Family Ties
Chapter One
"Oh, come on, BJ, please," Nick begged his younger sister as he followed her up the staircase towards her room. "I'm taking Leslie and the twins to a cottage I rented for a week. It won't be the same if you're not there."
BJ rolled her eyes. "Nick, just tell me the truth why are you so persistent upon by attendence? You're twenty-years-old, you don't need me there to help protect you from the boogie-man."
"Maybe, but I do your help with the kids."
"That's nonsense, Nick. You do stuff with Aaron all the time."
"Yeah, but Aaron is a boy. I don't what to do with two teenage girls. And I'm not as close to them as I was to you."
She threw her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Then, isn't that enough reason for me not to be there? You hardly ever spend anytime with them. Especially, Leslie, you'll drag Angel along with you and Aaron- but, what about Leslie?"
"I dunno, we've never been that close."
"Well, you should be," she spat as she entered her room dragging out a suitcase. "Look, Nick, you know I would go, but I got an audition this weekend in New York. I've been working on my acting career for awhile now,
this is really important to me."
"Of course. Why don't we all go to New York?"
"No, Nick. I am not auditioning with the three of you present. Would you just relax? Everything will be fine. You'll see."
"But--"
"If it's really that bad just stay here. Mom and Dad went on vacation to get a break, so, you'll still get some quality time in."
"Not after I spent all that money!"
"Then go! And stop whining!" The eighteen-year-old searched her closet debating each outfit. "I swear, Nick, sometimes I think Mom switched our birthdates the way you act."
The twins entered. "Hey, Nick!" Aaron shouted jumping on his back rambucously.
Angel rolled her eyes as she sighed. "Aaron, will you ever grow up?"
Nick laughed. "Oh, come on, Angel! You're thirteen-years-old, live a little!"
"I'm a fun person, I just don't act like a monkey."
"Girls do mature faster than boys," BJ added matter- of-factly.
Angel hugged BJ. "Good luck with your audition, I'll miss you."
The blonde pulled her into a tight hug. "Aw, I'll miss you, too, sis. However, you won't miss me at all while you're out catching up with Nick."
Aaron lifted his head. "Don't say that, BJ, you know we love 'ya!"
Nick cleared his throat. "Come on, guys, let's go pick out some games to take on our trip! I'll race you downstairs!"
They exited in a rage of fury attempting to beat one another to the door. BJ laughed to herself. "Nick worries about this trip- and he acts worse than they do!"
Leslie softly knocked on the door. "May I come in?"
"Sure, Les. You okay?"
"Do you have some Tylenol?"
"Yeah, sure. It's in my jewerly box. You're not getting sick, are you?"
"I don't think so."
The elder sister arranged her luggage. "Maybe it's PMS."
"PMS...oh, great imagine explaining that one to Nick."
"Don't tell me- you're having second thoughts."
"Leslie, dear, you and Nick are more alike than you ever imagined."
Chapter Two