Rory was still giving Papa looks—something akin to horror, disgust, sick fascination, and curiosity—but seemed to be taking it fine enough for them to continue with their usual Saturday traditions of sword practice in the back yard, followed by lunch, and then the music hour that Dad insisted on having, the reason Echo needed a duet for herself and him. Dad had insisted that once they turned eight they begin learning how to play an instrument. Echo had started on piano when she was younger than that. Anastasia chose the flute. Aurora chose the guitar. Declan hadn't picked an instrument yet, but considering they sometimes couldn't get him to remember that he was eight, Echo figured her fathers didn't want to push him.
Music house, by tradition, was a time for the kids to show what they had learned that week, or mastered. They would also sing a couple of other songs just for fun. Dad had started doing duets with Echo about a year ago. Echo still had to do her own song, but the duet was something she loved. She loved watching as her Papa took his seat and just listened to them, a small, amused smile on his face.
Echo had learned "I Hope you Dance". She loved had learned the piano part, and then made sure it was dramatic, adding what she needed to make it sound complete. Now, playing it for her family, she felt that familiar satisfaction. Happy that there was something she excelled at.
Declan was grinning as she finished it, "You're so good, Echo."
Echo smiled, "Thank you, Declan."
Rory shook her head, "You've got to start going last." She looked at her guitar, suddenly hesitant.
Ana nodded her agreement.
"Oh, come on, you guys will be fine. You're good too." Echo encouraged, turning on the bench to face both of them.
"You have to say that, you're our sister." Rory shook her head.
"Come on, I heard you practicing."
Rory sighed, starting to play as Dad grinned at Papa. She was playing "White Horse". She had been looking to Taylor Swift songs for actual songs with acoustic guitar, saying that it was more fun than learning a rock song on the acoustic guitar. Her voice was a little shaky when she started singing, nervous to be singing in front of all of them. She had only done it a couple she still did well, only missing a couple notes. When she finished she was red in the face, not looking up.
Papa was grinning, "That was really good, Rory."
Rory mumbled something that resembled a thanks and quickly put her guitar away, grabbing a pillow and hugging it so that her face was mostly hidden.
Ana smiled. She played the song on her flute that she had was sort of trilly and playful. She seemed like she wanted to dance.
Dad praised her playing, saying she sounded like she was having fun.
She grinned, telling them about how it was actually a slow song that she had sped up because she thought it would sound more fun.
Then Echo realized it was time for her duet with her Dad and they still didn't have a song.
Dad pulled her over to the piano, "You know "I Told You So?"
"The duet version?"
He nodded.
"Um, yeah."
He took the guitar from the case, then put some sheet music in front of her.
When they finished that, she smiled. "Why do we sing so much country?"
"I blame your grandmother. But it's also easier to learn country songs for the acoustic guitar." Dad chuckled, kissing her cheek. "Your voice gets stronger every time I hear you."
"Is it bad that I always forget we have a grandma?" Declan frowned at the floor.
Ana snorted, "I forget sometimes, Dec."
Dad and Papa exchanged a glance.
"Let's stop talking about it. Don't want to summon her." Papa said it as a joke, but we could tell he was serious.
Dad nodded, "Any more songs we want to do?"
There didn't seem to be, so music time ended a little early, and Dad and Papa went for their Saturday stroll while Echo tried to coax Rory out from behind the pillow.
"You were good, Rory." She said, tugging on the corners and such to try and pry it away from her younger sister.
"I totally messed up!"
"So did I. I mean, that duet was a totally last minute thing, I messed up in all verses and the chorus, and my harmony was way off during the bridge. You missed a couple notes, even professionals do that. Most consider hitting 90% of the notes a good performance." Echo tried to encourage her sister. "And it's just the first time you've sung for any sort of crowd. You did really well. Remember the first time I sang at school?"
Rory peeked out, "You squeaked out some song, broke down crying."
"I didn't hit any of the notes. Was I scarred for life?"
"You did it two more times, and everyone started wondering why you were always picked to sing. Then the first time Dad managed to get the time off to show up with Papa, you belted out that stupid song like it was the national anthem and you were Whitney Houston. At least, that's what Dad said. They were both super proud and all of the other parents and students were dumb-founded." Aurora wrapped her arms around Echo's arm, using it to replace the pillow.
Echo stroked Rory's black hair, "Well, wasn't that good. I was only nine. But I was so determined to do my best because Dad actually made it to the show. And Andy Brunski called me a toad, and said I was going to croak."
Ana came back in, "Are you still moping?"
Rory scowled and squeezed Echo's arm tighter.
"Anastasia, why don't you go clean your room and pick out your outfit for Monday." Echo said in a hard tone.
Ana regarded her with caution, then seemed to dance out.
Rory groaned, "Why did I have to be born with her?"
Echo just smiled, "You'll be fine. You need someone bright to bring you out of the shadows."
"Why couldn't that be you?" Rory asked, scowling at the coffee table.
"Because you like me too much, and I'm too much of a comforter. Exhibit A." Echo gestured to the fact that her sister was now basically curled up in her lap.
Rory sighed, "And someone needs to protect her."
"And someone needs to protect her." Echo agreed, kissing her temple. "You two are opposites, but complimentary of each 're the shade, she's the sunshine."
"Thanks for that picture." She sat up, "Why am I the shade?"
"Hmm, maybe because you're our shadow traveler and you have black hair and you just take after Papa." Echo pushed her sister off of her, "Now, kitten, we're going to get up and go into the kitchen and start making dinner for Papa and Dad. As a surprise."
"You think they'd like that?" Rory asked, perking up. She was a real Papa's girl. She loved it when she could make him smile.
Echo grinned, "I think they'd love that."