My Sister's Keeper

Disclaimer: I never fully bought into Maya's gender identity story. If it didn't take so much twisting history, I may have. Still, I got on board. However, for the purposes of this story, she is not transgender. Or she may be and no one knows. I haven't decided yet, it depends on where the story takes me.

Maya and her sisters Nicole and Sasha have built a fashion empire starting from humble beginnings and have now moved to LA. Sorry guys, I don't write well for Rick, mainly because my only interest in him is related to Maya. So if anyone wants to write flashback chapters of their romance please IM. I will give full credit. In this story, part of the reason she moved to LA was for him. Nicole is a recent graduate of NYU with a double major in Chemistry and Computer Science. Sasha is a runway model.

Prologue

She never liked him. She always thought that he was strange the way that he would watch all the girls. Her older sister, the middle child had been scared of him. She may have been young but she noticed things. She noticed that her mother would rush into the room if he came in and there was no other adult around. She would quickly take her and guide her away. Her mother knew something. Her father must not have because the man was still alive. Three girls had been a pain for her father but he doted on each of them. They were devastated when their parents died.

He had gotten custody, temporarily while their sister was fighting. No one else stepped in. They were made to act like his servants. The older of the two youngest always tried to protect the baby. One night he came into her room. Her sister barged in yelling for him to leave her alone. He hit her.

They stood over his body. He had been stabbed in back four times and once in the neck. The older of the two called the oldest sister then gathered the baby in the corner holding her close and covering her eyes.

Maya rushed in to assess the situation. She started to call the police. "No, they won't believe us. They didn't believe me and sent us here anyway." Sasha's tears rolled down her cheeks. "Please just take us away from here." Maya sighed. She hated to do things the way she was thinking but she had to protect her sisters.

Chapter 1

Maya had put together an elegant barbeque in their new home. The sisters had come a long way since their humble days in Chicago. Their parents had died when they were young, the oldest Maya had stepped in refusing to let them be separated. She was fresh out of college and beginning her career in fashion. She had fought for them but lost to an uncle who was killed. Thankfully, they were only with the sick bastard for a few months but enough time to do damage and bond them with a dark secret.

She had meager means but she saved every penny, she purchased fabrics and a sewing machine. Her sisters thought it was fun so they helped. She started taking request from people in the neighborhood, a knock off of this or that. She would sell them the outfit for a lot less than the original but explained she had to change the framework in order not to go to jail. She had her sisters to raise. She used the original as an idea, then went from there. Customers were usually more pleased with her design. She eventually started charging for materials and watched as business grew and Haus of Avant was born.

Maya didn't want to forget how she got her start. She often gave back to the neighborhood and opened a boutique there which is managed by an employee. For HOA to grow she felt New York or LA needed to be their base. So she packed up and moved her sisters to New York. From HOA came HODG, Haus of Diva Glam which was their cosmetics line. Sister Nicole was brilliant and was always experimenting with colors and scents. It was a hobby that became something more. They need to expand the line as it was very small due to her sister refusing to use anything but natural ingredients but what they had sold off the shelfs as quickly as they were stocked.

She was nervous about introducing them to the man she may marry, they were very protective and very outspoken. She opened the door and smiled at the man who had made her want to settle down. She kissed him.

"We are going to dine on the patio, luau style." She looked at the taller man next to him with darker curly hair and blue eyes.

"I am sorry, this is my brother RJ. I brought him for moral support. I hope you don't mind." She smiled extending her hand.

"No of course not. Nice to meet you." He smiled and greeted her with the same warmth. "Follow me please." She led them out back. Sasha had just arrived donning her shades and a nice thin floral romper.

"This is my sister Sasha." She introduced.

"Nice to meet you both." She lifted her glasses then looked at her sister.

"The blonde." She smiled reading her mind Sasha just smiled and returned to her seat. Her aim was to observe. They wouldn't just allow anyone into the circle. "Where is Nicole?"

"Buried in code. She will be down soon in jean capris and a tank top with her hair in a ponytail because she let time get away from her." Sasha laughed, her little sister was a bit on the tomboy side. She only preferred dressing up when it was needed.

Sasha was almost completely right. Nicole walked out with a fitted tee that had the graphic of "Smurf Fight" on it. Dark blue jean capris and her hair pulled into a tight, high pony tail with bangs framing the sides of her face. She wore a soft maroon lip gloss.

"I smell pineapples. Where they at though?" Nicole walked to the grill and noticed the kebabs cooling. She picked one up and took a bite.

"Mix master, you are supposed to be making the drinks and you are being rude to our guest." Nicole looked at them suspiciously. Maya introduced them and when they went to shake, she declined.

"Sticky hands, pineapple." She smirked. "Okay what is your booze of choice? I'd prefer that you just trust me but if not, I need to know."

"Let's just go with rum, it fits with the theme." Nicole nodded then headed for the kitchen. After a beat RJ said he would go help her.

He found her sitting at the breakfast nook enjoying her kebab, her eyes were closed and it was if she ate with all of her senses.

"Are we in love with the pineapple? Do we need to be alone with pineapple?" He smiled at her flashing his dimples, his blue eyes sparkled. She rolled her eyes.

"I was alone with pineapple and then rudely interrupted." She finished it then out the skewer in the sink. She washed her hands and began to gather the ingredients. He watched as she used test tubes to measure and mix. He raised an eyebrow.

"My sisters thought that it would be funny. Still, chemistry has its benefits right?" She chuckled. He watched as she expertly mixed a concoction in the beaker then poured it in the blender over ice. She poured them into glasses then mixed a shooter into the beaker and capped them before placing them in the glass. She loaded the tray to carry them out after making a refill pitcher.

"Let me help you Apple" he teased her but she just rolled her eyes.

The group dined and sipped on cocktails. Maya smiled then tapped her fork gently against the glass. "We have an announcement to make." Nicole stiffened. The signs were there, her sister was absolutely beaming. The house was smaller than she anticipated for her sister considering she was a diva. Nicole hated change sometimes.

"Rick asked me to marry him last week and I said yes!" He put on her ring and she flashed it. Sasha stood to look at it.

"That is a rock. Damn!" She teased laughingly. "Congratulations!" She hugged her. Nicole was quiet. "Nicole don't be rude." Sasha said.

"Rude?" She pointed to herself. "I am in shock. First of all, I thought we moved her to escape cold winters and be closer to take on the LA market. Look around you Sasha. She is moving in with him."

"That is what couples do Nic." Sasha didn't understand why her sister was acting that way.

"He is a Forrester. Rude? No, I am just not stupid. We are equal partners and I am not voting to let them into our company." RJ had heard enough he pinned her with an amused stare.

"That is funny. You have only been in business for five years sweet heart. We have been around for longer than you have been living. Our empire is multi-billion. While you do well, getting to this level will take some more time. So let's not get into using her for money." Nicole crossed her arms.

"Your company's stock gets passed around like a game of hot potato and has seen its failings. Besides that, the rich seek to get richer, always. Therefore, any person worth their salt in the game knows better than to think just because of its size a company will not come to son yours." Rick looked confused, amused but confused.

"Son?" he asked.

"Acquire the company under your umbrella making your company the parent company." RJ supplied the explanation for his brother. Maya sighed.

"Your suspicions are correct Nicole. We are not joining as one company but we are going to do a joint venture together for charity and profit. It benefits both companies. We would like Diva Glam to supply the makeup for the show. Until our offices are complete, Forrester has kindly offered us a space to share." Maya watched her sister carefully. Her face was devoid of emotion. Nicole was the more level headed of the three. Always looking out for them. She always took things on and suppressed how she felt, it worried Maya.

"There is enough room for us all Nic." Sasha reminded.

"If I see, one of our designs that are not part of this group venture which I think is a bad idea, I will come for you in ways that you will never see coming." She narrowed her eyes at the Forrester men then looked at Maya. "You are going to do what you want anyway. My opinion is just that."

She looked at Rick. "I have heard some things about you that were a little…" She frowned with a shrug letting him know that the things she heard were not good things.

"Oh really and what did you hear?" Sasha joined in. "Things like how he is a player? Been married before. Those kinds of things?" She looked at Nicole with a raised eyebrow.

"And more. You know, I am the quieter of my sisters." Sasha smiled.

"And I am the loudest. She is like a viper, you never see them coming. They slink from the tree all nice and quiet." Nicole smirked.

"She is like a lioness, she will stalk, conquer then roar before finishing her prey. In other words, if you have any ideas about using our sister for whatever fetish or agenda you may have, leave now. Otherwise, she gets hurt and you don't survive." Rick smiled at the ladies not feeling threatened. He thought it was cute.

"Oh he thinks we're cute." Sasha said. "That we are kidding around. Little does he know that our little genius knows several ways to stop your heart and you wouldn't even taste it." She looked at his drink which made him a little nervous.

"Don't worry the test tube is only supposed to have psychotropic effects on your brain." Nicole grinned innocently.

"Okay guys, you have had your fun." Maya interjected. "I know you both know that I can handle myself. He makes me happy."

"I am glad. You deserve to be." Nicole smiled but Maya could tell that she was upset.

"And look, you are both welcomed to the estate any time you want to stay for as long as you want." Rick offered and RJ laughed.

"It gets a little crazy in the main house though." He raised his glass. "Bro, you are a jerk more often than not. You are a tyrant in some cases. I think I understand your reasons more than you know. Still, the edges have been softened unlike I have ever seen. The light she brings to your face. I for one am thankful because you are a lot nicer but happiness will do that to you. So congratulations and Maya welcome to the family." Glasses clinked together, Maya hugged him. Nicole clutched her chest.

"So very touching." RJ looked at her wondering what her deal was.

"What is wrong princess? You are the baby right? The most spoiled of the bunch. Are you a wittle mad cause sissy won't be around to paint your nails pink anymore?" Nicole laughed a sharp chuckle that almost sounded like a cackle.

"Are you kissing ass because you are the family screw up and must stay in broham's good graces?" She batted her eyelashes waiting for an answer. He smirked.

"Once upon a time. I never kissed ass as you so eloquently put it. All I am saying is, cut them a break. Sheesh, I am sure she was expecting squeals of excitement and hugs. Not cynicism Debbie downer." Nicole raised her eyebrow at RJ.

"Wait a minute. This clown knew? We are just finding out?" RJ put his hands up.

"I knew that they were dating but it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. I am hungry. Are we going to eat or what?" Maya shook her head. Rick started the grill and the barbecue proceeded with conversation but Nicole was quiet. Eventually she slipped away.