The Grand Question
They sat across the table, eyes locked before looking at the DNA results. Their hearts thumped, and their eyes blurred with tears as they tried to keep their composure.
Everything they'd uncovered had led to this one single moment. But as they got ready to open the envelope, one of them asked, "If the results are positive, would it be wrong to stay together?"
Kristy And Aisling
New Yorkers Kristy and Aisling had been dating for two years before their world came crashing down on them. Everything in their life had been perfect, from their professional and academic lives to their day-to-day activities.
It all began as a joke from a random comment on one of their joint social media accounts. But what that comment would bring would leave them in tears.
College
Kristy and Aisling met in their final year of college. Their meeting had been a chance one, given that they came from entirely different academic and social backgrounds.
For one, Kristy was an art history major, while Aisling had her academic path cut through engineering. Still, the two would run into each other, resulting in the happiest twenty-four months of their lives.
A Chance Meeting
Kristy and Aisling's meeting happened at a local orphanage near their college. Their respective schools, among other faculties, had joined hands to run a charity for the orphanage.
Among the students chosen to attend the event were the two girls, each oblivious of what fate had in store. What would start with a harmless compliment from Kristy would evolve into a beautiful relationship. But unknown to them, a storm would be steady brewing on their paradise's horizon.
Two Years Down The Line
Two years passed with Kristy and Aisling still together. Their love for each other was stronger than ever, and their relationship was still fresh.
But the two would make a decision that, although harmless and considerably cute at the time, would change their lives forever. It would leave them distraught and questioning the validity of the feelings they had for each other.
A Normal Day
The day everything changed for Kristy and Aisling was as typical as any other. They'd decided to make a joint Instagram account for their family, seeing that they'd adopted the cutest German Shepherd together.
They began posting photos of the pup alongside their own, hoping to immortalize those memories forever. But one comment would change everything.
You Look Alike
The comment in question was simple: "You two look identical." Kristy smiled at it, thinking she'd never considered that she and her partner looked alike.
But then more comments, no doubt inspired by this single one, started streaming in. "You do look exactly the same," one read. "Take a DNA test. We are scared for you two," another read. That's when the dread set in.
Sharing The Comments
Kristy shared the comments with Aisling, who also laughed at first, but then quieted down when she started noticing how similar her physical appearance was to Kristy.
But then they started talking about everything, digging into the darkest reaches of their family histories that they'd always avoided. What they'd discover would leave them running to get a DNA test.
Their Backgrounds
"Both of us were raised by single moms," a teary Kristy shared in a video. "We didn't know that our moms had a relationship with the same guy around the time each of us was born."
The two called their mothers immediately to confirm the stories they'd grown up with. They ascertained that their moms did indeed have serious relationships with the same guy a year apart. Their stomachs knotted as they realized they could be half-sisters.
Taking The Test
Kristy and Aisling took a DNA test at their earliest convenience. Meanwhile, the post that started everything had gone viral, bringing in even more views concerning their predicament.
"Being related could explain why you two look like sisters," one user wrote. "Everything is identical, from the shape of your eyes, lips, and even chins," another stated. "I just saw some of your photos and videos, and I think you should get those tests done immediately," another user said. But what would the two girls do if the tests came out positive?
The Waiting Game
The next few days became a blur for Kristy and Aisling as they awaited their results via physical mail. "We could've done it through email," said Aisling. "But we feared what those tests would tell us. We didn't want this to end."
Regardless of how long they tried to stall, the results still reached their front door. Before the two knew it, they were sitting on opposite ends of their dining table, ready to face this nightmare.
At The Table
Kristy reached over and pecked Aisling's forehead. But before they unwrapped the envelope, Aisling asked, "If the results are positive, would it be wrong to stay together?"
Kristy smiled, squeezing her partner's hands before they both ripped the envelope's seal. They pulled out the results, and Kristy choked back a cry as every muscle in her body spasmed.
The Answer
"We're not related," Aisling stammered in disbelief. She reread the paper, pulling it closer to her eyes to ensure she didn't miss anything.
But the answer was clear before her eyes. She and the love of her life were not related in any way despite their moms having a relationship with the same man some decades back. Kristy and Aisling couldn't believe it.
Sharing The News
"We opened a bottle to celebrate that evening!" Aisling shared. They also posted selected parts of the DNA results on Instagram, finally updating their growing fanbase on the gutwrenching situation.
But although they'd cleared the air over the matter, the great question still loomed over their heads. This time, they would ask their fans the same: "If we're related, is it wrong to stay together?"
Yeses And Nos
The answers ranged from simple yeses and nos to more complex responses that brought morality and genetics into the picture. One user wrote, "I wouldn't but if the love is real and this is something you can look past, then work for it." Another said, "You can't procreate, so where's the harm?" while another wrote, "It would be very wrong."
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.