Another part of the series!

Again from the perspective of Josh's sister.

"We're home!"

A young woman stood up from the couch at the sound of my voice. She was slightly shorter than me, approximately 5'4", and was wearing a dark blue dress, black tights, and emerald green flats. Her shoulder-length blonde hair fell down to her shoulders, and her sky-blue eyes sparkled gently with delight as she saw us. "Hey babe."

I smiled, moving around the couch to hug her, dusting a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Hey Drew."

I turned back towards Josh and Grace, gesturing towards them. "You remember my brother, Josh, right?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Vaguely."

Josh chuckled. "Understandable. It has been a few years. It's good to see you again, Drew. I think last time we really talked was a couple of weeks before I left".

I turned, gesturing to Grace. "And this is Grace, Josh's..."

I paused, racking my brain for the right word. Best friend? Colleague? Prospective love interest? Partner?

Grace smiled, squeezing my brother's hand gently. "I'm his girlfriend"

Josh raised an eyebrow, but otherwise didn't comment. I winked at Grace, who nodded back, before smirking knowingly at my brother. Told you she was into you. "Josh's girlfriend. Well there we go then".

There was a noise from the kitchen and my mother emerged, wiping her hands on the legs of her pants. Her eyes lit up when she saw Josh and Grace. "Josh."

My brother smiled softly. "Hi Mom."

She looked towards Grace. "And this must be Grace. Josh has told us a lot about you. All good things, of course."

Grace blushed. My mother smiled as Josh moved to hug her, hugging him back, then her eyes moved to the bags the two of them had set down by the front door. "Your dad just called. He'll be at work for a few more hours. You know how busy he gets with his corporate law practice. Ariana, could you help your brother and Grace with their bags, please? Josh's things can just go in his room. Grace can have the guest room."

I thought quickly. That could work. But I can't let the opportunity to tease my brother go. What kind of a little sister would I be if I didn't tease him? "Actually, Mom, would it be okay if they shared a room? They are dating after all".

To her credit, Mom barely blinked. "Of course. Just put everything in Josh's room then. Unless Grace still wants the spare room, anyway".

I nodded. Kissing Drew gently, I smiled at her. "We'll be right back."

"After these messages?" she questioned teasingly.

I rolled my eyes, though chuckled. "You watch too much tv, babe"

She laughed. "And you don't watch enough. Now go help your brother and his girlfriend".

"As you wish."

She chuckled. "Hypocrite."

Once we were up the stairs, out of the earshot of Drew and my mom, Josh turned to look at Grace. "So... clear something up for me. Since when were we dating?"

Grace chuckled gently at his confusion. "Oh, about... ten minutes ago?"

Josh paused thoughtfully. I could almost see the gears turning in his head, see his brain whirring away trying to make sense of what Grace had just said. "Ten minutes. While we were in the car on the way here?"

Grace nodded. "I heard the two of you talking in the car. I wasn't as fast asleep as I looked... Josh, I heard you admit you have feelings for me. Truth is, I have feelings for you too. I have for a while. I think it's part of why I was so happy to see you again in Antarctica about 4 months ago."

I gave them a few minutes to let what they'd just shared sink in, and then snapped my fingers, getting their attention back on me. "As happy as I am for you both, and I am incredibly happy for the two of you because from what I know you both deserve this so fucking much, this leaves a very important question."

I gestured to the bags the three of us were carrying. "Which room?"

The two of them glanced at each other briefly before Josh replied. "Separate rooms, I think. Tempting as it is for the two of us to share one room, I think things are a little too new for that between the two of us right now."

"That's an understatement." I muttered.

Josh ignored me, but Grace gave a gentle chuckle. I passed Josh his bag, then lifted the one in my other hand, which was one of Grace's. "I'll show Grace to the guest room, help her get settled in. Meet you downstairs?"

"Of course."

He disappeared into the first room on the left, and I hefted the bag in my hand, nodding to Grace. "Come on. Guest room is down the hall."

I led my brother's new girlfriend down the hall and through the door at the end into a decently-sized, well-lit, room. The afternoon sunlight streamed in from a large window on the far side of the room, forming a large patch on the cream carpet. Lilac curtains hung from a rod just above the window, falling gently on either side. The walls were painted a coral blue colour, and a large oak chest of drawers sat opposite a large double bed. I set the bag in my hand down near the end of the bed. "I'll let you get unpacked and settled in. Bathroom is the first room on your left just after you leave this room."

She nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

I turned to leave, but stopped as I put my hand on the door knob. Looking back towards Grace, I considered what I was about to say carefully. "I know you heard me and Josh talking while we were in the car on the way here, but I want to say this anyway... I'm glad the two of you are together. He's been lonely for a long time."

She smiled warmly. "I'm glad too. I'll see you downstairs."