Rachel followed Ethan into their apartment, watching him with amusement in her eyes as he strolled right to Valerie and took Ava from her, cuddling the little girl as if he hadn’t seen her a decade. Ethan had dropped his luggage in the hallway, not even caring that one of their guests could trip over it, wanting to see Ava that desperately. She dropped her bag off in their bedroom, being considerate of the fact that Valerie was still around and Gabriel was going to come over any minute now. She didn’t want either one of them to trip and get hurt. As she strolled back into the living room and glanced at her fiancé she figured that Ethan probably couldn’t care less right now. It made her shake her head while a chuckle left her lips.
“What?” Valerie asked, curiosity clear in her eyes.
“I was just thinking that Ava is the love of Ethan’s life and I’m just an afterthought.”
Valerie covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her smile, “It’s not like that.”
It was clear that Valerie couldn’t hide her amusement though. Her sister was the worst actress in the world. As she really looked at her sister she noticed how comfortable Valerie looked. She hadn’t see Valerie in clothes like that in a while now. The only time her sister wore comfortable clothes was when she was recovering from the accident. She folded her arms across her chest and closed in on Valerie. Her sister looked weary of her, stepping back, carefully stepping closer to Ethan.
“What are you wearing?” She asked her sister.
Valerie glanced down at her clothes, she could tell that her sister didn’t understand what she was asking of her.
“Clothes?” Valerie asked, rather than stated.
Ethan stepped beside Valerie, letting his eyes wander from head to toe. If it had been under different circumstances she would have hit him, but she could tell that Ethan was thinking the same thing as her.
“You look worse than Rachel when she is wearing her mommy clothes.”
Rachel gasped, “Excuse me?”
He didn’t even look ashamed of stating that so casually, “What? It’s true.” The fact that he was even slightly feeling guilty for it made her want to smack him anyway, “Lately you’ve been wearing your normal clothes again, but I’m sure that’s because Emma doesn’t want you to walk around her place with baby puke on your sweatshirt.”
She closed in on him, Valerie awkwardly standing between them. Neither one of them paid her sister much attention though.
“I do not walk around with Ava’s puke all over me. Nor do I neglect me.”
“Rache-”
She pointed at him, “Think carefully about what you’re going to say. If it’s another insult you can use that vibrator on yourself from now on.”
“Oh my God!” Valerie snapped, burying her face in her hands, “I hate you guys so much right now.” She whispered.
“It’s just a vibrator,” Ethan muttered.
Valerie dropped her hands and glared at him, “Don’t say that in front of the baby.”
Ethan glanced down at his little girl who was comfortably leaning her head against his shoulder while trying to eat her little fist.
“She doesn’t understand a word I’m saying.”
Valerie turned to him, both sisters turning on Ethan which made him feel uncomfortable. Rachel had to admit that she liked seeing him like that. His confidence crumbled down and he looked so small even though he was a tall guy who usually intimidated those around him with his mere presence.
“Give the baby back to me.” Valerie told him, “You don’t deserve to hold her right now.”
Rachel nodded, “I agree. You should unpack and think about your behavior.”
Valerie took Ava from Ethan who looked stunned about what was unfolding before him. She would never let him forget this moment. Whenever he was getting cheeky on her she’d remind him of the day she and Valerie teamed up on him, making him feel like bolting out the room without looking back.
“Then I’m going to unpack?”
“Yeah, you should do that.” Valerie firmly told him.
“Okay then.” He cleared his throat, looking like he wanted to lean in and kiss Ava’s head but Valerie held her out of reach, “Ladies.” He muttered and then strolled out the room, heading to the door where he had left his bag.
Rachel placed her hand on her sister’s arm, “You want some tea?”
“I’d love some tea.” Valerie smiled at her.
They moved to the kitchen, both of them hiding their smiles as Ethan passed them to head to the bedroom and unpack his things. He looked lost, not knowing what just happened. She was supposed to be nicer to him since he just got out of the hospital, but she couldn’t help herself when he behaved like an insensitive jerk. She was allowed to tell her sister she looked like hell, Ethan however, he was supposed to keep quiet and pretend that conversation wasn’t happening.
“Rachel?”
She glanced at her sister, “Yeah?”
“Is it that bad?”
Rachel turned the kettle on and took Ava from her sister, it was her turn to say hello to her little girl. Ava greeting her with a big baby grin melted her heart. She kissed Ava’s head a few times, liking how excited her little girl was to receive her attention.
“Seems like Ava missed you.” Valerie smiled at them.
Her sister moved to the cupboard and took out two cups to pour them their tea. She tossed peppermint teabags in their cups and then poured the boiling water into them. The peppermint scent filled the room, smelling really fresh and inviting. Rachel felt herself relax, mellowing down because of the mere scent which made her feel right at home.
“It’s not really that bad.” Rachel told her sister, “It’s just that you are so well put together most of the time. So seeing you like this just surprised us, that’s all.”