Sisters.

Paul felt like the luckiest guy in the world. He had his two wonderful partners with him on this beautiful spring day in the city, Jane and Freddie.

Jane often took the role of the eldest in their family dynamic that they all enjoyed when together. That left Freddie often as the youngest sister who had to put up with Jane’s constant teasing. Freddie and Jane we’re constantly going back and forth picking at one another until Paul stepped in to end whatever meaningless feud they had going on.

On this particular day Jane and Paul were holding hands while Freddie was walking backwards talking to the two of them.

“It’s not safe to walk backwards, sweetie. Please turn around before you bump into someone”, said Paul.

“I’ll be fineeeee”, said Freddie as she continued on with her story about her evil roommate.

Paul noticed an cynical smile spread across Janes face. And he squeezed her hand as a reminder not to do anything she would regret. Ignoring his subtle warning Jane took advantage of an upcoming puddle on the sidewalk.

“Watch our to your right!”, she yelled.

Freddie swerved to the left and her foot landed right in the puddle soaking her shoe.

“You did that on purpose!”, whined Freddie as she tried shaking the water from her foot.

“I did not!”, protested Jane.

Paul stopped walking and gave Jane a knowing look trying to see if he could get her to confess, even though he knew she would fib. As predicted Jane denied any intent to cause misfortune.

“If there’s any other “accidents” today there will be consequences, little girl”

Freddie rolled her eyes, unhappy there was no immediate punishment for Jane.

They continued walking until they came upon a bench in a shady spot. The three of them retired to the bench to give their legs a break. The girls were chattering on about some show they both loved and Paul kept asking questions to which the girls would both roll their eyes at.

He loved when they all got along, being able to go out on little outings. He even liked it when they bickered and tested his limits. He loved it when they got themselves in sticky situations because he enjoyed nothing more than giving them the just desserts they so deserved.

“No fucking way!” said Jane.

Freddie quickly covered her mouth and her eyes went big. She knew she wasn’t allowed to tattle but the wet sock on her right foot told her that it was time Jane got her’s.

Paul smiled at this silly display of restraint from Freddie. He also noticed how Jane continued talking in hopes that he wouldn’t notice.

“Jane sweetie, do I allow my little girls to use that language?”

“.....no daddy”

“And did you already get a warning about acting up today?”

“....mayyybe”

Paul raised his eyebrow.

Jane sighed and lowered her head. “Yes daddy”

Freddie was beside herself with excitement. They both loved to watch the other get in trouble. Paul reached into his pocket and produced a plastic bag containing a pacifier. This made Jane’s eyes go huge in disbelief.

“Daddy, you wouldn’t”

“Oh but I would. It seems your mouth keeps getting you in trouble today. So I think this is just the thing to help keep you my sweet little girl”

“But daddy I don’t need that. That’s for babies like Freddie”

It’s true, it was Freddie’s pacifier. However, Paul knew this was just the sort of humiliation that Jane needed to knock her down a peg.

“Are you really going to start calling your sister names right now? I think this is exactly what you need. Open up”

Jane stood her ground.

“1.......2......”

Jane obediently opened her mouth not wanting to get into anymore trouble. Paul popped the white pacifier in her mouth and smiled at her overly dramatic “woe-is-me” face. Paul grabbed her chin and planted a kiss right on her pacifier. He even gave her a little tickle to which she couldn’t help but smile.

“Me too, me too!”, said Freddie as she bounced in her seat.

Paul reached over and gave her a kiss as well.

“Nooo not you daddy, I want a paci kiss too!”

“Isn’t that sweet. Give your sister a paci kiss, Jane”.

Jane refused to look at her sister. This led Freddie to grab on to Jane’s pony tail to forcefully turn her head towards her for a kiss.

“Hey! She pulled my hair!”, complained Jane.

“It looks to me like she was just trying to help give the little whiny baby a kiss and you were being stubborn.”

“I’m not a whiney baby!”

“Well you’re whining right now. And who uses pacifiers?”

“Babies!” Answered Freddie.

“Exactly! And that’s exactly how Jane is acting. So she must be a baby and if she says one more word otherwise then she will get a real punishment when we get home. Now, what are you Jane?”

“A baby....” she mumbled.

“And what kind of baby are you?”

“A whiney baby” she mumbled again.

“I can’t hear you.”

“A WHINEY BABY”, she said as best she could with the pacifier in her mouth.

A group of teenagers who were sitting on a bench near them heard and all began to snicker.

“Good girl! Now let’s get home so the whiney baby can take a nap and we can start making dinner”. Paul hopped up and offered both his hands to his girls.

Freddie enthusiastically took one and stood up. Jane, with her head down, took the other and stood as well.

The rest of the walk home Jane kept her head down and tried to tuck herself under Paul’s arm as best she could so no one could see her shameful paci in her mouth.