⎯⎯ 𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎

" 𝕳ey, mum", Darlene smiles behind her mask making sure to stay on the other side of the threshold as her mother perks a brow at her.

"You don't have to run from me".

Darlene shrugs, "Just a precaution. Now, where's my Teddy Bear?", she cranes her neck to glance behind Kate in an attempt to find her baby brother lurking around somewhere.

Kate sighs, "I should've been like that when I grew you inside of me for nine months".

The younger blonde scrunches up her nose, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her jacket.

"No need to be so dramatic", she rolls her eyes, "Where is he?".

Kate sighs again — her daughter pursing her lips in fake annoyance — and turns to call over her shoulder.

"Bear, baby! Darlene's here!".

"I'm comin'!", comes a squeaky shout from down the hallway, the sound of enthusiastic running footsteps soon following.

The seven year old comes sprinting out of the kitchen, a fairly large suitcase being dragged by his tiny hand and a huge backpack on his shoulder practically slumping him down to the ground.

Darlene's eyes widen at the sight of the huge suitcase and backpack.

"Are you, like moving out?", she blurts out earning a cute tut from the boy who parks the luggage beside his mother.

"I'd need my entire Marvel collection for that, Derry".

Darlene squints turning her gaze to her mother who only shrugs.

"He's right. It's his most treasured possession".

"Right, well", the twenty-four year old frowns grabbing the backpack off his shoulders finding it to be completely full to its limit which only deepens her frown, "run along to the car, will you? It's unlocked. I'll bring everything".

"You're a star", he blows her a loud flying kiss and hops out of the house happily trotting up to the car.

She chuckles under her breath, "What has that kid been watching these days?".

Kate huffs playfully, leaning against the doorframe.

"A lot of Real American Housewives, that much I can confirm".

Darlene turns back, sympathetically.

"So Mia's babysitting again, huh?".

The older woman shakes her head, a squeal behind her startling her in place.

She glances back just in time to see Mia approaching the door with a wide grin.

"Darlene, Darlene, Darlene. My lovely, Darlene. Fancy seeing you here", she wiggles her brows suggestively making both her sister and her mum scowl at her.

"Did she, like lose her last few brain cells or something?", Darlene asks Kate who laughs quietly while Mia's cheerful gaze morphs into a glare.

"I'm just surprised you've found time to come here what with Harry keeping you . . . busy these days".

"Bitch, it's the middle of a pandemic. Forgive me for not socialising with your annoying ass".

Kate groans, "Language, Dar".

Darlene scoffs, "She started it".

"And yet", Mia pouts trying to come off as intimidating but ends up looking close to a distressed koala instead, "You're taking Bear with you. I guess you've picked your favourite".

The younger blonde rolls her eyes, "He's not used to being shut inside for so long. He needs a change of space so unless you're a literal kid, I will not be catering to your complaints. Anything else?".

The brunette crosses her arms, their mother shaking her head to dismiss the duo.

"Call me if he needs anything, yeah?".

Darlene nods bidding her goodbyes and stepping off the porch to make her way back to her car.

***
can we pls talk about how heavenly harry's voice in fine line bc OMG.