Much like everything having to do with this whole Paris holiday, Sophie had not been asked but told that she'd be sharing a room with her sister. It was barely tolerable. Her sister had only required more hair and makeup product the older that she got. At the moment it was taking up the majority of the hotel bathroom. Sophie tried to keep a cool head, but her sister was making it difficult.
Sophie logged into her Skype account. Rosie had claimed that she was heading out, but she still lingered finishing her face. Sophie had already made it clear that she wasn't interested in going out. She had a girlfriend after all, so what was the point. Even though Rosie had protested calling her "boring" Sophie knew that Rosie would just be beating men off with a stick. She had spent enough time watching that, thank you very much.
Since their discussion at the airport, Rosie had kept her gob shut about Sophie's relationship. Sophie hoped that it was over, but she wasn't sure. Her sister might be a stupid cow sometimes, but you shouldn't underestimate her. She had shown herself to be quite the meddler if she wanted to be. Sophie just hoped that she was worrying for nothing.
Regardless she had made Rosie promise to leave during her girlfriend's scheduled Skype-time. Apparently this wasn't hard since Rosie had already lined up a group of sweaty blokes to fawn over her at the bar. Thru various modeling jobs, Rosie seemed to have built up a fan base of gagging men in every European port. Paris was no different.
Yet she still remained in the bathroom.
Sophie had managed to text her girlfriend back before they got on the plane at Heathrow.
Sophie: I thought you were gonna be angry forever babes xxxx
Sian: As If :) You're just too fresh Webster.
Sophie: I hate it when we fight.
Sian: Well then you'll just have to stick to always keeping me happy all the time.
Sophie: I try my best to please.
Sian: Oh do you? Well I'll hold you to that.
They had scheduled a time to talk since Sophie had her laptop with her. Luckily Sophie had not had to search all over Paris for wifi, the hotel had it available. Thank god.
"Rosie are you going to leave or what?" Sophie shouted towards the bathroom.
"I've got to do my eyelashes!" Rosie whinged.
"Well she's not on yet, but when she does then you've got to go" Sophie demanded.
"Whatever" Rosie said as she stormed out in her slapper-best outfit. You could have poured her into her dress with 10-inch heels. Rosie was out on the pull tonight clearly. Sophie didn't understand how she could move in that dress. She wasn't surprised really. Her sister wasn't known for subtlety.
"Like I want to hear you two have make up cyber-sex! Ugh!" Rosie added with a groan.
"Rosie!" Sophie grimaced.
Her laptop beeped signaling that Sian was logged on.
Sian: Hey baby!
Sophie signaled to her sister to get out.
Sophie: Hey babes.
Sian: What are you doing?
Sophie: Trying to get Rosie to go away.
Sophie turned her head to her sister. "Rosie! Go! I'm sure a greasy wanker is waiting for you at the bar" Sophie sneered.
"Oh go make out with a laptop screen," Rosie said over her shoulder as she headed toward the door.
Sian: You're sister is just so charming.
Sophie: Yeah this trip just gets better and better.
Sophie sighed.
Sophie: I wish you were here instead.
Sian: Someday babe. Can't you just see us walking down the Sienne?
Sophie: Drinks on the beach…
Sian: Cheesy.
Sophie: It'd still be nice.
A muffled background noise blared from Sian's side of cyber-space. Sian turned and looked over her shoulder. Sophie saw someone shuffling around in the background.
Sophie: Whose that babes?
Sian turned back toward the screen.
Sian: You remember Melissa? From the party? We're working on a brief so I said that she could stay over.
Sophie: Really?
Sian: Yeah, she is a right laugh. And she can keep me warm since you ain't here.
Sophie: Sian!
Sian: Just winding you up. Don't worry she's going. Right Melissa?!
Melissa walked into the foreground so that Sophie could see her.
Melissa: Yep don't worry Sophie, I only go for brunettes.
She winked and then walked off camera. Sian scoffed adorably as they heard the door close.
Sophie: Geez, finally alone right?
Sian: I know.
Sian paused. The blonde was working herself up to say something, Sophie could tell.
Sophie: It makes you think about the future. Weddings.
Sian: How so?
Sophie: Well, this is probably the last wedding for my parents that I'll be in. I mean if they don't last this time then they'll kill each other.
Sian: Someone will end up dead that's for sure.
Sophie: Then, I doubt Rosie will settle down with some bloke in any sane way. Vegas or summat I imagine. So I guess the next one for the Websters will be Jack, which is hopefully long off. I really should enjoy this because it could be awhile before I'll be…
Sophie trailed off, not wanting to finish her thought aloud. Maybe Rosie had gotten to her in the airport after all.
Sian: What kind of dress are you wearing tomorrow?
Sophie: Yellow Taffeta. I hate it. Could kill my mum.
Sian: I'm sure that you look Beautiful.
Sophie: Like a cupcake.
Sian: Well a sexy cupcake.
Feeling a flush run thru her, Sophie smirked.
Sian: I wish I could see you in it. Or out of it. Either way.
Sophie's breathe hitched. It always amazed her how very little could affect her so quickly. But then again, the blonde had always easily aroused Sophie. Even thru a computer screen.
Sian: You'll take pictures?
Sophie: Course. Can't wait to see little Jack in his jacket and bowtie.
Sian looked away from camera. She exhaled slowly then looked back.
Sian: I'm so sorry about how you left.
Sophie: Sian! I know and it's okay. I know these things wind you up.
Sian: Yeah, but I can't get that way. It's not okay.
Sophie: Don't be daft. I can be just as bad. You can make it up to me when I get back.
Sian: Oh really…well tell me more about this…
Sophie laughed and ran her tongue over her lips.
Sophie and Rosie sat at the table both with wine glasses. Jack sat in Sophie's lap as they watched her mum and dad dance away. They looked happy. So happy.
Considering how much of a Bridezilla that her mum could become, the ceremony was fairly simple and short. Sophie assumed it was her father's influence and his pocket book. It was a civil ceremony in front of a judge since her parents were pretty secular. Didn't stop her mum from trying to make a show of herself. Some things never change.
Regardless Sophie felt a fluttery lightness in her chest seeing her parents together. It had cracked her insides when things had blown apart years ago. Now it seemed that everything had mended together. The cracked walls were being filled in with a softness that she didn't often allow. Growing up Sophie had learned to maintain a tough exterior but she really was a marshmallow inside. Gooey when warmed.
Her half-brother squirmed in his seat. He looked unbearably grown up in his blazer jacket, shirt and pants. Sophie had gelled and sculpted his dark hair. She had been put in charge of him already, since the only alternative was her older sister. And no one thought that was a decent idea. Sophie made sure that her little brother didn't trip over himself being all dressed up and all. Looking at him now, his parentage was clear. He was a little mini-version of her dad with his dark hair and side grin.
"Ugh, I hate taffeta! Can't wait to get out of this" Rosie whinged as she finished off her glass. She went to order another.
"Jack?" Sophie looked down into his little face.
"Yeah Sophie?" He yelped.
"Since my girlfriend isn't here, will you dance with me?" Sophie asked.
"Will she be mad?" he asked seriously.
"Nah, I think she'll be okay with it" Sophie smiled.
"Okay let's go, but Sophie…I don't know how to" he said uncertainly.
She lifted him up off her lap and placed her half-brother on his own two feet.
"It's alright. I'll help you," she said as they headed toward where her parents were on the dance floor.