Page 107 of Always Been Yours

Each of our mom’s grip onto our elbows, dragging us out of our seats and to one end of the table. They use their super-mom strength to shove us together. Vivi’s face smacks into my chest.Hard.Before I can lift a hand to soothe the spot, their arms wrap around us like a vice. Someone—probably Lexi—starts a slow clapthat overtakes the table within seconds. Vivi is stuck facing the backyard but when I turn, I see even Stella clapping along. I share a small smile with her and mouthlove you.She drops her hands but mouths back, “I love you too, dad.”

When our mom’s break apart, Vivi awkwardly turns toward the table. She glances around before clearing her throat. “I know thismustcome as a surprise to you—“

Lexi practically squawks, throwing her head back. Her comment even pulls a few chuckles from Blake and Hudson.

“This is… this is the best day of my life,” my mom exaggerates, wiping her non-existent tears.

Blake raises a hand in the air. “Uh. How about the days we were born? Or even your grandchildren?”

“Morrita,I am hoping to getmoregrandchildren. And we all know that Adrian got a vasectomy.”

He coughs into Blake’s shoulder. Blake narrows her eyes at our mom. “No ellos no,“ Blake snaps back. I never learned Spanish, but Blake took to the language easily from a young age and has been teaching Stella with my mom. I know enough to translate though—no, not everyone at the table knew that piece of information.

My mom waves her hand in Blake’s direction. “No importante.”That’s not important.

Blake’s eyes flash to mine, her expression is screamingis this woman fucking serious?The miniscule smile on her face tells me she’s joking though. I don’t expect any congratulations from her. I know she is giving me,us,as much as she can right now. And it means everything to me.

“Let’s slow down.” I don’t have to look at Vivi to feel the panic radiating off of her. It doesn’t matter how much she wants children—this isn’t a conversation she wants to have in front of ourfamilies.

I see the reluctancy in Bonnie’s eyes but, knowing her daughter, she relents. “I can wait a few more years for a wedding. I’m just so happy you two have finally figured it out.”

Vivi rolls her eyes on her way back to her seat, but she doesn’t try to hide her beautiful smile or flushed cheeks. When she sits back down next to my dad, she gives him a small smile. He slips his arm around her shoulder, whispers something in her ear that makes Vivi’s eyes tear up. He leans over to give her a kiss on the top of her head before making a toast to the happy news.

This is right.Thisis my family.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Vivi

I’m finishing getting dressed when Lexi storms into my bedroom. It isn’t the first time she’s seen my boobs, considering we shared a small studio apartment for an entire semester. She doesn’t even blink an eye at my topless chest or the fact that my nipples are pointed straight toward her.

“I need your brown boots.” She walks into my closet, rummaging around for whatever pair of shoes she’s looking for.

Shoes are the only things Lexi and I can really share—but even then, it’s rare. Our styles are so different I have no idea what boots she could be looking for.

“What time are we leaving?” she yells from the closet. I can hear her huffing and puffing, so she must be putting on whatever pair of shoes she was looking for.

“Oh, uh. You wanted to drive together?” I ask nervously.

She hobbles out with one boot on, the other in her hand. The light brown booties actually go perfect with her wide leg jeans and dark cropped glen plaid sweater and turtleneck combo. “What do you mean? We always drive together?”

“You look really cute, by the way.”

“I know. You too.” She points toward my white mini sweater dress I slipped over my head and knee high dark brown boots. “But don’t change the subject.”

I sit on the edge of my bed, putting my earrings on. “Grady’s going to pick me up. He will be with both of his daughters.”

“Okaaay…” she says slowly. “So what time is he getting us?”

The only option I really have is to laugh at her abrasive personality. “Let me check.”

Thurs, Nov. 24 at 4:23 P.M.

Lexi is wondering what time you’re picking us up.

Grady

I’ll be there in 15. Let Lexi know she is going to have to squeeze between the car seats in the backseat.

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