Chapter Text
Alex POV
Alex was nervous as she got off the bus; to think she was going to see her brother for the first time in eight years.
Their mother died when she was a little girl and their father who tried, but struggled to raise them on his own left them. After Gabe was sent away Alex was all alone; no one to trust and no one to let her know she was loved.
Many people tried, but her “gift” kept getting in the way and she always was sent back.
But now Alex has a chance to live a normal life in this town her brother calls home and she won’t allow herself to screw this for herself.
As Alex walked across The Bridge of Flowers she can tell why her brother fell in love with this place; the environment was so peaceful that she could feel her fears slip away.
“ALEX!”
She heard someone shout.
Alex turned and saw her brother running towards her.
Gabe ran up and immediately hugged her; when he noticed that Alex wasn’t hugging back he let her go.
“So what’s the protocol for reuniting with your long-lost sister after eight year?” asked Gabe.
Alex responded with, “I’m good with a hug if you are, unless you’re too cool for that.”
Gabe immediately went back for a hug, but this time he lifted as he did and it felt like her ribs were being crushed.
“Hey Gabe, I think crushed ribs make breathing hard,” joked Alex.
After Gabe finally let go she could see the blue aura around him; she could hear how sad he was that missed seeing her grow up. Alex quickly tried to change the mood, by joking about her getting taller. Then Gabe started showing Alex around Haven Springs.
He introduced her to Eleanor, the sweet elderly woman who ran the flower shop; Eleanor couldn’t help but hug Alex and when she did Alex could literally feel the warmth and affection in her hug.
Gabe couldn’t do anything but mouth the word Sorry to Alex.
Its fine, Alex thought; she hasn’t felt this much love from anyone in a several years so the affection felt nice even if it was someone she just met.
Next Gabe introduced her to Riley, Eleanor’s granddaughter, who helped her grandma run the flower shop.
Gabe made the mistake of arguing with his girlfriend Charlotte and he wanted to buy her some flowers. Alex recommended Lily-of-the-valley since they mean sorry in the language of flowers; Charlotte would think it’s sweet that Gabe researched the meaning of flowers instead of just getting her favorite which is Sunflowers.
While there Alex even helped Riley with her college questionnaire; reminding her to be truthful since everyone else will try to lie their way through the interview and they can spot those a mile away.
While Gabe went to give Charlotte her flowers, Alex got to meet her son Ethan; they bonded right away due to their love for comics and how cool Alex thought it was that Ethan was making his own.
When Ethan confided in Alex that he was going to sneak out to the mines where today, she knew she had to tell Gabe. The area he was talking about was going to do blasts which is dangerous when in the area as those can cause rockslides.
Gabe was grateful and said he would tell Charlotte right away.
Afterwards Alex went to the Rocky Mountain Record Traders; there she sort of met Steph the manager and radio host. Then she met Ryan resident bird nerd and Colorado mountain ranger; when Ryan sheepishly showed her the bird calls CD he was going to buy she couldn’t help but think that he was a little nerdy in a cute way.
Alex couldn’t help but notice the little flip that happened in her stomach but she tried to play it of due to nerves.
While Ryan was helping Alex buy a present for Gabe, which meant getting the hold list from the stores guard cat Valkyrie, Steph came out of the booth really pissed off with whoever was talking to on her phone.
Alex tried but she felt herself feel Steph’s anger and was starting to get nervous, which Ryan noticed. He offered to run the shop and the radio for Steph; which helped her out bigtime.
After she left Ryan checked on Alex; she played it off like it was nothing but for Ryan to step in the way he did because he noticed how she felt made her stomach flip again.
Right then Gabe walked in and “officially” introduced her to Ryan.
Next they went and met Ryan’s dad Jeb; the owner of the Black Lantern where Gabe and, hopefully Alex, worked.
Gabe then showed her to his apartment above the Bar, that Jeb was renting to him. Gabe then told her that the place is hers now since he now stays with Charlotte almost all the time.
“Who knows? Maybe this was the extra push I needed to finally tell Charlotte I want to officially move in with her and Ethan,” Gabe joked.
“Just don’t wait too long bro or she might find someone less dorky then you,” Alex joked right back.
Gabe couldn’t help but smile, I really missed this, he thought.
Alex then handed him the record she bought him that he placed on hold to buy her.
Once it started playing they immediately started jamming out with his “drumming” and her using the broom as a guitar; Alex couldn't but think how dorky she and her brother must look. But she didn't care; she hasn't felt this happy for a long time.
But of course as soon as things were starting to feel normal reality slaps you in the face, literally.