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The morning after Sarah returned home, she awoke before her mother and groggily wondered downstairs to make coffee for her. As she stared at the coffee maker, watching the coffee slowly drip into the glass pitcher below, she yawned, blinking a few times.

“What... Why am I making coffee?” She grimaced as familiar memories flooded to the surface. She always made coffee when she got up before Meg because her mother tended to oversleep after a long day of college plus homework. She smiled thoughtfully.

“Can’t believe she went back to college. I could swear she said she was too old, but … She’s got the business to prove it,” Sarah exhaled, pouring up two cups. She quietly padded back upstairs with a cup in each hand. Without really thinking about it she padded into the bedroom and set the extra cup on her mother’s nightstand.

“Mmm,” Meg mumbled as she rolled over. “That smells nice.”

Sarah giggled under her breath as she left the room. She hadn’t really given much thought to her bedroom until now, but as she sat down on her bed, sipping her morning coffee, she slowly started to look around. Things were different. The furniture was where it should be, but subtle changes had been made.

For one thing, a huge row of dolls lined a shelf directly opposite her. She padded closer, taking one of them down - an American Girl doll, and squeezed it close, kissing the top of its head almost reflexively before returning it. She spotted another set of shelves just off from that and above her personal TV and DVD player where her unicorns lay in perfect rows. But she could have sworn she destroyed some of them. A new one sat as the centerpiece to the collection, slightly larger than the rest, with a green mane and adorable pink eyes. She smiled faintly, continuing to scan her room.

Further along she noticed that a pair of well-worn, but still excellent condition ballet slippers hung from her closet doorknob, and someone had draped a girl scout sash over her vanity chair. Several merit badges and patches were sewn into the khaki material. “That’s right. I was a girl scout. Am a girl scout,” she corrected herself. “Fuck this is confusing.”

She sighed, staring into her coffee mug for a long moment before suddenly looking up again. “Wait, what the hell? Where did that come from?” she questioned out loud as she raced across her bedroom. Next to her vanity, someone had placed a relatively new artists’ drafting table.

The strange part though, was that the colored pencil box set Katelyn gave her lay open alongside the sketch she promised to work on. The sketch was completed, but much more ornate than she remembered designing before. All that remained was her signature.

She ran her fingers lightly over the assorted colored pencils, stopping at a nice shade of pink. She picked it up and leaned closer, carefully signing her name in the bottom corner. She turned it over, and using the same pencil, scribbled a careful note.

“To my loving girlfriend Katelyn, without whom I wouldn’t even be here. Love, Sarah.”

She smiled to herself, turning it back over again and setting the pencil back in its case. “I guess it’s mine,” she mumbled. “I mean, I designed it.” She giggled to herself. “Fuck this is confusing,” she repeated softly, as she took a sip of coffee.

As she walked to her closet, she found the mirror had been replaced. No signs of broken glass or blood, but no real signs that her furniture had been moved around either. The dreams were different, but the incident, smashing the mirror, remained the same. She shivered, looking down at her hands.

“Miracle girl, my ass,” she giggled. “Isabella or Lily did something to me. They had to have.” She exhaled and smiled at the pretty girl smiling back at her, and slowly reached out to touch her hand to the new mirror. She turned this way and that, examining her ample endowment through her night gown, as well as her more feminine facial features. Finally she giggled again.

“Thank you Faith. I know I didn’t just imagine you. You... You said that it’d all work out, and so far it is. so... Thank you.”

“Who are you talking to, dear?” Meg asked from the doorway. Sarah squealed as she spun around. She would have spilled her coffee had she not already finished off three fourths of it.

“Jesus you scared me! I was just, um, talking to God, thanking her for protecting me.”

“Her?” Meg echoed, but she smiled proudly. “Well I guess after what you’ve been through it’s hard for you to imagine any man being as loving as God. I like to think that the true nature of the Creator is unfathomable, and only portrayed as a father figure because that’s the way society worked back then.”

“But she’s really more like a mother figure. She loves her sons and her daughters, and she protects us. You don’t hear stories about hikers being mauled because they got too close to a father bear’s cubs,” Sarah noted with a giggle.

Meg laughed softly. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. So what are you going to do today? I can’t imagine you want to come down to the restaurant. I can probably spare another day if you want me to stay home with you though.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m going to veg out here for a little bit, maybe go talk to Robin if she’s home. I’ll come by at lunch though, and probably hit the mall, not necessarily in that order,” she giggled. “It’ll be good to get some fresh air. My bike’s …” She paused. Two sets of memories presented themselves, and she grimaced.

“It’s in the garage, sweetheart,” Meg answered for her. “I took the liberty of cleaning your pads and helmet. I don’t know how you managed to get mud on them,” Meg giggled a little. “But they’re as good as new now.”

Sarah instinctively knew. In this new life, she apparently was a good deal more of a daredevil. There was a little nature trail behind their house, and she wanted to explore it. A tree root shortened that trip rather handily, but at least her pads did their job. She smiled innocently. “Oh, um,”

“No, that’s okay. I have a feeling my heart couldn’t take it if you did tell me,” Meg answered as she stepped closer, kissing Sarah on the forehead. “You just take it easy today, and try to enjoy yourself, okay?”

“I can do that,” Sarah answered, smiling warmly.

“That’s my girl.”

~oOo~

“Hey you,” Sarah called from the living room as Katelyn let herself in. The older girl smiled back as she stepped into the living room, sitting down next to Sarah, who immediately crawled into her lap, kissing her cheek.

Katelyn giggled, wrapping her arms around Sarah’s waist. “How do you feel?”

“You’ll just think I’m crazy like everyone else if I answer that. Let’s just say I’m better than I was,” Sarah answered in a slightly detached tone. Katelyn frowned, but kissed her softly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Do you still want to go to the mall?”

“Yeah. I don’t really care about shopping or anything. I just... I need to move around a little, you know? I need to be somewhere with people.”

“Cabin fever,” Katelyn giggled.

“Yes,” Sarah groaned. “Oh, before we go, I wanna give you something.” Sarah leaned close, kissing Katelyn softly, but before either could enjoy it much she leapt to her feet, pulling Katelyn along with her. “Come on, it’s upstairs!”

“Okay, but just remember we promised your aunt no fooling around.”

Sarah paused to stick her tongue out at Katelyn. “It’s not like that. I apparently finally finished my sketch I promised you.”

“Oh, cool! I’ve been dying to see it,” Katelyn giggled. “I still have the note-covered one in a safe place just like I promised,” she added as Sarah led her by the hand into her bedroom. She finally let go as she raced over to her drawing table to retrieve it.

“Oh my God, Sarah this is incredible. Are you sure you want to give me this? You could keep it or sell it for a decent chunk of change.”

“My aunts have me taken care of for money. I made this for you. Besides, look at the note on the back,” she instructed. She grinned, watching Katelyn’s reaction as she read the little note in pink.

“That is so sweet. Thank you so much. Do you have like, a case or something so it doesn’t get torn?”

“Maybe,” Sarah answered. “I’m apparently quite an artist now,” she giggled. Katelyn stared blankly at her at that comment as Sarah disappeared into her closet.

“‘Apparently? What was it, seven years of art classes? Next you’re going to tell me after nearly eight years of ballet that you can “kind of dance” too?” she giggled.

“Oh, um... Yeah. Sorry, I guess the sedatives are still wearing off,” she answered as she returned with a small, cardboard tube capped at both ends. She pulled off one of the caps. “I think you can use this old poster case for it.”

“Sweet,” Katelyn answered as she delicately rolled the paper, sliding it into the tube. “I’ll look for a frame while we’re at the mall.”

Sarah smiled faintly, passing the case off to Katelyn. On the one hand she was excited to be spending time with her girlfriend, but on the other, she had conflicted feelings about shopping, or rather, she had conflicted memories.

She remembered how exciting shopping with Katelyn and the twins had been, letting them dress her in that cute, pink outfit, getting her hair done for the first time, but somehow, it all felt very average to her now, something she’d done a thousand times with Christina, CJ and Emily. She liked looking her best, and loved what she had apparently done with her hair, but it lacked the same shine it had on the trip that now apparently never happened.

“Hey, are you okay?” Katelyn asked, gently nudging Sarah.

“Mmm?” Sarah smiled. “Sorry. I was just thinking. Let’s go.” As the pair stepped out, she giggled, blushing. “Did I ever tell you about my first kiss with a girl?”

“Cherry chapstick,” Katelyn giggled. “Yeah. I’m glad she was there for you, but don’t take this the wrong way; I’m even more glad your pretty little butt is all mine now,” she teased, giving Sarah’s backside a light goosing.

~oOo~

While at the mall with Katelyn, the two stopped in at Hot Topic and look around at some of the clothes. Sarah wrinkled her nose at the idea at first, until she passed a small rack of black Heedless Despair t-shirts featuring the band’s new debut look.

“Oh my God,” she giggled, grabbing the first one off the rack and holding it up to herself.

“Nice find,” Katelyn responded approvingly. “I love Solace and Shadowfang’s new looks.”

Sarah paused for a moment in thought, as if trying to decide if she should tell Katelyn she knew the real Shadowfang. Katelyn laughed, shaking her head. “Yes, I know Moira’s your cousin, if that’s what you were going to ask.” She grinned, kissing Sarah’s cheek. “We tell each other everything sweetie.”

Sarah smiled meekly as she squeezed Katelyn’s hand. As they passed a rack of pink t-shirts, at first Sarah ignored them, but she paused to return a moment later. The word “Princess” prominently declared itself with a cute little crown over the double-s at the end. She touched her fingers to it briefly.

Katelyn grinned impishly as she slipped away from Sarah, returning a moment later with a mostly black with red plaid miniskirt, holding it up next to the t-shirt. “What do you think?”

“Skirt’s a little dark, but the pink offsets it really well.” Of course she remembered the shirt, but she didn’t remember it being in Hot Topic. She decided Faith must have been messing with her just a little bit as she took the shirt, along with her new Heedless Despair t-shirt, and walked with Katelyn up to the counter where an older boy in a black t-shirt and long, dark hair stood boredly at the counter. He smiled as the girls set their purchases in front of him.

“Oh, I love that skirt. You really have the legs for it,” he teased, causing Sarah to blush.

“Thanks, but I’m seeing someone.”

The boy laughed. “Yeah, I am too. I just meant it will look good on you. How are you Katelyn?”

“Not bad. Sarah this is Trent. We met through the school’s GLBT student alliance club. Trent, this is my girlfriend Sarah. She just moved here a few weeks ago.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Sarah,” he answered, smiling warmly as he shook her hand. “I’ll tell you ladies what. Since my cousin Trina is such a huge Heedless Despair fan, I’ll give you my 10% employee discount, just this once.”

“Really?” Sarah giggled. “Wow, thanks!”

Katelyn and Sarah were still giggling as they left, Hot Topic bags in-hand. Sarah suddenly stopped though, grabbing Katelyn’s arm.

“Sarah, what the hell? You almost grabbed my boob,” Katelyn teased, but her expression softened as she realized Sarah looked like she had just seen a ghost. “What’s wrong?”

“T-that looks just like my brother Ricky,” she stammered as the boy strolled up to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Ricky!? I-is that really you?!”

He laughed. “Jeeze, nice to see you too.”

“But... but you were... And the motorcycle, and...” she started to cry into his shoulder.

“Hey, hey! Come on now, none of that,” he whispered as he squeezed her close, stroking her hair. “Mom said you might be here so I figured I’d surprise you. What’s gotten into you?”

“She’s been acting like this since she woke up,” Katelyn answered gently. “Doctor says the sedatives caused some memory loss, but I’m not so sure. I’m Katelyn by the way.”

He smiled, offering one of his hands, while using the other to caress Sarah’s back. “Ricky. Trisha told me Sarah was dating someone named Katelyn. I didn’t expect someone so, uh, mature,” he mused. Katelyn chuckled.

“Oh don’t even start. We’re not doing anything bad,” Katelyn teased.

Sarah finally managed to calm herself down enough to speak. “Ricky it is so great to see you. I thought you and Daddy were gone. I’m so sorry about when we were kids.”

“Hey, come on. We already sorted that out. Remember, fourth of July, you threatened to throw Trisha down the stairs?” He laughed softly. “It’s all in the past.”

“I’m just so fucking confused right now,” Sarah whined. “I’m sorry. I’ll be okay in a minute. What are you doing here? I mean, I know why you’re here here, but I thought you got a new job?”

“I did, but when I told the boss my baby sister was in the hospital he gave me a couple of days’ leave, just like that. Crazy huh?”

“Yeah, crazy,” Sarah giggled a little and kissed his cheek. “So you talked to Momma already. Did you see her new restaurant?”

“Haven’t actually seen it yet,” he answered, shaking his head. “I heard it’s nice though.”

“Well, do you want to go see?” She turned to Katelyn, who held up her hands.

“Hey, it’s okay. You can go check it out together.”

Sarah laughed as she grabbed Katelyn in a hug. “Actually I was going to ask if you’d mind sharing me with my brother for lunch. I’d never just run you off. You know that.”

Katelyn smiled brightly as she nodded. “Ohh. I’d love to,” she answered sheepishly.

“Great!”

~oOo~

A couple of days had passed since Ricky showed up in town, and though reluctant to leave, he had a job and a girlfriend to return to, whom he promised to introduce to Sarah the next time she visited. As she lay sprawled out on her bed, staring at her phone, a sudden smile crossed her lips.

She searched through her old messages, quite a few of them by the looks of it. She was quite the texter in this in this new life, apparently. She giggled at a message from Katelyn with an attached picture of her, and scrolled further back.

“Here it is!” she announced happily. It was a text from Robin’s phone, with a phone number to call the Girl Scout camp where Robin had been staying. She quickly punched in the number.

“Hello, this is Camp Kutomaru, Director Meredith speaking.”

“Meredith? Hi, my name is Sarah Cameron,”

“Oh, hello Sarah!” Meredith answered warmly. “How are you feeling sweetheart?”

“Much, much better thank you. Um, I hate to bother you like this ma’am, but I need a little bit of information, and I didn’t know who else to turn to because it’s kind of a surprise for Robin.”

“Of course, what do you want to know?”

“Well, I was a registered Scout back in Arkansas, proud member of the Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for several years, and I’m very interested in transferring here.”

“That should be relatively easy, actually. My sister-in-law is one of the main organizers for your area. She’s on the Girl Scout Council. I’ll give her a call and have her take care of everything for you. Can I have your contact information so I can pass it along to her?”

“Oh, sure, no problem,” she answered, rattling off her address, both home and cell phone numbers, her mother’s cell phone number, and the restaurant’s number. Meredith chuckled lightly.

“My goodness. All right, I’ll give Angela a call right now.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“It’s my pleasure, Sarah. Listen, if you decide you want to attend camp this next session, just let Robin or myself know. We’ll get your name on the registration list right up to the last minute.”

“Oh, wow. Thank you. Take care!”

She laid the phone aside and stood, slowly walking over to the mirror that seemed to vex her so. “I don’t know why I just did that, or why I’m so excited.” She stared at herself, and a pretty, soft, most definitely female face stared back at her. She pressed her palm against the reflection, almost as though she expected the girl in the mirror to take her hand and step through to give her some answers. She lowered her head.

“Faith? I don’t know if you’re real, or if I just imagined you. If you are real though, I could use some serious advice here.”

Faith didn’t so much ‘appear’, or even step through any walls as she did casually round the corner, dressed in a simple green plaid skirt and a green t-shirt. She smiled innocently.

“Hello sweet one. Sorry, I was watching Sarah TV.” She giggled.

“Um, nice outfit. What happened to the Queen of the Universe look? And whaddaya mean Sarah TV?” Sarah giggled as she eyed the girl’s reflection in her mirror for only a moment before turning to walk back to her bed, sitting on the edge.

“Oh I was checking in on you, and the skirt and shirt? Well I need to relax some time.”

“I love it. You look,” she paused to grin, quoting her favorite British TV show, thanks to Christina’s bad habits, “So very Scottish.” She giggled.

Faith covered her mouth and giggled, her glittery, deep emerald green nail polish sparkling in the ambient light from Sarah’s bedroom window. “So what can I do for you today, my daughter? You called and sounded a bit desperate?”

“I remember you. I remember … things. But I’m really confused because it’s like there are two sets of memories to things. Some things I only remember just one set for, but others... Like how Nathan got off with a plea bargain, but everybody says he’s in jail for a really long time. It’s just so confusing. Am I just like, completely insane or what?”

Faith frowned deeply at Sarah calling herself insane. “You’re perfectly sane, my daughter. These are side effects of things that were put into effect. I promise you, it will become easier to cope with very soon. I could not remove your memories because those experiences define the girl you were. To deny you that is to deny you the awareness of the gift you were given.”

Sarah smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged Faith again. “I knew it. I knew I wasn’t crazy. I was a boy named John before, who wanted to be a girl, right?”

Faith nodded. “Your ‘accident’ was no accident. You are so precious to me, Sarah, so important, that three meddlesome old ladies whose hearts were in the right place took steps to give you your heart’s desire. Unfortunately in doing so, I had to change your history so that everyone else would remember this new you.”

“Why not just give everyone new memories?” Sarah asked curiously.

“Because, my daughter, contrary to popular belief, I don’t know everything. I didn’t know what these ladies were up to until it was too late. I had planned things differently, but after their intervention, was forced to speed up the process, expending immense amounts of energy in the process.” She smiled wearily as she stood up on her toes to kiss Sarah’s forehead. “But you were worth it.”

“I don’t get it. What’s so special about me that you’d do all this?”

“For one, you have a unique gift. You have had rare times in your life where you’ve seen things others can’t, haven’t you? Not visions, but things appear differently to you, that nobody else notices?”

“Yeah. but I’ve never told anyone,” Sarah answered, a little surprised. “There was a lady in the hospital who visited me. People around me acted like she was a nurse, but she looked, like, maybe 15 or 16.”

Faith giggled. “That would be one of those meddlers I mentioned. You’ll be seeing more of them, but do not worry. They love you, else they wouldn’t have tried to help you. What you’re seeing is what you would call magic. You have the gift of Magic Sight. Normally only magic users can see magic, especially here in Alpine Springs.”

“I don’t get it,” Sarah frowned. “What’s so special about Alpine Springs?”

Faith smiled gently. “All in due time, sweet one. All in due time.”

Sarah nodded, and then closed her eyes for a moment. “Okay, two more questions then I’ll leave you alone.” She opened her eyes again and smiled. “My first question is, is there any way I might accidentally forget about you? I know it sounds silly, but... You’ve been there my whole life. I mean, come on, you’re, like, you. I don’t want to lose you. I really like talking to you.”

“I will always be here for you; you will never forget me,” Faith leaned forward and kissed Sarah’s cheek. “Besides, I already asked your mom if I could stay the night,” she added, winking.

Sarah’s jaw slackened. “Oh my God.” She paused, blushing furiously. “I mean... You know what I mean.” She giggled.

Faith giggled as well. “So what was your second question sweet one?”

“You, um... You kinda just answered it,” she admitted sheepishly, giggling more. “I wanted to ask if you’d consider staying for at least a little while, since you said you were relaxing anyway.”

“It took some quick talking to explain myself, you know. I told her I’m your cousin on your dad’s side of the family, and that I hadn’t seen you in awhile, so my parents sent me up here to visit through the weekend, Your mother is as quick as a whip.”

“So she can see you too? That just proves I’m not insane.” Sarah giggled, pulling Faith into a hug. “You have NO idea how happy I am to hear that.”

Faith giggled. “Anyone I want can see me, Sarah. Not just you, but anyone I choose.”

As if on cue, Meg yelled from downstairs, “Faith I just called John’s brother, your dad, and asked if you could stay ‘till Monday, and he said that’s fine.”

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Oh, we are going to have so much fun.”

“Good. I need some time off. You caused me a lot of trouble missy, and you owe me big time.”

“I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends,” Sarah bubbled.

“Just remember that I’m your cousin,” Faith replied with a lilted giggle. “Nothing more.”

“After Ricky turned up here earlier this week I don’t think anyone’ll have trouble believing that. They might not believe you’re from Arkansas though.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll say I was in the foreign exchange program or something. It’ll be all right. Now, what do you like to do for fun?”

“Well, let’s see...”

Faith unceremoniously stripped down to nothing.

“Hey, what are you doing?!”

“What? I told you, I’m relaxing,” Faith answered with a giggle. “You should join me! You’re not ashamed of the body I gave you are you?”

“No, but you’re trying to pass for mortal, and mortals have certain...”

“Oh, I see. You only want to see a naked body if it’s Katelyn’s?” she teased, giggling.

“Oh, that was below the belt,” Sarah laughed. “But if you really want to be feel naked, put on a swimsuit, and I’ll invite my friends over. We’ll throw a pool party.”

Faith’s eyes widened. “A real party? Can we have pizza?”

Sarah stared sidelong at the girl for a moment. “You’ve... You’ve never had a real friend have you?”

Faith seemed to reach out, as though she were reaching for a dresser drawer. Though nothing was there, Sarah could hear wood scraping against wood. Faith rummaged around in the invisible drawer as she nodded.

“I’m the Universe, daughter. When people figure out who I am, most of them start kissing my feet or mumbling Hail Mary’s or whatever the tradition is these days. And don’t get me wrong, I like the attention. Their prayers do strengthen me, but you’re different.”

“Different how?” Sarah asked, poking at the space where Faith apparently had just pulled out a dark green, very skimpy bikini, pulling the bottom up her legs first. “And aren’t you a little young to be wearing something that tiny?”

“I’m billions of years old, sweet one,” Faith giggled, turning around. “Will you tie my top please?” She waited until Sarah approached before continuing. “And to answer your second question, you just are. I promise I’ll explain more one day. To tell you now would spoil you, in a bad way.” She turned back to Sarah, wrapping her in a hug. “I cannot allow that.”

“Okay. So what about the others? I’ve met two teenagers... At least they look like teenagers. Are they... like, your angels or something?”

Faith giggled. “No spoilers,” she answered, but smiled. “They are mortal, in a manner of speaking, but very powerful women, and very old by your measurements. But you have nothing to fear from those meddlesome ladies. They mean well, and they mean to protect and help you. That’s all I can tell you.”

Sarah slowly nodded. “Okay. So... I guess this means I should stop asking questions and call my friends over?”

Faith grinned broadly. “That would be nice. I promise you, all your answers will come when it’s time. You have nothing to worry about.”

“The universe is standing in my bedroom half naked, but I have nothing to worry about,” Sarah teased, giggling. “Sorry. I just had to get that last one out of my system,” she added, sitting on her bed and picking up her phone.

“Em? Or is this Beth? Do you guys want to come over for a pool party? Yes I’m serious! My cousin Faith is visiting, and I promised her a relaxing vacation. Age? Um...”

Faith giggled, whispering in Sarah’s other ear, “Just tell them I’m eleven, sweet one.”

“She’s eleven. A mature eleven though. You’ll love her, I promise.”

~oOo~

“Wow, your cousin is-”

“Amazing!” Em and Beth both giggled Katelyn rolled her eyes as she rested a hand on Faith’s shoulder, whispering rather loudly.

“Don’t worry. They don’t talk like that all the time.”

Sarah laughed. “Yeah, sometimes they talk in unison.”

Faith giggled loudly as she hopped into the small swimming pool, letting her legs float lazily as she leaned against the wall with a contented sigh. “You’re lucky to have each other. I often wonder what it’s like to have a sister.”

“Aw,” Sarah cooed as she sank into the water next to her. “You can think of me as a sister if you want.”

“That’s very sweet of you,” Faith answered with a broad smile as Katelyn settled in on the other side. She didn’t stay long though, kicking off and paddling to the other side and back again.

“God, I don’t even care if this isn’t a big pool, it still beats sitting under the air conditioner all day to keep cool.”

“But no twin diving,” Em and Beth responded at once and giggled as they joined the other two. “Hey, did Spirit say whether she could join us?”

“I think she said she was going back to camp. You two should sign up. You too Katelyn,” Sarah grinned.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Katelyn laughed cheerfully. “I care about the environment, but I’m not an outdoors, no blow dryer kind of girl. I’ll be waiting for you to come back though, assuming you’re thinking of going this year. What about you Faith?” she deflected the question.

“Oh, oh no, I couldn’t,” Faith answered, shaking her head.

“Aw, why not?”

“Pizza’s here, girls!” Meg called. Faith breathed a relieved sigh as she bounded out of the pool. Sarah could swear she saw Faith’s eyes flash between light pink and light blue, then back again, but thought nothing of it as she hoisted herself out, turning about to help Em, as Katelyn did the same for Beth.

“Hey, when did you guys get the same hairstyle? I know, I know, I should remember, but humor me?”

The twins giggled as they hugged Sarah. “We’re used to you asking weird questions by now. You know that,” Em began. Beth continued.

“But it’s surprising you forgot. You’re the one who convinced us to get the same hairstyle, all giggly about how cool it would be to have a twin, and how much fun it must be to mess with people.”

Sarah laughed. “Yeah, that does sound like me.”

“I’m starving,” Faith commented as they padded, dripping wet, into the house where Meg had laid neatly folded towels for each of them. “I haven’t eaten in-” she paused, “Well, it was a long trip, and I get airsick, so,” she lied.

“I hear ginger candy helps with that,” Katelyn offered, “But I’ve never had motion sickness.”

“One meat-lovers’, one supreme no mushrooms, and one pepperoni and pineapple,” Meg announced as they padded into the kitchen. Faith giggled, making a bee-line for the last one first as the other girls helped themselves.

It felt strange to Sarah, watching the human embodiment of the Universe pig out on pizza like an ordinary girl, but in an odd way it made her smile too. Faith noticed her staring, and grinned. “Jealous?”

“What?” Sarah asked, taken a bit off guard.

“Of my bathing suit, silly,” she giggled, and Em and Beth started giggling as well.

“Oh my God, I so am,” they both answered. Em added, “Our dad won’t let us wear anything even like what Sarah’s wearing, let alone yours.”

Katelyn giggled as she swallowed a mouthful of supreme, “And frankly I’m just a little bit body conscious.”

“You shouldn’t be. You’re so athletic and pretty,” Faith responded simply. “You should be proud of the gifts you have.”

“Oh, I’m very proud,” Katelyn grinned, wrapping an arm around Sarah’s shoulders playfully.

Faith laughed. “Cute. I’m so glad everything’s worked out.”

“Me too,” Beth echoed. “Sarah’s really special to us.”

“Almost like a sister,” Em added. “So I guess that means you can think of us as sisters too,” she continued.

“I’d like that,” Faith answered, smiling serenely at the gathered. “I came here to visit my favorite cousin, and also to relax and unwind. I’ve only been here a few hours, and I already feel at ease. I can’t thank you all enough for that.”

“Hey, you’re family,” Katelyn offered, raising her glass of soda. “You can’t choose family, but if you could, well I’d choose you in an instant. You’re a nice girl, laid-back and easy to talk to.”

“Nothing like you were when we met,” Sarah giggled.

“Hey,” Katelyn snickered loudly, “I was having a bad month. Oh did you hear anything from Ashleigh yet?”

“Not yet, but I’ve only been out of the hospital a few days too. If I don’t hear anything by Friday I’ll call her though. Promise.”

“Thanks,” Katelyn answered and smiled sheepishly. “Um, yeah, for the benefit of the three of you, basically my best friend is being fucked over by the foreign exchange people because of some political BS. But Sarah’s asked her Aunt Ashleigh to look into it.”

“Ashleigh’s the one who managed to get Nathan forty freaking years for attacking me,” Sarah added with a proud smile. “But I’d rather not talk about that right now. Anybody want to watch a movie, or go back outside and lounge by the pool?”

“Either or,” Faith answered cheerfully. “Movie would let us gorge ourselves on pizza though.”

Em and Beth glanced at each other, giggling. “Movie,” they answered together. Katelyn just smiled, picking up one of the pizza boxes as she stood and headed for the living room.

~oOo~

Later that evening, after Sarah and Faith had each had time to bathe and get ready for bed, the pair sat across from each other on Sarah’s bed, playing a card game. A brief smile flashed across Faith’s lips as she looked up at Sarah.

“What?” Sarah asked, a little surprised.

“Your mother’s about to come for you, sweet one. She’ll ask you to come downstairs to talk to her about Peter.” Faith reached out, caressing Sarah’s cheek. “I want you to know that everything’s going to work out, okay?”

“Um, okay,” Sarah answered, confused. “Will you be okay?”

“Oh, I’ll be fine. I want to check out your laptop anyway. Got any fours?”

“Go fish,” Sarah answered. Barely a few seconds later, Meg knocked at the open door.

“Sarah honey? Can you come downstairs for a minute?”

Sarah glanced at Faith, who flashed her a smile. “We’ll pick this up when you get back. Don’t worry about me.”

Sarah smiled and nodded, setting her cards aside as she stood. “What’s up?”

Meg wrapped an arm around Sarah’s waist, hugging her close as they walked downstairs together. “Well, Peter and I have been dating for a little while now,” she began as she led Sarah into the kitchen, where Peter sat sipping a cup of coffee. He smiled as the pair entered the kitchen. “And you really get along well with his girls.”

“Your mother and I care about each other very much, but we also care about you girls. I haven’t talked to Em and Beth about this yet though because we wanted to be sure you were okay with it first.”

“What... are you guys talking about?” Sarah asked hesitantly. Meg finally spoke up.

“I’ve asked Peter to move in with us, but only if you’re comfortable with the idea.”

“You mean you and Em and Beth, living here?”

“It’s such a big house,” Meg began, “And like I said the three of you get along so well.”

Sarah had to think about it for a moment, as the two different sets of memories presented themselves. At first Sarah remembered Meg’s string of failed relationships, how many men tried to “man up” to her “queer boy”, and how many failed. But then the second set of memories presented themselves, how Meg chose to go back to college instead of staying in a dead-end job, and how nice Trisha turned out to be. Faith’s voice seemed to echo in her mind.

“Choose wisely you must, sweet one.”

Sarah giggled. “I... I think I’d like that a lot.”

It was as if the room itself had let out a long-held breath. Peter and Meg both smiled broadly as they hugged Sarah. She giggled.

“I mean, Trisha turned out to be a really nice, really caring woman, and I know you’re a good dad, plus... Well, honestly, Em and Beth need a Mom in their lives as much as I do. Even if you’re “just” their step-mom. I think they’ll love it too.”

Meg leaned down to kiss Sarah’s forehead. “I’m so proud of you honey.”

“Now we just need to figure out how to break it to Em and Beth,” Peter laughed. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate not having to bike across town to see you anymore.”

“I sure will,” Sarah giggled. “Plus the neighborhood’s great. Can I ask though, why you’re not getting married yet?”

“Oh, um,” Peter fumbled, turning to Meg. “Do you want to field this one?”

Meg laughed. “It’s because our lives are just too hectic right now, sweetie. We want to try this for awhile, to make sure it’s the right decision for both our families. We’re taking our time, but we do love each other very much.”

“Oh,” Sarah answered, smiling. “Just curious. Does LeAnn know? Can I tell her?”

Meg laughed softly at Sarah’s excitement and nodded. “Of course, sweetie. Peter and I need to go over and have a chat with the girls about it. Will you and Faith be okay by yourselves for about an hour?”

“We’ll be fine,” Sarah answered. Part of her wanted to tell her mother that having the Universe as a house guest had its perks, but the larger part of her had stopped seeing Faith as anything but a fun, caring friend that she loved to spend time with, and hoped to see more of in the future.

Faith smiled at her as she reached the top of the stairs. “I told you it would be okay.”

Sarah giggled happily as she grabbed the girl in a hug, squeezing her close. “I’m getting another Dad,” she bubbled. “And you’re getting twin terrors for sisters,” she added.

“I can’t wait,” Faith answered, giggling as the two returned to Sarah’s room.

“You can use my bed if you want, by the way,” Sarah added. “I don’t mind sleeping on the trundle bed.”

“Oh, I couldn’t take your bed, sweet one,” Faith answered, smiling softly. “But thank you for the offer. It means a lot to me.”

“Hey, Faith? Um... Is it weird that I’ve kind of stopped thinking of you as ‘The Universe’?”

“I suppose that depends on what you do think of me as, doesn’t it? I could easily read your thoughts and cheat my way around you without a second thought, but I choose not to, you know.”

“That’s just it,” Sarah answered with a smile. “You have all this power, but you’re choosing to leave it at the door. It’s like you’re really a cousin or sister or whatever. And that’s pretty much all I see when I look at you now.”

Faith smiled broadly. She carefully rested her head on Sarah’s shoulder, bringing her arms up to hug her close. “I love you so much, my d-- I mean, Sarah. Thank you for accepting me.”

“Thank you for helping me. I just hope I don’t let you down after everything you’ve done.”

“You won’t,” she answered simply as she wept, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. “Good night, my friend,” she whispered as she pulled away, wiping her eyes.

“G’night Faith. Sweet dreams.”

Faith waited until Sarah dozed off before crawling out of bed and approaching. She bent down and kissed Sarah’s forehead, whispering. “I know I promised myself I wouldn’t work, but this little one has had too many dark dreams. She needs one night of peace.”

She smiled, giggling to herself as she crawled into Sarah’s bed to snuggle with her whilst they slept.

---

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