The True Story of Emily Lockwood / g. karim

𝔼𝕏𝕋ℝ𝔸: 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖

--Things were never the same at Portland Row. Everything about their little family had completed shifted, but Emily Lockwood knew it was for the best. Neither of the twins had ever felt so happy - not in the past decade, at least. 

"So, here's what I'm thinking," Anthony said, as Emily sat on the counter, sipping delicately at her tea. She arched an eyebrow at him over the china rim. 

"You've been thinking?" She sniffed the air "I thought something smelled like burned toast." 

"Ha ha, Em. Very funny," he deadpanned, staring at her blankly. "seriously though. I've devised a strategy." The way her twin grinned at her devilishly had her sighing - and preparing herself for the worst

"What now?" she asked apprehensively, setting down her teacup. He rubbed his hands together and leaned his hip against the counter. 

"We can take shifts. One night, George and yourself will go out on a job, Lucy and I'll stay here," he explained, and she glared at him. 

"Mm-hm, yeah, and why's that?" She crossed her arms in defiance. 

"Oh, Emily, please," he scoffed. "you know why." 

She thought about this for a minute before replying. "If you're saying what I think you're saying, I'm both disgusted and a bit intrigued." He clapped his hands like a small child, while she glowered into her earl gray. 

"Excellent. Speaking of which, we've got a job tonight." 

"We do?" Hey eyebrows shot up, and he smirked at her. 

"Should go pretty swift, just a couple of specters freaking out some daycare." 

"Right," Emily nodded, thinking. "so, how are we to decide who goes and who stays?" 

"Well since Lucy and I have only just-" 

Anthony cut his sentence off abruptly, as the sound of the front door opening echoed through the space. With one last glance at his sister, he pushed himself off the counter and strode towards the front parlor. 

Emily hopped off the countertop, quickly draining the remainder of her tea before taking off after him. 

"Hi!" Lucy said animatedly, carrying two large grocer's bags under her arms. 

"Here, let me help you with those," Ant held his arms out and she plopped them into his care, dusting off her hands. 

"Thanks," she beamed at him before patting his shoulder and shuffling forwards to Emily, who was watching the entire ordeal with her eyebrows raised nearly to her hairline. 

"Lucy, thank god for you," she chuckled, greeting George with a quick kiss on the cheek "you've changed my brother from barbarian to gentleman and I couldn't be more grateful." 

Anthony snorted, nearly tipping over with the bags in his grasp. "Don't disgrace me, darling Emily. I'll have you know I'm still a very proud barbarian." 

Emily rolled her eyes and took one of the grocery bags with a French loaf peaking out from the top. George giggled, tying his adorable apron behind his back. 

They were set to have a picnic, hence the groceries. The three of them followed George into the kitchen, during the perfect time of day in which the sunlight glossed over everything, turning the most mundane into beautiful art. 

"We know, Lockwood," George teased "please do keep in mind that I do most of the cleaning 'round here." Emily's jaw dropped as she set to unloading her bag of groceries. George shrugged, noticing her expression.