L I L Y
"No thanks, I don't want my nails painted." Carter groans after hearing Sofia's suggestion.
"Oh c'mon fratello, you can take it off if you don't like it."
"No Alex, I'm a man— men don't paint their nails."
"Carter, I'm a man and, oh would you look at that... my nails are painted."
"Alex I'm not going it and you're not a man, you're a boy."
"I'm a MAN Car! Yes you are."
"No you ain't and no I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not!"
"Oh for fuck sake" Callan groans as he glares at the two. "Carter you're getting your nails painted, Lily needs to learn and stop annoying Alex, he is a man— painting your nails doesn't take away your masculinity."
"Yes preach it Cal!" Sof cheers whilst throwing her arms around Callan, causing me to giggle.
"Fucking hell, fine but Lily you owe me." Carter grumbles, causing me to stare at him wide eyed.
"I owe you? What? Why?" I ask timidly.
"Welcome to sibling hood sorellina, nothing is for free." Carter grins evilly, which falls to a frown as Ace whacks him on the back of the head. "Ace, what the fuck?!"
Ace flips Carter off before turning to me with a large smile.
"Ignore him Lil, you owe him nothing. We— as your big brothers, are more than happy to help you. But, I want a smiley face on my middle finger so you need to learn how to do that."
I nod at Ace sending him a small smile as he ruffles my brunette curls.
_______________________________
"Lily for fuck sake, you're meant to paint my nails not my full finger and why the fuck are they pink!?"
I giggle at Carter's outburst as I continue to brush the bright pink polish onto his nails. And his finger tips— oops.
"I have a broken arm Carter, it's hard! Plus it doesn't help that you keep moving and they're pink because I like pink." I mumble as I grab his hand to stop it from moving.
"Well I don't like pink and I'm not moving it's your fault not mine."
"Stop being mean, I'm trying my best." I respond sadly, as tears pool in my eyes— well fake tears but what Carter doesn't know won't hurt. "It's harder than I thought it would be." I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand to add to my theatrics.
"Shit— no Lil, bambina it's my fault, I'm sorry. You're right I moved, the pink is um.. it's interesting."
So gullible.
Carter's azure gaze meets my own causing me to bite my lip to stop a giggle from escaping. I can see Sofia staring at me, her eyes lit up in amusement at Carter's discomfort. She locks as with Carter, a large grin making its way to her face as she begins to speak.
"Yeah Car, I agree. Pinks interesting— it really suits you."
"Piss off Sof." Carter mumbles, his words harsh but his voice soft.
As I finished Carter's bright pink nails I moved onto Leo, who wanted all black. Can't say I'm surprised. I took my time with Leo's nails, making an effort to not paint his finger tips as I had already done to Carter. He deserved it, Leo doesn't.
"What do you think?" I asked my twin as I finished painting his pinky nail. There's a couple of smudges but other than that, I'm quite proud.
"I love it Lil, thanks." Leo states, his face blank making me question if he actually loves it.
I finally finished painting everyone's nails with Sofia's help. Grey, Zac, Leo and Callan all got plain black, Sof, Jack and the twins got blue and black whilst Ace went for something unique.
"I think my nails are the prettiest." Jack exclaims happily as he gazes at his blue and black nails.
"No mine are." Kaden argues, causing Jack to roll his eyes.
"Dude, our nails are literally the exact same!"
"Oh shit, you're right! My bad bro."
We all chuckle at Kaden's stupidity before Alex calls me over to him, so he can begin painting my nails.
"What colour tesoro?"
"Yellow please Alex, can you do a smiley face on mine like I done to Ace?"
Ace's nails look so cool, he chose all the colours— his hand looks like a three shaded rainbow.
"Why don't you just get the exact same as me principessa? We can be matching." Ace asks, his eyes filled with hope.
"You wouldn't mind?" I wanted the same as him, but I didn't want him to think I was copying his idea.
"Of course not, I'd love to match with you."
"Alex, could I have the exact same as Ace please fratello."
_______________________________
As the night came to an end my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. After we painted each others nails Sofia insisted that we watch a movie, I didn't know what to choose— my friends wanted to have a Disney movie day, so I didn't want to spoil it by choosing one of those movies.
Sofia listed off different movies, none of which I knew and most of which my brothers didn't approve of— in the end, we settled for Mean Girls— according to Sofia, it's a must see. Now that I've seen it, I can't help but agree.
I think Janis is my favourite.
We all laughed about scenes from the movie before Grey announced it was time for bed meaning sadly Sofia had to go home. I really enjoyed her company, I thought she was shy at first but after spending a few hours with her she almost reminds me of Maya.
After saying goodbye to Sofia and goodnight to my brothers, Leo and I headed upstairs to his room. Every time I enter Leo's room, I can't help but gaze at his drawings and paintings that litter the walls. He's so talented. I notice the drawing of me that Leo had done at our sleepover— now pinned to his wall causing a smile to pull at my lips. Leo let me shower first and gave me some comfy sweatpants and a large velvet hoodie to wear to bed, it's so soft— I can't wait to wear it.
Showering was hard— I wasn't aloud to get my cast wet and the nurses at the hospital usually helped me wash my hair. After debating all my options I decided to leave my hair— hoping it didn't look to bad.
Of course I was wrong, my hair must've looked a mess because Leo's first words as I exited the bathroom were—
"Why didn't you wash you hair Lil?" His azure gaze lit up in realisation as his eyes locked on my arm. "Do you need help?"
"No Leo, s'fine. I'll just try and wash it tomorrow night."
I don't want to bother him.
Leo ignored my words and instead he took a gentle hold of my unbroken arm and led me back to his ensuite. He grabbed a medium sized white fluffy towel, tucking it in around the neck line of the velvet jumper before grabbing a larger towel and putting it around my shoulders.
"Can you lean over the sink? I'll wash it for you if that's okay?" He whispered softly, my heart filling with warmth.
He wants to help me.
"If you could, that'd be great Le."
Leo paused at my words, a small smile appearing on his once emotionless face, making me confused.
"What? Why are you smiling?"
"Mhm nothing Lil, lean over and tell me if the waters at an okay temperature."
After declaring to Leo that the water was fine, he softly washed my hair. His long fingers soothing on my scalp, so soothing that I could've fallen asleep there and then. After Leo washed and rinsed my hair, he gently dried it using the towel before telling me to sit on the floor next to the bed. I didn't understand why I had to sit on the floor, but I didn't complain.
Leo walked over to me, with a hairdryer and brush in his hands. He took a seat on his bed before pulling my small body between his legs, so my back was pressed against the side of the bed frame.
Just as I'm about to ask Leo why I'm sitting here, he slowly begins to brush my hair before turning on the hairdryer. My hearts now filled with so much warmth, I feel like it's about to go on fire as my pale blue eyes brim with tears.
When I was younger I always dreamt of my mom, brushing and drying my hair, I'd read it in so many books, so many fairytales— that I couldn't help but wish for that moment, the moment that never came... until now.
Of course Leo is not my mother— the woman who I thought was my mom wasn't even my mother. But that doesn't take away the meaning of the gesture.
As Leo turns off the hair drier and finishes brushing my hair, I waste no time in turning round and crushing his body into a hug. He clearly wasn't expecting the gesture as his body falls backwards— luckily we fall on the bed and not the floor. I bury my face in Leo's chest as I begin to sob— tears of happiness.
"What's wrong?" Leo asks worriedly as his one of his large hand caresses my head whilst the other rubs circles on my back.
"Nothing Le, I'm just so happy! Thank you for drying my hair."
"You're welcome bambina."
"Leo?"
"Yeah Lil?"
"I love you."
"I love you more."
_______________________________
Grey woke us up early this morning, like super early. He claimed we had to "seize the day" or "carpi diem" as he said the Latin's would say. I took back all my complaints about the time, when I entered the dining room and seen the large plates of chocolate chip pancakes— I almost cried. I'd wake up early everyday for Greg's cooking.
I noticed all my brothers had the same reaction, each of them looked grumpy about the time until they set eyes on the magnificent feast that Grey had prepared.
He's so sweet.
We made small talk over breakfast before Zac asked us all to go and get dressed, as we would be heading to the mall in half an hour.
I've never been to the mall, I'm so excited.
We all got dressed before meeting at the bottom of the stairs to discuss who would be driving who. Leo, Jack and I would be going with Callan and Carter whilst the twins, Ace and Alex would be doing with Grey and Zac in their seven seater. Alex complained because he wanted to drive, before giving in as according to Grey that's just a waste of gas.
The boys all went to the car minus Zac who helped me tie my shoes, which I was finding difficult due to the purple cast on my arm. I thanked Zac before we headed out to the driveway, locking the door in the process.
Upon seeing me walk down the driveway Carter opened the sunroof of Callan's car. He slid the full top half of his body out the small gap before he began to shout at me.
"GET IN LOSER, WE'RE GOING SHOPPING!"
________________________________
End of chapter forty one :)
Little bit shorter than usual.
Sneaky lil double update✨
Why was Leo smiling?
Lily told Leo she loves him😭
Favourite brother??
Don't forget to vote! 🤍