Hi everyone! So sorry it took so, SO long for me to update, but I finally have another chapter. This story will be starting to draw to a close in a few chapters, so I hope you'll enjoy these last few chapters with me, because I know I will definitely miss writing this story.
But anyway, here is chapter 51!
The drive home was peaceful and wonderful, and for the first time in a long time, Brittany finally felt like her life was at ease. No more pain, heartbreak, turmoil, nothing. Just her, her family, and everything and everyone she loves. After everything that has happened within the past year, it was crazy that her life finally felt normal, that everything has fallen into place perfectly. It still truly felt so unreal, having her mother right next to her. Her mother, once estranged for an entire decade, a woman she didn't dare think about, the woman who broke her so much, in a way that Brittany never wanted to forgive her for, was now back in her life, not as a stranger, but as her mother again. It was a hole that had been empty for so long, an ache that bruised so deep. It was hard to believe what she had gone through within the past decade, but she realizes now that everything that had happened, happened for a reason.
"I can't believe I'm back here again. It feels surreal," Miss Miller said gently as she kept her gaze outside the window. "I used to drive through these streets every day when I dropped you and your sisters off at school. Being down here brings back so much, as if it was only yesterday."
Brittany took her eyes off the road for a few seconds to smile at her mother, before going back to driving. "I can imagine. Do you miss living here?"
Miss Miller nodded. "More than I can explain. Living in Kansas has been lovely, but being here, in Los Angeles is quite incomparable. It feels like home, always has been," she turned to Brittany and her eyes were soft. "Which was why I couldn't find the heart to bring you and your sisters when I left. This place has your heart, where you'll always find home, the place where you and your sisters were born and raised. It just didn't feel right taking you away from here."
Brittany nodded. For a whole decade, she had believed her mother had abandoned her, Jeanette and Eleanor for no reason, which had stemmed the hatred that burned her inside for all those years. To know that her mother left to protect them, to save them from any pain from her illness, to allow them to stay and live in a place they called home, really opened Brittany's heart in ways she never thought she would understand. "It's home. It's where I feel most comfortable, and a place I want to raise my daughter. I don't think I would ever want to leave Los Angeles."
Miss Miller smiled, admiring the beauty in her eldest daughter's face. Brittany truly grew up so well, it almost brought her to tears. "Was the little one born here as well?"
Brittany smiled and nodded. "Yeah, she was," she sighed deeply. "I miss her so much. I hate being away from her, even if it's only for a few hours. You'll realize how doting and protective I am of her. Alvin thinks I can be a bit too much sometimes, but I can't help it."
"I see that in you. You've always been very motherly with Jeanette and Eleanor, even from a young age. You've always taken care of your younger sisters, and you always did everything you could to make them happy. Your daughter is so lucky to have you, Brittany. I just know you're an amazing mother," said Miss Miller.
"It's still a learning process. I mean, I'm still learning something new every day. I certainly wasn't prepared to become a parent. My life changed overnight, and it was the scariest moment of my life. I still sometimes can't believe that I overcame it. When Alvin and I realized what had happened between us at that party, we promised to never speak of it again, and we tried to act as if it never happened. But when I found out I was pregnant, I...I felt like my life had ended. Alvin found out a few days later, and he was so mad at me because he thought I was trying to keep it from him, when I was really just scared. The first few months of my pregnancy was horrible, because I just didn't know what to do," said Brittany.
"Really?" asked Miss Miller.
Brittany nodded again. "It was even harder because Alvin and I weren't even friends at that point. I hated his guts. I honestly couldn't stand him, and the thought of being pregnant with his kid was just...insane in the worst way. I...I had thought about having an abortion, or giving the baby up for adoption," Brittany's voice grew smaller at the end. She couldn't believe she had once considered those options, but she was truly in so much distress at the time.
"You did?" Miss Miller's eyes widened slightly.
"Yeah," Brittany let out a heavy sigh. "Alvin and I weren't cut out to be parents at all. We should've been the last people on earth who should've became parents because we were just so...horrible and irresponsible. I partied too much, drank too much, went out too much, was too materialistic, and prioritized things that shouldn't have been a priority. I put Jeanette and Eleanor through a lot, because I only cared about myself. You wouldn't have been proud of me, mom. Alvin was even worse. I...I don't want to get into it too much, but the way he partied and drank was something I've never seen before. Which was why I just...couldn't see myself raising a kid, a kid that was conceived accidentally, with someone I absolutely hated."
"What made you change your mind?" Miss Miller asked.
"...A lot of things," a small sigh left Brittany's lips, and there was a slight gleam in her eyes. "But what really made me change my mind was, well, Alvin. After he found out I was pregnant, and after we talked it out with each other, there was something inside him that...clicked. There was something about him that made me realize that maybe, keeping the baby wouldn't be all that bad. We became friends again, after so long, and there was just something about him that felt different. He changed, and I did too. I could tell that he cared about the baby, and that he was serious about everything. He stayed by my side throughout the entire thing, even when I was still unsure whether I wanted to keep the baby. He didn't have to do that, but he did. We went through a lot, fought a lot, and almost lost each other in so many ways. I've cried so many times because we had hurt each other so much, but it was because we loved each other without even realizing that we did."
There was a slight shatter in Brittany's voice, and Miss Miller knew that she would never understand the pain that Brittany had felt, but she continued to listen quietly.
"We felt what it was like to almost lose each other, and we felt what it was like to see each other so broken. When I saw Alvin at his lowest, my life meant very little to me, because he was all that mattered to me. I would've done anything at that point to take that pain away from him. I would've rather felt it myself, than have him feel even an ounce of it. It wasn't until moments like those, moments where we were both broken inside, that I knew I had fallen in love with him. We kind of did, fall for each other, without even realizing that we did, which I guess, made me change my mind about the baby. Whether or not Alvin and I ended up together, I feel like I would've kept the baby no matter what, because I saw potential in Alvin and myself. Not just as parents, but as friends again," said Brittany.
"And you ended up being correct," smiled Miss Miller.
"Yeah, thank goodness, too," Brittany laughed a little. "Alvin and I have only been official for a little more than a month now, but I've never been so happy in my life."
"Only a month?" Miss Miller asked in surprise.
"Yeah. It's...a long story. A complicated one. We've wanted to be together for so long, but I personally needed to heal and recover from what I went through before I jumped into any relationship. Alvin did too, and he understood. But I'm glad we waited, because things have never been so good between us, especially raising our daughter together. I love being a mom more than anything in the world. Melody is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me," said Brittany.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so happy to hear that," said Miss Miller. "How's Alvin as a dad?"
"Hmm, just like how you'd expect Alvin Seville as a dad to be like," Brittany slightly rolled her eyes, but smiled again. "But he's the best, he really is. When I was pregnant, I was a little worried because as much as I love him, we all know that Alvin isn't the most mature and responsible person in the world. He has always been carefree and reckless his entire life. He can barely take care of his own self sometimes, so the thought of him being a parent made me a little nervous. But he proved me wrong, and I'm so glad he did. He surprised me, and he still does to this day because he's an amazing dad to our baby. He really is the best, and I'm so happy Melody has him as her father."
"Wow, he definitely doesn't seem like the rowdy little troublemaker he once was as a child," Miss Miller laughed to herself. "It sounds like Alvin really loves being a parent as well."
Brittany nodded. "Oh my god, he does. He's truly obsessed with our daughter. If you thought I was a doting parent, then Alvin is even worse. There literally isn't anything he wouldn't do for her. I hate to admit it, but Melody really is a daddy's girl. Ugh, as if it wasn't bad enough that she looks almost identical to him."
"She looks a lot like you too, sweetheart. From the pictures you showed me earlier, she certainly has some of your facial features. But yes, she does look a lot like Alvin," Miss Miller laughed. "How about her personality?"
Brittany couldn't help but laugh. "Hmm, well, some people say she's a lot like me, others say she's more like Alvin, but I think she's a perfect split. She definitely has Alvin's playfulness and mischievousness. I swear, those two are always plotting something against me whenever I leave the house," she laughed again. "But she's a little fussy and stubborn, just like me, but she is also the most sweetest and loving baby in the entire world. She's perfect. Absolutely perfect. I can't wait for you to meet her, mom."
"I can't wait either," Miss Miller had the biggest smile.
They arrived at Brittany's house about 10 minutes later. Brittany turned to her mother the moment she turned off her car, and saw the look of wonder and emotion that Miss Miller had on her face. But no words were needed to be said for Brittany to understand; not only was Miss Miller back with her daughters, back in the city she had left, but she was back in the house she grew up in, the house she raised Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor in. The exterior looked a little different; there were new windows, tiles on the roof and a new paint job, but it still felt the same. Seeing the old house again after a decade made her chest ache with nostalgia.
"I can't believe you girls still live here, after all these years," Miss Miller said gently.
Brittany laughed a little. "Jeanette, Eleanor and I actually thought of moving a few times, but we just couldn't find it in us to do so. This place is our home and always will be. We've done a few renovations here and there throughout the years, but it's still the same house."
"What made you want to stay, after all these years?" asked Miss Miller.
"Honestly, not a lot. I've definitely wanted to move out of this house so many times. But, there really is one reason that made me stay," Brittany said, before she turned her head to look out her car, and towards Alvin's house.
And it was true, despite the rocky friendship she and Alvin have had throughout the many, many years of them knowing each other, despite the hatred and the fights, the arguments and the screaming, the pettiness and the never ending bickering, he had cemented himself into her life the moment they met for the first time. Yes, they grew up as rivals, but deep inside, they both knew they were each other's deepest friend, even throughout the roughest years where they grew apart the most. Never in a million years would they expect that they would end up together; it seemed like such an imperfect match, but it just made sense because they fit, as if the universe was just waiting for the perfect time to bring them together.
"It has always been him, hasn't it," a gentle smile graced Miss Miller's face.
Brittany let out a soft laugh. "I guess so. But it wasn't like that at the beginning at all."
"Oh, I remember," Miss Miller laughed. "You two were quite the duo. Always arguing."
Brittany laughed again, before letting out a sigh. "I don't know what it was about him, because Alvin and I only became friends again when I found out I was pregnant. Before that, we hated each other, didn't speak to one another, and basically acted as if the other was invisible. The only times Alvin and I did speak was when we were fighting, nothing less. But I guess I stayed because, well, I've known him for 15 years, and I grew so accustomed to just...being around him, whether that be walking past him at school, seeing his car in the driveway, or seeing him at a party that I was at. I didn't even have to acknowledge him or talk to him, but I always felt comforted knowing he was there," she said. It was her first time admitting this out loud, even to herself, and it made her heart feel heavy and sweet.
"He was your rock," smiled Miss Miller.
"Yeah, I guess so. I just never really realized it," Brittany replied.
"Does he live here with you?" Miss Miller asked.
Brittany felt her cheeks grow warm. She shook her head. "No, he still lives across the street, with his brothers. You remember Simon and Theodore, right?"
"Of course I do, how could I ever forget?"
Brittany and Miss Miller walked out of the car, and Brittany couldn't help but notice the heavy look of emotions in her mother's eyes as she stared at the house again. This all truly felt surreal in the most beautiful way, and she couldn't even begin to imagine how Miss Miller must be feeling being back after all these years.
"Ready to go in?" Brittany asked her.
Miss Miller nodded. "Lead the way, sweetheart."
They both walked towards the front door, and Brittany allowed her mother to walk inside before her. She watched as Miss Miller exhaled deeply, but there was a smile on her face. She didn't even have to say anything at all, but Brittany could understand perfectly. Miss Miller looked around for a minute; everything looked the same, but different at the same time, but in that moment, she felt all the memories and emotions hit her at once. Memories of raising Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor when they were little girls, came rushing into her mind, almost as clear as day. If only she could count the amount of times she held all three of her daughters' hands as they walked in and out of these front doors together.
"How are you feeling, mom?" asked Brittany.
"I feel wonderful," Miss Miller looked at her, and her eyes were gleaming. "It's hard to believe that I'm back, especially in this house. I never would've thought I would ever be back."
"Well, I guess there's no need for a house tour," Brittany laughed softly.
"I think I still know my way around," Miss Miller smiled. "I love what you and your sisters have done with the place, though. It's beautifully decorated."
"Thank you. We kinda modernized it throughout the years. Wait until you see what Jeanette has done with the garden in the backyard. You'll love it," smiled Brittany. "Here, lets go to the kitchen."
Brittany followed Miss Miller into the kitchen, where she allowed her mother to sit at the table while Brittany got them both a glass of water. They sat and chatted for no more than five minutes before their conversation came to a halt when they heard footsteps, followed by a voice that came out of nowhere.
"Britt, is that you?"
The voice made her smile, and she turned around just in time to see Alvin walk into the kitchen. God, he always looked so attractive, and it always made her heart flutter. This time, however, Brittany almost laughed out loud when she saw Alvin stop in his tracks, almost abruptly, when he saw that Brittany was not alone, but with Miss Miller. Alvin froze for a second, looked at Brittany, looked at Miss Miller, then back at Brittany again.
"Hi, Alvin," Brittany smiled.
"...Hey."
She motioned to her mother and said, "You remember my mom, Miss Miller, right?"
As shocked and slightly confused as he was, it was in that moment that Alvin realized that Brittany looked really happy, and he couldn't help but feel relieved. "Of course I do," he said. "Hi, Miss Miller. Wow, I...I can't believe you're really here."
"Hi Alvin, it's nice to finally see you in person after all this time, rather than through the phone," Miss Miller laughed a little.
"Yeah, I guess so. I'm, uh, assuming the talk went well?" he asked.
Miss Miller smiled and nodded. "Yes, the talk went really well."
"Good. Thank god," chuckled Alvin. "Man, hiding that from Brittany was one of the hardest things I've ever done, so I'm glad you're finally here. So, how have you been, Miss Miller?"
"Everything is wonderful, it's more than I can ever imagine. I haven't been so happy in years," said Miss Miller. "Thank you so much for doing this, Alvin. For bringing Brittany and I back together. For bringing all three of my daughters back into my life. I...I can't thank you enough, honestly. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for you."
"Ah, it's no big deal," Alvin tried his best to sound as modest as possible. "A decade is a long time to be away from a parent, and I just wanted Brittany to be happy. Jeanette and Eleanor too. I just thought it was time to bring you all back together."
"Well, I thank you for that. I never thought I would be able to see my daughters ever again, so I truly owe you so much. You really grew into a charming young man, Alvin. You were such a troublemaker when you were younger," Miss Miller laughed.
"He still is," Brittany muttered loudly. "He was even worse when we were in high school, mom. If you thought him as a child was bad, then you would not believe the type of things this idiot got into when we were teens. God, I hated him so much."
"As if you were any better," Alvin scoffed, but looked at her to tell her he was just taunting her back.
Miss Miller couldn't help but laugh. "You two haven't changed one bit, huh."
"Nope. It still amazes me how we ended up together," Brittany said, before turning to Alvin. "Who would've thought..."
"I don't think anyone would've expected it at first, but it always made sense. Despite all the fighting and arguing, you two always protected each other, put each other first, and even though neither of you ever admitted it, you were each other's closest and most dearest friend. I always had a feeling that you two would be in each other's lives for a long time, whether as friends or neighbours, or as significant others, I always knew it would be you two. So, thank you, Alvin, for taking care of Brittany throughout the years, when I wasn't around. Again, I owe you more than you could ever imagine," said Miss Miller.
"Well, she kind of means a lot to me. We've been through so much to get to this point, that I just wanted her to be happy, that's all," he smiled.
Brittany felt her heart melt at his words. It was crazy how all this started between them, that at one point in their lives, they were each other's biggest rivals, that they hated each other with ever fibre in their body, that even the sight of each other made their blood boil. Things have really changed between them, and they certainly went through a heart wrenching journey that nobody else would understand. Yes, there were many ups, and a hell of a lot more downs, and sure, things could have gone better, but she knew that they had to experience hardships for their relationship to fall into place, that they both had to become deeply broken to find each other again. Brittany smiled a little before turning to Alvin, blushing slightly when she saw that he was smiling back. She felt herself fall more and more in love with him, if it were even that possible to love a person that much.
Speaking of...
"Where's Melody?" she asked him.
"I put her down for a nap when you left, but I think she might be waking up soon," said Alvin. "Should I go check on her?"
Brittany nodded. "Yes, please. I wanna see her."
When Alvin disappeared, Miss Miller turned to her eldest daughter, and smiled when she saw the warmth in her face. "My goodness, Brittany. That boy has it in for you. He loves you so much."
The fact that Miss Miller could tell, even though she's only been in the house for a few moments, made Brittany fluster up a little bit. But she knew, because she felt the same way for him, if not, more. "Well, he better. I didn't go through hell, just for him not to love me," Brittany joked a little, before letting out a sigh. "I'll tell you everything one day, mom, but Alvin and I really did go through a lot over the past year and a half. In a way, we lost each other, but we also saved each other at the same time. I don't think it would be possible for me to ever imagine going through that with somebody else."
"Like I said, things do happen for a reason," said Miss Miller. "I still can't believe that's the same Alvin Seville that I knew since he was a little boy. He certainly grew up to be so endearing and charming, Brittany."
"Ugh, please don't ever mention that to him. His ego is big enough," said Brittany.
A few moments later, Brittany and Miss Miller turned around at the same time when they heard footsteps return to the living room. They watched Alvin walk back in, only this time, with a sleepy and tired, yet adorable and stunning little Melody in his arms. She looked like a little doll, with her pastel pink cotton dress, and white socks. Her hair was a little messy from her nap, but she looked so, incredibly angelic with her little head resting on her father's shoulder. Brittany felt her heart melt at the sight of her little girl, and she turned to Miss Miller and smiled even more when she saw the mesmerizing gaze in her mother's eyes. She turned back to Alvin and Melody and smiled.
"Guess who just woke up," Alvin said.
Brittany gasped playfully when her daughter's eyes met hers. "Is that my baby?"
Alvin chuckled as he adjusted his daughter in his arms, so that she could be sitting upright and facing Brittany. "Melody, look, mommy's home."
Brittany laughed to herself before getting up and approaching them. She smiled at her daughter before pushing back a tuft of Melody' hair. "Hi, sleepyhead! I'm so happy to see you! Did you have a good nap?"
Melody cooed before letting out a cute yawn as she rubbed one eye with her tiny hand.
"C'mere, baby, mommy missed you so much," Brittany smiled before taking her daughter out of Alvin's arms. She hugged Melody gently before pressing a light kiss to her daughter's forehead. "How was your day? Did you have a fun day with daddy?"
Melody let out another adorable yawn, but managed to smile and giggle tiredly up at Brittany, before nuzzling her face into her mother's shoulder.
Brittany laughed, and adjusted her daughter so that she could be looking at her again. Her heart always melted at the sight of Melody's gold eyes. "I know you're sleepy, princess, but mommy wants you to meet someone."
There was a beautiful chime in Brittany's voice as she spoke to her daughter, a gentle and endearing gleam that reminded Miss Miller so much of herself when Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor were younger. It made her chest ache in the most nostalgic way, in a way that was almost painful, yet beautiful at the same time, because she would give absolutely anything to take back the time she had missed out with her daughters over the past decade. However, not even a second later, and that pain completely diminished the moment Brittany turned around with the beautiful baby girl in her arms.
And in that moment, when she saw her grandchild - her only grandchild, a grandchild she didn't know she even had up until an hour ago - she felt her heart grow ten times bigger, a feeling she had when she held Brittany as a baby, for the first time.
Miss Miller was speechless, and in the best way. The little girl was absolutely stunning; so pretty, so angelic, so mesmerizing. Her gold eyes gleamed as she rested her head on her mother's shoulder, with her light brown ringlets tied neatly in a bow. She let out another sleepy yawn, and squished her chubby cheek against her little hand, while her other hand clutched onto the front of Brittany's shirt.
Yes, she looked so, so much like her father. Almost a mirrored image. However, she certainly had her mother's features, her beauty and elegance, that Miss Miller swore, for almost a second, she thought she was staring at Brittany.
"Mom," Brittany smiled as she turned to Miss Miller. "I'd like you to meet mine and Alvin's daughter, Melody."
Miss Miller's eyes were glassy, but filled with so much adoration. "Melody...such a pretty name. Oh, Brittany, she's...she's incredible. She's absolutely stunning."
"I know, she really is," Brittany couldn't help but boast, because damn, she and Alvin do make pretty cute kids. And to top it off, if being visually enchanting wasn't enough, her daughter was the sweetest, funniest and most loving child, with a heart of gold. She was truly so, so in love with her little girl.
"I...I still can't believe I have a granddaughter. I'm at a loss for words, Brittany, but you have no idea how happy I am right now. Seeing you so happy, that's all I can ever ask for," Miss Miller said.
Brittany smiled at her mom. "I'm very happy. Being a mom is my most favorite thing," she looked down and smiled at her daughter before turning back. "And I have you back in my life, after so long. Today's been the best day. I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Miss Miller smiled again, before looking at Alvin, who was standing behind them the entire time watching quietly. "I'm so proud of both of you. You two have really grown up so well. You have both helped each other grow, and I am so glad you two have each other, that you've had each other your entire life. I truly feel that you two were destined to meet, all those years ago. Whether as friends, enemies, or anything else, it was fate."
Alvin chuckled. "I guess so, huh."
Brittany turned to Alvin and said, "Maybe it was a good thing we were both drunk at that party a year and a half ago. Who knows where we would be right now if that hadn't happened?" she laughed.
"Maybe. But I feel like we would've ended up together somehow, party or not," he told her.
Miss Miller couldn't help but laugh a little. "I still can't believe that had happened between you two."
"Ugh, neither can I, sometimes. And to think, Alvin and I weren't even friends. Before that night, we hadn't spoke to each other in about a year. That stupid party was the first time we talked in a year. We didn't even talk, to be honest, it was more like yelling and arguing and fighting for absolutely no reason," Brittany laughed a little.
"And you were pretty drunk," chuckled Alvin.
"Me?" Brittany rolled her eyes. "Do not even get me started with you, Seville."
Miss Miller couldn't help but laugh at their banter. "Well, whatever it was, it was a good thing it happened, because if it hadn't, this beautiful little girl wouldn't be here right now," said Miss Miller, unable to tear her gaze away from the little baby. "May I hold her, Brittany?"
"Of course," Brittany smiled, before turning to her little girl. "Melody, wanna meet your grandma?"
Melody gazed up at Brittany, with the cutest little expression. Brittany laughed quietly before slowly walking over to her mom, and gently handing her daughter into her arms. Brittany took a step back, and bit her bottom lip, afraid that Melody would start crying, but she was shocked that she didn't. Miss Miller held Melody gently, trying her best to bite back tears of joy as she looked at her darling little granddaughter.
There are no words to express how Miss Miller feels, being reunited with her three daughters after a whole decade. However, meeting her grandchild for the first time, especially with Brittany by her side, was a feeling that was incomparable beyond anything else. It brought back feelings and memories of when she was raising Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor as babies, toddlers and children. Her heart ached in the most exquisite way.
"Hi, Melody," Miss Miller said lovingly. "Wow, look at you, darling. You are truly so adorable, I can't even believe it."
Melody gazed up at the lady that was holding her, and the tiniest of smiles appeared on her pretty face.
"I certainly didn't expect to meet you today, but I'm so glad I did," Miss Miller caressed one of Melody's chubby cheeks. "Gosh, you remind me so much of your mommy when she was little. You really are the prettiest little girl I have ever seen."
Brittany couldn't help but tear up a little. Watching her mother meet her daughter for the first time was a moment that will forever be cemented in her heart forever. Out of nowhere, she felt an arm wrap around her waist from behind, and she turned around and saw Alvin standing behind her. He smiled down at her, and she smiled back, before leaning into him and resting her head against his shoulder.
The pain and the trauma that she had endured over the past year still bruised deep inside of her, that feeling this happy and content felt illegal, almost taboo. It was almost as if she was questioning what the hell she did to deserve the happiness and love, because she wasn't used to feeling it this much. But after watching her mother, and especially after seeing Melody laugh and smile as she reached a little hand up to her grandmother's face, made Brittany realize that maybe she does deserve it all, that this is where she was meant to be, what she's been waiting for her entire life.
Miss Miller and Brittany spent the next two hours in the living room as they played with and took care of Melody, where Miss Miller got to see her eldest daughter be a mom for the first time, and where she got to be a grandma for the first time. If you told Brittany that she would be spending her day watching her estranged mother cuddle and play with her daughter, she would not have believed it at all. Brittany sat back and smiled to herself, watching Melody sit on her grandma's lap as Miss Miller read her a storybook. The sight of it truly warmed her heart. Realizing that her mother and daughter were immersed in their own world at the moment, Brittany quietly slipped out of the living room to look for Alvin; she hasn't seen him in the past two hours, and he has been awfully quiet, which was so unlike him at all. But she soon found him outside in the backyard, on the porch swing by himself as he scrolled through his phone.
Brittany poked her head out. "Hi, Alvin."
Alvin looked up and smiled when he saw her. "Hey."
"Can I join you?"
He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Do I have a choice?" he teased.
"Nope," she answered. She stepped outside and sat right next to him before turning to him. "Have you been out here the whole time?"
"Yeah, just watching the hockey game on my phone. I figured that you and Miss Miller wanted to spend some time together and catch up a little bit more," he laughed gently when he saw the gleam in Brittany's eyes. "You seem really happy, Britt."
"I am. It honestly feels like she's been here the entire time. It's almost as if she had never left, as if I had her by my side the past 10 years, especially when I needed her the most," she sighed heavily and looked directly at him. Her eyes were glossy. "...Thank you, Alvin."
"Hmm?"
She took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words to say without her emotions getting the best of her. "The fact that you went through all that trouble, just to find my mom again, to reunite not only myself with my estranged mother, but Jeanette and Eleanor too...you didn't have to do that at all, but you did, and I'm so grateful that you did. I thought I was never going to see Miss Miller ever again, and even though I spent the last decade hating her, and despising her for what she did, I was terrified that I would never see her again. I was scared that I would never get an answer to why she left. It has kept me awake for 10 whole years, and I feel like my mind is finally at ease. I've...I've never been so happy in my life. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but thank you..." she felt herself get choked up. "...so much."
Alvin grinned. "Not bad for a wild, out of control, reckless party boy like me, huh."
Brittany laughed and rolled her eyes. "Never change, Seville," she said, before leaning in to press her lips to his.
"I don't plan to," he smirked against her lips. He gave her another kiss before slightly pulling away. "But you're welcome. I don't think you understand how much I love you, Brittany."
"Trust me, I understand, because I feel it for you even more," she said, before kissing him again, but Alvin pulled away again, which made her frown. "What?"
"Don't tell me we're gonna turn into that kind of couple. You know I hate that lovey dovey shit," he tried to hold in a laugh.
"Ew, hell no, I would rather die," Brittany made a face. "But...just this once? And then we can go back to being complete assholes to each other."
"Hmm, I guess I can live with that," he teased. "I love you."
"Love you more," she said, before pulling him close and kissing him again. The kiss was sweet, and filled with all the love their damn hearts could ever offer. Brittany wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him deeper, and it was a good thing they were alone, because the direction they were going was certainly meant for closed doors.
"Oh my god, Miss Miller, you're here!"
Alvin and Brittany pulled away from each other when they heard Eleanor's voice come from inside, which meant that she and Jeanette had just arrived home. Brittany felt her heart start to race; this was going to be the first time in a decade where her and her sisters will be with Miss Miller, all together. And the fact that they are all reuniting in the exact same house where they were last together, was absolutely mind blowing. But Brittany felt excited, as if a new chapter in her life had just begun.
Alvin and Brittany walked back inside the house. Miss Miller still had Melody in her arms, but this time, she was surrounded by Jeanette and Eleanor, who both looked elated to see their mom again. They all turned their heads when they heard the two walk in, and Miss Miller's eyes began to sparkle with tears at the sight of her three daughters in front of her. She never thought she would see them again, but she was so happy, beyond words. Her girls grew up so well, so beautifully and grown up, and her heart started to beam with pride.
"Britt!" Jeanette gasped.
"Hey," Brittany greeted her sisters.
Eleanor laughed a little to herself. "I guess you two have talked it out?" she asked.
Brittany nodded. "It was a talk that was 10 years overdue, but I understand now. Sometimes you just need to forgive and move on," her voice was gentle and loving.
"And now Miss Miller is here!" Jeanette turned to Miss Miller and smiled, before looking at her niece. "Hi, munchkin. Are you having fun with grandma?"
They all laughed when they heard Melody giggle, a sound that always made their hearts grow a billion times bigger.
"How did you react when Brittany told you about Melody, mom?" asked Eleanor.
"Best surprise ever. As if being reunited with you three wasn't already the best part of today, but also finding out that I have a grandbaby? Today just keeps getting better," Miss Miller hugged Melody, which prompted the little girl to let out another adorable laugh. "I just love this little angel so much. I just wanna spend time with her all day."
And it was then, in that moment, where all three sisters glanced at each other and immediately read each other's minds. Those words shook them to the core, in a good way, because they all were thinking the same thing. They were all quiet for a moment, but Brittany knew, as the eldest, she would have to be the one to speak up.
"Then...then you should move back, mom. Here, in LA, with us again," said Brittany.
Miss Miller froze for a moment, before turning to her daughters, but mainly focused on Brittany. Her heart felt warm and heavy, and she felt a little speechless at first.
"I know it's a huge request to spring on you all of a sudden, and you've probably grown so accustomed to living in Kansas," Brittany took a deep breath. "But it would be nice having you around again, after so long. Jeanette, Eleanor and I miss you, and it would be a great chance to just catch up and make up for all the time we've lost. And I know moving your entire life to another state is a lot, but we can help you. You can stay here with us for the time being, or we can help you find a place of your own if you'd like. And I know Melody would love to see you all the time, too."
"Oh, Brittany, sweetheart..." Miss Miller sighed.
"I know it's a lot to ask for, and please don't feel pressured to say yes. It's entirely your choice, and we will still love you regardless," Brittany told her. "I just...want us to be a family again, Miss Miller."
Miss Miller looked at her three daughters again. They all had the same look of hope in their eyes. Brittany was right; despite the 10 years they had lost out on, it was never too late to start over. She loves her daughters more than anything, and it was that same love that made her commit the ultimate sacrifice and save her daughters when she left all those years ago, and Miss Miller knew, in this moment, that the only place she belongs is wherever her daughters are.
"Would that...make you happy?" she asked. "Me moving back here?"
The three girls nodded. "More than anything," said Jeanette.
"Well, in that case," Miss Miller took a deep breath. "Seems like I have a bit of packing to do."
Eleanor gasped. "Wait, so that means...?"
Miss Miller smiled at her youngest and nodded. "Yes. I would love to move back here."
"Oh my god, mom!" Jeanette exclaimed happily, before running to Miss Miller to embrace her. Eleanor did the same, and went up behind them to hug Miss Miller and Jeanette.
Brittany felt her eyes weld up with happy tears at the sight of her sisters and mom. She felt Alvin nudge her from behind, and she turned around, and saw him smile gently before motioning her to go over and join them. Brittany smiled at him, and her eyes told him that she loved him, so fucking much, more than she could ever describe with words. She turned back around and walked over to embrace her mom, and it was the craziest, most beautiful feeling. Miss Miller's eyes began to flood with tears as she embraced all three of her daughters, something she thought she would never get to do again. And it was this very moment where they all knew that things were going to be okay, from this moment on. And despite the pain that they had endured, the loss and betrayal that had embedded in their hearts over the past decade, this moment right now made it all worth it.
Aww, Miss Miller is back in their lives, and the girls are happy again! And damn, Alvin and Brittany really do love each other, don't they? *cries*
So, now that things are all fine and dandy, what on earth is gonna happen next? (I have a few ideas, teehee...)
Thank you so much for reading this chapter. Let's hit 1385 reviews before the next one!
See you all in the next chapter :)