone as she pushed the door open to the bakery, Alessia couldn’t help but smile at the smell of the place. If she could bake, she liked to think she’d do it often enough that her apartment would constantly smell like it did in Bake It Pretty. It was a shame that she’d ruined every cake she’d ever made. “Hi..” Glancing over the vast choice of baked goods on offer, Alessia could’ve sworn she could feel her mouth watering. “Not really a blueberry fan but if you have anything else you can recommend, you know, I’d be totally open to suggestions.”

       “No, because then I’d feel super guilty for lying.” Well, she used to feel guilty for lying. These days, lying was like second habit in some situations, particularly when people asked her how she was, or instances where she felt she had to put on a facade to evade the truth. “Really? I would’ve thought it’d be you and Adam, considering you’ve been together forever. And because I’ll be stuck babying my career for the rest of time.. but, about those millions — any preferences car wise?” She grins, something that slowly subsides as they make their way through the front door of the place, her heart slowly starting to pick up a faster pace as she eyes the elderly woman behind the counter. She had a friendly, weathered face with defined lines that spoke of a lifetime full of experiences. But, those eyes of hers spoke of bright light mixed in with mystery; something she couldn’t quite formulate into words if she had to describe her aloud. 

       “Come and sit down, dears,” the woman asks, motioning with a wave of her hand to take a seat on one of the few chairs separated by a small table. The room was everything you’d expect and more, donned with curtains and fairy lights and candles galore. Indi’s skeptical gaze is set on the woman as she takes a seat in front of her, concluding that she’s likely in her late seventies. “Thank you for having us,” Indi piped up, wondering when in the world the squeamish feeling within her core would subside, glancing Alessia’s way. “Do you mind if I take both your hands?” Amara questions, holding out her hands for both of them to take a hold of. Indi hesitates a moment, before reaching forth and placing her hand atop of the woman’s. 

“True.. That and I’ve been trying to lie to Mom for so long she can see through my like a piece of wet paper.” Of course she still told little white lies to her mother, one that Adeline accepted as she too did the same to her daughters. “Marriage is a bit of a touchy subject for us at the moment but regardless, he’s pretty perfect but he’s not a millionaire, so you’ll have the better chance of locking one of them down.” Laughing quietly, Ale shook her head. “A Porsche, honey, always a Porsche.” As their smiles slipped as they stepped through the door, Ale was grateful for that moment outside. A little joke between two sisters, especially as not only would they never have been here six months ago, the joke would never have happened. 

There was nothing in the room that wasn’t a cliche to Alessia. It was darkly decorated, candles everywhere and low lighting. Sitting down next to Indiana, Ale glanced over as the woman turned long enough for Ale to roll her eyes. She was uncomfortable, it was obvious, a problem for Alessia as her emotions so regularly showed in her eyes, even if she tried hard to hide it. “Mhm..” Glancing back at her sister, the brunette tried to relax, something that was proving difficult. As Amara held her hands out, Ale hesitated, even as Indiana complied. Taking a deep breath, Ale looked to her sister once more before reaching out and taking the older woman’s hand. “There’s a lot of pain in the room, a lot of loss.. You have a lost a person, no, people close to you.” Glancing down, Ale licked her lips as she held her tongue, determined not to snap. “Recently, I sense.. Two men.” With her free hand, Ale reached out to her sister, reaching for her free hand before gently squeezing it. “Yes, we lost them, uh, just over a year ago.”

“Same from my end. Yeah, it’s probably best you and your dog stay away from mainly anything dangerous.” Luke remarked, referring back to the unexpected way he and Ale had even met, furthermore developing an entirely unexpected friendship between them. Since then, he felt like she’d taught him a lot already, got him to not be hesitant to have more fun than he had since college likely. Moreover, she could be trusted, and only hoped he’d conveyed that to her in turn. As his brunette friend signaled towards a chair, Luke sat himself down, adjusting his head against the sink. “Good. Glad to hear. And even better before the holiday.” He nodded, upon her stating that her relationship was on a good track again. “It’s alright.” Luke vaguely stated, refraining a mention of seeing Indi that night, not wanting to get between what happened, or keep mentioning Indi,for regardless, he valued Ale’s friendship. Which was why he wanted to keep this next answer just as ‘subtle’ regarding taking her sister out. “Do your worst. I know it’s bad. —. Well, working, trying to be a better brother and uh…let’s just say Friday’s pretty important.” He still couldn’t help the grin forming, likely giving enough hint.

"We tend to get into tricky situations apparently, maybe dogs really do start acting like their owners.” There had definitely been something missing, somewhat obviously, in Ale’s life since her brother and father died and it was having a male she could speak to, that wasn’t her boyfriend. In no way would she say that Luke had filled that void, it wasn’t possible to, but he had softened it. He was older than her and it was that helped her. He was wiser and in some weird way, they had helped bring out the best in each other. Ale had been softer since she’d been able to talk to him and not felt pressured to spill all. “Yeah, it was nice to spend the holidays with him, it was actually a really nice time which I wasn’t expecting. How were your holidays?” As Alessia got to work on washing his hair, she listened to him, smiling as she scrubbed the first squirt of shampoo into his hair. “It’s not that bad, but it’s about to be a darn sight better.” Looking down to him as she began to wash it off, her eyes widened a little. “Luke York, that grin can only mean one thing.” Laughing quietly, Ale continued with the wash as she grinned herself. “Does someone have a hot date by any chance? Maybe with someone who shares my surname?”

       “Smart decision. Drinking on work night’s can be a killer.” Boy, did she know it. The countless times she’d waltzed into work hungover as hell, wearing her signature black ‘hangover’ glasses that was a sign for everyone around her to leave her the hell alone. But, she liked to focus when it came to her work, and so those nights were few and rare. “Nope,” she grins, feeling a soft chuckle escape her lips. She’d known one too many people who felt the same. Sawyer never gave a shit, not even before she became a cop. But that was probably just her defiant, rebellious personality. “Listen, there’s nothing to worry about if you’re not guilty. So, stick to it. As cops we’re only seeking the truth. —Is there anyone you know of that has a problem with any of you? Or your boss, maybe? Anyone you’ve seen that lurks around during or after hours?” 

“I know, right? Especially when you have scissors that close to someone’s head or working with someone’s feet..” Shuddering at the memory of working on a hangover once, Alessia tried to push it out of her mind. It was having to give someone a pedicure on that day that made her vow she would never do it again. Taking a deep breath, Alessia nodded at the detective’s reassuring words. She had only ever really dealt with the cops after the accident but it wasn’t fair on her to constantly associate the police with that. “Sorry, I only have one experience with the police and it wasn’t.. The best moment of my life, just makes me nervous is all.” Biting down on her lip a little as she tried to think, Ale shook her head. “None that come to mind, honestly. We’re always so busy we don’t really recognise if someone is picking up one of our clients, waiting to book an appointment or could be lurking.” Shaking her head again, Alessia offered an apologetic smile. “I’m not sure we’re really in a business to create enemies, but if we’ve sent you the surveillance cameras, I could see if anyone doesn’t look familiar if that would help?”

                 “SURPRISE!” 

        And a surprise it certainly had been for the girl who’d just assumed they were walking into Eden’s apartment to ‘grab something’, as she was told. Her birthday celebration had been nothing short of perfect, what, with a lunch date with the girls that left her ‘buzzed’ on a Saturday afternoon.. she couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than with her loved ones. But as she saw all the familiar faces of friends staring back at her, and some unfamiliar ones too, Indiana couldn’t believe her friends would go to these lengths for her. She truly felt loved and cared for — and in a world where so much love was lost for her, in a world that was filled with pain, she realises that for the first time in a long time, her heart felt full. And it felt damn good. Laughter spills from her lips as an abundance of emotions and feelings course through her all at once, feeling a little teary eyed, admittedly. It was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for her, and one that would certainly go down in history. 

       Some time later, Indi’s shaking her head as she manoeuvres her way towards the kitchen to get a drink, still grinning from ear to ear like the dork she is. She’d spent a good ten minutes saying hello to people and catching up, before noting the dry taste in her mouth, likely an after effect of the wine she’d consumed that afternoon. The kitchen was a little less busy, and loud, than the rest of the place. Glancing up at no one in particular, she picks up a bottle of wine, chuckling, “Can’t believe they strung this together under my nose! So crazy.” Especially knowing the party had now moved between both Eden’s apartment and her apartment with Noah, considering they were almost literally across the hall from one another. “—Hey, would you like a drink?” 

It had been the one time that Alessia had made her boss promise that no matter what, she could leave on time. If she left on time, she’d still have time to change quickly before getting to Indiana’s in time for her surprise party. Her sister had gone out of her way to make an effort for her last birthday and Ale was determined to do the same. It was typical, of course, that it would be the day that Ale got stuck with an awkward client, who changed her mind every five minutes. As she flew out the door, thirty minutes later than she had planned, she had no time to go home, she was already late.

Hurrying up the stairs to her sister’s floor, Alessia could hear the party from floors below, cursing herself that she’d missed the reveal. Running to the top, Ale waved to her sister’s friends, before ducking into the apartment to find Indiana. Spotting the familiar brunette by a table, Ale made her way over, standing behind her sister to hold the gift bag in front of her face. “I’m so sorry I missed the surprise, but happy birthday..”

◙ INSTAGRAM: BeautifullyAle uploaded a new photo:

Happy birthday to my unicorn of a big sister. Don’t worry, I put so much alcohol in your birthday cake you won’t mind that it tastes like crap. Remember to smile today, because you deserve the happiest of all birthdays. #sistersister #birthdaygirl @indianaharper

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Luke nodded, taking a glance around the perimeter of the place as Ale headed off behind the main desk, doing what she needed to do. A hand reached up to his hair, realizing, again, how much she’d been right about needing a cut of course. He still had no idea how he’d let it go this long between all with work, and what was coming up. When Ale gave him a signal, Luke followed her back to the main area. “Right. We both got back to our homes in one piece, that’s all that matters.” Though Luke honestly did have fun, also unaware of how much he needed a time out like that.  He stopped when she did at a specific chair, seating himself down, listening as his newfound friend spoke. “I hear you, that’s for sure. — Will do.” Luke crossed his arms with a small grin. “Yeah, think that’s right. You and your boyfriend seem good again. And it’s fine you didn’t make it to my sister’s party.” He reassured. “Everything? Sounds like you’re asking for my whole life story…” Luke mused.

"One very scrambled, hideous mess on my end but one piece indeed. I’ve never seen my dog so happy as she was when I woke up and she realised I wasn’t actually dead, I just looked like it.” It had been a long time before that, that Alessia had gotten so blindingly drunk but managed to have a good time. She usually turned emotional when she drank nowadays, but with her friend, with Luke, she was able to cut loose and just enjoy herself. Patting the chair in front of the wash basin, Alessia grabbed a towel from the pile and reached for a comb, a soft smile on her face. “We are, yeah. We sorted everything out not long before Christmas actually.” Cringing a little, Ale held her hands up. “In my defence, I was there, I just never made it to her area. I had a bit of a thing with Indi and then midnight hit, I saw one of my friends and I was tucked up in bed with hot chocolate and cookies by one in the morning.” Laughing quietly, Ale lay the towel over his shoulders before turning the water on. “Sit, I just need to get this washed. I know a lot of it already but no, just since we last caught up. What’s been going on with you?”

       A part of her had hope, and she hated herself for it. The idea of seeing a psychic wasn’t exactly one she was fond of, considering her skepticism over the matter. But New Orleans was renown for its vibes surrounding mystery and tellings of the future, and if there was even the slightest chance that it was real, that she could somehow get in contact with her late loved ones.. she’d take it. “I know, but we’re doing this for mom. And..I don’t know. We’ll just laugh about it after, especially over how she tells me I’m going to be a millionaire and fall in love and have three babies.” And more than anything, if going to see the medium for their mom would make her happy, she’d do so in a heartbeat. After being recommended, it was all Adeline could talk about; but after stating she didn’t want to go, Indi figured she didn’t want to get her hopes up. That, and perhaps she wasn’t ready to face anything to do with their dad and Lucas just yet. In actuality, Indi wasn’t sure she was ready to, either. 

       Shutting the car door, Indi finds herself chuckling and rolling her eyes as she walks towards the door of the psychic’s place, turning around to face Ale. “Yeah, fine by me. Our signal can be two coughs, and then I’ll check my phone and say I’ve got an emergency. Deal?” 

It always amazed Alessia that in all the years she’d lived in New Orleans, she had never even stepped foot in a building that had anything to do with voodoo or psychics or anything around them. Considering how obvious they were in a city steeped with voodoo history, it had been the one part of the city’s offerings that she had shunned from her own scepticism. “Can’t we just tell Mom we went, cried and came home?” She didn’t want to go, that much was obvious but there was a part of her that was desperate for it to be true and that terrified her. She could still barely handle the mention of their names or see their faces in a picture. Was she ready to a hear a message if all of it turned out to be true? “I mean if one of us was going to marry a millionaire and have three babies, it would definitely be you. I think you’d suit the doctor mom life, you know? I better get a nice car out of your millions of dollars.” Winking at Indiana, Ale felt herself smile for what felt like the first time that morning. She would do anything for their mom, especially if it helped put even the smallest smile on her face and at the end of the day, she knew Adeline was only trying to make things easier on her girls. It had helped her somewhat and it was obvious to Ale that she hoped it helped the sisters as well.

“Deal and because I’m your ride, I obviously have to leave with you.” Standing next to her sister after locking her car, Ale took a deep breath as she looked at the door. “Here goes nothing..” Stepping forward and pushing the door the building open, the brunette offered a soft smile to the woman behind the counter. “Are you Amara?” As the older lady nodded, Ale glanced back to her sister before gesturing to her and turning back to the psychic. “We’re your 11 o’Clock, our Mom recommended us to you. Where do you want us?”