The next day, at the work party, Carlos Reyes, one of the senior leaders in the team, stepped up to the microphone with a smile on his face. The room quieted as everyone turned their attention to him.
"Tonight, we're here to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our team," Carlos began, his voice carrying across the room. "But one person truly stood out, not just for her bravery, but for her unwavering commitment to helping others, no matter the cost."
He paused, looking over at Alexis, who stood at the edge of the crowd, unsure of what was happening. She felt the eyes of her coworkers on her, and her heart skipped a beat as Carlos continued.
"Alexis Joy Black, for your courage, your strength, and for always stepping up when your team needs you most, I'm proud to present you with this," he said, holding up a small, shining gold award.
The crowd erupted in applause as Alexis stepped forward, her eyes a little teary from the overwhelming moment. She took the gold award from Carlos, her hands trembling slightly.
"Thank you," Alexis said, her voice filled with emotion. "I'm just doing my job, but this means the world to me. Thank you for believing in me."
She looked around at her colleagues, all of them smiling and cheering, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for everything she had gone through to get to this moment. It was a reminder that even in the hardest times, she had a team who cared about her. The award wasn't just a piece of metal—it was a symbol of the strength, support, and family she had found in the people around her . Tyler Kennedy Strand approached his cousin Alexis, his tone soft but with an underlying curiosity. "Hey, can we talk for a minute?" he asked, glancing around to make sure they had some privacy.
Alexis looked at him, sensing the seriousness in his voice. She nodded, her heart already racing a little as she wondered what this conversation would bring. Tyler continued, his eyes meeting hers. "My dad told me about your stepdad and your mom... and about your baby sister. He said we haven't met her yet. Why is that?"
Alexis took a deep breath, a mix of emotions bubbling up inside her. She wasn't used to talking about her family, especially her complicated relationship with her mother and stepfather. But Tyler was family—her cousin—and she knew he wouldn't judge her.
"It's a long story, Tyler," she began, her voice quiet but steady. "My mom and I... we don't always see eye to eye, especially after everything that happened with my stepdad. And as for Ava..." She paused, thinking of her baby sister. "I haven't really had the chance to introduce you to her. It's just been hard, you know? With everything going on."
Tyler nodded, his face full of understanding. "I get it. But I want to meet her, Alexis. I think it's time we all meet your sister. You shouldn't have to carry everything by yourself. You've got family here, okay?"
Alexis blinked back tears, feeling the weight of his words. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that. "Yeah... I think it's time. Thank you, Tyler."
He smiled gently. "Anytime, cousin. We're here for you, all the way."
YOU ARE READING
Eight Lives, One Heart
Fanfic"Eight Lives, One Heart" follows the extraordinary journey of Alexis Joy Black, a 25-year-old woman burdened by her stepfather's insurmountable debt. To keep her family afloat, Alexis works eight high-stakes jobs: as a surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial...
