Best intentions and their consequences.

Chapter 105

But before the next day comes the evening you notice when you step through the front door. The surest sign that your adventure doesn't end today is the body of Megan who flies into your arms with a bright squeak. As with your morning ritual, you now use your strength and press your wombat close to you.

"I missed you" Megan hums in love and gives you a kiss on the lips. "So much." It's like you've been gone for weeks and you see it just like your sister. She manages the separation from you in this early stage of your relationship way better than you, who has to swallow his grief. But Megan always was way better than you.

"Me too," you say and give her another hug and look at the living room where the other girls have already spread out. Rachel, groaning exhausted, falls on the armchair next to the sofa and pulls out her cell phone almost immediately. Carrie pays a little more attention to her appearance, but also seems happy to be out of the disco.

“Finn!” You hear Emma calling from the kitchen and take a few steps towards her. When she leans against you with a comfortable sigh, the evening is much better. You cover her face with your hands and twist her lips into a funny snout which you then cover with your lips. Then Emma turns to the others in the room without letting go of your hand. “How was your evening?” she asks them. You can read the surprise on her face when she looks into the faces of her friends. Surprise turns into sorrow when Carrie explains the situation.

"We missed you," she says and sounds defiant. You can understand them. After all, you would react that way too should Emma leave your small intimate group. Your friend throws you a quick look as you gently push her into the room, realizing that she has an obligation of equal value to you and, in a way, Megan. Where your sister doesn't have to prove her bond with you, it's now up to Emma to connect her two worlds. You like to help her out by showing her friends that you are not the jealous type. When you see the shapely back of Emma and her firm bottom slide away from you, you have to doubt that. Grinning shyly, she sits down next to Carrie on the sofa while your body doesn't have to go long without skin contact.

"Very noble of you" Megan whispers in your ear and holds on to your arm. Your middle sister even manages to look stunningly sexy in dirty sweatpants and a gray sweater. But maybe this is also due to the two firm breasts that press on your body.

"I don't want to withhold her from the world."

"I would not share you with the world," Megan admits to herself and the world. "You have always belonged to me." You look at her in surprise and almost think that you now have to solve another crisis. But Megan defuses the situation as soon as she realizes her faux pas. "I mean, I wouldn't share you with the girls who don't belong to you already," she says apologetically. "Sorry. Certainly not what you wanted to hear now.” She bares her teeth but you don't know how you could be mad at your wombat. It's not in your DNA.

"None of the girls are mine," you murmur while the others spread out on the sofas and switch on the TV over the fireplace. Emma politely thanks her friends for the space they provided and Carrie looks visibly more relaxed now that Emma is part of the group again.

"Tell that to Denise."

"Megan..."

"Hey." Megan opts for a long-awaited kiss on the cheek instead of a slap on the shoulder. “We are all yours. And we all want that.” Your head turns to the girl next to you as if by itself. Her glances get lost in your eyes and she licks her lips expectantly. It's a fitting coincidence (or maybe not) that she's the first you can talk to in private today. Before you can tell her the news, you need her taste on your lips again. Again she smells of peach.

"That fits," you whisper, this time so as not to alert the others in the room. "It may be that I... uh... recruited... a newcomer..." You feel incredibly stupid to put it that way, but you don't know for yourself how to describe the expansion of your harem without being ashamed. But the eyes of Megan start to sparkle in surprise, then to shine with joy. What have I done to deserve this? So much perfection and everything in my incompetent hands!

“Really?!” she exclaims and quickly bites her lip. The group looks at her questioningly, but Megan knows exactly how to divert attention from you. After another minute of uninterrupted smooching and fumbling, the others in the room simply wrote it off as 'normal' behavior that they all already knew about you. "Who is it?" your wombat whispers excitedly. You are already take in air, but are quickly silenced. "No, wait. Let me guess please.” Somehow it is moving to see Megan scanning the room with excited eyes. First, she gets stuck on Rachel, then goes to Carrie, but when she comes to Karen she has to grin dirty. "She's behaving so differently tonight," she says and you nod in confirmation.

“I haven't done anything to her yet,” you say quickly in your completely unnecessary defense. "Only Maureen knows for now." Megan looks at her older sister with an expression that you can't quite read.

"Do I have to be jealous of the girl I sucked your cock with now?" she whispers excitedly and winks with one of her gorgeous eyes.

"You don't have to be jealous of your sister," you grin sheepishly. “It just happened that way. Otherwise, I would have spoken to you first.” You **** on your words. It's hard to praise one of the girls without demoting another. Megan understands you.

"Is okay. That is part of our life. I am not mad. Neither of one of you.” Her fingers run up your arm. "I like the way you try hard for us."

"You say it" you growl and start to take off your shoes. "I'd rather talk to you about something like that because I have completely different topics to discuss with Maureen." That makes Megan look up and take notice. While you put your shoes in the corner, she comes closer to you again.

"Everything okay? It went well, didn't it? I mean… Maureen looks super happy.” She looks at you and you don't like to see worry in her eyes. Worry about you. It should be the other way around and that after worrying about whether you can let go of Millie you now also start making life difficult for Megan is not good. Not good at all.

"We had a magical evening" you hastly try to calm her down.

"But?" Even if you would try, Megan is in your head just like you are in hers. Your connection works both ways.

"Maybe it started... a bit... humpy."

"Still worried about the future?" Megan wraps her arms around you and just being close helps. You can only nod, don’t want to put the evening with Maureen in a bad light.

“Maureen helped me with this. Everything okay” you assure her with silent breaths. "Do not worry."

"Will not. Promise." You whisper to each other again and don't care if the others see you. Emma notices you of course- She had always very sensitive senses when it comes to you. But she does her part for you and keeps the other girls in the room busy. "That's what you're here for." That makes you giggle.

"That's how I wanted it too."

“And that's how you get it. You are my boyfriend-brother Finn and I am glad that you take care of me and all of us. And I'm glad Maureen was there to help you."

"You help me too."

"No. Not like my sister.” You hug Megan and feel a familiar stitch in your chest. “Maureen has what it takes to help you. I am just glad that I can participate in your life. Promise me something?” Megan lifts her head and presses her cheek against your chest. One of her eyes is pressed shot in a cute way and that alone makes the stuck in your heart disappear.

"Everything." You wish that words could do more for you to deliver your feelings for your sister in your arms.

“Before that all started, you told me that I could always come to you if something was bothering me. I wish of you that you do that too. You have a lot to do to make us all happy and I may not be able to help you like Maureen. But if you should ever need someone with whom you can go through the city and riot, then I'm always there for you. Or if you want to talk... We don't have to come to a conclusion, but I'm happy to be there for my big brothers, okay?” Her one open eye reveals how important that is to her. "I always want to be there for you and you for me." You lean down and rub the tip of your nose against hers. Her melodic giggles have always made you addicted to her.

"A good way to end the day," you say softly and gratefully. Megan sees that her words have worked and her mood is brightening too. "Do you want to sit on my lap and we can watch the news together?"

"Oh how romantic" your wombat laughs with her bright and happy voice that you fell in love with. "So that you can have my boot on you while screaming at the TV for not being as smart as you? That's every girl's dream." She has a point there but although looks like she wants exactly that right now. Then she shakes her head.

“Rather take the opportunity. When Millie comes along, I'll be tight on me. Where is she anyway? And Denise?” You look around the room. It's getting late and maybe they've already gone to bed. The McKinleys can no longer be seen either. "Megan?" You look at your sister. This time she put on an expression that you already know. “Okay... What's going on here?” you ask and suddenly you are on your guard.

"It's still your birthday, beloved brother," Megan whispers and pulls you into the living room. She sits down on the sofa next to Carrie and Emma. You gently stroke your elf's hair and she pulls your hand to her cheek to catch your scent. While you stroke her soft skin, you look at Megan who grabs the remote control and opens Netflix. "Thank you for supporting us so much today," she says to the others and zaps through the offered shows. Emma nods in agreement while Rachel just shrugs her shoulders, Carrie doesn't react and Karen fixes Megan with her eyes. "My Biggie says thank you too." You react quickly and thank them, embarrassed, while Megan giggles and looks at Karen conspiratorially. "How about if Emma and I serve you girls as a little to thank you for the evening and we watch horror films and things like that." Her eyes sparkle again, this time out of the joy of helping you with something, you quite don't understand right now.

"Then you just run screaming into his arms" laughs Karen, but sounds different now. She looks at you out of the corner of her eye and clears her throat. "Which would be fine with me."

"I definitely wouldn't mind a girls' night out," admits Carrie and Rachel lets her cell phone drop.

“Can we invite boys over?” she asks with a laugh and menacing eyes.

"I'm not turning the house into a swingers club" you laugh, but realize too late that you've already done that. VIP list: One person. "Well, as long as you don't burn down the house," you grin.

“Because I'm responsible for that,” says Maureen from behind you. She took off her dress and removed her make-up and now... still looks damn pretty. You're almost tempted to stay here and join the girls. It doesn't have to end in an orgy. Not again anyway. Not even in sex with Maureen and Megan alone. Not again anyway. Damn it. But you want to say goodnight to your other girls and are looking forward to cuddling with Millie and Denise until you all fall asleep. Maureen sees it exactly that way and sniffs towards the stairs with an outstretched arm.

“Take care of your little sister and your pet, little brother,” she says with mock severity. Then she shoves Megan from her seat and sits down next to Karen on the sofa, who pulls her legs up against her body and crosses her arms around them. You and your oldest sister exchange looks.

"All right. Then I wish you a good night.” You bow deeply (as you learned in Witcher III) and turn to go.

"Finn?" Before you turn around you wipe your crazy grin off your face. Even if you are full of anticipation and excitement, Karen doesn't deserve that you treat her differently from your other girls. So you look very sober when you turn to the girl who even stood up to speak to you. Karen actually seems very nervous and everyone in the room notices it as she chooses the right words with clenched fists. First think, then speak. Happens to me too when I can't think properly because of love. Of course, you can't say that to the face of the sexy but emancipated woman. Your sisters, Emma and you had years to adjust to each other and the step to open love was comparatively easy for you. With your cat plan, Denise has the opportunity to simply put her worries and nervousness aside. Karen stands here alone and the least you can do for her is not to make it more difficult. The girl wants to say something, even lifts her finger, but remains silent. You smile at her encouragingly.

"I know," you say and grin more cheekily than anything else. Karen seems reassured. "Good night." You say the greeting to everyone, but Megan and Maureen understand and support that you are addressing Karen alone.

"Good night," she says softly and blushes. Damn cute. "A-And happy birthday."

"Look around. Look at you. Thanks for the great present.” Even Emma giggles at the sight that Karen offers you and Maureen gently pulls the girl back onto the sofa. Rachel watches it all with interest while Carrie pretends nothing is happening. You wave goodbye to the girls and go up the stairs. That was a good evening and now you're looking forward to the night.

---

But this night doesn't seem to be over yet, you recognize again when you stand in front of your door.

"Please knock BB" you read out loud. The note is attached to the door with a simple strip of adhesive tape and so many hearts are painted on it that the message is difficult to decipher. Millie wrote her name under it. While your Wombat's handwriting is like a message written under artillery barrages, your princess's handwriting looks like it was printed by a fairy. You have to grin as you think of the concentrated face Millie always does on her homework. When you helped her you almost always caused her to go into a frenzy of anger when she didn't understand the tasks and you made her notes that looked so horrible next to her writing. But now there are other tinks to concentrate on than the past. Not just because the pain in your heart is getting bigger again, but because you want to help Millie with her plan, which she obviously came up with. Excited muffled voices can be heard behind the white door and you have to seriously wonder if you will survive another threesome with Millie and Denise. The two seem to like each other a lot, even before they both became friends and since Denise became happier, the chemistry between them has been excellent. Pull yourself together. Your dick will fall off if you continue like this. And actually you should play the serious brother if you consider the time. Well, for about half an hour it's still your birthday. Is that enough time to satisfy both of them? No! Don't think like that! Just cuddle. But you can already see how your soldier is getting into the watchful position down there and pressing against your pants. You sigh softly, raise your hand and let it hit the wood three times quickly and maybe a little too loudly.

---

The room suddenly becomes quiet. Nothing happens for a while and you have to knock again with a grin before you hear steps on the other side. Denise van Buren sticks her petite head through the small crack in the door and grins cheekily at you as always.

"Hey Finn" she greets you. You like to see her that way but can imagine that you shouldn't necessarily be the overjoyed brother now. In any case, you play the role that you would play with Millie so convincingly that it works brilliantly with Denise.

"What's going on in there," you ask sternly. Denise immediately shrinks a few inches and holds on to the door with both hands.

"T-That i-is an sup... s-surprise" she tries to maintain her facade. You have to smile, inside and out. But you also have your part to play for Denise.

"So I'm not allowed to go into my own room in my own house?" you ask sternly. Denise notices your voice, closes her eyes for a moment and concentrates.

"T-This is n-not your H-House. That b-belongs to... Millie and Megan a-and Maureen e-exactly the same... a-as... for you." she stutters bravely and you would love to hug her for it. Unfortunately, that doesn't work and Denise notices that too because she looks at you lustfully. She wants me to be tough. Okay, I can.

"Come here." You point your finger down your leg and Denise immediately slips out of the room and stands in front of you with her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her lap. She is completely in her role and you are equally proud of and turned on. Okay, that's sex with her and Millie. For sure. Your eyes don't go big like plates simply because you've already figured it out. Nevertheless, the black fabric corset that Denise has wrapped around her stomach and upper body makes your blood boil like molten copper. White ruffles wind around her body at the transitions to her legs and white sewn stripes run down her stomach like liquid mercury in the dead of night. Your kitten-girlfriend has also put a ribbon around each upper arm that perfectly rounds off her outfit and gives you the confirmation you need. Denise embodies exactly the image that you and she are trying to cultivate. You would like to take her right here in the hallway and judging by the looks that the girl shyly throws at you every now and then, she would welcome that with all she has.

"Now you've spoiled the surprise," she mumbles but has to smile shyly. Then she closes her eyes and moans softly as you put your hand under her chin and turn her head towards you. Her eyes flit back and forth and try to catch as much of you as possible without losing the submissive look you like about her.

"We all have to play our part honey," you whisper.

"Yes Finn" Denise exhales with her last breath. Then she closes her eyes as you kiss her gently. You dominate her with words, all for a good cause, but you cannot cross the line to corporal punishment with this girl. You don't know if Denise is aware of this, but she could dance on your nose with ease as Millie could too. The balance that makes your life perfect does not exist because of you but because the two girls are satisfied under your guidance. It is not you who help them. They help themselves and you can only hope that you will do justice to your two wonders tonight and every other night and every other damn day. You poke her on the tip of her nose.

"Come on. In with you“ you whisper to her and of course she obeys happyly. But before she can open the door again, the voice of Millie can be heard behind it.

“Denise? What's going on out there?” you hear her ask. Nervousness also speaks in her voice. Your princess has always reacted well to the protective, all-knowing and self-confident big brother. Show her that you deserve her!

"I'm coming in now Millie," you say louder than necessary. You don't have to see her to guess her reaction. A muffled 'Iiiigh' tells you everything and you hear two light feet tapping away from the door over the soft carpet. With a grin, you push the handle to your room and step in.

---

Millie didn't quite make it and you can still see her back as she quickly gets into position. Your heart is pounding with love for this sweet being and how she has tried to surprise you with something that is sure to be wonderful, but for the moment fades into the background when you see your little sister excitedly jumping into position across the room. You look at her petite back in love and see that she has dressed just like the little sister of an older brother for tonight. Nothing about her outfit is special but it grabs you, shakes you up and lets you see the tight-fitting pink shorts and the long white shirt. For Millie, fashion was never important and she always enjoyed hearing your compliments, which always started tense, but then turned into sincere admiration. Just like the workout clothes she wore earlier in the day, she wears this outfit for two reasons. Firstly because anyone who asks immediately believes that it is light, straightforward and easy to carry. On the other hand, because it is the perfect distraction for her to dress in a way that lets you understand that Millie can feel safe, secure, protected and sexy with you. The long shirt hides her small breasts and slim body well, but the shorts fit tightly around her perky bottom and a small part of her thighs. The only proof that Millie not only sees you as the big protective and caring brother but also her friend, boyfriend, lover and boy to whom she entrusts her most **** side, is the incisions on the sides of the shorts that show even more skin on the sides of the legs than usual. That and the Play Boy logo that says Millie bought this first for a special purpose. Like her red lace underwear, it's hard to imagine how she bought it, but it kind of makes you think about it too. My little sister can do it alone...

You push the thought into the background with ****. Now is not the time to doubt. You concentrate on Millie who now turns around and is actually so excited that she briefly hops in the air to turn around to you. Then you see it. Your jaw drops down. Either it was the sight of Millie or her behavior that caused the desired surprise, but when she turns to you now - a nervous and somewhat harried smile on her face - she happily realizes that her plan has worked. And the one of Megan, who purposely kept all the girls down in the living room.

"Tadaaah" she smiles nervously and stretches her arms to the side. When you don't say anything but just stare, she becomes more restless. "Happy Birthday BB. That... This is for you."

---

Susan and Claire are standing in the middle of the semi-dark room. Only a few candles light up the scene from the table and the windowsill. Maybe it was the lack of light, maybe Millie or your thoughts, but now you can't take your eyes off the sisters in the room. Millie doesn't recognize your reaction and nervously brushes over her long braid on her shoulder.

“Do you like your presents?” she asks in a low voice. Denise comes out from behind you and stands next to Millie. While your girlfriends look at you intently and indecisively and await your reaction, Susan and Claire don't say a word. You can't take your eyes off them and look at the two girls with expressionless eyes. The four friends must have put a lot of effort into preparing this special gift and the two sisters stand quietly in front of you with downcast eyes. Red, wide and velvety wrapping paper runs in long lengths offer the shoulders of Susan, covers her breasts and leads back up through her thighs over her back. The sides of her body lay free for your sight, but around one of her thighs is a large bow tied from which two short ribbons hang. Claire looks very similar, except that she has a single band of wrapping paper around her torso and another around her waist. A larger bow than on her sisters tight has been tied between her shoulder blades. Claire wears her hair in two braids that fall over her shoulders at the back of her head, bound by the same material. Susan only wears a braid that, apart from a few strands around her eyes, ends between her shoulders. Apart from that, the sisters show you a completely naked, trembling, and excited picture. None of the four girls dares to look you in the eye when you observe the scene in the room with stoic sights. The sisters' bare feet cramp and their toes dig into the fluff of the carpet while their hands are clasped behind them so you can admire their small bodies in the flickering light of the candles. "I hope you're like it BB" Millie murmurs softly and looks at you uncertainly when she can't read your face.

But how should she also know what worries you if it has not yet happened in her life? Millie is happy with you. Even a colossal fool like you can tell. And it's your fault after all. Now, with two sexy girls and two of your dearest ones in front of you, you must face it. It's hard for you to get used to Millie taking her life into her own hands. She confirms your worst fears when she pokes holes at you with questioning looks and nervously bobbing from one foot to the other. Your predictions come true when you realize that your princess organized that night on her own. Like Megan, she wanted to show her friends how great a life with you is, has developed a plan on her own, was even so intelligent and has thought about your role in the plan, and is now giving you two cute, shy but curious girls who depend on you. But Millie doesn't. Your little sister has grown through you and her relationship with you has strengthened her so much that she no longer needs her big brother to improve her life. You have never felt so much disgust for yourself as at this moment for the outrageous hypocrisy of wishing Millie would depend on you forever. How are you supposed to explain all of this to her? You have absolutely no right to tell her not to stand on her own wonderful and cute feet. But it scares you to ****! Terrible fear. All your life you could rely on Millie, that she was there and needed you. And now she goes out and lives her life the way she wants it. Of course she does this to please you, but that only makes things worse. She does it for you to help you. I'm holding back my sister!

Millie realizes that something is completely and catastrophically wrong and her shock first spreads to Denise and then to the sisters. You also recognize the bad feelings you have loaded on the girls in their faces and that keeps you from sinking even further into desperation that Millie will eventually be gone. What am I doing here? you ask yourself like so often. You asked it when Megan started touching you more and more and you didn't do anything to stop her. You asked it every night when Millie fell asleep in your arms. You asked it when Emma kissed you. You asked it when you put the collar on Denise. You asked it when you slipped under the covers to Maureen. And even now you wonder what you are doing here.

"BB... Finn? What's… going on?” Millie takes a step towards you, hesitant, unsure. She wants to touch you, thinks she made a mistake. It's you who did so much wrong. When you have to laugh bitterly, it's the last mistake you'll make tonight and Millie almost falls into your arms and clings to you. Not a second goes by and you have hugged her, pressed her head to your chest and caress her back with as much love and tenderness as you can. "I don't understand... did I make a mistake?" You can suppress a bright laugh this time. What am I doing here? What are you afraid of anyway?

“No princess. You did everything perfectly. I was the one who made a dumb mistake.” And what a mistake! You're Finn Lynchwood, stepbrother of Maureen, Megan and Millie Lynchwood, on paper thou. In reality, real brother, closest confidante, BB, Biggie and boyfriend of three sisters. There's only one reason you're in the world and with your howling you are not helping Millie or anyone else you recognize. A hoarse giggle escapes your throat while your dearest princess's lovely body presses tightly against you and you almost die of love for her. The worst thing you can do to this wonderful creature is to make her feel guilty when she is happy. This is not your goal. All your life you have worked towards the moment when Millie shows you that she no longer needs you. Of course you're scared of it! Like any protector, the time comes when you have to let go. You've recognized it for a while now, but now you know that Millie has taken the first steps towards a self-determined life and it is your job to help her. You mustn't think about yourself while doing this. One day the time will come when Millie will realize that it is she who supports you. That it is you who needs her. And then she will make a decision. Your task is not to stay with her all your life but to lead her to a point where she can decide for herself. And that point has come soon. You're her big brother and you can feel it. Maybe Millie can feel it too. Maybe she knows what's to come. Maybe it scares her as well.

“Tell me what to do,” asks your sister almost sobbing. The other girls are silent and don't move while Millie looks up at you with wide eyes.

"No." It's like your first time on the lawn. There is only one way for you, even if it leads to something that could leave you scarred forever. But you swore to yourself, the world and your loved ones to be the brother for Millie that she needs, not the one you want. "You know what to do."

“But you're not doing well with what I'm doing. I want you to be fine.” You pat her warm and soft cheek with the palm of your hand. Millie is about to burst into tears. You are firmly in her heart and the transformation that she performs does not pass her without a trace. You mustn't stand in her way, you have to support her!

"Millie, when I'm the happiest?" You have asked the question many times when Millie has questioned herself and she knows the answer perfectly.

"When I'm happy."

"And does it make you happy what you're doing here?" Millie thinks about it for a moment and furrows her lovely eyebrows.

"I just want you to be happy too." It would actually be that simple. If you didn't always act like this stupid fool. That you both want to see each other happy makes things pretty easy for you, at least for today. You lift her light body up and she wraps her thin legs around your hips all by herself like she has done so many times in the past. She puts her arms around your shoulders and with her eyes closed she leans her head against you. One of your arms wraps around her lower back, your other hand rests on the back of her head and holds her tight, giving her security and your closeness. Touching Millie has always been like a **** to you and you accepted early on that this girl will affect your life like no one else can. All of your other friends, including Denise, have the ability to make choices. That Denise confides in you is a sign of strength. Millie has always been drawn to you since you carried her on your back through your parents' garden and devastated your mother's flower beds. She doesn't know it any other way and maybe it's an addiction for her too. The fight you have to fight inside is not about healing yourself. You have to help Millie decide for herself who she wants to belong to. It's too late for you and you've accepted it, overjoyed that the story of your life adorns the word Millie Lynchwood in capital letters.

You carry your little sister around the room and sit on the bed with her. The other three girls stand undecided in the room and eagerly follow your movements. For a brief moment you recognize the feelings of the three and are soothed that they stare at you and Millie in awe and astonishment. You know how this evening will end. It was a long, wonderful day. You got very close to Maureen, Megan supported you and now it's Millie who composed the final act for your birthday. Each of the girls has different handwriting, a different way of dealing with you. Each of them helps you in their own way and now it's the turn for Millie to cast her spell on you. It's about her. It has always been about her. Without her, I wouldn't be here now. And with that you put your fears aside for another wonderful moment, knowing that you have two other sisters who can help you, snuggle up to the warm body of your Little One and hold her head on your shoulder, showing her, that you belong to her alone in this short moment.

“The times when I can tell you what to do are over, little sister. You have become what I always wished for you.” You stroke her soft hair and run your fingers over her neck while you feel her hands on your back and her stomach pressing against yours while she breathes gently. "God I'm so scared of this moment, but I think it's there," Millie says nothing, clings to you and just wants to be around you. “I have accompanied you on your way and it was the greatest honor for me to see how you have developed Millie. You're an adult now and I couldn't be more proud of you than I am now. My biggest fear is that at some point I might get in your way and I promise you that that will never happen. You have become exactly the woman I always imagined when I look at you. You are strong, smart, brave and determined and the moment has come when you no longer need me. Now you decide about your fate."

"I don't believe you," Millie whispers, looking at you desperately. She realizes that she just contradicted you and that you are right. "I ... I don't want that."

“This is not something you choose, princess. I had to learn that too. And it's good the way it is.” You brush a strand off her face and run your finger over her cheek while your other arm doesn't let go of her. “You are happy Millie. Only that counts."

“But you should also count,” she moans, resisting the inevitable.

"I do. I count for you and Megan, Maureen, Emma and everyone else in this room.” Millie glances over her shoulder at her friends. “Our relationship changes over time. That's a good thing.” You don't know if you are lying to your sister, but you tell yourself that you have no practice in that and that you would therefore recognize a lie. It's a simple little hope, but it's still there. "I will love you forever. That won't change. Do you hear?” Millie looks at you for a long time, looks into your eyes, looks at your body, makes up her mind, like you would like it from her. Your fear is slowly disappearing. It's still there, may never go away. But Millie is what matters and if that means suppressing your fear of losing or not being able to support her, then you do it willingly.

"Just promise me that you will always be there," whispers your little sister.

"Always." Millie swallows hard, then nods.

And then she smiles. It is a light, shy smile as you are used to from her. Full of trust, affection and devotion.

“I love you, big brother,” she says of her own accord. It's the first thing you hear from her mouth after she understands that she is now standing on her own two feet. "I will always love you."

"And I am you." You hug each other and the only feeling that has space between you is joy. Nobody says anything and all eyes in the room are on you. Susan and Claire forgot about their attire and Denise put her hand on her troad. It is your sister who frees you from her spell on her own by looking at the three other girls again.

"Shit" you laugh softly and Millie giggles too, embarrassed. She lays her head on your shoulder and looks at her friends with satisfaction. "Sorry girls. Unfortunately, it had to be.” None of the addressees utter a single word and instead just stare at you. "So, what's this all about?" you ask and that wakes Millie up. She gives you a quick kiss on the cheek and then lifts herself off you.

“We wanted to surprise you,” she says and stands next to the girls again, this time with a happy smile on her beautiful lips. The situation has changed but not so much that it cannot be carefree again. Millie runs her index finger under her nose and looks at the three girls. “Best wishes to you big brother for your birthday” she delivers her rehearsed sentence. You are grateful that she is directing the situation back to normal. What does normal mean here? Do you see what's happening here right now? Fascinated, you look at the two sisters while Millie and Denise flank them.

"You have to explain that to me" you mean with a grin, but you already know what will happen now. And because you see Millie smile, and because you see Denise smile, you're looking forward to your present.