Our Little Loves

Chapter 19

One Week Later

Alicia's mother's funeral service was private and heartbreaking. Maya, Carina, Amelia, and Molly all stood by the teenager's side as she laid her mom to rest. As somber as it was, it was the closure Alicia needed. In her lifetime, she had never met another human being who had fought as hard as she had. She would never forget her- no matter who else came in or out of her life.

The services for Michael Dixon were two days later and it was the opposite of private. Due to his job, the entire city showed up in support for the Dixon family. The streets were lined with American flags as the funeral procession made its way through town. While Maya believed that all first responders deserved a proper send-off, she couldn't shake the sour taste in her mouth about Dixon. The toxicology reports from the accident had been shoved under the rug and sealed so no one would ever find out the truth. The real truth. Michael Dixon had been obscenely drunk that morning, nearly twice the legal limit. Maya had a feeling about it during their encounter, but she didn't say anything. Apparently, he had gotten very good at hiding it.

Carina and Alicia did not attend the service for Dixon. Alicia was adamant about supporting her girlfriend, but Molly wouldn't have it. She told Alicia that he never supported them, so she did not need to support him. In fact, the only reason Alicia was attending was for her brother, Emmett.

As captain of Station 19, Maya was forced to attend. She plastered on a fake face of sorrow and regret. All of the guilt and pain she felt a week ago had passed. Molly had assured her during a conversation that none of this was her fault and that it was a long time coming. That was the nail in the coffin Maya needed to leave the guilt behind. After the services, Alicia had to return to school. It was nearly midterms and with how much class time she had missed, she had to crack down on her studies. She would be home on the weekends and again in two weeks for spring break. Alicia was lost without her.

"Alicia, are you sure you don't want to stay in the main house with us during the week?" Carina asked. Everyone was seated around the dinner table, and unlike most nights, the family was extremely quiet. "We can fix the guest room up for you."

Alicia looked down at her plate and twirled the pasta on her fork. She hadn't even heard Carina.

"Leesha." Josie nudged her and looked up at her with her bright blue eyes.

The teenager shook the cobwebs out of her head and responded, "Sorry."

"It's okay, love. Would you like to stay in the main house during the week? It might make the evenings a little easier."

She shook her head no and dropped her eyes again. It had only been two days since Molly went back to Washington State. Alicia had thought several times of packing everything up and going with her, but the four and a half hour drive and her treatment plan didn't allow for that. The girls were hoping that the both of them could attend the University of Washington in the fall which was located in Seattle.

Maya reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Please, let us know what we can do for you. No ask is too big."

Alicia mouthed a quiet thank you and then dismissed herself back to the pool house. She and Molly had plans to Facetime in a bit and she wanted to shower and get in her pajamas beforehand.

"Is everything okay with Leesha?" Josie asked innocently.

The boys had run off to the living room for one final round of playtime before baths and bed. Jojo was on a stool next to the sink helping her mama with the dishes while Maya cleared the table.

Carina looked at her daughter lovingly. As sassy as the little girl was, she had a heart of gold. "Alicia is just going through a lot right now, bambina. All we can do is love and support her."