Family Ties: Alex And Ellen Novels & Stories

The garage got eerily quiet, and the outside world came back into focus when I heard a car drive by and a kid scream in the street. Ethan and Carson looked at each other, then at me. Carson finally spoke. "Isn't that illegal?" "We aren't related. We share foster parents, not blood." "But doesn't that make you first cousins?" "No, Ethan. It makes us of no relation. Nada. Zilch. None." "But you basically grew up together." I pulled my hair at the roots, kicking myself for letting that secret slip. "So, by that rationale, if Grace Dawson decided tomorrow she wanted to give you her virginity, you'd say no because you two grew up together? You know, since your parents are best friends?"

She looked at him and grabbed his tie. He looked at the tie in her hand and at her face. He let her hold it. Lillian watched from a few feet away, feeling the big, ordinary love of a woman watching her husband sit on the floor and let their daughter hold his tie. She thought about Brannick's meeting and what Alex had said. I'm going home to watch my daughter learn to sit up. She thought about who Alex was and who he used to be and how he had changed on purpose. Elena pulled the tie. Alex stayed still. Let her.

! How can you bring your husband into the middle of our fight?” Alex says in annoyance. “Why, babe? Afraid of my athlete husband?” she says sarcastically. Ellen lets out a chuckle at their boisterous behavior. “Give up, Alex. You can’t fight her. I’m here to protect her from all the obstacles of the world.” Ellen wraps his arm around her waist. A heavenly feeling fills her heart as she listens to his words, and she looks at him with sparkling eyes. “Okay, I give up, you freaking cheater,” says Alex, looking annoyed. But his sister starts to laugh at him. A slight but beautiful smile spreads across Ellen’s face as he admires her smile with his mesmerizing eyes. “The more I’m seeing her, the m

A few steps away, Candice glanced back and saw Alex and Ellis together, stirring up a mix of emotions within her. Ellis's affection for and reliance on Alex had grown rapidly. Initially, occasional interactions were manageable, but as they began to interact daily, Ellis became deeply attached to Alex. It wasn't that she loved Candice any less, but sometimes, the bond of blood was undeniable. Furthermore, Alex and Ellis even shared similar expressions, unmistakably resembling father and daughter. Candice's hands tightened slightly as she reflected on what Alex had said during the meal. Truthfully, she never felt wronged or suffered from pregnancy to childbirth. Hearing Ellis's first cries bro

“Right now, what matters is that we both love you very much. And we’re both here for you.” Eli frowned. “But it’d be easier if you were in the same house.” Emma nodded slowly, her gaze flicking between us. “Like other kids.” I forced myself to find my voice. “I know it feels that way, sweetheart. But families aren’t all the same. What makes us a family isn’t living in the same house—it’s that we love each other, and we’ll always take care of you.” They seemed to accept that, at least for now, turning back to their mugs. But Alex’s eyes kept flicking to mine, full of something I couldn’t name. Regret, maybe. Or hope. Or both.

“And you wouldn’t have it any other way.” Elara and Alex stood quietly, sharing a rare peaceful moment. The stillness was comforting, and for once, they didn't need words. Breaking the silence, Elara nudged him playfully. "Stop being so romantic. Go home. Don’t forget you still live with your mom and sister." Alex chuckled, nodding. "You're right. She’ll be worried. I’ll see you tomorrow near the parking lot." With a quick wave, he hurried off, and Elara couldn’t help but laugh. She headed inside, freshened up, and began to review the documents Tessa had sent about potential partnerships.

"Mom, Chelsea's death really was an accident. None of us wanted this. But she's already gone—there's no need to drag the rest of us down with her. I still have to take care of you in your old age." Mom chimed in urgently, "Mom, David is your only son. Can you really bear to see your one and only child go to prison?" "Grandma, Chelsea was your granddaughter, but so am I! You can't play favorites and only care about her," Katrina sobbed. Under the tearful pleas of all three of them, Grandma's grip on the phone finally loosened. She looked at Dad with weary, defeated eyes and asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"

he asked, his tone suddenly more curious than angry. Earlier this morning, I’d asked Mr. Fred how he knew Chris, but he dodged the question until my mum appeared. “What’s going on?” she asked, cutting in. “It’s nothing—” “Nothing?” I flared. Mr. Fred was lying, and we both knew it. He forced a smile. “Ariana and I were just having a little chat about your birthday outing. She said she can’t wait for us to spend it together as a family.” “Really?” my mum asked, her tone more rhetorical than curious.

I replied. "Good..." A pause followed. "And Ellis, do try to look very much presentable. The Hawthornes will be there." The line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear slowly. The Hawthornes were Alex's family. They were coming to my mother's gala. I set the phone face down on the desk and stared at the wall. My mother's world was colliding with Alex's, smashing into everything I desperately wanted to keep separate. Saturday was going to be a disaster. I already had that feeling. Whatever Alex Hawthorne was to me, right now I couldn't tell where his guilt ended and mine began.Until I knew the truth, I couldn't trust anyone.

Why did Maren Channer leave her family? “My family,” Tyler began slowly, still watching his aunt’s photo, “has a tumultuous past. Not every generation gets along well. Not every sibling shares the same views.” My gaze moved from him to the photo. Elaine was very pretty; she was likely around my age or a little older, bright-eyed even in sepia tone. There wasn’t much resemblance between her and Tyler. If she looked like her older brother, Grayson, I wouldn’t know. I had never seen the Alpha in person.