Lauren's PoV
The large familiar house stared back at me. I sighed for the millionth time and glanced at the blonde in the passenger seat. "Do I have too?"
"They're your family." Camila managed a soft smile. "Plus I think they'd love to meet Dylan and catch up with you."
Uncle Vic and Aunt Greta were on vacation when we first arrived in Midtown, but they had just gotten back and heard that I was in town. Apparently they begged and begged Austin to get me to visit them.
I sat in their driveway, expecting them to come running out but I figured they were waiting for me to make the first move.
I hadn't seen them since my parents' funeral and that thought alone made me want to get all emotional again.
"I just don't know if I can handle all the tears. I haven't cried this much since..." I trailed off and sighed, already feeling my strong exterior crumble.
Camila's hand was on my thigh, rubbing gently before catching my hand and kissing the back of my fingers. "I'll go in with you if you want me too."
"You will?" I whispered, scared-like.
"Come on, I bet they're going to flip when they see Dylan." Camila turned her head around to find the nine year old passed out in the backseat. "It's not even dinner time yet, we must've really worn her out."
I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the vehicle. Opening up the back door, I shook Dylan lightly. "Baby Dyl," I whispered and she groaned, pouting a little. Camila opened up the back door on the other side and smiled lightly. "How can she be so tired?"
"The girl has had so much excitement during our stay, I think it's all catching up to her." Camila whispered softly, tucking strays of loose curly hair behind Dylan's ear. "Hey Dylan, wake up please."
A few seconds later, green sleepy eyes locked on mine. "Momma? Where are we?"
"We're going to meet some very special people." I kissed her forehead. "Come on, I think you'll love them."
"Who?" She asked, hoping out beside me and yawning.
"Austin's parents." Camila grabbed her other hand. "Aunt Greta and Uncle Vic."
"Oh." Dylan smiled a little and remained quiet as we walked up the familiar pathway.
"They trimmed that big tree down by your bedroom window." Camila mused, looking up.
"You lived here?" Dylan asked in surprise.
"I did," I smiled, "when Gramma and Grandpa went away for a bit while I was younger, they had me stay with Austin. I met Camila that year."
"Aww and you fell in love with Mom?" Dylan whispered, her cheeks flushing beat red while Camila and I stared at her with shit eating grins. "Right?" She squeaked.
"Right," I whispered, "that was when I fell in love with your mom."
Camila squeezed her hand and Dylan visibly relaxed. She was still blushing but knowing that we were more than happy that she finally called Camila 'mom', she wasn't flinching or waiting for someone to yell at her.
"Oh God Camz, I don't know if I can do this." Panic set in so quick I barely had time to react to it.
"Yes you can," she squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek, "they're going to be so thrilled to see you baby. I promise."
It wasn't like I was afraid they'd be upset with me for being away for so long. I was just scared to feel some old familiar feelings I had when my parents were alive. Aunt Greta was so much like a Jauregui, I was afraid I'd break down.
Before I had a chance to really respond to Camila, Dylan had stood on her tiptoes and pushed the door bell.
Camila's hand on my back calmed me slightly but my heart beat wildly in my chest. I felt like passing out the moment I heard footsteps approaching quickly.
Time stood still momentarily when Aunt Greta swung the door open. I found myself staring into familiar green eyes and I swallowed but immediately felt calm the moment I felt her arms wrap around me.
Her sob into my neck set me off and I was standing outside her door in the freezing cold, crying. It felt good to cry though; it felt like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders. Aunt Greta pulled back, wiping my face with her hands before wiping her own. "God you're so grown up now!"
I nodded, not yet able to find my voice.
"Hello Greta," Camila smiled softly, her hand securely in Dylan's.
"It is so good to see you again Camila." Aunt Greta hugged the brunette before her eyes finally drifted down to the smaller girl. "Aren't you just the most beautiful little girl." She knelt down and smiled through tears. "Your Gramma always said you were."
Dylan's eyes flashed slightly. "You knew my Gramma?" She whispered.
"God Lauren," Aunt Greta pulled us into a fierce hug, "never leave us again okay? We're your family, we'll do anything for you."
I could see Camila from over the older woman's shoulder. She was smiling with tears forming in her own eyes. I couldn't help but smile back.
--
Lucas' PoV
"All I'm saying is I cannot believe you scored such a babe." Uncle Alex laughed, taking a sip of his beer.
"Uncle, she's not mine and she's seventeen you perv." I stuffed the photo of Jaiden back in my bag.
"Hey, I'd never go there but you have to admit, your taste in the ladies is almost as good as mine." He smiled teasingly and slid down the wall, sitting next to me in the hallway. "So why are you sitting here all alone while your cousins are kicking ass on the video game?"
I shrugged. "I don't know and you said a bad word." A smile tugged at my lips.
"Not falling for that," he raised an eyebrow, "your parents and Normani probably give you more money than I ever got when I was your age."
"Okay, I'll let it slide this time." I poked his curly head with my finger. "Do you think you'll ever fall in love again?"
My Uncle Alex frowned and slouched a little bit more. "Maybe? I don't know. I think focusing on Hannah is what's best for me right now."
"This family has too many girls." I voiced out loud and he laughed, completely agreeing with me.
"I guess liking girls makes up for that." He threw me a wink and stretched. I didn't want him to leave yet. I grabbed his hand and tugged him back down. "Everything okay?"
"I have a secret." I whispered. "It's not a bad secret but I promised I wouldn't say anything." I held my breath.
"Well I think if it's a good secret, you should keep it. No harm in those kind." Uncle Alex ruffled my hair and scooped me up, carrying me into the living room with my cousins.
I heard the front door swing open and found myself flat on my back with Dylan hugging me. "Missed me?" I chuckled.
"They are so cool Lukey! Uncle Vic and Aunt Greta said that it's okay if I stay with them for a little bit in the summer when we visit Nana and Grandpa!" Dylan cried happily, bouncing around.
Mom and Momma walked in the house hand in hand with Uncle Vic and Aunt Greta following behind. I couldn't help but smile and jump up, giving them each a huge hug.
"Vic, Greta, come in! There's plenty of food." Grandpa smiled warmly, patting the top of my head.
"I think with everything we've been through this year and years before that, this family deserves to have a chance to heal together." Nana smiled and hugged Aunt Greta.
"Hey squirt, can I borrow you?" Momma nudged me and I nodded, following her into the hallway, avoiding my mom's curious glare. "Are you ready for tonight?"
"Am I ever!" I whispered excitedly. "How are you going to get me out of the house that late?"
"Oh sweetie, I'm a Jauregui, I have my ways." She winked and kissed my forehead.
"You're nervous." I pointed out at the shakiness of her hands when she cupped the side of my face.
"And you are way too smart for your own good." Her green eyes twinkled. "Come on, let's go kick some video game butt."
"Momma?" I swallowed and looked down at my rainbow socked feet. "After, I mean, do you think maybe... I was doing some research and I was wondering," I took a deep breath, "if you could adopt me?"
"Luc..." she whispered in awe, tears already forming in her eyes. I had to swallow my own, fearing her answer. "You want me to adopt you?"
"I want to be Lucas Evelyn Cabello-Jauregui." I stated with confidence. "I want to be yours too."
"Oh baby," her arms were thrown around me and she nodded, "I'm yours too. I'll be more than happy to adopt you and make you mine as well."
"Mom's going to be insanely happy about this." I whispered with wide eyes, smiling like a crazy person.
"How about we do one surprise at a time, yea?" Momma stood up and held out her hand.