Page 18 of My Three Hometown Alphas

Fuck me.

Walking into the house, I’m immediately hit by the smell of sugar and vanilla. It’s quickly followed by a mix of girly giggles that tug at the corners of my mouth.

Avery and Lyla are leaning over the kitchen counter with their backs to me. Lyla’s reaching up on her tiptoes, peeking into the bowl they’re mixing something in.

They must not have heard me come in because they carry on their conversation like no one else in the world exists. Not wanting to spoil the moment, I lean my hip against the counter, content to just watch them.

There were many months after Liv passed that I didn’t know how we were going to provide a normal life for Lyla or if she was ever going to be fully happy again. I know she misses her mom, but in moments like this, I know she’s happy.

We must be doing something right.

Seeing Avery interact with Lyla makes me happy, but it also festers the ache of what she’ll never have again with her mom. My mind wanders back to the day Olivia asked us to take care of Lyla when she was gone.

Liv marches onto the back deck, wavy brown hair whipping around her as she pulls a reluctant-looking Owen behind her. She literally shoves him into one of the chairs she has situated in a circle.

Miles and I have been sitting here quietly since she dragged us out her in a similar fashion a few minutes ago.

She plops down the final chair, pulling her feet up underneath her like she always does. “I need to talk to you guys,” she says. Her voice is firm.

“Obviously,” Miles says, laughing quietly even if it sounds a bit forced.

“Liv,” Owen says, side-eyeing her. “I can’t do this.”

She draws in a deep breath. “We have to… for her.”

Owen leans forward, burying his face in his hands. I don’t know if she’s already talked to him about whatever this conversation will entail, or if he knows because of their weird twin telepathy shit I swear is real after growing up with the two of them.

Liv sits up a little straighter, squaring her shoulders. “I want all of you to raise Lyla when I’m gone.”

Her words are a punch straight to the gut. Realistically, I know cancer is going to take her from us, but hearing her talk about a world in which she no longer exists leaves me breathless.

She quickly continues, like she needs to get out all the words before she loses the courage to do so. “I want all of you to do it together. I know it’s a big ask, but it’s what I want. All of you living together, raising her together.”

We are all silent for a minute while we process.

Miles finally speaks up. “What about Mom and Dad?”

“They know,” she says. “I want them to be a big part of her life, but I want them to be her grandparents.”

Miles nods, running his hands over his jeans.

“I think the three of you together are what she’s going to need to get through this.” Her voice cracks for the first time, and a single tear falls down her cheek. “I also think that little girl is going to be what all three of you need.”

More tears fall as she drops her head to her chest.

I can’t even imagine what she’s feeling right now. She’s a mom who has to leave, trusting others to take care of her entire world when she no longer can. It’s unfathomable.

In two steps, I’m kneeling before her, pulling my little sister into my arms. Her forehead falls against my shoulder as she starts to sob.

“Of course we will,” I tell her. I don’t need to talk to Owen and Miles to know this is happening. None of us have ever been good at denying Olivia much of anything. With something this life-altering, it’s just a forgone conclusion. Done.

I pull back, cupping the sides of her face. “We will take care of her. I promise.” I try to fight the tears welling in my own eyes, but it’s a losing battle.

Liv looks over my shoulder as Miles crouches beside her chair. He reaches for her hand.

“We’ll love on her and drive her crazy for you, sis,” he says, emotion heavy on each word.

She gives him a watery smile before turning to look to her other side, where Owen is still sitting with his head in his hands. Liv steps over me, kneeling in front of Owen.