The Other Sister [1] [EDITED]

Prologue

Edited 12/2/23.

                      A YOUNG girl sat on a swing set, her legs swinging back and forth as she was pushed by her older sister, Yelena. Giggling came from both of the girls, their laughter filling the backyard when a sharp whistle rang out, both girls turning their heads to look at their older sister, Natasha. She was taller than the two younger girls with cropped, faded blue hair, a yellow and white t-shirt adorning her top.

They both replied with their signature whistle, the girls' tune for each other that they had come up with when they were bored one day. The two younger sisters jumped off the swing set, running towards their older sister and bending into backbends, Natasha copying them.

"We're both upside down," Claire exclaims happily, a large toothy smile on her face as Natasha grinned at her.

"I bet you're going to fall first!"

"No you are," Claire exclaims, but her statement turned false when she fell first, Yelena next and then Nat. The two older girls laughed before taking off running Claire chasing them.

Whilst running, Claire's foot caught on a rock around the playground and she fell, banging her knee as she went. She started crying, calling out for her mother who walked out at the sound of her youngest daughter's cries. "What happened," Melina questions, crouching next to her daughter and kissing her knee.

"She fell and scraped her knee," Natasha replies, sitting on the swing set as she watched her mother and youngest sister. Claire continues to sniffle and Melina wipes the tears off of her face. "Hush sweetheart, pain only makes you stronger. You'll forget all about this little pain soon enough so dry those eyes," she says, helping her daughter into a standing position. Natasha watches the interaction as Yelena smiles and hugs her younger sister, trying everything to make her feel better.

"Come on girls, it's dinner time," Melina says, leading her three daughters into their small home.

When they walk inside they climb five steps up to a somewhat raised kitchen. "Yelena, can you grab the salad and bring it into the dining room, Natasha grab the ranch for your father."

"What about me mommy?" Claire asks, looking up at her. Melina smiles, handing Claire silverware and napkins.

"Go set the table sweetheart." Claire nods, running on her small feet into the dining room, Melina following carrying the plates they would use for dinner.

As she's placing the plates down on the five place settings the door could be heard opening and closing. "Your dads home," Melina calls out while Yelena and Claire sit at their places.

"Hey dad," Nat says smiling at him, grabbing water as her father ruffles her hair. She notices the slightly off look to his face but disregards it.

"Hey Tasha." He says and they both walk into the dining room. Melina notices her husband's demeanor and looks at him with a puzzled expression. "How was your day, girls?" He asks while Melina stands up, walking to where the wall would hide them from the girls.

"It was good we played on the play structure and mommy taught us stuff." Claire says,

"Mhm." Alexei says while he looks at his wife. She shakes her head understanding what was happening,

"No..."

"I'm afraid so.. they're coming."

"How long do we have?"

"An hour maybe... even less." Melina looks down,

"I don't want to leave."

"Don't say no." Melina sighs before they both walk back into the dining room and take their seats.