Page 67 of One Baddie for Three Daddies

"Think we passed the family test?" Alex asks, sipping his drink.

Liam shrugs. "Hard to say. Her mom hasn't exactly welcomed us with open arms."

I glance across the room where Bianca's mom stands talking to an older woman, both pointedly avoiding our direction.

"She also hasn't thrown us out yet," I say dryly.

"Small victories," Alex replies with a smirk.

Aliyah and Bianca return with refilled glasses and plates of cookies.

"Miss anything good?" Aliyah asks.

"Just discussing our odds of surviving the night," I reply.

Aliyah laughs, but there's a knowing look in her eyes as she glances at Bianca's mom. "One step at a time."

The night wears on, but Aliyah's presence keeps us anchored. She engages us in stories from their childhood, sharing embarrassing moments and triumphs alike.

"Remember when you tried to sneak out to that party and got stuck climbing out the window?" Aliyah says to Bianca, eyes twinkling.

Bianca groans playfully. "Why do you always bring that up?"

Liam chuckles. "Do tell."

Aliyah grins wickedly. "She got caught by Mom halfway out the window and had to pretend she was practicing for the fire drill."

Alex laughs loudly, clapping his hands together. “Classic.”

As laughter erupts around us, I feel a warm sense of camaraderie settle in my chest despite everything else going on tonight.

We might not have won over everyone yet, but with Aliyah by our side and moments like these filling the air, it feels like we’re off to a decent start.

The party winds down, and the soft hum of conversations mixes with the crackling fireplace. Kids curl up on couches, half-asleep, while adults gather in smaller clusters, chatting quietly. Bianca stands beside me, her fingers interlaced with mine, a small smile playing on her lips.

I whisper. “Not as bad as you thought, huh?”

She nods, her eyes flicking to her mom who’s been glaring from across the room all night. “Yeah, everyone’s been... surprisingly okay.”

Liam saunters over, holding a glass of eggnog. “Your cousin Serena cornered me in the kitchen,” he says to Bianca. “Wanted to know if we had a chore wheel or something.”

Bianca laughs. “I told you she’d be curious.”

Alex joins us, his arm draping casually over Bianca’s shoulders. “Well, I think we passed the test. No pitchforks or angry mobs.”

Bianca squeezes my hand. “I’m just glad you’re all here with me.” Her voice is soft but steady.

“We wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Liam says firmly.

Bianca’s cousin approaches us with a plate of cookies. “Want some? My mom made them,” she offers.

“Thanks,” Alex says, taking one and passing the plate around.

As we nibble on cookies that taste like Christmas itself, Aliyah sidles up next to Bianca. “Hey sis,” she says, giving us a conspiratorial grin. “You guys holding up?”

“Barely,” I joke. “I think I’ve answered more questions tonight than I did during college exams.”

Aliyah chuckles. “Welcome to the family.”

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