Maddy's Sister

“You know my sister?” Maddy’s apparent sister asks you, before she starts walking towards you.

“Your’e Maddy’s sister?” You ask back.

“Oh, right. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Tricia O’Brien. Maddy’s older sister. You are?” Tricia asks you.

“I’m Jay Craig. Maddy’s… uhm… neighbor?” You weirdly answer, not exactly sure what you and Maddy’s relationship is right now. You both like each other. Hell, Maddy even says she loves you. It’s just even she said she doesn’t want to make anything official or go on a date with you until she talks to her dad.

“Actually, your grandparents are my neighbors so that might not be completely accurate. Maddy’s friends with my daughter now, so I’m her friend’s dad. I guess.” You try to mask why you hesitated in your description of your relationship with Maddy.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Craig.” Tricia offers her hand for a handshake, which you accept. “You know, Maddy’s favorite writer is also named Craig. I bet she’s brought up that coincidence with you just in case you were related to him.” Tricia tries to joke.

“I am him.” You reply with a chuckle.

“What? No wonder you looked familiar! Wow! You look much younger in the author’s page of the Undying Emperor.” Tricia reacts.

“Well, I was in my early 20s when I took that headshot.” You explain to her.

“Oh! I’m sorry. That was rude. I just meant that’s probably why you looked familiar.” Tricia explains. “It’s nice to meet you though! I’ve only just read the Undying Emperor and not the rest of the series, so I’m not as big of a fan as my sister. That’s not saying much though, since my sister’s probably your biggest fan. Anyway, not the point. I wanted to say that the first in your series was still very enjoyable. I haven’t been able to read the rest since Maddy basically took ownership over those books after she read them.” Tricia tells you jokingly.

“It’s no problem. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?” You ask.

“I used to enjoy fantasy like Maddy. Discworld’s my favorite.” You immediately let out a noise of appreciation upon hearing it. “Currently though, I’m enthralled by the works of the Beat Generation writers. Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs —” Tricia starts listing off and you continue for her.

“Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady…” You continue for her.

“Yeah~!” Tricia reacts with a laugh.

“That’s quite a shift in writing style preference.” You observe.

“I guess. It wasn’t as noticeable for me though. I just really enjoy reading about their adventures. When your life is as dull as mine growing up, adventures set in real life are a more engaging fantasy.” Tricia explains, making you grin in appreciation at her insight.

“Your grandparents are probably going to love hearing you’re reading those books now.” You tell her. “Your dad… probably not so much.” You add jokingly.

“Well, what my dad doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” Tricia tells you with a wink.

“Also, Maddy told you about our Dad?” Tricia asks curiously.

“She did. Your grandparents gave me a hint about their relationship with your dad too.” You answer her honestly.

“Wow. You must be close to Grammy and Grandpa Rick to get them to tell you about that. Plus, Grammy must like you a lot to let Maddy hang out with you.” Tricia observes.

“Your grandfather and I get along quite well. I think your grandmother just tolerates me though.” You tell her.

“I think Grammy’s like that with everybody.” Tricia jokes. “Anyway, speaking of my grandparents, I’ll make my way there now. I haven’t actually said ‘hi’ to them yet.” Tricia informs you.

“Oh! Right! Sorry for keeping you.” You apologize.

“No problem, Mr. Craig. It was nice having this chat with you.” Tricia tells you before offering another handshake and saying goodbye.

After Tricia walks away and back towards her grandparents apartment, you ring Viv’s doorbell. She answers it within a few seconds, already dressed for work. Upon seeing you in front of her, Viv throws herself at you, giving you a hug around your neck and a sweet ‘good morning’ kiss. You offer her to join you and Tanya for breakfast, which she agrees to since it’s still earlier than when you guys usually leave to drive her and Tanya to work. As Viv exits her apartment, she sees Tricia in her periphery, waiting for the O’Briens to open the door for her.

“Maddy! You want some breakfast?” Viv calls out to Tricia.

“That’s not Maddy. That’s her sister.” You inform her, but Tricia just gives her a surprised look and an awkward smile. Viv blinks exaggeratedly and even puts her hand over her eyes comically.

“Hey Maddy’s sister!” Viv continues to call out, getting Tricia to answer her with a “Yes?”. “You want some breakfast?” Viv shouts out.

“No, thank you. I’ll ask Maddy if she wants to have breakfast with you guys though.” Tricia replies, and Viv gives her an enthusiastic thumbs up, which Tricia returns with just as much enthusiasm.

“She probably thinks I’m a weirdo now.” Viv says quietly.

“You are a weirdo.” You tease her, making her poke you in the belly and walking off to your apartment in fake annoyance.

“This breakfast better be fantastic or I’m calling you a virgin again.” Viv fake threatens you as she enters your apartment.

“That’s not much of a threat, girlfriend.” You tease her, making her stop in her tracks and back track outside of the apartment.

“Hey, Maddy’s sister!” Viv calls out to her again, and Tricia looks back at the two of you once more. “Did you know this guy is a Forty Year Old Vir—” Viv shouts out before you cover her mouth with your hand.

“Sorry for bothering you again, Tricia!” You shout out to her, and she gives an awkward smile and wave before the O’Briens finally open their door.

“Pattiecakes!! Oh my goodness! What are you doing here!?” You hear Mr. O’Brien greet her with excitement and genuine happiness, after seeing his granddaughter surprise them with a visit.

“I told Dad it would be brutal for you guys to take the bus to our hometown at your age. I suggested I should drive you guys instead. I can’t believe he agreed! Still, he has been a little more open lately, so I knew it was worth a shot.” You overhear Tricia explain to Mr. O’Brien.

“Come in! Come in!” Mr. O’Brien tells her. You and Viv watch as Tricia finally enters the O’Briens’ apartment.

“Damn. That magic of yours is really working its… um… magic. I didn’t think that through.” Viv reacts, before poking fun at herself. “You get what I mean. Their Dad let her drive here by herself? Maddy’s parents wouldn’t have allowed that before.” Viv points out, before entering your apartment again.

“It’s weird that their dad didn’t just drive himself to come here.” You observe.

“Nah. He probably wants to have the kind of talk they’re about to have in his home court. If he comes here, he won’t know what to expect.” Viv argues, and you concede to her point. “Besides, are you even ready to meet Maddy’s dad?” Viv asks you.

“I bought Normalized Polyamory already—” You start answering before Viv cuts you off.

“I meant to ask, are you ready-ready to meet him?” Viv clarifies unnecessarily.

“I know. I just meant that’s as much preparation as I can really do. I have an awful track record when it comes to talking to the parents of my significant others. Last time I did, I told them their daughter was pregnant and they basically disowned her on the spot.” You tell Viv.

“Ouch. I didn’t know about that.” Viv reacts. The two of you stay silent after that awkward overshare of your past, and make your way to the kitchen.

“Well…” Viv breaks the silence, while you grab some bread. “You can always just ask Stella’s dad’s approval to get your batting average to at least five hundred.” Viv continues.

“Hi Stella’s Dad, I’m Stella’s Daddy. It’s nice to meet you.” Viv jokingly impersonates you. “Hi Stella’s Daddy, I’m Stella’s Daddy too. What are your intentions for our daughter, hmm?” Viv continues, changing her spot in the kitchen to talk to the other imaginary you. “I intend to satisfy her inside and outside the bedroom, sir.” Viv switches spots again. “You better, or I’ll do it myself. Ha-Ha. Ha-Ha. We make ourselves laugh.” Viv adds, before you finally tell her to stop.

“Shut up.” You tell her playfully, and Viv laughs genuinely this time.

“So, what’s for breakfast?” Viv asks you, hugging your arm; obviously trying to act a bit sweeter after teasing you.

“I’m planning on some grilled cheese and tomato soup. You game for that?” You ask her.

“Sure.” Viv answers. You take out the cheese and butter to make the grilled cheeses, before Viv addresses you again. “By the way, you mentioned you bought the polyamory trait already?” Viv asks.

“I did, yeah. I bought a bunch of other traits too.” You answer, and tell her about how you already hung out with Brooke earlier since you bought the ‘Seldom Sleepy’ trait; and all the other traits you bought during your little shopping spree that cost you almost all of your points.

“Wait, you cashed out? You don’t have any points left?” Viv asks you, and you confirm. “That’s huge! Wait, do the others know about this?” Viv then asks.

“Not yet. Tanya knows I bought the ‘Seldom Sleepy’ trait, and Cassie practically figured out last night that I already bought ‘Steadfast Lover’. Other than you three, I haven’t updated everybody yet” You inform Viv.

“Do you want me to wake up Cassie and Stella, so they can have breakfast with us too; and we can talk about your new traits? Viv asks.

“Yeah. If they prefer to sleep longer, don’t bother though. It’s their vacation, they deserve to rest.” You answer Viv.

“Especially after what you did to us last night.” Viv teases you, before slapping your ass while you spread butter on a bread slice. Viv then heads towards your bedroom to wake up Cassie and Stella.

A few minutes later…

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”