Wednesday, February 24 – Los Angeles, California
Emily takes a deep breath, allowing herself to stop staring at her phone lost in space and finally hit the button to dial the number. She’d put it off long enough considering she’d been sitting there for a couple hours.
“Hey Emily,” Paige immediately replies on the background, joy and relief mixed in her response with a touch of surprise.
“Hi Paige,” Emily replies, trying to be subtle as possible. If she wasn’t so curious about Bianca, she wouldn’t had bothered calling. However, this was now a necessary evil.
She could keep going down the path she was going, and follow whatever Bianca sent her next in regards to information. She could allow them to meet and see where it took her.
However, all the fears of what had happened in the past and doubts on trust began to crept in. Why hadn’t this conversation been done sooner? Why was Bianca put on the backburner? That’s why whether she liked it or not, she needed to talk to her sister.
“I don’t want to talk about Noah or our fight as there’s only one reason that I am calling you today,” Emily starts, knowing she wasn’t about to hear about the drama anytime soon. “I also don’t want you questioning or doubting decisions. Truth be told, you’re the only damn person who would know the answers to what I’m asking so here I am. Do I make myself clear?”
“Absolutely,” Paige replies in the smallest voice possible, surprise filling her as she’d never seen this side of her sister. What was happening? Where the love and bond they had for years? This hurt more than anything for Paige to witness.
“Aunt Bianca. Is someone that we can trust?” Paige takes a deep breath, initially surprised in hearing the name being mentioned. She hadn’t heard that name since making the decision to leave New York and head south for North Carolina in desperate need of a change of scenery. However, it was refreshing as she knew part of her couldn’t thank her aunt enough.
“I had no bad experiences with her and truth be told, I don’t know if I could’ve gotten through those initial days after what happened without her support and being there. Even before the final straw with our parents Em, she was an absolute rock in someone to lean on, offer advice, and try and find refuge. I won’t forget what she did for us.” Emily opened the messages before her from Bianca, as the smile she had from the initial message returned to her face once again. Maybe there was nothing to worry about.
“Given what happened to our parents, we never talk about family or anything anymore. As I see other people relating to their family, it makes me wonder about my own history and others out there. So I signed up for ancestory.com and did some research, which led me to finding Bianca actually. She replied to a message saying she’d love to connect with me, missed me, an-”
“As much as I speak highly about Bianca, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re opening the door for other family members through connection to her, and truth be told, our family is a mixed bag of beans. There was a reason why I moved across the whole country, Emily. There was a reason why I didn’t want that family connection and why I threw away Bianca’s phone number.” Emily’s eyes immediately fell upon Bianca’s words about giving her number to Paige, feeling mix of emotions in hearing the explanation behind that.
“So Bianca does all these great, incredible things for you – almost to the point you have to partially thank her for the life that you have, and that’s your repayment? You’re basically punishing her due to our family, just like you punish me due to our parents. How is that humanly fair?” Paige felt a lump form in her throat in hearing the words spoken out loud – repeating what Chase had told her multiple times when they’d discussed Emily. She could honestly feel a sting on her cheek in realizing as it sunk in.
“My worry. My nerves. The fact that I don’t want to see you experience the pain ever again. The fact that I don’t want you to experience the pain at the level I felt it in getting the full blow of it. The fact that I want your life to be perfection because damn Em, you’ve already been through enough. I do this because I care, even if you’re right – sometimes it may not seem fair. But someone has to look out for yo-”
“I’m an adult, though, and I’ve had someone so amazing to be my example that I know the concept of right, wrong, and doing what I need to do. There’s also the saying that you can’t learn unless you mistakes of your own, as a sheltered world does not allow you to explore. My frustration with you over Noah, and now partially over Bianca in what you said is because you want me in your precious little bubble, when I’m my own person. Didn’t we make it through everything so we could live our own lives, follow our hearts and desires, and do as we wanted? Sometimes, you’re right, it’s not gonna work out and I may get my heart hurt. However, I deserve to be able to experience that and make my own free willed choices after fighting through all we did for our freedom.” Paige lays back on the couch, allowing the words to sink in as the perspective her sister brought showed more maturity than she may have even wanted to give Emily credit for. Her little sister was grown up, and she wasn’t quite ready to let her go….yet.
“I can’t just shut off the switch and not worry about you, though. Hence why I said in Daytona that I was trying to respect your boundaries in not always harping on it, even if it seemingly made me wonder at times. I can’t change who I am, but I can make decisions to help it so you can do as you feel.” Emily smiles as perhaps the whole fight at Daytona was a little over the top and maybe they should’ve had this conversation sooner.
“So if I was to think about it and reach out to Bianca, would you be upset? Would you hold it over my head?” Paige bit her tongue, resisting the urge to offer the same lecture as before. She needed to treat her sister like an adult, not a child.
“If that’s what you feel you need to do, then I guess I can’t stop you even if I wouldn’t do it myself. I just pray and hope that you think it over very carefully, and think about your own safety the whole entire time. I mean, I’d hate for something to happen to you, Emily.” Emily looks back towards the message from Bianca, debating how to proceed with the next step. While she hoped the conversation with Paige gave instant definition, it brought forth a couple more questions than she thought.
“I’ll keep your words in mind, okay? Thank you….”
After a short conversation, the sisters parted – questions answered, more questions asked, and reasoning gained to fix the divide created in Daytona.
Emily had planned to return back to homework, but the messages before her on the computer screen were more intriguing. Bianca had since replied back from earlier in the week, stating she still remained in New York at the same house, offering her phone number for Emily to call if needed.
She almost picked up the phone and dialed the number. The other part of her almost bought plane tickets for New York for the upcoming school break. However, she stopped herself in her tracks as soon as the price came up. She could afford it, but realized she was doing opposite of what she told Paige she would do.
So rather than continue the process, her phone was back in her hand with another familiar number dialed.
“Aren’t you supposed to be doing homework?” Noah replied immediately, not even with the usual hello or anything. This relationship had certainly moved quicker than she ever intended.
“My laptop is open on my assignment so does that count?” She questions back with a chuckle laced in her voice, but knew she couldn’t keep repeating this process. Eventually, she knew her brain had to focus on what was there before her.
“Well, you got a lot further than I did some days so I guess I can’t yell at you.” Emily rolls her eyes, knowing that Noah yelling at her would never ever happen. They were too much in love for that.
“Let’s face it – you’ll never complain about one of these phone calls instead of my homework because you love talking to me.” She knew how to play her cards when it came to Noah now.
“You’re right, but I don’t want to be the one your sister is yelling at because you fail school due to not doing your work.” The smile left Emily’s face immediately, as it was pretty sad even Noah knew the discontent that Paige seemed to share about them. Taking a deep breath, she kept reminding her of the conversation the sisters just had.
“Give her a small break, as she’s just being the overprotective sister. I’m sure you’ll eventually win her totally over. Actually, I just off the phone with her because I called he-”
“Oh, so you’re talking now?” Emily lets out a sigh, remembering how she eventually broke to Noah about the fight that the sisters had at Daytona a couple days later. He had played the same card as Chase in insisting they talk to each other.
“I didn’t call her to make up or talk about the fight, but we eventually did. Maybe I should’ve listened to you sooner – but don’t gloat about it. I actually called her about our aunt Bianca and wanting her opinion. It’s also the reason why I called you. I trust you, Noah. I want your opinion.” It was hard to believe she was saying those words out loud – never one to allow herself to feel as much as she did with him, trust someone as much as she did, or rely on someone else’s opinion in a decision except for maybe Paige. But the biggest smile on her face said it was totally meant to be.
“I may not be the best person to ask considering my track record…” Emily didn’t need to be reminded, knowing of his history. However, that didn’t mean she was going to change her approach.
“That’s okay, because as I said, I trust your judgment…”
Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to content the full story of why she went looking for family, finding Bianca, their discussion, as well as Paige’s opinion.
Thursday, February 25 – Dawsonville, Georgia
Paige stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame as her licks her lips, shaking her head in pure amazement.
How could a single man be so damn sexy and hot in one package just as he was?
Letting her eyes scan through his whole body, there wasn’t a single part she did not admire. While some may question him, you could see immediately his arms were toned, with the muscles peaking out enough to kick your ass if necessary. His hair perfectly captivated his face, allowing those charming eyes to sparkle when they locked on you. Get him in the right mood, and you could get the perfect smirk that’d make you melt into a puddle immediately.
“May I help you?” A voice knocks her off the thoughts, as she snaps out of her sexy daze to see that man locked on her, confused and curious.
“Just admiring my hard working boyfriend,” she comments, hoping that was enough for him to not pry about her wandering thoughts.
“You don’t normally come down here or around unless you’re either looking for me, or you’re looking for a distraction. Now considering you just said you were admiring me, I think it’d be the other option.” Like always, he could also read her like a book as he was right on cue with his description. While the conversation had gone well just the day before, it seemed her mind was back stuck on her sister, worries crept in about Noah, her future, whether she was ready to make these decisions without guidance, their relationship, and now Bianca.
“Can I just state that you’re doing quite the job at that?” She hoped the continuous flirting would stop him from prying for further details as she wasn’t quite ready to discuss yet.
“Well, I can always use a distraction from these ropes..” He then reaches out to her, pulling her close to him, placing a light kiss across her lips. You could add the taste of sweetness, combined with easy ability to caress her lips as part of the admire ability of him.
“Most girls would run at the thought of a sweaty guy, but me? I’d rather pull you even closer and soak up every bit of that scent.” She then wraps her arms around his waist, pinning him against the closest wall. Considering his busy schedule lately and her new job, combined with these other – dare she say unnecessary – distractions due to her sister and things, there had certainly been some magic missing from their relationship.
“Are you trying to seduce me, Ms. Porter?” A smirk forms on Paige’s lips, as she places her hand over the bulge in his shorts.
“It seems to be working if I dare say so…” She then brushes her finger tips across ever so lightly, enough for him to feel but create curiosity, as a light moan escapes his lips.
“Can we just skip to the good part then?” She laughs as she reaches her hand down his pants, flicking the waist band in the process, allowing her finger tips to touch his cock briefly, and barely, before removing her hand. “Teasing is a crime, you know.”
“Patience is a virtue and comes to those who wait…” She then moves away, sitting down on the bench that he had been just using before in front of the ropes. “Besides, I want to learn how these things whip you into shape.”
“Seriously?” She nods her head, trying to keep a straight face. “Because let me tell you, I can think of many other ways to use those ropes than that and they’d be a much better work out.”
“Look at you getting all naughty over there…” He walks over, standing over her.
“What can I say? You just seem to have this magic touch about you.” He then brushes a stray hair out of her eyes, staring right into them. “And I cannot deny that I want every bit of it.”
“Then teach me the ropes, and maybe the teacher will get spoiled by her special student tonight.”
Ladybug's Fan Fiction 