It was the end of November, even LAW, a company located in Japan started to slowly but steadily sink into the annual slumber that meant the christmas holidays. The colourful group of four people plus their two dogs who sat in the plane to a certain northwest England town had taken an early leave as the parents of the Forster Sisters were eager to see their two girls again who were on the other side of the planet, getting fame and stardom and other things. When Chelsea and Molly left they were just children but now both of them came back as women, with success at their craft and people at their sides who loved them and whom their parents also were eager to meet.
One person was Harmonia Edelstein, the famous Ex Model, Businesswoman and famous LAW wrestler who hade made a name for herself as pupil of Dana Ashford, as Superstar Harmonia Edelstein and as successful Tag Team Sensation "The Superstars" together with the woman at her side. Harmonia sighed a little as she looked up to the big windows of the entrance hall. Spoiler
"Rain...huh...I would say "Let's go to Austria", but eve their snow becomes a rare thing now. Climate Change sure hits hard.",she said with a some dissapointment in her voice but when she looked at Molly all the thoughts about poor weather were blown away.
"You sure are excited, ain't you carrot. How long haven't you seen your parents personally? Two years?", she said and walked on while right behind her the soft but steady tapping of some claws on the hard floor of the hall could be heard, together with some soft pants and grunts coming from a well groomed and proud looking British Bulldog whose leash was in the hands of a certain Londoner with mixed heritage, given his family name Fortunato.
The tall man who wasn't lanky anymore but well defined thanks to the training with not only the Superstars but the second Forster Sister whom he held hands with as they walked behind the Blondes looked down at his girlfriend with a warm smile. George had noticed that Chelsea was of course exited too to see her parents again, but something still didn't seem quite right and even if he wasn't entirely sure he definetly had a guess what it could be.
"Relax.", he said and squeezed Chelsea Forsters hand for a second. "They have missed you the same as they have missed Molly, darling. I am sure. After all, they are your parents. That's their jawb, i'int it?", he said with a wink.
"Also two years are one hell of a long time with not seeing your daughters, I think whatever was between you will be forgotten in all the excitement of seeing you again.", he said and then gave her hand another squeeze. "And just to be sure if anything fails, you have your handsome two boys at your side to catch you. Ain't that right, lad?",he said and gave Anfields leash a soft tug, with the Bulldog turning it's head and giving his mom a big smile before walking on. Spoiler
Spoiler
Last edited by RedShinigami on Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
It was a big moment for everyone involved. For Chelsea, Molly, and George alike, it was a time to return home, after what seemed like an eternity abroad - the jobs the three of them had found in Tokyo, both in LAW and at the Wolf and the Bunny, had kept them tied down so long that the thought of being in England again seemed like a dream. For the two Forster sisters, it was an opportunity to once again see their family face to face, after many years where all the big milestones of their lives - Molly's graduation from high school, the strides they were making in their careers, and of course the romances they had forged - had only been relayed over phone lines and computer screens. For Harmonia and George, it was their first opportunity to see the other side - to see just where their partners had come from, and what made them who they were. And for all four of them, there were big things on the horizon - their return to their native land happened to coincide with WFPW's British Invasion show, and it was a no-brainer that all of them would make appearances.
But that was business, and right now, business wasn't what the Forster sisters needed to worry themselves with. They were excited to be heading home - and to do so with the people they loved by their sides.
"Aw..." Molly sighed softly as Harmonia recounted the weather in Austria. "That's too bad...I've seen the pictures, and it looks really pretty. I'd always wanted to go..." But she squeezed Harmonia's hand a moment later, and she looked back up at her with a nod. Had it really only been two years? "Yeah, just about...but when you put it like that, it feels a lot longer! I can't wait to introduce them to you..." She giggled to her own comments - and when she looked down at their hands, her heart quickened at the sight of the engagement rings they both wore, ever since Harmonia proposed to her at the wedding of Astrid Ostberg and William Ashworth. That itself was incredible to think of, too - that before she knew it, she and Harmonia would be married. It seemed like just yesterday they had met for the first time...
But before Molly could think on that train of thought for long, she was led astray by something else - though something that left her no less excited. When she heard the clicking of toenails against the floor, she looked up with a gasp - and there, she saw her sister, Chelsea, with George close by her side.
Chelsea let out a sigh; she glanced off into the distance, thinking once again about how Molly seemed to garner all the attention, and how she was left needing to play catch-up. She could only hope her own family wouldn't play favorites, but when Molly was quickly ascending to a place of fame and fortune, it was hard not to feel like the fans did. "Se, se, I guess..." she muttered to herself. But if there was anyone who cared about Chelsea more than just about anyone else...it was Molly.
"CHELSEA!!" Molly cried. She didn't hesitate even for a moment, running up to her sister and pulling her into a tight hug. "Oh, it's been so long, I missed you sooo much! How's the pub? How's Finella?"
"'old on! One thin' at a time, please-!" Chelsea grumbled - but nevertheless, she returned the hug to her younger sister, and a warm smile broke across her face. "...been too long." She couldn't be mad at her. Not when she was so excited...and not when she, too, had missed her so much.
Meanwhile, the Superstars' Golden Retriever, Riley, was just as curious about the new arrivals. He pulled at the leash, going up to George to sniff at him and familiarize himself with the new scent. Chelsea Forster
Molly Forster
Last edited by CaptainL on Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
They all met and Harmonia still had to smile on how much Molly adored her bigger sister and she could relate. Even if things between her and Fin hadn't been smooth all the time, her love for the Hellraiser was unmeasurable. Harmonia let the two of them greet and walked to George, hugging and kissing him too. "Hey, how's that. Some nice, wholesome christmas with the family huh?", Harmonia asked and George lifted his shoulders. "I dont know love, we aren't part of this family yet. Maybe the hate us. You are a Kraut after all.", he quip and Harmonia softly punched him in the arm.
"I am Austrian, we have perfected blaming everything on germany by now.", she said with a smirk and George laughed.
Then they saw a big, blonde man with a Liverpool Jacket walking into their direction. He looked imposing, his blonde hair had thinned and was so short to a point that it seemed that he was bald. He walked up to the two girls that were in front of him, his big shadow falling onto the Forsters as the man stared them down.
George gulped for a moment before he saw the deep, blue eyes of the man and understood. And even if he hadn't, as the face of the imposing midfourties man lightened up and his big arms pulled his girls in, it was entirely clear whom they had just met.
"Girls! cer avyer two grown! come 'ead, graft yer owd da a big 'ug!", the gruff looking man said and pulled both his girls in, kissing their foreheads with the love only a father could have.
"Chelsea,a nicked bruise eh? ay got us some tickets fe de game timorrer!", he said and softly stroked through Chelseas hair before he let her go and focused on Molly
"Molly, cer 'ow yous 'uv grown. yous blimp custy, say show me dat big r'n yous 'uv ed yer finger thuz. pheeew, ay would 'uv ter weerk tree years ter afford dat one, 'aha. so, this miss edelstein ay assume?", he said and Harmonia smiled as she walked forward.
"Harmonia Edelstein, Mr. Forster. I am your daughters fiancee.",she said before she got hugged too.
"Wah!",she yelped as she found herself with Molly in the strong arms of the Forster patriarch.
"Cut dat misti.crap. me name is edward, nah, eddie is E-blewdy-nuff. welcome ter de family, 'armonia. we wanted ter ta fe be'n such a sound as a pound influence ed molly and be'n such a faithful partner ter Ter me little bird. or'rite dun, let's grab yer luggage, de jam jar is outside!",, he said and took Mollys and Harmonias suitcase.
George stood there like ordered and not taken, not knowing what just happened. "Uh, uhm...Mr. Forster. I..."
The big man turned around and looked at him.
"Oo de 'ell ay yous?", he asked with open desinterest as George stepped forward.
"George Fortunato, sir, uh, Chelsea must have told you..."
"Ah...yes de so called bewzer owner and entitainer, from de big smoke, eh? bright,grab yer stuff,i dun 'uv de oole dee.", he said and looked at Chelsea,.giving her a slow shake of his head before turning to the other two Blondes again.
George looked at Chelsea and then back at the three people that walked before them.
"What...just happened, darling?", he said as he followed with Anfield in tow.
Chelsea and Molly both had a lot of thoughts running through their heads. Both of them were reflecting on what a year it had been - how eventful, how hectic, how emotional, but, in the end, all well worth it when they thought back on how far they'd come and how much their lives were looking up. When both of them were right at their respective partners' sides, it was hard not to think of how much Harmonia and George had done for them, of all the conversations they'd had on the way, and of all the hopes they had for the days to come. But the moment they saw their father, all those thoughts were swept aside. It had been years since the Forster sisters had seen their parents face to face, and enough had happened in those years to make it seem like they'd been on another planet. But as soon as their eyes met, the girls knew they were right at home.
"Dad!! Daddy!~" Breaking away from Harmonia's side, Molly ran right up to her father to throw her arms around him, returning the hug. Chelsea was a little less forthright, but she still stepped up to him with a smile - and, when he joined her in an embrace as well, she returned it without a second thought. "'ey! It's great to be back 'round os, Da..." she said, continuing in a whisper. "I missed ye...it's beun tew long." When he mentioned the game, she could only grin wider, looking up with a twinkle in her eye. "Oi. 'ey, 'armonia! Ye ever beun ter a proper fottee match, like? If ye sister wuz 'ere, she'd be in fe a lesson!"
Molly, on the other hand, was having trouble containing her excitement - even with her father holding onto her, she was jumping up and down. She giggled with glee when he mentioned her ring, holding it up for him to see. "Isn't it beautiful? Oh, there's just been so much going on, we'll have to tell you all about it...I bet you and Moni have a lot to talk about, too!" She giggled a little more when he brought up the cost of the ring, thinking back to the fabulous fortunes Harmonia had at her disposal. "Welllll...about that..."
Either way, Eddie would soon turn to his soon-to-be in-laws. And, while he and Harmonia already seemed to be pleased to meet each other, there was one thing that stuck with Chelsea in particular - he didn't seem to think the same about George. When she saw his head shake, she bit her lip, and the color drained away from her face. Perhaps he was too...flamboyant for his tastes, and perhaps he would've wanted her to be with more of a working man? But then, why wouldn't he think twice when her sister was engaged to a former supermodel who sat on a near-literal throne of money? Her fist coiled tighter at her side with rising tension, and her head turned to the ground. There it was, once again. As it always was. No matter how hard she tried, and no matter how much she thought her life was changing for the better, she could never be quite as good as Molly. Even in front of her own parents, she'd end up second-best.
Even when Eddie turned to lead them to the car, Chelsea plodded along behind him and Molly with her head hanging low, and a long sigh escaped from her lungs. George tried to question her, but she wouldn't even turn her head in his direction - not when doing so would mean confronting all the shame and regret that weighed on her shoulders. "Eez...well, it's nowt. Dun worry about it. I still need ter introduce yous two, I guess..." Even having said that, Chelsea grit her teeth. That, too, was a thought that hung over her shoulder like a looming shadow. If her father did get to know George more, would that change his opinions at all? Would they just make them worse? She knew the time would come soon enough, but she didn't know if she looked forward to it.
Molly cleared her throat, glancing back at their conversation. "Oh, is it his accent? I can explain-" But Chelsea simply held up a finger, and that was enough to silence her. This wasn't the time, and Molly got the message.
Harmonia was overwhelmed by the gruff looking but seeminhgly very kindhearted man who had embraced her as if she was his daughter too. But of course, she thought, the man that had raised Molly only could be a nice person. Or so it seemed as the reaction to her future brother in law was rather cold and indifferent, bordering on slight hostility.
She just put it under "Dad and the Boys who wanted their darling girls". But why was Moni greeted so nicely then? Because he knew she definetly could provide for Molly if needed, or because she was a woman and he didnt see a threat in her, she couldnt say. But she felt bad, not so much for George but for Chelsea. Despite her gruffness and brutish behaviour, Chelsea was a girl with a big heart,a heart that could be broken easily, that she knew. So she would use this time of love and family to talk with her future sister in LAW and she knew the perfect excuse.
But first it was a drive home in a VW Bus that the Forsters called their own. Some utensils and stuff showed how the creative works of her mother had shaped the two sisters as much as their bluecollar dad. George had taken a seat and took Chelseas hand. He knew that talking was not what his girlfriend needed right now so he just scooted closer, let Anfield jump on their laps and squeezed her hand a little while Molly and her father talked.
Finally they arrived in one of the better places of Liverpool at a house that could be described as "lived britishness",looking like exteriors of houses Harmonia had seen in english movies and tv shows. Spoiler
Edward grabbed their luggage and shouted into direction of the front door.
" 'ey ma, blimp oom ay 'uv met at de airport!", he shouted with a laugh as the door opened.
Soon, everyone had piled into the bus, and they were riding off down the road, with classic rock blaring over the radio. Molly fidgeted excitedly in her seat - all she could think about was all the sights she could show Harmonia around town. "Is this your first time in Liverpool?" she asked, squeezing her fiance's hand tighter. "Oh, man, I'll have to show you all the cool places! I haven't been home in so long, I missed this place...whoah, was that building always there?" Her attention flitting around faster than she could keep track of, she pointed toward a newer-looking development in the distance. "Ah, sorry...it's just been so long..."
Chelsea, true to form, kept more to herself during the trip - she rest her chin on her hand, staring out the window as the scenery passed by. Even if she didn't say much, though, she was still back in the city she had lived all her life - in a world that had come to seem to distant and so far off in the past, yet now was as close and as familiar as ever. Being back home, it felt like she had never left. And, as George reminded her with the gentle pressure of his hand in hers, she was returning to it with the people she loved. A smile came to the corner of her lips, ever so slightly. Yes, she thought, she was happy.
Before long, they arrived at the Forster house. Chelsea stroked Anfield's head, taking in a long, deep breath of the familiar air, just to remind herself that this was it - she was home. When the door opened, standing there was a slimly-built bespectacled woman with light blonde hair much like her daughters', wearing a simple sweater. By all accounts, she was a quieter, more withdrawn and reserved person; it seemed almost improbable that she and Eddie could have been husband and wife. Even when she looked out at her guests, the gasp she let out was a light and breathy one, like she was afraid of making too much noise. But then, her pale face lit up with a smile - and she leaned in to take both the Forster sisters in a tight hug.
"Chelsea! Molly! Oh, you made it! You look so beautiful..."
Molly giggled to that, hugging her mother back. Chelsea, on the other hand, was a little quieter - but she still smiled as she looked back at her. "Thanks, Mum..."
Seeing new people to acquaint himself with, Riley quickly barged into the scene, sniffing up and down his owner's mother. As he bumped into her with his nose, the woman burst out laughing, then pat him on the head. "Well, well, who's this?"
"Riley, calm down..." Molly said, pulling the dog back. "Yeah...we really do have a lot to catch up on, don't we?"
Clearing her throat and dusting herself off, the woman rose back to her feet, and her attention then turned to Harmonia and George. "June Forster," she explained, offering her hand. "The girls' mother. You must be Harmonia and George? It's a pleasure to meet you. The girls sound so happy, talking about you...thank you. You really mean the world to them. I can't thank you enough for all the good you've done." she added, politely bowing her head in deference to her guests.
Chelsea blushed to that, still unused to being open about her relationship with George. And now, here she was, showing him to her own mother. "M-Mum...not now..."
"Come inside, I'll get some tea on for you. You must be ready to sit down after the trip, I'm sure. And I can't wait to hear all about you," she added with a smile.
Anfield did not want to be left out and trotted up to June too. She looked like his beloved mummy so she only could be as nice and friendly too. The Bulldog barked to get some attention as Riley growled a little, already possesive of the beautiful mother of the Forster sisters.
"Riley no!", Harmonia said and shook her head. "Stop being so jealous every time.", she said with a sigh and rubbed her dogs side.
"Come on boy, lets get inside.", she said as the others followed. The Forster House looked typically british and very clean. Still it had some artsy charme to it and Harmonia remembered that Molly told her that her household was artistic and creative. So when she looked around and saw a big piano in the living room she already assumed that it had to be Junes.
"Oh, now I know where your two daughters got the musical talent from...", she said as Eddies big frame passed her by, took a seat before the piano and started to play Haydn. The Blondes jaw wad about to drop as she this bear of a man who seemingly fitted more as harbour worker or sailor, playing the piano slow and beautifully.
Next to her George grinning face appeared. "For being Sir Edwards favourite in law you you seem pretty obvlious, Moni swee'hea."
"Sir...Edward?"
"Sir Edward Forster, knighted three years ago, Concert Pianist and second conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.", he just said while Harmonia could not believe what was happening until she saw the many pictures at the wall, showing Eddie in tuxedos with all kinds of famous persons.
"Well, I'll be...", she said and looked to Molly.
"Why did'nt you mention any of that?", she said as she poked her side with her elbow.
George on the other hand now used the chance to greet June like the gentleman he was.
"Hello Mrs. Forster. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Chelsea told me a lot about you and how she missed you.", he said and gave her a nice looking flower bouqet.
"Tch, apple-polisher.", Eddie mentioned with a sideglance and George took a deep breath. He had dealt with all kinds if bigmouthed assholes and he had his very unique ways to tear them down, but he was a guest here and this was his future father in LAW. This was how family worked. So to avoid any conflict he just ignored him and took Chelseas and his luggage.
"Where to, darling?", he said and gave June a wink.
"Oh, I meant Chelsea of course."
And as they passed Eddie by, George stuck out his tongue before following Junes mother and Chelsea.
Eddie, now that they were in company, decided to go for proper english and shook his head.
"What does Chelsea see in such a slime, hm?", he asked and looked to Molly. Harmonia rubbed her arm, the situation being a bit akward.
"Uhm, uh...what a beautiful tree Mr. Forster! Molly can't not wait to decorate it with me.", she said with a smile and Eddie laughed ,putting an arm around Mollys shoulders.
"My little Molly always had been a sucker for christmas. She even believed in father christmas when she already became fifteen.", he said and laughed louder, his booming but calming voice filling the nicely decorated living room and reminding Harmonia of christmases long ago, when her parents were still alive.
Without realizing it her eyes started to water and she quickly rubbed her tears away.
"Oh, I am sorry love, is something the matter?", he asked and Harmonia shook her head.
"No, no its nothing. Really, Eddie. It just was a long flight and maybe I could get a little rest? Where is our room, Molly?", she asked.
No matter how much the dogs rushed June, she took all the attention in stride, shaking her head and letting out a giggle as she reached out to pat Anfield on the head. "No, no, don't be sorry!" she said to Harmonia. "I'm glad to meet your new family, girls. All your new family. And they're both so handsome..." Clearing her throat, she stood back up. "So, do you know if I can expect any other new additions in the future?"
At the insinuation, both Chelsea and Molly blushed a vivid red in unison. "U-Uhh...Mum, let's just step inside..." June just chuckled to that. "Kidding, kidding!"
The inside of the Forster home had all the classical English charms, with its red brick walls and tasteful trim, but it was clearly well-tended to - perhaps even excessively so. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting light over all the meticulously arranged shelves on the walls, each of them swept clean of dust and clutter - and on them and the walls alike were watercolors and sketches of flowers. June stood by one of them with a smile as Harmonia stepped inside. "You like this one? I painted it when I was your age..."
Eddie had his own talents to introduce to his guests, as he took a seat by the piano and ran his hands over the keys. Chelsea took a seat on the couch by the piano, watching him with a smile, and letting out a long, deep breath that seemed to ease the tension out of her body. Listening to her father's music never failed to make her feel at home - and at peace. As long as he was playing, she could forget about her worries for just a little while. It had been that way ever since she was a little girl, and it seemed the same held true now. And when Harmonia heard the news about her father's newly bestowed honors, Molly turned to her with a grin and a nod of her head.
"Well," she explained, "I guess I figured it might make me seem a little...intimidating? I don't like to let on about it because I don't want people to think I'm bragging, so it never really came up...but that's right. He's a classical pianist, for all his rough edges. See?" She ran over to another wall, where amidst other framed photos was hung her father's badge marking him a member of the Order of the British Empire. "He's just like Chelsea, that way!" Without a note of hesitation, Molly jumped down next to her sister on the couch, pulling her into a tight hug - much to Chelsea's protests. "'ey, 'ey-! Not nah!"
June stepped into the room soon afterward, carrying a tray with cups of tea for everyone and setting it down on a coffee table in the middle of the room. When she saw the bouquet in George's hand, she took in a gasp before bowing her head to him and hugging it close to her chest. "Oh, thank you-! How thoughtful! I'm going to need to find a nice vase to put these in..." She went back into the kitchen to look for a place to put the flowers. Chelsea, meanwhile, sat a little straighter in her seat and tilted her head curiously to George at the insinuation that he was trying to flirt with her mother. Even when he clarified himself, she still rolled her eyes. She was used to these antics from him for now, but this time it seemed especially awkward. When George offered to carry their luggage to their room, she breathed a short sigh of relief as she got up and proceeded down the hall - she welcomed the opportunity to step away from the situation for a moment. "Let me show you, then..."
As soon as Chelsea and George were out of earshot, Eddie brought up his feelings on George - and Molly sat up a little straighter with a huff. "Look, Dad...he's a little eccentric, sure, but she's happy with him, and I'm glad for her. Remember when I kept telling her she'd never get a boyfriend if she kept being so sour?"
"And she punched you in the face?" June added, sipping her tea. "And then wouldn't leave her room because she felt guilty about it?"
Molly giggled a little nervously, only blushing harder as the conversation grew more personal. "Let's, uh...not get into all that all at once, okay?" But when Harmonia pointed out that the tree was ready for her to join in with the decorations, she let out a gasp, sitting up straighter in her seat. "You really left it for us-!?" Sure enough, the tree was bare - just waiting the family to come together to give it their attention. She knew she'd been over it before when planning the trip, but the idea of spending the occasion with Harmonia just made everything that much more special, and when she looked over at her fiance, her eyes were big, bright, and glittering with joy.
"As you requested," June said, before looking at Harmonia. "You're part of the family now. As my husband would say, welcome aboard."
Molly leaned in closer to Harmonia, leaning her head against her shoulder. She giggled to her father's story - "What do you mean? Are you saying he isn't real?" she joked, drawing a laugh from her mother. Now, everyone was together. She could let out a long, deep breath, and be at peace as she settled against her fiance's side. They really were all a family, now...
Well, most of them. When everyone else was together, it was Chelsea and George's absence that felt all the more glaring. Molly's gaze lingered off down the hall they'd retreated to, and all she could think about was what her father had said. She bit her lip at the thought. She might not have spoken to George much, and she might have found his grand gestures a little much - even Chelsea thought that - but what mattered, to her, was that he made her sister happy, and he gave her a place where she could feel she belonged. Surely, she thought, her own family would be able to accept that...
When Harmonia asked Molly to lead her to their room, the younger Forster sister got up from her seat. "Oh, yes, of course!" she said with a nod. Heading down the hall and around the corner, she opened a door on the wall - and there, she let out a gasp. Chelsea's room, as George would find, was a simpler and more utilitarian affair, with a bed, some shelves, and not too much else - she'd taken most of her posters and her beloved guitar when she had moved to Japan. But Molly had far too much in her room to fit it all in a suitcase - and when Harmonia entered the room, she would find it a kalleidoscope of many colors, the walls bedecked in posters, the shelves stocked with anime figurines, and the bed bustling with stuffed animals. With a grin on her face, she flopped down on the mattress, letting herself sink into her bed.
Harmonia smiled as she quickly wiped her tears away. She looked at Jude and nodded. "Well then, Eddie, Jude. Thank you, I am proud to be an official member of your family soon.", she said before she followed Molly into her room. Harmonia always had imagined how it would look like and what she found definetly did not dissapoint her expectations. Molly after all was a massive fan of japanese media as well as being a conniseur of the cute things in life, given the tons of stuffed animals on her bed.
Harmonia chuckled as Molly looked around, flopping onto her bed. But still...Family, Parents, a house...it was seven years now and to her own shock, she could'nt remember her room properly anymore. Sure she still knew how it looked like but how many posters did she have, how many stuffed animals? As much as she was at peace her as much she felt the weight of memories pressing down on her.
The Superstar was not vulnerable in the public, not at press conferences, when she made deals, when she sold something and not in the ring. She could'nt afford it and it did'nt got her where she was now. As she had to fight her uncle for her own money and possessions, Harmonia had hardened businesswise. She saw herself as tough and calculating businesswoman first and foremost. She had a product and she needed to be ready and steady to fight tooth and nail in a world where she had been alone with no one there to help her. Of course things had changed and so when she had put the suitcase down, she got on the bed too, spooning Molly from behind as she kicked off her shoes and wrapped her arms around her fiances midsection, softly pressing her face into Mollys scalp, smelling her shampoo and her natural scent.
"You seem to have really nice parents.", she then said taking Mollys hands into hers, caressing and playing with them as they laid so close.
"Forster-Edelstein has not a bad ring, has'nt it?", she said and smiled, knowing that Molly would surely blush at this mention.
Harmonia knew tough that there was enough time for themselves, now there were more urgent things at hand.
"Molly, how about you and George go for the christmas shopping, gets you out of the house and also you can bond a little. He is part of your family too after all. I will talk with Chelsea. There seems to be still something thats on her heart and I want to know what that is.", she said while holding Molly close to her.
Then she moved and rolled on top of her fiance, smiling down on her.
"And after that, I promise that all my attention is on you, the christmas tree...and this bed here.", she said with a wink and lick of her lips.
She then looked at Mollys army of stuffed animals. "Hope your friends are like to watch...", she said and started giggling wildly as dropped next Molly, holding her hurting belly from laughter. Both girls face to face now, the tips of their noses touched.
"I love you, Molly.", she smiled and leaned in for a kiss.
In another room, much more...George did'nt want to say dull but pragmatic nontheless,George put down his suitcase and took a deep breath, lookin out the window. "You know, darling...I could tone it down a little if that is ehat he likes. But I can't help it. I am half italian and I hate this stiffness.", he said but knew that this would not help the situation. There were more things, other things, deeper and hurting much more then Eddie antagonizing George.
The Cockney Flame smiled and decided to do one of Chelseas most beloved tricks. He waved his hand and a rose appeared in front of her face. "Don't be glum, darlin. After all...", he said, took a seat and pulled her at his lap, giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"...you are not alone with this anymore. I won't for you to open up or anything, but when you want to talk about anything, you know I am here, righ swee'hea?", he said. Sometimes this was enough. George knew his girlfriend by now. There were no big gestures or sweet talking necessary. Chelsea needed someone to support her and George was that person. He became it because she was the love of his life. He knew now when to be charming and flamboyant and when to be serious.
He just wanted to be what Chelsea needed and all things considered he thought he did a very good job with it.
But he had to be careful now. Chelsea and her parents was a topic he had to handle like expensive porcelaine, one wrong move and there would be a costly mess. So he just went silent, holding Chelsea to him.
Outside Eddie passed them by, the door open just a crack and looked at them for a little while. Chelsea, his Chelsea sitting in tranquility on the lap of someone who seemed to be good to her and also good for her. The big, rough looking man turned away and rubbed his neck almost as if he had to think hard or...be sorry about something. He then saw his wife who had not missed this. She never did. June Forster, his wife for almost twenty five years now always had known what had been going on inside them. Since their college days. He walked up to her and blushed a little, again rubbing his neck.
"I was a little unfair to the lad, huh?", he said while looking down on his wife. June was the only person who would see Eddie like this. Vulnerable, standing there like a little schoolboy who apologized for stealing a candy bar.
"It's...just...uhm...you know. This is the most important guy in Chelseas life now. And I am a little worried and maybe a little dissapointed that she is'nt my little girl anymore.", he said and let his head hanging.
As soon as she flopped down on the bed, Molly knew she was home. It had been years since she had last been in this house, let alone her room, but as soon as she returned to find it just as she'd left it, she felt a warm wave of nostalgia run over her, as though she was wrapped up in a blanket - and when she took in a deep breath, she could breathe in all the memories she'd had of her family, her youth, and the beginning of her career that had led her to where she was today. All of that was practically overwhelming - and it was even better now that she got to share in it with her fiance.
"They really seem to like you, too..." Molly giggled softly, leaning in closer against Harmonia; she nuzzled the back of her head up against the crook of her neck. And sure enough, when she blushed at the next thing out of Harmonia's mouth, the Austrian could no doubt feel the warmth under her skin with how close they were. "A-Ah, heh..! I guess it sounds better than Edelstein-Forster..." She chuckled, half from amusement and half from lingering anxiety. "But, uh...I was actually wondering what we'd do with our last names. You know...when it happens." Her eyes flit nervously back and forth; she could hardly believe she was even talking about such things. In terms of when, not if. It was a big step forward for Molly, and one she never thought she would need to confront so soon; when she thought about it, her heart skipped a beat. But for as scary a thought it might've been, it was a hopeful one, too - and, as her hands squeezed a little tighter at Harmonia's own, Molly reminded herself that there wasn't anyone she would rather share her life with.
But as happy as Molly was, she knew there were darker things lurking beneath the surface. She was Chelsea's sister, after all - and as her sister, she had a way of feeling it whenever things were amiss. Deep inside her she could sense the anxiety and the doubt and the negative emotions in Chelsea's heart, and it cast a dark cloud over what was supposed to be a festive occasion. It seemed like Harmonia had caught it, too, since she offered to go speak to Chelsea herself. At hearing the plan, Molly sat up a little straighter, nodding her head. "Oh-! That's a great idea!" she said. "I haven't really spoken to George as much as I should...but if he's going to be family too, I should probably get to know him." She blushed a little, knowing full well what implications were behind that thought. "Oh, and I'd get to show him around, too! Maybe I can pick up some things for Fin and Sheila and everyone..." When Harmonia promised to spend more time with Molly afterward, the Englishwoman nodded her head excitedly...though the moment Harmonia mentioned the bed, her blush deepened a few shades. And when Harmonia brought up that they would have an audience, it deepened more than a few more.
"M-Moniiiiii-!!" she squealed. Shielding herself from the barrage of embarrassment hitting her all at once, she grabbed a Pikachu plush from the bed beside her and buried her face into its back. When Harmonia couldn't stop laughing, Molly just shoved the stuffed Pokemon into her, slapping her with its tail. "Raawr!! Tail whip!" she cried out, moments before she too collapsed at Harmonia's side doubled over with laughter. At the end of the day, she loved being with Harmonia far more than she let her lingering shyness rule her - and when Harmonia met her for a kiss, Molly returned it with one of her own. "Mmf...I love you, too, Moni...~"
Things were far more staid in Chelsea's room. Not only were the furnishings a good deal less garish, the mood was a dampened one. Even if George was there at her side, Chelsea sat there, staring off into the distance rather than at him. A stern look was on her face, and her chin was buried in the palm of her hand. "Mmf..." she muttered to herself. She didn't really feel like talking right now. Then again, when George pulled the rose out of thin air in front of her, she still looked back up at him with a smile and breathed some tension out of her stiff muscles. Even when the two of them were alone, George was still willing to fall back on his old theatrics - he didn't do it because he wanted to be seen; he did it for her, and because he knew it was right. Just thinking about that was enough to make her chuckle to herself, ever so slightly.
She pressed herself against George's side, bringing a hand to his chest as she let her body fall slack and settle into the curvature of his own frame. "...Thanks, George. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be like this..." She sighed. She didn't want to ruin the moment. It was Christmastime, after all. And she knew what George said was right - that she didn't need to be afraid and alone and harden her heart any more. She had him. She had a reason to be happy - so why wasn't she taking it? "It's just...I didn't come this far, and climb this high, just to have everything taken away from me. I didn't think it was going to be an issue, but-"
"Hey, Chelsea? Can I come in?"
At the sound of her sister's voice, Chelsea abruptly went stiff. She looked up with wide and wild eyes, and then she jumped back to her feet, her voice now as cacophanous as usual. "Oi, whaddaye want!? Ye weren't listenin' at de door, were ye?!" No one was going to say she'd gone soft - not even her own sister!
"Whoah, whoah..!" When Molly pushed open the door, she held her hands up protectively. "Calm down, Chelsea! I just wanted to ask George if he wanted to go out Christmas shopping..." She looked up at George and gave him a little wave, hoping she wasn't making this awkward.
And the Forster parents were having a moment of their own, as Eddie stepped up to confide in his wife. But just as she'd done so many times before, she would be there for him. She nodded her head, already understanding what had to be done without a word needing to be spoken. And even when her hands were so much smaller and softer compared to his own, she still brought her fingertips to his palm with a light touch, and she could still feel the warmth and the sense of togetherness that went through them just like it had so many years ago.
"Don't worry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've known Chelsea all these years, and I know she'll always be your little girl. Our little girl. She doesn't like to talk about it...but you know how she is." She giggled a little to herself. "Listen. If it's bothering you that much, you should talk to her about it. She's only here a little while - there's no use in keeping secrets from her. We don't know when we'll have the chance to come clean to her next. So let's make the most of that time, okay? We might as well enjoy it while we can..."
