Adagio came out of the bedroom several hours later, having fallen asleep herself. Looking at the clock, it was only five in the evening. Feeling that itch for coffee, she trudged herself into the kitchen to see a pot already brewed and Aria sitting at the table.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Adagio purred.

Aria shrugged, sipping her own mug, “You’re welcome. After you fell asleep in there, I knew you’d be needing some by the time you woke up.”

Adagio smiled as she poured a mug, sitting down at the table and kissing Aria’s cheek, “That’s so sweet of you.”

“Hey, just trying to help,” Aria kissed her cheek too.

“I know. And that’s so sweet considering how much you used to hate me,” Adagio giggled, draping an arm around her shoulder.

Aria blushed a bit, “...I never actually hated you… I mean, sure, I thought you were a pedophile, but that was it. After that, I was grasping at straws… and, honestly? Kinda felt jealous.”

“Jealous of little old me?” Adagio smirked.

“Maybe…” Aria looked away a little.

“Aw, you’re just as precious as Sona-baby,” Adagio giggled, leaning in and nuzzling her.

“Shut up…” Aria blushed more, “Yeah, I was jealous. There I was, kicking myself in the shins for not telling Sonata that I loved her… And here she is, immediately shacking up with someone she just recently met at the time and running away with her. Said woman happens to be stunningly beautiful and pretty smart and successful. I’m neither of those things, except smart.”

Adagio’s smile fell, and she gently pulled Aria in and cuddled her under her chin, “Don’t say that. Sonata always talked about you while she was here. She could never stop gushing about how beautiful and smart you are.”

Aria blinked, blushing more, “...Really?”

Adagio nodded, “Mmhmm. She kept going on and on about wanting to see you again.”

“...I always knew she wanted to reconnect, I just didn’t think… wow,” Aria murmured, running a hand along her hair.

“Mmhmm,” Adagio smiled, squeezing Aria’s shoulders, “Sona loved you. When you first showed up, she was so happy.”

Aria then looked down in shame, “And look what I did. Made a jackass of myself.”

“Oh that’s all water under the bridge, Aria,” Adagio purred, nuzzling her hair, “Sona’s just so happy you’re in her life again.”

“...Yeah, that’s true. And I’m sure glad she’s in my life again, too. After I nearly lost her... I knew I couldn’t just let her walk out of my life,” Aria snuggled against her.

Adagio very gently pulled Aria into her lap, stroking her back as she rocked her, “She said the exact same thing.”

“Looks like it,” Aria snuggled more into her, nuzzling her neck, “I’m just glad it all worked out. Unexpectedly, mind you, but it still did.”

“Mmhmm,” Adagio nodded, “And what about me? Still think I’m a creepy predator?” she chuckled.

“Not sure when I’ll fully get the Mommy thing, and you did still get involved with a minor,” Aria pointed out, “No getting around the latter. But… no. You’re not a creepy predator. I guess I was a little too… judgmental, really. I’ve seen everything since I started living here and I know you genuinely love Sonata like I do…”

“Thank you,” Adagio smiled, nuzzling Aria close, “That really does mean a lot to me…”

Managing a smile, Aria kissed her cheek, “You’re welcome. I don’t like admitting I’m wrong, but I was sure wrong about you.”

Adagio smiled as she turned her head and pulled Aria into a kiss, her hands gently stroking down her back. Used to this sort of thing, Aria kissed her back and brought her fingers up into Adagio’s wild afro. She moaned softly, relishing the pleasured tingles coursing through her. Adagio reached down to hold Aria by the rear as she deepened the kiss, gently nibbling Aria’s bottom lip as she cuddled her tightly.

“Oh, man…” Aria purred a little, “I remember when you first stripped in front of me. It was part of my turn-around…”

“Oh yes. Downstairs, right on the bar,” Adagio chuckled.

“Yeah…” Aria blushed.

“Well I just stripped in my own home. You’re the one who buried your face between my legs,” Adagio chuckled.

“I know…” Aria mumbled, “Seeing a beautiful naked woman and egged on to perform oral sex kind of made it hard to refuse…”

“Well, if Ari-baby wants another taste, all she has to do is ask,” Adagio giggled, nibbling Aria’s ear.

“I do… and I’ll ask…” Aria nodded, “I’ll just-”

“M-M-M-!” Came Sonata’s voice from the bedroom, sounding distressed and scared, “M-Mommy!”

In a flash, Adagio was up, setting Aria back in her chair and bounding over to the bedroom door, swinging it open and looking terrified, “What is it?! What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

Sonata was clutching her stomach, coughing violently, “T-Throw up!”

Adagio ducked down and drew out a bucket from underneath her bed that she’d put there once Sonata started feeling nauseous. Coming around and setting it in her lap, she held Sonata upright and pulled her hair back, “Shh, it’s okay, just let it out, you’ll feel better.”

Coughing violently, Sonata let out a choked grunt before she finally expelled vomit. Quite a bit came out, to which she panted a bit after doing so. After a few moments, she heaved and threw up again, coughing harder. It took another couple heaves, but she finally let it all out and relaxed a bit.

“Mmph… okay… I think it’s gone…” Sonata whimpered, panting, “I haven’t thrown up since I last purged… oh god, I remember why it was so horrible…”

“Shhhh,” Adagio whispered softly, stroking Sonata’s hair as she brought a handkerchief up to her mouth to wipe it clean, “Just let the heaves play out.”

Panting and gasping, Sonata dry heaved after a moment, and then relaxed again, “Okay…”

Adagio reached down and gently rubbed small circles over her stomach, “There we go. Feel better?”

“Yes… I do… just tired…” Sonata snuggled against her, breathing heavily.

“I know you are, sweetheart,” Adagio purred, “My poor baby…”

Sonata sniffled, clinging to her, “Thank you for helping me… I didn’t know where the trash can was… and I didn’t want to move… I thought it’d make it worse and I’d get it all over the floor…”

“Of course I helped you. You’re my baby,” Adagio whispered softly, gently patting Sonata’s back.

“And I… appreciate it, Mommy…” Sonata murmured, relaxing some more, “It’s gone… thank goodness… no more throw up… pwease.”

“Don’t worry, no more throw up,” Adagio gently whispered, stroking Sonata’s back as she laid against the headboard, snuggling Sonata as tightly as she could.

Sonata took a few more breaths, closing her eyes, “I feel better… you’re so cozy…”

“That’s good to hear, sweetheart,” Adagio purred, cuddling Sonata tightly in her lap, “Go to sleep now… you need a nice, long nap.”

“I do…” Sonata yawned, “I want to sleep… until I’m all better…”

Adagio gently patted Sonata’s back, “Go ahead then. I’m not going anywhere this time…”

“Okay, Mommy…” Sonata placed her thumb in her mouth, curling up and closing her eyes. “Goodnight…”

Adagio snuggled down on the bed and cuddled Sonata as tightly as she could without hurting her, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Sonata still feeling terrible?” Aria asked.

Adagio nodded, “She’s awake, though. She’s reading. I think the worst is over.”

“That’s good,” Aria said with relief, “Lasted a lot less longer than I expected, so that’s good too.”

Adagio settled down next to Aria and wrapped her arm around her shoulders, “Hits her hard, but she bounces back pretty quickly.”

“Always does,” Aria nodded with agreement, leaning against her a little.

“And we were getting all sweet last night too before she interrupted us,” Adagio giggled, snuggling Aria tightly to her.

“Hey, not her fault,” Aria shrugged, snuggling her, “Besides, now that she’s out of danger, we can… I guess, take more advantage of not being interrupted.”

“Mmhmm,” Adagio smiled, kissing Aria’s cheek as she pulled her back into her lap, “I can’t wait until she’s her bubbly self again.”

“Neither can I,” Aria nuzzled her cheek and snuggled close, “It’ll sure make the place lively again.”

“Oh yes,” Adagio smiled, cupping Aria’s rear, “I miss her energy already.”

Letting out a little groan of appreciation, Aria nuzzled her cheek and kissed it, “You have no idea…”

Adagio giggled, “Ooh, do you like it when I touch your bum, sweetheart?”

“...Yes…” Aria gave a little nod, “What about it?”

“No reason,” Adagio smirked, patting Aria’s rear in a gentle rhythm.

“Yeah, I do…” Aria murmured, nuzzling her neck, “Feels pretty nice. It’s kinda sensitive.”

Adagio giggled and rubbed Aria’s rear in slow circles, “Oooh, I found a new button on my Ari-baby!”

Aria blushed and pouted, “Yes… yes you did.”

“Aw, someone likes having her bum played with,” Adagio cooed, “That’s just adorable!”

“I guess I’m kind of an ass girl… giving and receiving,” Aria admitted softly.

“Oh that I already knew,” Adagio giggled, “The first time you were chewing Sonata out for being with me, you couldn’t stop checking out my ass.”

“Couldn’t help it… besides, you were practically egging me to do it,” Aria pouted, “The way you leaned over or stood in a certain way so I’d see it.”

“Guilty as charged,” Adagio giggled, sliding her hand down Aria’s jeans to cup her rear.

Squirming a little, Aria moaned slightly, “You were checking me out, too…”

“Oh indeed. I wanted you out of your pants the minute I saw you,” Adagio chuckled, nibbling Aria’s ear.

“I realize that, now…” Aria mumbled, nuzzling her back.

Adagio giggled, unbuttoning Aria’s jeans just as someone outside started pounding fervently on the door. Growling, she got up and swung it open to find a short woman dressed in a pink frock glaring up at her.

“...Yes?” she asked.

“Adagio Dazzle,” the woman said in a very stern tone, “Where is my daughter? I’d like to speak with her.”

Adagio sighed and invited her in, “Aria, your mother’s found you.”

“Oh, no…” Aria moaned, palming her face.

“Aria,” Mrs. Blaze marched over to her, then crossed her arms, “I noticed that you didn’t once return any calls I made to your phone. You also didn’t even tell me or your father where you are. Obviously, you seem to think you can rebel against us.”

Adagio sighed in exasperation as she sat back down next to Aria. She was hoping her days of dealing with hysterical parents was over.

“Mother… How did you even find me?” Aria wanted to know, “Wait, don’t answer that. Well, I know what I did. And I… I just, I was impulsive. I get it. No need to tell me what I already know.”

“Ms Blaze, what Aria has done is of no consequence. She is certainly old enough to make all the reckless, impulsive decisions she wishes,” Adagio said, rolling her eyes.

Mrs. Blaze narrowed her eyes at her, “Really. Well, I’ve heard a lot about you through Sonata’s parents, young lady. To think you actually had the gall to get involved with an emotionally vulnerable fifteen-year-old girl. Then treating her with a motherly complex. Everything about that tells me that there exists a void in your heart. Perhaps a past experience involving a child, either lost to you through some means of-”

“Mother!” Aria cut her off, “See, this is part of why I left! You don’t talk to people like human beings! You just sit there and psychoanalyze them!”

“Oh no, by all means,” Adagio chuckled, “Go head. Psychoanalyze me.”

“Fine,” Mrs. Blaze said calmly, “You have no scruples in using seduction to earn a step in the direction you desire. You especially seem to have a strong grasp of manipulation, something I’m sure you would use quite to your advantage. You could very well cause others to tear themselves and each other apart with a mere suggestion. Everything about your posture seems to elicit absolute arrogance and self-assurance. But reiterating my point from earlier, your unhealthy obsession with being motherly to someone you consider a lover very well seems to be rooted from a past tragedy. Tell me, you must have been a mother once, haven’t you? Either pregnant or have given birth.”

“See, this is why I don’t talk to therapists, they just tell me what I already know for $125 an hour,” Adagio chuckled to Aria before turning back to Mrs Blaze, “Yes. Five years ago. Stillborn,” she said without flinching or losing her composure.

Aria looked at her with shock, while Mrs. Blaze retained her stern stare.

“Since then, you feed on the needs of others, especially those you care for. Being a mother to them, to fill the void in your heart, and doing all you can to make sure they could never leave. Because you indeed fear being left alone. With no one around you, no one to love and to mother. You shower them with gifts any means possible to keep them happy, no matter what the cost,” Mrs. Blaze leaned back a little, crossing her arms, “You play up to this all the time. You even would say you’d let them leave if you could. But you know that isn’t true. You would tie them down and keep them forever were you able to. Deep down, you’re quite passionate, obsessed, even. Nothing will, as I heard, take your babies away.”

“No, Yes, not quite, a little bit, yes money is no object, somewhat, yes and it is true, no I only tied Sona one time and we were both drunk, yes, yes, and you’re damn straight yes,” Adagio said coolly, running through every assumption one after the other.

Mrs. Blaze turned her attention to her daughter, “This is clearly more of your seeking of affection. You gravitated to this woman, to Sonata, all in a desperate search of what they believe is love. You felt jealous, envious, and had wanted a piece of it for yourself. The idea of it all. Though you know full well I am not that kind of mother, you continue to defy it anyway. Now, you choose to throw your life away due to your own hormones actually taking hold. Your emotions and lack of judgement are ruining whatever future you may have once had, Aria. The consequences of this will affect your future.”

“Oh no! A happy life with two girlfriends and a successful family business! The horror!” Adagio gasped in a manner dripping with sarcasm, “Is she always like this?”

Aria groaned, “She doesn’t celebrate our birthdays or Christmas. Presents are always stupid educational crap I didn’t ask for.”

“Please. Celebrations for actual, productive achievements are far more meaningful. Expelling from the birth canal and celebrating a completely bastardized tradition are not any of them,” Mrs. Blaze said sternly.

“I don’t know, surviving another year with your pain in the ass seems like quite the accomplishment,” Adagio scoffed.

Unfazed, Mrs. Blaze sighed, “Honestly, Aria. You’ve completely lost your way. I’ve lectured you of this many a time. Allowing your emotions to control your judgement and disregarding logics and facts only lead to downfall.”

“That’s no way to live, Mother!” Aria protested, “Just because my decision doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

“Oh, don’t even try,” Mrs. Blaze narrowed her eyes, “You clearly aren’t seeing the logic of what you’ve done. You’re letting your own lust and desires for idealism cloud your mind.”

Adagio laid her face into her palm, “Mrs Blaze, please do keep your insanity to a more reasonable volume. My Sona is sleeping in the next room.”

“Irrelevant,” Mrs. Blaze said coolly, facing her now, “The only reason you have ever cared for her was her vulnerability. Had she not been in need, you wouldn’t have batted an eyelash. The same wound even go for Aria. You care more about being able to be motherly to them. To be irreplaceable.”

Adagio shrugged, “Believe whatever claptrap you want, it makes no difference to me.”

“Mother… I’ve had enough. You know what? You’re right. I was sick and tired of you not being a mother to me. Maybe I liked it when someone actually cared about me, listened to me, and spoke to me like I’m a person, not some patient!” Aria said, wiping her eyes, “Sonata’s my friend and I wasn’t a good friend to her. You know why? Because of you. I believed you once, in saying that having friends would only hinder my studies. Well, I hated it. I was lonely and had nothing to do. Sonata…. she changed my life, and she did it again. Adagio’s also been a great person to be around. I misjudged her, I was blinded by everything that wasn’t cold-hard fact. And you know what? I was wrong. I love her, Mother. And I love Sonata. I’m not leaving here. I’m not a trophy like my brothers. So… you can just… just take your psychoanalyst work and dish it to someone who cares! Because I don’t!”

Mrs. Blaze stared at her, unfazed and not even flinching.

Adagio frowned, “I believe that was the cue to leave, Mrs Blaze.”

Standing up, Mrs. Blaze fixed her frock, “Fine, then. Have it your way, Aria. If that’s what you think, then I can’t sway you. You can be hard-headed and stubborn all you please. But don’t think I will allow you to crawl back like a desperate hobo. Think about that.”

She then left, closing the door behind her. Adagio looked lividly at the door, standing up and following her. Aria quickly ran to the window that looked out into the club below to see Adagio stride quickly up behind her and grab her by the back of the neck. It was very muffled through the plexiglass, but Aria caught Adagio screaming “Don’t you ever call” and “loathsome little worm” before hauling her mother over the bar and nodding to the bouncers, who promptly threw her from the club.

After a few minutes, Adagio came back through the door and sat down next to her, “Sorry about that, I had a bone to pick with her.”

Aria gave a weak smile, “That’s okay. She had it coming… and all of her cold, uncaring ways for the past eighteen years just killed the part of me that cares.”

“Oh you poor dear,” Adagio said as she pulled Aria back into her lap and cuddling her close, “The both of you deserve a lot more than you’ve gotten…”

Snuggling against her, Aria sighed a little and nuzzled her neck, “For once… I’ll say I did. I seriously feel like Mother never cared about me. My father… you know the term, henpecked husband? He’s that. To a tee. He blindly follows anything she says and does. I tried confiding in him about mother, maybe to try seeing a solution, and anything I said… he just told me never to talk like that about her again. That I should be grateful and show her the respect she deserves. Only Sonata understood me…”

“Oh I understand too,” Adagio whispered, nuzzling her as she rubbed her back, “But all that’s over now. The two of you are both safe, and loved.”

“Thank you,” Aria nuzzled her more, “I’m glad I ran away, I’m glad I did what Sonata did. I’m… glad to be here with you two. I’m not throwing my life away… I’m finally...living it the way I want to.”

Adagio smiled and kissed her cheek, “I love you, Aria.”

“I… love you too,” Aria kissed her cheek, then her lips, briefly, “I really do.”

Adagio mewled happily as she laid back against the sofa, nuzzling her nose into Aria’s hair, “You’ve really come along way since the first time we met, haven’t you, Ari-baby?”

“Yes, Mom,” Aria rolled her eyes. After a few seconds, she’d realized what she’d just done and jerked her head up, expecting to see Adagio smirking at her or about to tease her. Instead, Adagio’s face was soft and looked like she was on the verge of tears.

“...You called me Mom,” she smiled, nuzzling her closer as her heart welled up.

“...Yes?” Aria looked at her with surprise, blinking, “I… guess I did. That was kind of a slip, but… yeah.”

Adagio squeezed her tighter as she buried her face into Aria’s hair, “Aria, I’m touched…”

Exhaling, Aria snuggled against her, “I guess…. It kind of grew on me. And, well, seeing you being all motherly to Sonata while she’s sick was definitely sweet.”

Adagio bit her lip as she held back tears, snuggling her tighter and kissing her cheek, “Really, Aria. That means so much to me… thank you...”

“You’re welcome,” Aria managed, nuzzling her, “It’s, uh… still gonna take a while to get used to, though.”

“Oh I know. It just means so much to me that you said it,” Adagio mewled as she turned onto her side with her back to the sofa, cuddling Aria against her like a teddy bear, “I love you, Ari.”

“Love you too… Ada…” Aria murmured, cuddling against her and closing her eyes. Next Chapter: You Should Write That Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 17 Minutes