behind the camera - fake dating sports romance (wlw)

Chapter Thirty

MILLIE

Lia is the first one to run at me—fast and uncoordinated, arms out like a cartoon character, all heart and no brakes. For the first time, she beats her older cousins. I barely have time to brace myself before she collides into me with a squeal, her little limbs wrapping tight around my neck. Her giggles burst out warm against my skin as she buries her face there, like I'm her favorite hiding place. I catch her easily, instinctively, one arm locked around her small frame as I press her close against my body.

God, I missed this baby like crazy.

"Lia, baby—be careful. Aunt Millie is still recovering," Aurora warns from across the room. Her hands are on her hips. She's trying to be stern, but the smile is already tugging at the corner of her mouth.

I roll my eyes and shush her without looking up. "Shut up, Aurora. Just let me be with my niece."

She throws her hands up like she's surrendering to the chaos, then grins at Camille beside her, giving her wife a look that's all fond amusement and bone-deep love. "She can be kind of rough sometimes," she says, then adds with a smirk, "We're on the biting phase."

I blink at Lia in my arms. "Is that true?" I whisper, tickling her side. She squeals louder, wriggling against me, her little arms tightening like she's never letting go. "That's not true, right? Mommy's just a liar."

She pulls back to look at me, her round face scrunching in serious concentration, like she's trying to figure out if admitting it will get her in trouble. "You goin' away?" she asks instead, voice small.

She's so beautiful it actually hurts. The perfect mixture of her moms—strawberry-blonde hair that curls softly at the ends, all wild and shiny and usually in some state of tangly chaos. Her eyes are Bennett-blue, bright and wide and curious, the exact same shade as mine and Aurora's and Mom's. She's tiny for her age, but Mom says Aurora was the same when she was little. Small but mighty. Her cheeks are round with dimples that show when she smiles, and when she talks, it's always like the words are too big for her mouth and she's trying to carry them anyway. I love everything about her.

Aurora and Camille had Lia after three long rounds of IVF. Camille got pregnant on the third try, and we were all holding our breath the entire pregnancy. I remember the exact moment they told us—Camille standing in our kitchen, crying so hard she couldn't get the words out, and Aurora holding her from behind, looking like someone who finally, finally, finally had everything she'd ever wanted. And now here Lia is, a whole tiny person, wild and loud and full of love. A miracle with juice-stained lips and a penchant for biting.

"I'm going away for two days only, princess," I whisper, brushing her hair behind her ear.

She pouts hard, lower lip sticking out. Her blue eyes shine, glassy with unshed tears. She's not crying yet—but she's thinking about it.

"That's... eh..." She frowns and looks up, counting on her fingers like it'll help. "Two bedtime stories, right?"

I grin. "That's right! How are you so smart?"

She lights up instantly, pride glowing on her face. "Like my mommy."

From behind her, Camille snorts softly. "We're doomed."

I laugh, then crouch down slowly to set Lia back on the ground, even though she clings for a few extra seconds before reluctantly letting go. As soon as she does, her cousins move closer. They're not running. I can see it all over them—they're too sad to run.

Fizzy has her arms crossed and her mouth in a tight line, like she's trying really hard to be brave. Nico's chewing on his sleeve, which usually means he's about five seconds from feeling too many feelings. Willow follows close behind them, resting a calming hand on each of their shoulders.