Summer Challenge Story Four

[mkrobinson]

 Title: Glossy [A Triad] 

Fandom: Sweet Valley
Universe: Post Canon [well, technically. It actually takes place during the Elizabeth series, but since it's in SV...]
Genre: Romance, Drama
Rating: T
Word Count: 538
Summary: [Part two of three] Elizabeth's decision to move to England has consequences for those in Sweet Valley.

"Front page headlines again?" Steven asked, aghast at the magazine that I was holding in my hand, and I nodded. "Shit," he added.

"Steven, this is embarrassing! This is the fifth British tabloid your sister has been on and your parents refuse to believe that it's her!"

"Do you blame them?" He asked, taking it from me. "An Americanly American Affair? Is Earl Pennington's Son Shacking Up With The Recently Imported Scullery Maid? A Hello! exclusive?"

"They're being idiotic," I clarified. "You know that your sister is that Elizabeth Bennett fool, right?"

"Mom and Dad have their heads in the sand," he muttered. "This whole situation is ridiculous."

"It isn't the only one," I replied. "There was a whole row of them. She's made all of the tabloids that that mall bookstore imports from Europe!"

"Just the English ones, right?" Steven asked hopefully. I shook my head.

"All of them."

He sighed -- heavily. He stuck the tabloid I'd handed him in his briefcase and knelt down to give my belly a kiss, getting a happy kick from our baby in response. "Forget about this," he said. "How's baby?" He kissed my belly again, and she kicked even harder. I giggled. "I missed the two of you."

I felt incredibly guilty. "I'm sorry I slept late," I whispered. "I know how you love to feel her kick before work."

"'S okay, babe," he said. "I know that you're allowed to be tired," he added, shooting me his special smile, the one that made me feel all warm and melty inside. "'Sides," he whispered, "we were up late last night."

I flushed. "Steven!" I said in a gasp. "We're in public!"

"I know," he assured me, caressing my swelling belly. "I just can't help it, sometimes." He winked.

"You're silly. I feel like I'm such a blimp."

He touched my face. "Stop it! You're so beautiful. You're not a blimp."



***


"This is so stupid," Jessica complained. "Why do I have to study?"

"So you don't flunk out?"

I couldn't help being so sarcastic. It was miserably hot out, I was over seven months pregnant, and Jessica was complaining about having to write a three page paper. I couldn't exactly muster up any sympathy for her. 

"Liz would write my papers for me," she groused. "And take my tests, and --"

"Just shut up, okay?" I replied angrily, trying to get comfortable on the couch.

"What's with you?" My stupid sister in law stupidly asked. "Is the baby coming?"

No, the baby was certainly not coming, and I didn't have the desire to explain that to Jessica. 

"Jessica, please, I'm only 7 --"

"I heard it's gross and that everything gets all wet!"

"Jessica --"

"And that it hurts a whole lot! Mom said that it did, especially with --"

"Stop it!" I shouted, thoroughly annoyed. "I'm exhausted. And you're obnoxious."

"I am not!"

I rolled my eyes, fanning myself with a magazine that had been laying on the coffee table. 

"Seriously, Jess, you are," I muttered, not realizing that the magazine was open to a glossy new article about Elizabeth.

"Oh my God!" 

"What now?" I asked. "Have to write a summary about a book that you haven't read?"

"That's Lizzie! She's totally famous!"

I let out a groan. 

"Just shut up, okay? I need to take a nap."