Fallin' For Her

Chapter 23.

Time skip to when Alexa's 16th birthday 🎉

Hope's POV
My alarm went off at 4:30 am signalling that I had to wake up. Kelley has recently moved in with Lex and I after being transferred to Houston Dash. I slowly got up and made my way to the bathroom. I wash my face and brush my teeth and grab a quickly shower to try freshen myself up. I got dressed and walked out. I walked over to Kelley and kissed the top of her head. I walked down the hall to Lex's room and opened the door slightly. She was sprawled out on her bed sound asleep. I smiled when I saw her. Me and her have been through so much. Car and Ash are always calling to check up on her. I walk out again and close the door quietly. I walked downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed my car keys. I locked the front door again after walking out. I started the car and made my way to the airport. All the girls were coming here to surprise Lex seeing as she hasn't seen them in over a year because of school. I pull up and park the car and walk into the airport to find all the girls waiting. I wave and smile as they all come running over. Between them all they rented 3 mini vans and followed me to the house. By the time we arrived back at the house it was nearly 6 am. Good I have another 3 hours before Lex wakes up. Carli and Brian were already there drinking tea at the table beside Kelley. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her lips.
"Morning babe."
"Mmmh. Morning"
"Alright ladies are we all here?" I asked.
"Hell yeah!" Pinoe whisper yelled. Everyone laughed and followed me up to Lex's room. I put a finger to my lips signalling then to be quiet. I opened the door quietly and left them all in. They stood all around the bed. I gave them a nod and everyone screamed.
"HAPPY SWEET 16 LEX" they laughed out. Lex jumped and screamed and fell out of the bed with a loud thud. Everyone laughed and I went over to help her up. She was laughing too and accepted my hand to help her up. I pulled her into a hug and kissed her head.
"Happy birthday my love."
"Thanks mom. It means a lot." She let go and went and hugged everyone. Brian was leaning against the doorframe with a sad smile on his face watching Lex laughing with all the girls. I walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"She grew up fast eh?"
"Too fast. I remember when I first met her. And when she first called me dad." He said still looking at her with a smile. "She's always going to be my baby girl no matter what she says."
"Yeah our little girl." Brian walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. I made eye contact with Lex and she looked sad. I nodded at her and she immediately ran after him.

Brian's POV
I couldn't look at Lex anymore. She's growing up too fast. I want my little girl back. I walked back down the stairs and out to the backyard. I sat on the steps leading to the garden and let out a sigh. I heard the door open and close and then footsteps. I looked up at Lex and gestured for her to come sit down. She sat down next to me and out her head on my shoulder. I wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
"Happy birthday baby girl."
"Thanks dad. Why did you walk out of the room?"
"Thought you could use some space."
"Dad ... I know you're lying. What's the real reason?"
"You're growing up too fast kid. You're graduating high school soon and then you leave for college. Who's going to stay with me when Car goes off to camp or NWSL games? I guess I'm going to miss you that's all."
"Dad I'll always be a call away. I'm always going to be your little girl. Nothing is going to change that. We're in it for the long hall right?"
"You bet kid. Cmon we better go inside." We stood up and I gave her one last hug and walked inside. I walked over to Car and wrapped my arms around her waist. I kissed her cheek and rest my head on her shoulder.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"Nothing. Just and father daughter talk."
"Alright. Is everything sorted at the zone?"
"Yes all we have to do is collect the keys at dads house and then it's ours for the day."
"She looks happy doesn't she." She says looking over at Lex smiling.
"Yes. Yes she does." Lex sees us looking and gives us a smile and wave. Car waved back and smiled.

Alexa's POV
It's been the best birthday yet. Everyone was here. I was so happy and it was only 2 in the afternoon. We were watching movies while Dad went to do something. I didn't know what but didn't think much about it. I sat in between Ash and Ali and curled into Ali's side and put my legs on Ash. We were watching Gilmore Girls and I couldn't help but think that that was just like mom and I. It was our favourite show and watched every episode twice together. I looked over at her to see her deep in conversation with Kelley looking serious. I got a little upset when Kelley got up and left. Ali must have noticed because she tightened her grip around me and kissed my temple. I made eye contact with mom and she gave me a sad smile before getting up to follow Kelley. I looked over at Carli and she back at me. She patted for the space next to her and I got up and kissed Ali's cheek before making my way over to her. I sat down next to her and leaned my head against her shoulder. She ran her fingers through my hair.
"They're not fighting you know."
"They've been like this for a while and Kelley's being really distant from me lately. Did I do something wrong that I'm not aware of?"
"No Lex absolutely not. I don't know what's up with Kelley but you didn't cause it. I promise you that."
"But I can't help feeling like that."
"Talk to her and tell her how you feel."
"I will later." Dad walked back in with the biggest grin on his face. I walked over and hugged him really tight. When I pulled away his smile was gone but replaced by a concerned face. I gave him a sad smile and walked outside. I needed a break from everything so I walked over to my secret spot. I forgot my phone at the house so good luck to anyone who wants to call me. Only Kelley and Ash know about this place because they followed me after I got pissed off at mom. There was a fire swing hanging off the tree and facing the town that I call home. It's about a 10 minute walk up the hill but only a 2 minute run. I ran there in record time and looked out. I sat down and swung back forth. I was only there for a minute or two before I realised I wasn't alone. I turned around to see Kelley leaning against the tree.
"Hi."
"Lex I think it's time we talk."
"Talk? You want to talk now?"
"Lex I need you to listen."
"No promises."
"Lex Carli told me what you said to her."
"Whatever just leave me alone please." I got up and brushed past Kelley but caught hold of my arm. I turned back to look at her.
"Let go of me. I'm tired of wanting to talk to you when I need you most and you ignoring me. You don't get to come running to me when you need to talk like right now. It doesn't work like that."
"Lex...."
"No I'm sick of it Kelley." I walked back over to the tire. Tears were starting to form in my eyes. "Leave please. Just go." I heard her take a shaky breath and put something on the ground. She let out a quiet sob and quickly ran away. I broke down even harder and fell to the ground and pulled my legs into my chest. I just kept crying and crying. I felt arms around me and I looked up to see Ali and Ash standing there. Ash had her arms around me and Ali was on the phone.
"We have her Hope. She's fine with us. Go back to Kelley." And she hung up the phone. She walked over and sat down next to me. Ash let go and I went to Ali and cried into her. She rubbed my back and rocked me back and forth.
"It's okay kid. We're here now. Everything is going to be okay I promise you. Ash what's that piece of paper under the rock there?" I looked over and saw Ash's face drop. She walked over to us and showed us the page. On the top it read 'Adoption Form'. I heard a gasp from Ali and her hands went over her mouth. I read through it and from what I could understand from it is that Kelley wanted to be my legal guardian alongside Mom. My heart skipped a beat after I read the last page. It was already signed. Kelley was now my mum. I looked up at Ash and she gave me a sad smile and so did Ali. I stood up and gave them both hugs.
"Go get your mum back kid." Ash whispered in my ear. I ran back home and burst through the front door. Everyone turned to look at me and gave me sad smiles. Dad stood up and walked over fast to check if I was alright.
"Dad I'm fine I just need to talk to mom and Kelley. Where are they?"
"Their bedroom. She won't come out." I ran up the stairs and saw mom sitting outside her bedroom door. I walked up to her and knelt down and put a hand on her leg. She looked up and gasped. She jumped into my arms and smothered me with kisses. I chuckled and hugged her back.
"Is she in there?"
"Yeah but it's locked."
"I know a way. Go take the girls to the restaurant and we'll meet you there in 20 minutes."
"You sure Lex?"
"Positive. Go have fun." I gave a quick kiss and pushed her down the stairs. I walked into my room and climbed out the window onto the balcony. I jumped from mine to mom's barely making it. I let out a breath of relief and walked over to the door and knocked. Kelley walked over and unlocked the door and walked into the bathroom and locked the door. I sighed knowing it won't be easy.
I sat down against the door and began speaking.
"We need to talk. I know you won't talk back so I'm going to keep on talking until you open the door. Alright here it goes." I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry that I didn't give you a chance to explain things earlier. I know I should've but I was upset with you. Upset that you've been distant from me a lot lately and I guess I just missed having you around. When Ash handed me the paper I didn't know what it meant only taking guesses. And then when I got to the last page and saw mom's signature and yours my heart skipped a beat. I need you now more than ever and I need to know I can trust you. Please let me know I can trust you." I heard her unlock the door. I quickly got up and wiped away the tears that were falling from my eyes. She wouldn't look up so I walked over and pulled her into a hug. She immediately hugged me back.
"You can trust me. I'll always be here." I heard her mumble.
"I love you mum." I smiled. This was the first time I've ever called her that. She tightened her grip on me and I did too. When she pulled away she wiped the tears away from her eyes and did the same for me. She kissed my cheek and then my forehead. I smiled and giggled. She was always my mum even if she knew it not.