Max

The first day passed uneventfully into the second. Ella and their mother were both strung tight with anticipation as the time for their new family members' arrive drew nearer.

"Oh dear," The oldest of the three exclaimed, "It's about time they should be here. Why don't we step outside, shall we?" Ella giddily agreed, quickly falling into step behind her mother as she made her way toward the door. Max stretched on her lounging spot before begrudgingly removing herself from the cushion. Meeting the new guys was cool and all, but she had been just about to fall asleep.

Sleep was something the dirty blonde never passed up willingly. Those two had better appreciate the fact they had taken precedence over sleep tonight. It would not likely happen again. With only the slightest bit of grumbling Max stepped out onto the porch just as a silver Sedan pulled into the yard.

A short while later a man had exited the car, before opening the door for a young girl with bouncing blonde curls. Who was asleep. Max stared.

"Smart kid." She finally mumbled, conceding to the knowledge they had likely made just as long a trip today as her mom, Ella, and she had yesterday. The girl was probably worn out. Max stood, idly pondering the likelihood that the little gremlin had already overridden Max with her undeniable adorableness. She'd have to keep her eyes on this one. The doll-like child slowly opened her eyes, blinking, before becoming alert.

"Are we here?" She mumbled lethargically, her father confirmed the fact, rushing to set the girl down. He wasted no time turning to Valencia, swiftly leaning in for a brief kiss, hugging her slightly, and then turning to Max and Ella.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He commented lightheartedly, and Ella replied eagerly, welcoming the man from his trip, and asking this and that. Attention soon turned to the young angel standing a ways behind her father. Although her mother nor sister appeared to notice, Max took note of the relation between father and daughter. How he had set her down as soon as she had woken up, and the unusual distance between the two now. There was something off about it.

They did not appear particularly snobbish individually, so Max could not see personality causing the strangeness about their relationship. As she watched the young girl silently, how she was placed strategically behind her father, hiding. The problem was definitely with the father, the brown eyed girl decided, and a moment later, she puzzled it out. It was fear.

What's-his-name, David, wasn't it? He was actually afraid of his daughter, Max realized. It was barely there, but unquestionable nonetheless. Although, she reconsidered, afraid might not be the best word choice, it was more...uneasiness that radiated from the guy. How lame, she decided. Clearly there was something wrong with this guy, to have such feelings toward their own child, who was hardly old enough to do much more than throw a tantrum.

Somehow Max had managed to catch the little girl's attention, she realized. The little girl, Angel, looked at her with curiosity, as though she were trying to puzzle out something she could not understand either. Oh, Max thought. Angel was probably wondering why she had yet to introduce herself, or at the least come forward to say hello; instead opting for looking back and forth between the two new arrivals instead. Yup, she was a wiz at the whole first impressions thing.

"Uh...hey." Max acknowledge, managing to jump in right on time as her mother finished the introductions. "Nice to meet ya, I guess." The last part she muttered. Her mother still managed to hear, and sent a sharp look her way.

"Max, dear. Why don't you take Angel upstairs and show her to her room? I'm sure she's very tired after the long flight." Her mother suggested, and Max shrugged her over to the little girl, she kindly relieved the kid of her suitcase, and Max was startled by its weight. Sure, it was no problem for her, but how had a six year old been able to manage this on her own?

"Seven."

"Huh?" Max turned to the blonde headed child, taken by surprise. Had she just–

"I, I'm seven," Angel quickly supplied, her manner growing nervous, "how old are you, Max, right?"

"Yeah," She blinked, before mentally shaking her head at her stupidity. For a moment there it had almost seemed as if Angel had been responding to her thoughts, but that was ludicrous. "Yeah, I'm seventeen." Together they walked the rest of the way, up the stairs, into the hall, and to the first door on the right.

"Your stuff had already been moved into this room, and I unpacked most of it for you." Max too a moment to explain, hoping she might at least set a friendly relation between herself and her new little sister. It would be awful if it turned into the sort of situation where her little sister started ratting her out on everything she did. Max shivered at the prospect. "Everything look alright to you?"

"Yes, thank you." Angel had replied, after giving the smallest of glances. Max couldn't believe the little girl's behavior. At her age, both she and Ella had been major pains in their mom's neck.. Yet this girl seemed so calm and reserved, as though only trying to please those around her.

"Uh, well, if you're sure then. I'll be down the hall." Max gestured down the hall, to her room in the far corner. "Let me know if you need help with anything, kay?" Angel stared at her for a few moments, attempting to discern whether the older girl were being sincere, or merely being polite. After a few seconds, a small smile crept onto the little girl's face.

"Kay."