"Ada! Go hide there" Luella whisper-yelled to her best friend who was rushing around the bedroom trying to find a hiding spot
Aidan finally had a chance to leave the hospital for a day to go out and he decided to play at Luella's where Ada and Alejo also were
"I can't fit" Ada groaned trying to squeeze herself in between the wardrobe and dresser, however as she attempted to squeeze herself further into the narrow space, she quickly realised her mistake. with a loud thud, the wardrobe shifted slightly, causing her to freeze in panic and stare at her best friend.
Luella realised how loud the noise was and looked around the room and saw the bathroom door open "There!" she whisper-yelled quickly clamping her mouth shut with her hand once she that she could give her hiding spot away
Ada turned her head around to the door and rushed into the bathroom, turning the light on and laying in the bathtub, putting a hand over her mouth
Alejo and Aidan finished counting together, which was more like thirty seconds rather than the sixty that was promised "I bet they hid in Ella's bedroom" Alejo snickered to Aidan
Aidan shook his head "They can't, they know it's too obvious"
"Ow!" A voice came from the other side of the hall making the boys turn around "That's Ada for sure" Alejo nodded
They both ran into the room they heard the noise come from and pulled the bathroom curtain open to see Ada lying on her stomach
"Found you!" the boys screamed pointing at her
"No! That's not fair!" Ada argued
Alejo shrugged "Too bad, we still found you"
"Ada you need to get out, we both found you" Aidan spoke up
Ada sat up and crossed her arms before yelling "Luella is under her bed!"
Luella heard that from the bedroom and scowled "Ada! You can't do that!" she crawled out and ran over to the bathroom to see her friends gathered beside the tub
"They aren't fair!" Ada pointed over at Alejo and Aidan who were so confused about why Ada was even shouting at this point
"You can't tell them where I was though. That's cheating" Luella shot back
"Uh?" Aidan started "Maybe we should stop playing?"
Alejo nodded "Yes, we should stop before Ada fights everyone"
"Race you downstairs" Aidan laughed quickly making his way out with Alejo right behind
The girls looked at each other and laughed before following the boys to the top of the staircase. laughter and excitement filled the air as the kids gathered at the top of the staircase, their faces flushed with anticipation. with a mischievous sparkle in their eyes, they exchanged playful glances before the unspoken signal was given, and suddenly they were off, racing down the stairs in a flurry of laughter and movement. the sound of their footsteps echoed through the place, punctuated by the occasional giggle or squeal of delight.
"I won!" Aidan shouted dropping onto the couch and trying to catch a deep breath
The other kids sat down beside him and groaned "My feet" Ada whined placing her feet on her brothers' lap
"You guys are pretty loud" Rose walked downstairs with Xavier behind her
"Shut up" Aidan sneered at his older sister
"Love you too" Rose smiled ruffling his hair up
"I'm gonna get food, what do you guys want?" Xavier asked as he reached into the bowl of the entryway table and grabbed his car keys, the metal jingling softly in his hands
"NUGGETS!" All four of the kids shouted at the same time
Rose and Xavier just looked at each other "Just go" Rose retorted shoving him away towards the door. Once Xavier had left Rose seated herself right between the kids starting a conversation
HER BROTHERS AND HER
"No Alejo that goes there" Ada pointed at the space in the puzzle
Alejo scowled at his sister "Shut it" He scowled.
Ada's heart sank at his words. She felt a lump form in her throat as she struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. Alejo's words hung heavily in the air, as his abrupt comment echoed in the silence of the room, but as he saw the hurt in his twin sister's eyes, a pang of regret washed over him, quickly followed by a wave of guilt. alejo reached out to his sister and poked her cheek "Hey, I'm sorry" he said, his tone filled with sincerity "Ada, I was joking"
"It's fine" Ada looked up at her brother and mumbled fidgeting with her fingers
Alejo took a moment to inspect his sister and noticed her frown so he pulled her into his side
A small smile took over Ada's face as she hugged her brother back gently "It's okay Alejo"
HER BROTHERS AND HER
All the kids had now gone home after a day full of chaos. They were all knackered and were practically falling asleep on the couch
Xavier had dropped them all off at home leaving Xander and Luella alone at home
"No look" Luella pointed at the tv screen "That's Holly and that's Ben"
Xander smiled "Right"
"Xander it's a boy and a girl, you can tell them apart"
"Not really, they look the same" Xander retorted
Luella looked at her brother weirdly "No they don't" she yawned rubbing her eyes
"You're tired aren't you?" Xander teased
Luella shook her head "Nope, I had so much fun today"
"Yep, that tired you out" Xander didn't mind what time his sister slept as long as it was before 11 since she had just broken up for school for the one-week holiday
Luella shrugged before laying down beside her brother and placing her head on his lap "Two days till I'm seven" she smiled
Xander ran a hand through her hair "You excited?" he asked
"Yep, Adriel promised to take me to see mummy. Are you going to come with us too?"
Xander sighed knowing he wanted to go but despised that lady with every inch of his body "I need to go work princess"
"'s fine, we'll go another time together right?"
Xander nodded "Sure, we will. You still haven't told me what you want for your birthday"
Luella bit her lip "I don't know what I want" she said looking up at her brother
"How about, we go out tomorrow and you pick whatever you would like?" he suggested
"Anything?"
Xander nodded "Whatever you like" he repeated
HER BROTHERS AND HER
the morning light streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow across the entire penthouse as Luella bursted into Xander's bedroom, her heart brimming with excitement. with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she dashed across the floor and leapt onto his bed, the soft mattress yielding beneath her weight "Xander! Wake up!" she exclaimed. her small hands reached out to gently shake her brother's shoulder "Shopping time!"
Xander gently rubbed his eyes and saw his sister still jumping. Luella edged closer to her brother's side her small feet almost hitting her brother's ribs, her laughter filling the room as her brother was barely awake. suddenly her trajectory shifted and she found herself hurling towards her brother "Whoa there, princess!" Xander exclaimed lunging forward just in time to catch her mid-air, before she injured herself and her brother, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace.
"Sorry Xander" Luella mumbled fidgeting with her brothers' chain
Xander kissed his sister's head "You okay?" he asked pulling her away from his embrace to take a good look at her. She seemed a bit shaken at the moment but was okay now. Xander grabbed a hairband from his wrist and pulled his sister's hair into a small bun "Did you wash your face?"
Luella nodded and smiled at her brother "All by myself too" her voice carried a sense of pride as she recounted the achievement, her small hands gesturing to emphasise each detail "turned the sink on, and splashed my face with water, oh and I changed by myself" Xander smiled at his sister "well done, go downstairs and grab one of your snacks to eat quickly so we can leave" Luella quickly nodded and walked out of the bedroom
Xander swung his legs over the edge of his bed, the promise he made to his sister echoing in his mind. As he rose, the soft glow of the sun filtering through his curtains, illuminated his determined expression. he walked to his bathroom, took a quick shower and brushed his teeth before grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist. with swift movements, he reached for his clothes, his fingers fumbling in the dim light as he hurried to dress. with a final tug of his shirt, he walked downstairs to see his sister wearing her small shoes and struggling to tie her laces. he knelt in front go her and tied her laces before ruffling her hair and grabbing his car keys.
Luella bounded through the aisles of the toy store, her eyes widened with wonder as she trialled beside her brother "Look, Xander, Look!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she pointed out various toys that caught her eye. Xander smiled, his hand not letting go of her small one "What about this one?" he suggested, holding up a doll that she had been eyeing moments before. Luella's eyes lit up with delight and nodded in agreement.
After rounds of touring the mall, and entering the different number of stores that Luella wanted to go to, Xander was left with barely any money in his current account. Xander carried the bags in one hand and held his sister's hand in another "Ella?" he spoke up. Luella looked up at her brother "Yeah?"
Xander smiled at his sister "Aaron messaged me saying Ada wants you to come over, do you want to go before you leave to see mummy tomorrow?" he asked
Luella's eyes lit up "Please Xander, I really wanna go"
HER BROTHERS AND HER
Luella stood eagerly at the doorstep of Aarons's home, her heart pounding with anticipation as she clutched her older brother's hand "They are home right Xander?" she asked as they waited for the door to swing open, with each passing moment, Luellas's suspense grew.
Xander furrowed his brows "Yeah, Aaron told me they're home" Finally the door latch clicked, and the door creaked open, revealing Ada with a bright smile "Luella!" Ada's voice came from inside as she opened the door
A bright smile took over Ella's small face as she saw her best friend "Bye Xander" Luella kissed her brother's cheek as he knelt down
"I'll get Adriel to pick you up alright?"
Luella nodded and ran off inside with Ada
It was her first time at Aaron's house so the place was all new to her and she was yet to meet Kinsley
"Hey Luella" Aaron walked inside with his wife behind him heavily pregnant
"Hi" She shyly replied with a small wave
Aaron looked at Kinsley and helped her take a seat "Sit down" he told her placing a pillow behind her back
"There's a baby in her tummy?" Luella shockingly asked Ada
"Yes! It's a girl" Ada replied walking right over to where Kinsley was seated "Can we touch your belly?" She asked eagerly, her excitement mirroring Luellas
Kinsley smiled and gently nodded "Sure,"
Luella also walked over and smiled before looking at Kinsley "I'm Luella" she introduced herself
Astrid smiled at how cute Luella was whilst introducing herself "I'm Kinsley"
"IT KICKED" Ada suddenly shouted causing Ella and Astrid to look at her
"Luella, you can touch my belly too if you want" Kinsley rubbed a thumb over Ella's cheek
"Really?"
Kinsley sat down properly and gently grabbed Ella's hand placing it on her belly just in time as the baby kicked
"The baby kicked" Luella laughed "When will it come out?"
Kinsley sighed "Hopefully 4 days"
"Already?" Ada asked confused
"Hi Luella" Alejo walked in with his iPad in his hand looking for Aaron
"Hi Alejo" Ella waved
Kinsley slightly turned around to look at Alejo "Aaron's on the balcony" she pointed at her husband who was leaning over the rail smoking
"Thanks" Alejo tiptoed to kiss Kinsley's cheek before running off to his cousin "Aaron!"
"You girls wanna help me cook?"
***
whoops sorry for no update, obviously school started and my exam stresses are just not it but... there is only 1 more chapter left :/
this book has come so far I'll forever be grateful for this but Luella's story is not yet over ;)