We meet again 6

Mia gasped, rushing over with wide eyes. "Aunty Fiona, you look… breathtaking! Like you've stepped straight out of your teens!"

Fiona's laughter was soft and melodic, her cheeks warming with a delicate flush. She waved a hand, dismissing the compliment but unable to hide her smile. "Oh, stop it, darling. You flatter me. But enough about me it's your turn. Go find something that brings out your sparkle!"

Mia's excitement brimmed as she darted toward the racks, her fingers gliding over fabrics in an almost reverent search. She paused before a sleek black one-piece with a single shoulder strap and elegant diagonal cutouts that hinted at the illusion of a two-piece. The high-waisted bottoms flowed into the top with slender, geometric straps, a design that felt both modern and timeless.

She emerged moments later, striking a playful pose, her grin radiant. "Well? How do I look?"

Fiona lowered her magazine, her gaze softening with pride and admiration. Before she could speak, Lexi, who had been idly examining a nearby display, turned. Her brows lifted, and her lips parted slightly, caught off guard.

Mia's reddish-brown hair tumbled in rebellious waves, its rich tones catching the sunlight streaming through the large windows. The swimsuit hugged her form with effortless grace, the intricate design a bold contrast to her natural ease.

"You look stunning," Fiona said, her voice warm, almost reverent. "Honestly, Mia, I think you should be the one inspiring us to be bolder."

"Stop it, Aunty Fiona!" Mia said with a laugh, spinning on her toes. "You're the queen of elegance. I'm just following your lead."

Lexi finally found her voice, giving a slow nod of approval. "You're absolutely killing it, Mia. That swimsuit looks like it was made for you."

Mia twirled dramatically, confidence radiating from her as she turned to Fiona with a dazzling grin. "See? Told you this would be the best day ever!"

Fiona's laugh bubbled out, light and unrestrained. She stood, smoothing her dress with effortless poise. "Oh, darling, the day's just getting started. Once we get Lexi ready, the real fun begins."

Mia's gaze swung to Lexi, mischief glinting in her eyes. "Your turn, Lexi. No hiding!"

Lexi nodded stepped into the spacious walk-in wardrobe, the cool air inside brushing against her skin as the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. Her gaze swept over the disarray of swimsuits scattered across shelves and spilling out of half-open drawers. The chaos was almost suffocating, each piece competing for her attention, yet none quite striking the chord she sought. Behind her, the soft hum of life continued; Mia lounged on the chair, one leg crossed over the other as her fingers danced across her phone screen, her lips quaking now and then at whatever caught her attention. Fiona reclined nearby, the glossy pages of a magazine catching the light as she flipped through them with casual grace, though her sharp eyes missed nothing, always an observer, always composed.

Lexi's fingers grazed fabric after fabric, each one falling short of what she envisioned. Then, her hand stopped. Something different, something magnetic. Her eyes settled on a sleek black swimsuit draped carelessly over the edge of a hanger, as if it had been waiting for her all along. Its design whispered of power and allure: a sweetheart neckline framed by wide, supportive straps that hinted at strength without sacrificing elegance. The twist-front detail revealed subtle, tantalizing side cutouts, a promise of daring without losing sophistication. And then there was the skirt softly flared, feminine, playful. It wasn't just a swimsuit; it was a statement, a reflection of confidence wrapped in a touch of mystery.

She held it up, the fabric catching the light, revealing its craftsmanship. Without a word, she stepped behind the wardrobe's folding screen and changed, the soft rustle of fabric breaking the silence. Sliding into the swimsuit felt like stepping into a version of herself; she'd been too hesitant to embrace bold, yet refined. Adjusting the straps, she allowed herself a fleeting glance in the full-length mirror, her reflection both familiar and foreign. She liked what she saw.

Emerging from the wardrobe, Lexi paused, hands smoothing the skirt as if to gather courage. "All right," she said, her voice steady but carrying an edge of anticipation. "What do you think?"

Mia was the first to look up, her phone slipping from her fingers as her eyes widened in genuine astonishment. "Wow, Lexi, you look... stunning!" she exclaimed, her voice alive with admiration. "That swimsuit is so bold, elegant, and just the right amount of daring." She tilted her head, her wolf-cut hair falling in artful disarray as she added with a teasing grin, "And brushing your hair like that? Totally nailed it. Right, Aunt Fiona?"

Fiona lowered her magazine with practiced grace, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she took her time rising to her feet. "Mia's absolutely right, darling," she said, her voice rich with warmth, tinged with a touch of pride. Her sharp eyes softened as they took in her daughter's confident stance. "You look radiant, Lexi, every bit the woman I knew you'd grow into." Her gaze lingered on Lexi's outfit, a faint glimmer of nostalgia flickering behind her polished exterior. "Though, of course, that sense of style comes from the best, doesn't it?"

Lexi couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips, a mix of relief and confidence. She gave the skirt a playful twirl, her earlier hesitation dissolving into ease. The moment wasn't just about the swimsuit it was about claiming a version of herself she'd almost forgotten she could be.

"Like mother, like daughter," Mia chimed, her laughter light and melodic, cutting through the charged moment.

The room bloomed with shared laughter, a ripple of joy that felt as natural as sunlight. Fiona's own chuckle followed, warm and genuine, as she stepped closer. She reached out, her touch gentle as she cupped Lexi's cheek, the connection speaking volumes where words were unnecessary. "You've outdone yourself, my love," Fiona murmured, her eyes shining with unspoken pride before she reached for Mia's cheek with her other hand. "And you, my dear Mia, both of you make my heart soar."

Mia feigned a dramatic sigh, but her grin betrayed her. "Careful, Aunt Fiona, you're going to make me cry. And you know my mascara isn't waterproof."

Fiona laughed softly, her poise unbroken as she stepped back and straightened her silk blouse. "Oh, don't be ridiculous. Now," she said, her voice slipping into a tone of playful authority, "enough sentimentality. The day won't wait for us, and I expect us to shine brighter than the sun itself."

Lexi couldn't help but laugh, her earlier nerves melting into a quiet confidence. "Shining brighter than the sun might be a bit ambitious," she quipped, a teasing edge in her tone, "but I'll settle for dazzling."

Fiona clapped her hands softly, her bracelets chiming like a bell. "That's the spirit." She glanced toward the wardrobe. "Nana, we're ready."

If summoned by magic, Nana emerged from behind a rack, her figure small but commanding, her arms laden with neatly arranged boxes. She moved with the quiet efficiency of someone who knew her place in the household and commanded it flawlessly. With a respectful bow of her head, she placed the boxes on the counter and approached Fiona with purpose.

Fiona handed over her sleek black ATM card with an elegant flick of her wrist. "Settle the bills, Nana, and do let me know when the car is ready," she instructed, her tone firm but kind. As Nana departed, Fiona turned back to Lexi and Mia, her expression softening again. "Now, to the swimming pool. It's time to show the world what we're made of."

Moments later, Nana returned, slipping the card back into Fiona's hand before gesturing for them to follow. Her quiet efficiency spoke of years spent perfecting the art of being indispensable, and Lexi couldn't help but watch her with a mix of admiration and curiosity.

The trio followed Nana through the winding hallways of the estate. Sunlight spilled in through tall windows, illuminating their path and filling the air with a sense of anticipation. Lexi glanced at her mother and Mia, their distinct presences as vibrant as her own Fiona with her unshakable poise, Mia with her uncontainable energy.

They stepped out into the endless corridor, the sheer vastness of the passageway stretching before them like a never-ending dream. The polished marble floors gleamed beneath the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, their reflections multiplying in the intricate mirror panels lining the walls. Doors identical, endless, unyielding flanked them on either side, each hiding secrets behind gilded frames. To a stranger, the grandeur might have felt oppressive, like being trapped in a maze of excess. But Nana led the way with the calm precision of someone who had walked these halls a thousand times. Her steps were unhurried yet deliberate, her presence radiating quiet confidence as she turned corner after corner without hesitation.