My sister, my rock

My sister, my rock
(Bella)

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" I smack her arms and she giggles slightly.

"Well, that's part of the surprise, telling you would have ruined the fun, don't you think?" she says, lifting her eyebrows.

I shake my head, and walk over to her car to meet a beaming Aria, I pause.

She's gorgeous, pretty eyes and a cute smile like her momma.

"Hi," I say, flashing her a smile.

Her grin grows bigger and she throws herself into my arms. "Aunt Bella!" She squealed.

I ruffle her hair and when I look back to where Ivy was standing, she isn't there anymore, she has opened the door of my car, leaning over and talking with the twins, I could literally hear their soft giggles.

I snap my eyes back to Aria and kiss her forehead. "What's her name?" I pointed to her big doll behind her.

"Star," she says, her smile growing even wider.

"Such a cute name," I retort, ruffling her hair gently, my smile still in place. I just love her, I've loved her long before now.

After we had our moment, I step aside with Ivy for a second.

"So where are you headed?" She asked, her voice a little serious but laced with concern.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. "On my way to Derrick's, I thought to leave the twins with him for a while," I reply leaning against the back of my car.

She gives me a look and then her gaze softens. "Are you really okay?" She asks, her eyes pinned on me as if she could see right through me.

I let out a deep breath that felt like it weighed a ton and mustered up a tiny smile. "Not really but I will be fine,"

She studies me for a second and then she nods, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. "They can stay at mine if you want, I have tight security around and a competent babysitter, and there's Aria too," she offered, pointing to her car.

I think about it for a second. As much as I don't want to burden her, I mean she only just got here, but it's nothing short of a good idea.

Wherever my babies are safest works, plus they'd have enough time to bond more with Aria.

I smile at her and nod. "Thank you, I'm sorry to bother you with this, it's just —,"

She cuts me off with a brief chuckle. "Bother?" She rolls her eyes at me. "Oh, please. Your kids are mine as well, same goes to Aria,"

That warms my heart even more and a smile forms. She's right, one hundred percent.

"You're right," I say with a big smile.

"So, my driver will take them while we head back to your apartment and talk over this, I would handle any lawsuits, you can use me, I don't mind," she winks.

There, I almost forgot I've got a badass lawyer for a sister.



I walk over to the kitchen to grab us a glass but I can't help but look back at Ivy, who's staring at her buzzing phone without any reaction.

"What do you need me to do, say it and it's done," Ivy says as she takes the glass of wine I'm offering.

I sit beside her and take a short sip from my glass, taking a deep breath I say. "I'll fill you in later," I say. "But be rest assured that I won't let mere photos define who I am and I also can't hide because of a lie, I'm going to face it, at least I have some proofs, recordings from both Judy and Ashley, it'll help to an extent,"

Ivy smirks. "That's more like it. I won't let anyone who has caused you harm walk free either, never." She adds, taking a large sip from her glass.

I shrug. "Yeah, it's just Dean—," I trail off, collecting my thoughts. "I wish he was here, you know?"

"Hmm, I get it," Ivy mumbles and nods slowly. "But he gotta show you, us the extent he'd go to defend you," she gives me that look.

I hold her gaze and nod, even though wheels are turning in my head, I trust Dean, at least he knows now that those photos were all fabricated.

As for defending me, I believe he will. 

I inhaled deeply, silencing that little voice in my head pushing negative thought into me.

If I'm ever going to start trusting Dean, then now's the time.

We spent most of the day, talking about almost everything, but even as we go deeper into our personal lives, I realize that Ivy hasn't mentioned about her childhood, the people mom said took her away.

It's so clear she's deliberately avoiding talking about it and then there's her phone that keeps buzzing, and now I can't help but ask.

"Don't you want to take that?" I say, pointing at her phone.

She shrugs it off, like it isn't important. "Nah, I'd rather not, not important," she says, keeping her voice steady but even as she does so, I can't help but feel there's more to it.

But then, the doorbell rings, dragging me out of my thoughts.

Ivy snaps her eyes to the door. "Are you expecting anyone?"

I shake my head.

"I'll get the door, you just stay put," she offers.

I shrug into the couch, the weight of everything finally pressing down heavily on me.

It took a few minutes for Ivy to come right back but she isn't with anyone like I had expected and I could have sworn I heard voices.

I roll my eyes. "Who was that?"

"Uhmm, Dean Brennan himself," she says casually, sitting back down, like that didn't happen.

Wait, what?

I straightened up immediately. "Why didn't you let him in?" I whined, my eyes darting towards the door, like I'm halfway expecting Dean to walk in.

Ivy let's out a deep breath. "Well, let's just say I needed to see how in love he is with you, a little scare wouldn't hurt. Plus, consider this my little payback to him for once hurting you," she says and my eyes widens at her logic. 

She looks at my stunned face and her gaze softens. "He'll be back, I presume he's smart, he ought to figure it out," she gives me a tiny smile. "Trust me,"

God, have I just landed myself a feisty sister?

Interesting!

I shake my head and stifle a chuckle, Ivy's crazy.

And you know what's crazier? The fact that I chose to believe this logic of hers.