Silver Falls, Colorado
(2020)
- Family Line -

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So this blond, tall, handsome young man came out of the water and caught Valeria's attention. It was a few minutes before Valeria looked back at George and Katherine and tried to explain the situation. But she didn't get the chance, because the boy in question spoke up and looked at Valeria mischievously.

"How can it be that you are Lee's and Isaac's sister? I mean, shouldn't they have got some of the beauty that was apparently hereditary?" Valeria felt her cheeks turn red and start to glow. Apparently he was also good at flirting, wonderful. Lee and Isaac found the statement anything but funny and simply rolled their eyes.

"Cole, why don't you go back in the water and bug Danny? Leave our sister alone, you idiot!" Lee suddenly said and Valeria was startled by the fact that his voice had become deeper. She could only vaguely remember his voice from two years ago, but it definitely wasn't this deep at the time.

"Relax, Lee, I just want to give Valeria a warm welcome, is that forbidden?" Lee rolled his eyes again and then walked towards the house. Valeria wanted to run after him but Isaac held her by the wrist so that she had to stay where she was.

"Okay, so let's get this straight: you're the big sister Lee and Isaac have been talking and raving about since they moved in? If we had known who you were, we would have brought you over much sooner, sweetie!" Katherine looked worried and Valeria wondered how much Lee and Isaac had told her about their home. Had they told her that their stepdad beat her? Had they told her that their stepdad did everything he could to make Valeria's life a living hell?

"It wouldn't have changed anything, Kate, believe me. Our stepdad wouldn't have let me go! He would have found a reason to lock me in my room and not let me out until you had put this nonsensical idea out of your mind!" Valeria's voice began to tremble and Isaac immediately took her right hand in his and squeezed it tightly.

"Oh, Val, we're sorry to hear that! We didn't realise you were so unwell there!" George sounded calm, empathetic and worried, something Valeria hadn't expected. And all of a sudden she started shaking and ran into the house! Isaac and Katherine immediately ran after her, while Cole turned to his brothers, not knowing what to do.

When Valeria arrived inside, she immediately ran up to her room, closed the door behind her and sank down on her bed. She didn't open the door to anyone, no matter who knocked! She didn't even open the door for her brothers, and they were the ones who deserved to spend time with their sister the most!

Towards evening, Valeria washed her face and then went downstairs for dinner. She had spaghetti with meatballs, one of her favourite dishes. Lee and Isaac must have told Katherine about that too. After dinner, Valeria went into the living room and noticed a boy she hadn't seen outside a few hours earlier and he wasn't at dinner either. A few moments later, he noticed her too and immediately switched off the TV.

"You don't have to switch off the TV because of me, just keep watching. I'll just sit down with you and watch in secret, if that's okay with you?" the boy nodded and smiled warmly at her. She already felt very much at home in the Walters' house and was slowly settling in.

"But if we don't talk to each other, it's going to get awkward in the long run, so I'm just going to make a start: what's your name?" the boy suddenly asked and Valeria's eyes widened a little. After a few seconds, she cleared her throat and answered him.

"My name is Valeria, I'm Lee's and Isaac's big sister. But please call me Val!" the boy's eyes widened and he looked at Valeria in confusion.

"It's really nice to meet you, Val! Lee and Isaac have already told us so much about you that we all couldn't wait to finally meet you! My name is Alex, by the way." Valeria looked at Alex. Her brothers had really told them about her? They must have missed her terribly! But Valeria was also glad that she was now living with the Walters and no longer had to worry about how she was going to afford her food.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alex! Your house is beautiful and the ranch has enchanted me from the very first moment. It's simply heavenly here!" Alex smiled and saw the sparkle in Valeria's eyes, which slowly found its way back. The two of them talked for quite a while until they were both too tired to stay awake any longer.

With a quick 'good night', the two said goodbye to each other for the time being and then went to their respective rooms. Once in her room, Valeria dropped onto her bed and fell asleep immediately. Sleeping in a real bed did her good and she woke up the next morning refreshed and in a good mood!

When George called for breakfast, she ran downstairs faster than lightning and secured a seat at the table. It looked like she was sitting next to Isaac, but it could also be the seat next to Lee. But no matter which of her brothers it would be in the end: she was glad to have them back!

"Good morning, sweetie, did you sleep well?" Katherine asked when she saw Valeria. Valeria nodded and smiled at her. Katherine was truly an angel and Valeria considered herself lucky to have met her.

"The night in a real bed was relaxing! Thank you again for letting me stay with you." George, who had just joined them, waved it off and smiled warmly at Valeria. This family was really great!

"I'd cover my ears now if I were you, Val, because George is calling for the others now!" Valeria was confused, but did as Katherine said.

"Jordan, Lee, Isaac, Cole, Alex, Nathan, Danny, Parker, Benny, wake up and come down, breakfast is ready!" okay wow. George really did have a loud and powerful voice! And one by one, they came down the stairs and sat down in their seats. Jordan looked sleepy, as if he hadn't slept all night.

"Jordan, you look really tired, haven't you slept all night?" asked Parker, who was making herself comfortable in her chair. Valeria couldn't help but grin, which Cole noticed and therefore took the right to say something.

"So Miss Philadelphia can smile too, how nice!" Lee and Isaac immediately turned their heads to Cole and shot him a venomous look.

"Cole, do me a favour and eat your breakfast like everyone else!" George intervened, recognising from the look on Valeria's face that she was about to say something nasty.

"Exactly Cole Walter, eat your breakfast and leave our sister alone!" Lee and Isaac said in a duet, whereupon Valeria smiled at her brothers proudly.

After everyone had eaten breakfast, the boys completed the tasks they had been given by their parents as punishment for some stupidity.

Valeria watched them and smiled at Cole mischievously. He didn't like the fact that someone was now living in the house who could keep up with his nasty and stupid comments. Valeria was cunning and he liked that in a way he wasn't supposed to!

After all, he had something of a girlfriend and Erin didn't like new girls.