Hello Rosalynna

Chapter Twenty - Five: Last | ✔

May 11, 2037

Chapter Twenty-Five: Last | ✔

"I catch my breath we're

Just one beating hear

And I brace myself, please

don't tear this apart

I found a man I can trust"

Bound To You // Christina Aguilera

Valentina Carson

*drugs and shooting* - turn the song on as you read

We all stayed with Ansel and the twins all night, and even today, we left and came back with some food. We sat around, and ate together, laughing and joking like we used to. The room felt full of warmth, even with the tiny squeaks and cries of the newborn twins in the background. Enrique was cracking his usual goofy jokes, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Ansel looked both tired and content, holding the babies with a certain tenderness I hadn't seen before. It hit me – he was taking this fatherhood thing seriously. Weston, being her usual independent self, offered to handle all the practical stuff – diapers, formula, you name it. She might not say it, but she cared. We all did.

I looked at those little faces, Beckland and Avan, and something clicked. They were family, and we were in this together. No matter what happened between Ansel and Daisy, those babies were part of us now. As we sat there, chatting about nothing and everything, it felt like a glimpse of the past – a moment of unity and connection that we'd been missing. And, in a way, those tiny lives in the bassinets brought us back together.

I carefully took the tiny bracelets, one for Beckland and the other for Avan Elevyn. Gently sliding them onto their fragile wrists, I couldn't help but marvel at how small and delicate they were. The bracelets looked almost comically large on their miniature arms.

Leaning over, I kissed each of their tiny hands. "They look like they're getting bigger fast. You got vampires, bro," I teased Ansel, hoping to lighten the mood. He chuckled, I could tell he was tired just from the look in his eyes,

Moving away from the baby beds, I stood back, looking at the twins with a sense of wonder. "Auntie loves you, my 11s," I whispered to them as if they could understand. It was strange that Ansel was actually a father now, and the babies were here.

I turned to Weston next, surprising her with a hug. I wrapped my arms around her taking in her sweet scent as we embraced. She looked taken aback for a moment, not used to me displaying affection towards her. "What the hell was that for?" Weston asked as we released each other.

 "You're part of this, too, Weston. We're all in this together," I said, trying to convey that, despite our differences, we were a family.

Enrique was next in line for a hug. "Man, I thought I'd be the last one getting a hug from you," he teased. As I pulled away from the hug, I glanced at Ansel, who was looking at us with a soft smile.

Weston and Enrique made their way towards the door, Enrique turned to Ansel, saying, "Hey, we're gonna go. She has to get ready for the pep squad. I'm gonna head home after school. Our parents have their divorce thing today, and I want to make sure I'm there for whichever comes home first. I won't mention the babies yet, but you're gonna have to, especially 'cause they might come home soon since they're doing so well."

Weston chimed in, "Yeah, half-day today 'cause of the pep rally. But, seriously, man, take care. We'll catch you later." They exchanged quick goodbyes before heading out.