Masters of the Scene, Chapter 23 (Bitney Parent Trap AU) - Veronica
A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the unintended break! When we last left off, Bianca had taken the initiative to confess her feelings, and how much she wanted to be a family again. After trying to deny that she felt the same way, Courtney had finally given in an allowed herself to return Bianca’s feelings.
Click here for prequels and previous chapters, or here if you’d rather read on AO3.
Chapter Summary: Family bonding all around. (FYI: While things do get a little spicy in this chapter, there’s no actual smut.)
***
Bianca exited the bathroom, tying the belt on her silk robe. She’d wanted a shower since arriving, always feeling strangely dirty after a cross-country flight, and had just taken full and glorious advantage of Courtney’s spa shower.
She felt incredible—and not just because of the luxurious spa shower, or the sheer number of expensive moisturizers she’d massaged into her skin. A huge, oppressive weight had been lifted from her chest and she felt better, and lighter, than she had in years. They still had a lot to talk about, of course, but knowing that they were on the same page was exhilarating.
She padded across the floor to the walk-in closet, where Courtney had helpfully set up her luggage, suitcase open on top of a dresser and every item from the overstuffed garment bag hanging up. She’d even set out a steamer for her, knowing how meticulous she was about wrinkles.
Bianca pawed through the suitcase for a pair of underwear, catching a glimpse of a red gift box and nearly reaching for it, before realizing that it would be way too much, too soon.
Slow down, bitch.
She shook her head, pulling out a pair of plain black cotton panties, then changing her mind and reaching deeper, fingers closing on some delicate mesh.
Couldn’t hurt to be prepared.
She stepped into the sheer, bright pink panties, sliding them on as she considered what to change into. Most of what she packed was for work; there wasn’t a lot of leisurewear. She made a mental note to do some shopping during the week, pick up some cute things to wear around the house. A fantasy began to take form in her mind, just a simple one: the two of them curled up on the sofa in the family room, a glass of wine in one hand, the other trailing her fingers through Courtney’s hair.
A gentle knock sounded on the door, breaking her out of her thoughts.
“Come in!” Bianca called, smiling when Courtney opened the door. “You really don’t have to knock. It’s your room.”
“Well, you still deserve privacy…” Courtney said, smiling back. She shut the door behind her. “I just wanted to check and see if you found everything you needed. Um, towels, and…”
“Yeah. I got everything I need,” Bianca said. It was true, in so many ways, and the comment hung, pleasantly heavy, in the air between them. “Sorry, I maybe took a little too long in the shower. I know you probably try to conserve water.”
“Actually, we have a greywater filtration system, so it mostly goes to water the plants. And then any extra goes to a community fire-fighting reservoir. And, um…” Courtney trailed off, sitting on the edge of the bed, pressing her lips together.
Bianca got the sense that she was stopping herself from giving a full TEDTalk about sustainable water use, and found it incredibly charming. “So…I don’t have to feel guilty about the 45-minute shower, is what you’re saying?”
“No. No guilt.”
“Good to know…” Bianca held Courtney’s gaze for a few seconds, leaning against the closet door frame, until an adorable shade of pink began to creep into her cheeks.
“So, um…” Courtney cleared her throat, looking down, and Bianca got the sense that her mind was running at a million miles a minute.
“Listen,” she began, wanting to nip whatever intense thought spiral Courtney was going down in the bud. She walked to the bed and sat down gingerly beside her, a respectable distance away. “I know we have a lot of…heavy things to talk about.”
“Yeah,” Courtney agreed softly.
“But I think, and I’m not saying we should ignore them or avoid them, but, just, for the sake of having those discussions in a way that feels…uh…safer, I guess—I think maybe we should save those topics for Tuesday. Is that…would that be okay with you?”
Courtney nodded, looking as relieved as she felt. “Yeah, I think that’s…a good idea.”
It would be so easy for them to fuck up any progress they’d made, and right now that was Bianca’s worst fear. That she would say or do something to ruin the most long-awaited reunion of her life—one that she’d frankly considered an impossible dream until recently.
“Okay,” Bianca said with another smile, the tension in her shoulders melting. “Um…are the kids getting along okay?”
“Totally!” she said. “They went for a swim, and now Danny’s showing Adore the Instagram profiles of all their classmates. I said that wasn’t a good way to judge people and I was quickly told off.”
“You said that social media isn’t a good way to judge people?” Bianca asked, amused, one eyebrow lifting as she reminded Courtney, “You’re an influencer.”
“Yes, they pointed that out,” Courtney admitted with a sheepish chuckle. “They also perhaps used the term ‘hypocrite’ and possibly requested that I leave the room. Or, well, demanded, actually. Which is fine. It’ll be nice for them to have some time to bond.”
“Mmm. So…that gives us time to bond, huh?” Bianca asked, tilting her head, fingers playing with the edge of her robe.
“Yeah…I suppose so,” Courtney said lightly, as if it was the first time it occurred to her. Her eyes traveled slowly up Bianca’s body.
As Bianca met her gaze, a pleasantly tingly feeling curled in her abdomen, the potential for the afternoon blossoming into something wonderful. Courtney looked away bashfully, her cheeks flushing. Bianca’s mind immediately went back to that red box.
“I, um, have something for you,” said Bianca carefully. “Would it be okay to give it to you now?”
“Really?!” Courtney clasped her hands together, showing the same childlike glee at the thought of a present that Bianca remembered, from so many years ago.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Bianca said with a wink, and got up to get it. “I noticed that you wear those Cartier bracelets a lot, and we did some work with them on this editorial shoot recently, so…”
She pulled the signature Cartier red box from her suitcase and handed it over. She pushed down the pang of her earlier anxiety as Courtney opened the box with a curious smile.
A small gasp fell from her lips once she opened the box, seeing the necklace laying on a cushion of black velvet. It was a Cartier ‘LOVE’ necklace in the same yellow gold she favored. As the grin disappeared from Courtney’s face, Bianca felt a flash of her earlier anxiety—should she have waited?
“Bianca,” Courtney breathed. “This is…”
She looked up, her eyes misty with tears, and Bianca forced out a laugh.
“Don’t worry, I got a real good discount,” she joked.
“I…” Courtney began to speak, but then bit her lip.
“I just, I really want you to know that I’m…all in,” Bianca said softly. God, why did she suck so hard at this? She squeezed her eyes shut, embarrassed, only to feel Courtney’s hand against her cheek, lips being pressed to hers.
She kissed Courtney back, savoring the taste of her, the softness of her touch. When they parted, she took a shaky breath, trying to stop the tears that burned in her eyes.
“I’m all in too, B,” Courtney murmured, nuzzling into her cheek.
Bianca smiled, her heart finally at peace as she wrapped her arms around Courtney’s waist.
“And this is…I mean, thank you,” Courtney added, swallowing.
“You’re welcome.” Bianca brushed a lock of hair out of Courtney’s eyes. A moment of silence passed between them, and Bianca cleared her throat, hoping that she hadn’t made the vibes too heavy. “So…bonding, huh?”
“Right.” Courtney grinned, giggling cutely.
Bianca grinned back, dimples deep, finally feeling confident that everything was okay.
“Did you, um, have enough closet space?” Courtney then asked, clearing her throat again, gesturing behind them to the walk-in. “Because if not, we could-”
“No, it’s fine. And honestly, if anyone ever complains about space in this house, you should punch them in the face.”
“I would never punch you,” Courtney said gravely, adding a coy, “Maybe a…gentle spanking. If you asked nicely.”
“Nice to know that’s on the table,” Bianca told her with a smirk.
Courtney giggled, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Seriously, the closet’s fine. Thanks for hanging everything. And, um, once I have more stuff, I can always add another dresser or something,” said Bianca.
“I did have another idea,” Courtney said, putting the necklace down carefully on the bureau. “See, when we first built this part of the house, I didn’t have the barn set up yet, so I had an office with a little recording space and editing bay, but…”
Courtney opened a door next to the closet, showing Bianca the adjacent office with a computer desk and bookshelves, and quite a bit of unused space.
“But I don’t use it that much anymore, so if you want…”
“Oh, this is perfect,” Bianca said, stepping inside. “That corner over there has plenty of room for another dresser, some shelves for shoes. And even some hanging racks if we need that.”
“Sure, yeah, we could do that,” Courtney said. “Or…”
Bianca looked at her curiously.
“I mean, it’s been part of the long-term plan for awhile, but before now I didn’t have a reason for it. But, if we knock down that wall, we can make the whole office a giant walk-in and dressing room. It would quadruple the space in the current closet, at least.”
Bianca’s eyes widened in delight. “Are you kidding? Or just talking dirty…?”
A wicked glint flashed in Courtney’s eyes as she reached forward, toying with the silky belt on Bianca’s robe. “With custom shelving…”
Bianca smirked, playing along with a breathy, “Keep going…”
“Racks of clothes sorted by type…length…color…” Courtney’s hands were on her hips now, guiding her backward into the bedroom until her knees hit the bed frame, where she pushed her gently onto her back.
“Uh huh…”
Courtney crawled forward, continuing as her fingers trailed teasingly up Bianca’s thigh, “Floor to ceiling, light-up display shelves for your shoes and handbags…”
Bianca moaned, now only half-kidding as Courtney’s lips found her pulse point, brushing over the tender skin and sending a wave of electricity down her spine. “Fuck…”
Courtney nibbled at her neck, up her jaw, then used one finger to tilt her chin down, leveling a naughty gaze at her. Bianca’s breathing grew ragged as their lips met. She kissed her hungrily, clutching at the loose fabric of her cover-up, wanting nothing more than to rip it away unceremoniously. A warm hand slid up her inner thigh, parting her legs easily.
A whimper fell from her lips as Courtney’s fingers found the edge of her panties.
Then suddenly, without warning, aggressive pounding on the door startled her out of her bliss.
“Hey! Open up!”
They instinctually sprang apart at the noise, panting.
“Ugh,” Bianca groaned good-naturedly, “You didn’t tell me you have kids.”
“Yeah, a couple,” Courtney laughed as the pounding continued.
“Dealbreaker,” Bianca grumbled, pulling her robe closed.
“Sorry.”
“Why’s the door locked?!”
“Just a moment, darlings!” Courtney called, rising from the bed.
“Good call on the lock,” Bianca muttered quietly.
“Not my first rodeo,” Courtney whispered with a wink. She walked to the door and pulled it open, the kids all but falling inside. “Yes?”
“Hi,” Danny said casually, strolling in. Adore followed with a knowing grin on her face.
“Sure, come on in,” Courtney joked, flopping down on the bed.
“Whatcha doin?” Adore asked coyly.
“Talking,” Bianca replied.
“Uh huh, is that what you kids are calling it these days?”
“You know-” Bianca began, a sarcastic comeback on the tip of her tongue, but Courtney put a hand on her leg and cut in.
“Are you guys alright?”
“Yeah, we were just thinking…” Danny said, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we went out somewhere really nice for dinner?”
“Hmmm, what did you have in mind?” Courtney asked, wrapping her arm around Danny’s shoulders.
“Well…” Adore crawled forward on the bed as well, curling up next to Bianca. She patted her on the thigh, saying, “Keep your legs closed. Don’t want to give poor Danny a sex ed lesson he’s not ready for.”
“I’m wearing underwear,” Bianca informed her. Sheer, mesh underwear, but they didn’t need to know that.
“Good for you, want a medal?”
“I know all about anatomy,” Danny piped in. “Mum bought me books when I was like 5. They came with little dolls.”
“Gross,” Adore said, wrinkling her nose. “Also, pretty sure looking at a doll is not the same as looking at your own mother’s bush.”
“Once again! I’m wearing underwear! No one’s seeing my bush!” Bianca insisted, though she made sure to clamp her knees together tightly, and put a throw pillow on her lap for extra safety.
Danny looked at Courtney, cringing.
“Yeah, you were embarrassed this morning when I mentioned boobs,” she teased. “They’re gonna talk like that every day.”
“Sorry, bunny,” Bianca said, chagrined. She supposed that the way she spoke to Adore might not always be terribly appropriate for Danny.
“Bunny’s gonna grow up fast,” Adore giggled.
“Can we just get back to the restaurant?” Danny pleaded.
“Oh yeah. We both really like Nobu,” Adore said.
“Ahh, sushi, speaking of vaginas…” Courtney chimed in, making Bianca snort with laughter.
“Mum!” Danny said, looking ten times as horrified as he was before. Clearly, he held Courtney to a much higher standard of appropriateness. Probably justified.
“Sorry,” Courtney gave a cheeky smile that said she wasn’t sorry at all.
Bianca turned to Adore, pinching her thigh lightly. “Nobu, huh? Are you two paying?”
“I would, if you gave me the Amex again,” Adore offered generously.
“It’s not the Amex, it’s my Amex,” Bianca clarified.
“Potato, po-tah-to…”
“There’s also that place by the pier, the Malibu Farm,” Danny suggested.
“More fuckin’ farms?” Bianca asked. “What is it with LA and farms?”
“We like vegetables,” Courtney said.
“Oh! Or that one where we went in Santa Monica, some kind of weird fruit…uh…pomegranate? Or kumquat?” Adore said.
“Fig?” Danny guessed.
“Yeah!”
“Okay, so what I’m understanding is that you guys are pretty open to any restaurant, as long as it’s expensive,” Courtney said, laughing.
“Yes. Because it’s a special night.”
“Alright. Well let me see what I can do.” She hauled herself off the bed and pulled out her phone.
“Why is she calling? Do you not have Open Table here?” Bianca asked. “Are we time traveling to the 90s for dinner?”
“Omigod, I wish,” Adore breathed.
“She’s using her celebrity status to get us a table,” Danny explained. “Since it’s kinda last minute.”
Bianca nodded. “Ahh, I see. I didn’t realize she was that level of celebrity.”
“Oh yeah,” Adore said. “At least C-list.”
“So, what’s the difference between D-list and C-list?” Bianca asked.
“Money,” Danny said, making Bianca chuckle, just as Courtney hung up and gave them all a bright smile.
“Alright, we got Nobu at 6:45! Don’t say I never did nothin’ for ya!” She climbed back on the bed, tickling both kids, who squealed happily.
Bianca leaned her head back on a pillow with a contented sigh. The last time they’d all piled on a bed together was when the kids were 4 years old. It was a much smaller bed, in a much smaller living space, back when they were doing everything they could to hold their lives together, clinging to the shreds of their relationship by their fingernails.
In the back of her mind, Bianca had been a little worried that things might be awkward or strange—after all, the kids didn’t remember their lives before. Would there be an adjustment period? But seeing her family all together, it just felt right.
“I have another question for you guys,” Courtney said, “Since it’s your birthday next weekend…”
“Oh yeah, it is…” Danny said, tapping on his chin, as if it had just occurred to him for the first time that he had a birthday coming up.
“Yeah, and we’ve been planning a party at the La Brea Tar Pits for Danny…”
“Tar Pits? That sounds like a school trip,” Adore said, making a face.
“No, it’s really fun!” Danny exclaimed, “There’s a 3D movie and a show all about the Ice Age, and you get to see the paleontologists excavate fossils live! It’s so cool!”
Adore turned to Bianca, her face contorted into a helpless grimace that told her exactly how she felt about a live fossil excavation.
“Be nice,” Bianca told her.
“Honey, it’s okay, I kind of assumed that the Tar Pits wouldn’t be your cup of tea,” Courtney said. “So I think we should plan something special for you, too. I mean, 12 is a pretty big birthday.”
“Well…I can’t have a party,” Adore said, her lower lip sticking out in a pout, “I don’t have any friends here yet.”
“I did consider that. Which is why I was thinking that maybe we could start planning something once you’ve been here for a few weeks, and you know who you’d want to invite.”
“Yeah, maybe…” Adore shrugged.
“And that means having the party in about a month, which just so happens to be real close to Halloween…” Courtney trailed off. “But, would you like that, or…?”
“Oh, I dunno, Court,” Bianca said, catching on. “I don’t think she’d be into a Halloween party. All that spooky stuff?”
“Shut up, I love spooky stuff!” Adore cried. “Halloween is my favorite!”
“Oh right, now I remember,” Courtney teased. “So…then should that be our plan? A Halloween-slash-birthday party, once you’re settled in?”
“Yeah!” Adore sighed happily, resting her head on Bianca’s shoulder.
“Fantastic,” Courtney said, pressing a kiss to Danny’s head. “So…let’s get ready for this special dinner, hmm?”
***
Courtney walked into the kitchen, where Bianca was sitting at the table, typing at her laptop. She looked incredible, in a scoop-necked, hot pink sweater and studded black leather jacket. As usual, her hair was shining, and every accessory was immaculately selected to compliment her ensemble. Her makeup was perfect, too, a glamorous smoky eye and her usual ruby lipstick traded for a brighter pink.
Even better than how amazing she looked, though, was what an absolute joy it was to see her so casually comfortable at the kitchen table, one elbow resting under her chin, a tall glass of iced coffee beside her. (Courtney didn’t miss the fact that she’d put a coaster under it to protect the reclaimed wood, or that she was using a metal straw.)
Courtney was flooded with gratitude—that Bianca had taken such extreme measures to come here, to prove her devotion, to be the one brave enough to put her heart on the line when she’d been too terrified, too defensive. For a second, she wondered if she deserved it, that fear sneaking into her stomach when she was least expecting it. Could she ever measure up to Bianca’s expectations?
But then, Bianca looked up from the computer, and her face melted into the most charming, dimpled grin. “Hey there.”
“Hi,” Courtney said shyly, biting her lip. “How do I look?”
Instead of a knee-jerk response, Bianca took her time taking in Courtney’s whole outfit, her eyes traveling up and down her body. She was wearing a black sundress trimmed with Spanish lace, gladiator sandals, and a canary-yellow cashmere pashmina thrown around her shoulders. She hoped that the yellow and gold jewelry she had on didn’t look tacky with her shiny red nail polish. She especially wouldn’t have wanted to cheapen the absolutely beautiful gold necklace Bianca gave her earlier, now proudly around her neck.
After a few moments, when Bianca still didn’t offer any comment, Courtney prodded, “So…is it okay? Do you approve?”
“Yes,” Bianca said simply, eyes raking over her body once more, adding, “You look perfect.”
“Thanks. And you…” Courtney felt her cheeks heating up as she basked in the glow of Bianca’s attention. Finally, she bit her lip, breaking eye contact, trying not to let herself get distracted from the mission at hand, which was a wholesome family dinner with the kids. “Um, are you ready to go, or-”
“Oh, yeah, almost. Two minutes and I’ll be done here,” Bianca said, giving another dimpled grin before returning to the computer.
“Sure,” Courtney said. She went over to the stairs to call the kids down, her hand grazing Bianca’s arm as she passed by, the smooth leather luxurious against her fingertips.
Adore came skipping out first, looking every bit as adorable as her name in a little black denim skirt, distressed jean jacket and tights, a plethora of goth-y silver jewelry, and ankle boots that could have been stolen from Bianca’s closet. But the icing on the cake was her T-shirt that read ‘Favorite Daughter.’
“Hi Mum! Whoa, you look hot, nice dress,” Adore said.
“Thank you, baby, and you look absolutely beautiful.” Courtney wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head, right in between her purple space buns.
“You like the shirt?” Adore asked, fluttering her lashes.
“It’s perfect. And you are my favorite daughter.”
“Ooh, don’t let Danny hear that,” Adore teased.
“Well, he’s my favorite son-and there he is!” Courtney exclaimed, as Danny sailed into the room. He had really outdone himself, wearing a rainbow romper and an assortment of butterfly clips in his hair.
“Who’s your favorite son?” he asked, hopping up onto one of the bar stools at the counter, crossing his ankles delicately. He’d put on some colorful, glittery eye makeup and carried a little black cat wristlet purse that Courtney had put in his Easter basket the previous year. Blue, heart-shaped sunglasses were stuck into the neck of his romper.
It made Courtney sublimely happy to see both of her kids expressing themselves exactly the way they wanted, in a way that she’d never felt safe to do growing up. She reached for his huarache sandal-clad foot and gave it a squeeze.
“You are, without a doubt,” she told him. “And stunning, too.”
“Aww, thanks Mum!” he said, tossing his hair and giving her a charming smile, so much like Bianca’s that it warmed Courtney’s heart.
“Alright, done,” Bianca proclaimed, shutting her laptop with a sigh. “You guys ready to go?”
“Yup!”
Bianca rose from the table, giving Courtney a better look at the high-waisted leather shorts that showed off her long, shapely legs perfectly. She picked up her Birkin from the table and surveyed the kids, saying, “Wow, we are quite a group, aren’t we?”
“Hashtag fam goals,” Adore said.
“Uh huh, very that. Although, uh, Danny…”
Courtney tensed up slightly, praying that Bianca didn’t say anything to undermine his confidence.
“...You know it’s fall, right bunny?” she finished, and Courtney exhaled, relieved and a tiny bit ashamed for doubting her.
Danny giggled, sliding off the counter with a shrug.
“That’s your issue with his outfit?” Adore asked, heading for the door. “That it’s out of season? It looks like a rainbow fairy threw up on him.”
Bianca swatted her on the butt as she passed, barking, “Be nice!”
“I don’t mind that description,” Danny said. “Rainbow fairies are cool.”
“Indeed,” Courtney chimed in.
“I just don’t want you to be cold,” Bianca told him.
“He’ll be fine. We dress for summer year-round here,” said Courtney.
“You’re wearing cashmere.”
“It’s just a wrap, for when it gets chilly later,” she said. “And I’ll share with him if I need to.”
“Sorry, nobody is gonna ask why he’s got sunglasses on?” Adore asked. “It’s almost dark.”
“They’re in case we get papped.” Danny put on the heart-shaped glasses and diva-walked to the door, proclaiming, “Let’s go!”
Adore followed, rolling her eyes, and Courtney’s eyes met Bianca’s, both of them laughing at their kids’ antics.
Outside, the sun was in fact low in the sky, making everything glow with soft pink light, which they decided they needed to capture, having a little impromptu family photo shoot.
“Mum, this would be such a good look for your Insta,” Adore said, “Go stand over there and I’ll take your picture.”
Courtney laughed, handing over her phone and saying, “Okay, but quick, because I’m hungry.”
She posed where Adore had directed, giving her best model faces while Adore called out, “Yaaaas! Werk! Stunning! New pose! Yaaaas! C’mon angles!” while Danny laughed and clapped.
“Are you actually planning to use these pictures?” Bianca asked.
“I guess, if they’re good,” Courtney said, changing her pose again for Adore.
“Work it, gorge! Stun! Omigod, you’re a model!”
“Alright, give me that,” Bianca said, snatching the phone out of Adore’s hand.
“Rude!” Adore exclaimed.
“Watch and learn,” Bianca said, then turned to Courtney, directing her to, “move a little to the left. Now, think of the shawl as a background to silhouette the dress, so create a nice shape, draped behind you.”
“This feels weird,” said Courtney, trying to follow her instructions without being awkward.
“No, that’s good. Hold that. Tilt your chin down. Not that much. Look at a spot like…there,” she said, pointing, “and think about something deep… Not that deep, we want model, not astrophysicist.”
“Don’t make me laugh!” Courtney warned, trying not to move too much.
“Just think about, uh…love… Good.” Bianca snapped a few shots, then said, “Now think about sex…”
Behind her, the kids tittered with laughter, and Courtney felt her cheeks blaze. Bianca reached behind her and snapped, causing them both to shut up instantly, before directing her full attention back to Courtney, who swallowed. The confidence, that air of authority she’d always had, made Courtney’s pulse quicken.
“Ignore them, listen to me. Yup, better.”
Bianca’s voice was soft but firm, and Courtney found it easy to go along with her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she imagined that voice in her ear, Bianca’s hands sliding up her thighs.
“Now, without turning your head, look at me…”
Courtney shifted her gaze to lock eyes with Bianca, a thrill rippling through her as she did.
“Got it,” Bianca said, then showed the phone to Adore triumphantly. “See? That’s Insta-worthy.”
“Oh, those are better,” Danny said, peering at the screen. “Like way better.”
“Exactly. And that’s why you don’t hire a child to do a woman’s job,” Bianca teased, popping her tongue. She handed the phone back to Courtney, eyes sparkling, fingers brushing against hers.
“Thank you.” Courtney dropped the phone in her bag and pulled out her car keys, letting Bianca take her other hand as they headed for the car.
“It’s not really fair to compare them,” Adore complained. “I can’t tell her to think about sex and look at me. I mean, I could, but-”
“Please don’t,” said Danny.
“I second that request,” Courtney giggled, giddy from the feeling of Bianca’s fingers laced with hers.
***
“So…what do you kids feel like doing now?” Courtney asked, after they arrived back home.
They’d eaten a delicious dinner, but even better than the food was how easy it felt for the four of them to be together. Bianca had been a little concerned when the night began; that nagging voice in the back of her mind telling her not to get too comfortable, because she could—and would—screw it up at any time. Probably by getting into some stupid and avoidable fight.
But so far, it wasn’t like that at all. For most of the meal, the conversation was dominated by the kids chattering happily, across the table from them, she and Courtney only occasionally chiming in. It seemed that both of them were content to simply relax and enjoy the evening, the feeling of being beside each other at last.
It was the little things that Bianca found herself appreciating. The way she rested her arm casually on the back of Courtney’s chair, fingers occasionally brushing her bare shoulder where the shawl had slipped down. Or the way Courtney would cast furtive glances at her throughout the meal, a naughty gleam in her eyes, anticipation building in her belly for what would happen later, when they were alone. Or even just the way she laughed along with the kids—Bianca had missed hearing her laugh.
Now, back at the house, Courtney continued, asking the kids, “Do you want to watch a movie, or-”
“Actually,” Adore cut her off. “I’m like, super tired.”
“You are?” Courtney asked.
“Yeah, it’s past midnight in New York. I really think I should go to sleep early. Right, Roach?”
“But I’m not tired,” Danny began, and Adore elbowed him in the side.
“Don’t you need to rest your foot?” she asked pointedly. “The one that you hurt earlier?”
Bianca smiled at the blatant lie, catching Courtney’s eye and exchanging a secret grin. Adore could be a tremendous cockblocker when she wanted to be, but it appeared she could also be a great wingman. She was really living up to that ‘Favorite Daughter’ shirt.
“My foot?” Danny asked, brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking ab-OW!”
“Adore!” Bianca scolded, since she’d clearly stepped on his poor foot behind the kitchen island, and it probably hurt like hell, given that he was wearing sandals and she was in chunky-heeled boots. Courtney rushed to his side, concerned.
“What? He hurt his foot, I was just reminding him,” Adore said innocently.
“Be nice, before we both get kicked out!” Bianca barked, annoyed.
“Are you alright?” Courtney asked Danny, who was still grimacing in pain and scowling at Adore.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to rest my foot, apparently.”
“Aw, want me to help you upstairs, bro?” Adore asked sweetly.
“Sure. Thanks, sis!” Danny said sarcastically.
“Don’t you guys want us to tuck you in?” Courtney asked, her arm still around Danny. She pressed a kiss to his temple.
“No, that’s okay. We’ll manage.” Adore gave a dramatic, exaggerated yawn. “Man am I beat.”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Danny added. Somewhere along the way, he seemed to have caught onto Adore’s unsubtle plan.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” Courtney said, hugging them.
Bianca stepped forward to hug both kids and kiss them goodnight as well.
“Goodnight, guys. Sleep well.”
Once they’d headed upstairs, she turned to Courtney, a rush of butterflies filling her belly as she took in her soft expression. A lock of blonde hair had fallen into her eyes, the same one that never cooperated, and Bianca reached forward to brush it away.
“So…”
END NOTE: Click here to see the absolutely gorgeous artwork that @artificialcandycane made featuring the outfits from this chapter, as well as the kiss at the end of Chapter 16.
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