Becca bounced around the house happily, excited to decorate for her favorite holiday. Christmas was about a month away, but it was tradition to decorate the day after Thanksgiving. There was a little dark cloud hanging over her head, however. Her older brother had called earlier saying he wouldn't be able to make it home for the weekend. They always decorated the whole house together, including outside. She shook her head, plastering a cheery smile on her face. No way would her brother want her to waste valuable decorating time being sad over his absence. She stood in the center of the living room surveying the area, making plans in her head. She didn't even notice her mother come up behind her until she was poked in the side. Spinning around, she clutched her chest as she looked up into the amused face of her mother.
"Mom do you want to give me a heart attack?!"
"Bit dramatic don't you think dear?" She patted her shoulder before looking around the room.
"I'm surprised you haven't gotten more done yet. Usually all the boxes are crowding up the house by now," Her mother said playfully, noticing too late the sadness in her daughter's eyes.
"Oh sweetheart," She said, wrapping her arms around Becca in a gentle hug.
"You know Jon would give you a lecture if he knew you were putting off decorating because of him," Becca nodded at her mother's words, knowing just how true they were. What she wouldn't give for one of his lectures right about now though.
"I just miss him, mom. I'll get it all done though, I promise," She wiped a stray tear as she pulled away, her mom still giving her a sympathetic look. The two of them had always been inseparable, having only been a couple years apart. This had been a busy year for Jon at school, so he hadn't made it home as often.
"Well you'll do a wonderful job dear. I was just coming down to let you know your father and I are getting ready to leave. Are you sure you'll be okay here by yourself?"
"I'll be fine, thanks. You two have fun, you deserve a relaxing weekend away," Becca said, smiling as she noticed the look in her mother's eyes. After so many years of marriage, her parents still acted like teenagers in love. It was adorable, and she hoped she'd find that someday. Her thoughts took a turn in a direction she'd rather pretend wasn't there. So she hugged her mom, waving her parents off as they walked out.
"Love you both!" She smiled as she closed the door, making her way up to the attic to start hauling down Christmas decorations. She twisted her hair up, clipping it to her head before pushing her sleeves up.
"Okay, looks like I'll definitely be earning that hot bubble bath and glass of wine," she mused, trying to tug a box but instead tripping and falling back on her butt, "if I don't kill myself first."
Jon walked quietly into the house, looking around for his family. He was planning to surprise them with his unexpected arrival. He tossed his bags down by the door, smiling to himself when he heard some very unladylike cursing drifting faintly from the direction of the attic. He made his way to where he knew his little sister was struggling with boxes, unable to stop smiling as he thought about how happy she was going to be to see him. He stepped into the doorway of the attic, stopping in his tracks as his eyes landed on his sister. She was wearing jean shorts and what appeared to be one of his sweatshirts, her long dark brown hair pinned back with a few pieces framing her face. She had always been a pretty girl, but there was something different about her. Jon couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was well aware that he was ogling his sister. He shook his head to clear it, telling himself that he'd definitely be giving himself a lecture later. He leaned against the door, watching her struggle and waiting for her to turn around.
Becca was just about to give up, thinking opening the wine before noon wouldn't be such a bad thing. She stood up, stretching out her back and turning towards the door. She froze as she noticed her brother standing there, his arms crossed over his broad chest casually. She took in his hair, the same shade as her own, tousled carelessly. His striking navy blue eyes twinkled with mischief, a smirk curling the corner of his mouth. Without a word she ran to him, launching herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, sobbing silently into his neck. He held onto her, rubbing her back to soothe her.
"Hey now, don't cry."
"I've missed you so much! I can't believe you're here!" Becca gave a less than delicate sniff as she pulled away. Jon reached out to wipe her tears with his thumbs before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Well I'm here, and it looks like you've been doing nothing all morning. So we have a lot of work to do," Jon said with a playful grin. Becca swatted his hands away from her with a huff.
"I guess I just needed my strong big brother to help me..." She rolled her eyes and turned away to start moving boxes. She couldn't help but catch herself watching him, his muscles bulging as he did all of the heavy work. She actually caught herself standing still at one point, watching beads of sweat roll down the sides of his face. She gave herself a mental slap for that one, asking what the hell was wrong with her today. She excused herself, practically sprinting to her bathroom to splash cold water in her face. She stared at herself in the mirror, talking quietly.
"Okay you idiot, stop paying that kind of attention to your brother. You've controlled it for years, don't blow it now," She said, trying to talk some sense into herself.
