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—I promise I’m old enough now, mom. I won’t burn myself. Please, can you teach me?
Oh, how could anyone ever say no to such an adorable face?
Aphrodite definitely couldn’t.
—Alright, my darling girl —She said, moving a second chair next to her own, in front of the vanity table—. Viens voir maman.
Drew smiled in pure delight and went to sit next to her mother.
If that little girl got away with everything she wanted now, Aphrodite could only imagine what she would be like as a teenager.
That was entirely her fault, of course. Ares had always told her she spoiled her kids far too much.
But, then again, why even bring children into the world if not for making them happy?
—First of all —Began Aphrodite, as she finished curling her last strand—. You have to-
—Apply heat protectant —Drew completed for her, already taking the spray and using it on her hair.
—Good girl —Praised Aphrodite, showing a proud smile. She set the curling iron on the lowest temperature and carefully left it on the table in front of them—. Then, you have to separate your hair into sections. I usually make four: right and left, top and bottom. Here, I’ll show you.
Aphrodite stood up from her chair and went to stand behind her daughter. Then, she took the comb and gently divided her hair as she had explained, carefully showing every move in the mirror. She secured three sections with clips and left only one hanging on her little girl’s shoulder.
—There, mon coeur —She said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head—. And now we can start with the curling.
—Can I try it? —Asked Drew, already extending her hand to take the curling iron.
—Let me show you how it’s done first and then you do it yourself, d’accord?
—D’accord.
Aphrodite took the curling iron and held it vertically near Drew’s head, with the narrowest end pointing down. Then, she wrapped a section of hair around the barrel, being careful to only curl the tips and not using it too close to her roots. She held the curl on the iron just for a few seconds and, after that, she cupped it in her hand.
—There —Said Aphrodite, gently letting go of the curl once it was cold—. See? It’s not difficult; you just need to be very careful with the heat.
—It’s so pretty —Drew instantly took the curl between her fingers and watched it with marveled eyes. However, she did not stretch it. Aphrodite had taught her well—. It looks just like yours.
—Here, sweetheart. Now you try it.
Aphrodite gave her daughter the curling iron and sat back next to her, watching as Drew flawlessly and gracefully curled strand after strand. Soon enough, she finished doing it on all four sections, looking like a pretty porcelain doll.
Aphrodite took the brush and used it on her daughter’s hair, softening the curls, as she hummed the ABBA song that was coming from one of the rooms.
—There it is —She stated, once she felt it was enough brushing—. Do you like it, my dear?
—Yes —Answered Drew, as she admired at herself in the mirror—. I look so beautiful.
—You do —Agreed Aphrodite, sweetly adjusting one of the girl’s curls—. But you also look beautiful with your natural hair; don’t you ever forget that.
Out of the corner of her eye, Aphrodite saw her son entering her boudoir, so she turned her head towards him with a loving smile.
—What do we always say here, my handsome little prince?
—We are superstars! —Exclaimed Mitchell, running to her mother with a smile.
—That’s right —Aphrodite welcomed his son with a warm hug—. We are all born superstars. Each one of you is beautiful in your own way.
—Cookies are ready!!!
Aphrodite raised her head from her son’s neck and saw Katie entering the room, one hand carrying a plate full of cookies and the other one holding Valentina’s hand.
—They are chocolate cookies! —Added Katie—. Dorota made your favorite, Mitch.
—Yes!! —Said the little boy, instantly forgetting about her mother to run towards the food.
—Cookies? —Asked Piper, entering the room with her Nintendo DS in hand.
—Clary, let’s go! The cookies are ready! —Silena’s voice was heard from her bedroom only moments before the two girls came into the boudoir as well.
—Alright, my beloved children —Said Aphrodite, standing up from her chair—. Why don’t we take those delicious cookies to the kitchen, away from my Chanel- Oh!
At the twitch she felt in her belly, Aphrodite instantly sat back down and put her hands over her baby bump.
—Mom? —Silena was by her side in less than a second—. What is it? Does it hurt? Is she coming? Should I call the doctor?
—I’m okay, mon trésor. It was just a little kick! —Aphrodite lifted her shirt a little and then took her eldest daughter’s hand—. Do you want to feel her?
—Yes, please.
Aphrodite put Silena’s hand right over where she had felt the kick. As soon as the baby kicked again, Silena screamed, completely ecstatic.
—Oh, Gosh! It’s there! She’s there!!
Aphrodite laughed in pure, blissful happiness and turned her head to look at her other children, who were staring at them with wide eyes.
—Well, what are you waiting for? Come say hi to your little sister!
Mitchell, Piper and Valentina ran to her side. The three of them, as well as Drew, put their hands on Aphrodite’s belly and began talking over each other in complete excitement.
Aphrodite noticed that Katie had stood by the door, still carrying the cookies, looking as if she didn’t know what to do. Clarisse was behind her, awkwardly looking down at the floor.
—You two precious girls were included in that sentence —Clarified Aphrodite, extending a loving hand towards them—. Come here. You are part of this family too.
Katie and Clarisse looked at each other and beamed. Soon enough, they were standing next to the others, trying to feel the baby’s kicks.
—I think Lacy wants to try Dorota’s cookies too —Joked Aphrodite.
—Lacy? —Asked Piper—. Her name is Lacy?
—If all of you like it and agree, then yes, I think it will suit her well.
—Lacy —Repeated Valentina, as if stating her agreement.
—It’s the most gorgeous name —Said Drew—. Lacy Fairchild.
—She sounds so pretty —Agreed Silena, sighing dreamily—. Like a fairytale princess.
—Can we see her photo? —Asked Katie.
—Well, I have the ultrasound in my bag, but I asked the doctor not to show it to me. I want to meet her in person for the very first time. But rest assured, my children; she’s a healthy girl.
—So it’s a girl? —Asked Mitchell—. The doctors said it? I will never have a brother?
—I did not ask the gender, but I know in my heart she’s a girl, just like I knew with every single one of you. Mother’s intuition is better than any medical scan.
—I want to meet her —Said Piper, putting her ear over Aphrodite’s belly, as if trying to hear her little sister.
—Soon enough, mon poussin —Aphrodite made a tender caress on Piper’s hair, feeling how the tears were staring to roll down her own cheeks.
—I bet she’ll be plenty beautiful, just like you all are —Said Clarisse.
Aphrodite leaned forward a few inches to kiss the little girl’s forehead.
—You are too, honey, but don’t forget that what matters most is the beauty inside of you.
—True beauty comes from within —Agreed Silena, taking Clarisse’s hand and smiling at her with affection.
Clarisse returned the smile in an instant.
—Can I bring you a tea, maman? —Asked Silena, next, shifting her gaze to Aphrodite but not letting go of Clarisse’s hand.
—That’d be lovely, sweetie —Said Aphrodite—. But I will have it in the kitchen. Let’s go ask Dorota to make you all some good chocolate milk to eat with those cookies.