Elysian

November 13

11am

Jorja decided to open up earlier than usual, so she beat her sister to the store and started restocking the shelves when she heard the chimes ring throughout the small building.

"Hey you," she smiled back at her sister.

"Good morning," Noëlle smiled brightly, shaking her arms out of her coat, before hanging it on the back of her chair. "What're you doing here so early? Wasn't expecting you for another hour and a half," she made her way over to help.

"Eh, well, I didn't sleep much last night," Jorja shrugged, still unloading boxes full of books. "And this morning was no better, really. So, I just decided to keep myself busy."

"Hmm, so Nate didn't come home last night," Noëlle sighed heavily before she took a seat on the floor next to her sister, "I'm so sorry, Jo."

"Yeah well, it's nothing new, now is it?" She sighed, standing to put books away, Noëlle following suit. "Anyway, enough about me and my uneventful marriage," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "What's up with you and this contest? Have you talked to Nadula about entering, yet?"

"Well, I mean, the project's not done just yet," Noëlle shrugged.

"Well, why don't you enter something you've already completed?" Jorja suggested.

"I don't know, Jo," Noëlle grabbed a few more books to stock. "Besides, I'm still a little hesitant. I mean, what if nobody buys them, let alone likes them? I don't know, I'm just very particular about my work and letting the world see it," she sighed out.

"Noey," Jorja stopped. "You've got a studio full of completed masterpieces. Anybody'd be a damn fool not to buy them, or like them for that matter. People will love your work, I'm telling you," she encouraged.

Taking a moment to consider the opportunity, Noëlle finally sighed.

"Okay, fine. I'll call Nadula tonight," she smirked.

"Good," Jorja smiled. "It's a great opportunity, and you deserve it, trust me," she assured, moving on to the next box of new arrivals.

After about an hour and a half of unboxing and restocking, the two decided to take a small break before getting back into it. Business usually didn't pick up until after lunch, so they still had another hour or so to spare before being bombarded with a full store. Hearing the chimes, they both turned toward the door, rising to their feet.

"Mama, hey," Noëlle smiled brightly, walking forward.

"Hi darlings," she hugged her daughters, placing a soft kiss on both their cheeks.

"What's got you out in the freezing cold?" Jorja folded her arms, smirking.

Their mother hated the cold, and she never failed to mention it every chance she got.

"Well, I had to do some shopping, and of course, I wanted to see my girls. You know, just to make sure all is well, considering, by all accounts, the two of you are too busy to check in with your mother every once in a while," she gave them a look.

"Oh, mama," Noëlle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're sorry, it's just so much to get done and no time to breathe, feels like."

"Yeah, we mean no harm," Jorja pitched in.

"Oh, by all means, if anyone understands, I do. Trust me, if you father and I weren't married and living under the same roof, I doubt I'd have ever heard from him, or seen him for that matter. This place was his world," she smiled, giving it a glance over. "You girls are doing a mighty fine job of keeping this place up and running, though, I'll tell you that," she smiled at the two of them, setting her purse down.

"Thanks, mama," Jorja smiled.

"I mean it," Diahann nodded. "Running a business isn't easy, so I know how stressful it can be. But when it's good, it's grand. Oh, I almost forgot," she reached into her purse, pulling out two cards, "I wanted to give you these," she handed them over. "I expect to see the both of you in attendance," she raised an eyebrow.

Taking a moment to read over the fliers, the girls finally nodded.

"We'll be there, mama," Noëlle smiled.

"Alright well," Diahann picked up her purse after sliding her gloves back on and held out her arms, "I should be going now, but I'll check in again soon," she hugged and kissed both of her daughters.

"We love you, mom," Jorja smiled as they pulled away.

"Oh, I love you both so much," Diahann smiled before turning to leave.

"Be safe out there," Noëlle called.

"I will," she smiled. "You darlings stay warm," she exited the store as the whistling winds blew through her freshly dyed tresses.

Setting the cards in a good place for safe keeping, the girls decided that it was about time to get back to work.