*Rocky's POV*

I walked to Lexi and Austin's room and saw Lexi sat at her desk on her computer and Austin checking that he'd packed everything he needed. He was going back to spend a few days with his family as he didn't spend Christmas with them yesterday. The blonde girl who was sporting her usual look of leggings and a slightly oversized hoodie, turned around on the swivel chair to face him.
"Got everything?" She asked.
"Yeah I think so." He patted his pockets, "car keys, car keys." He thought out loud. Lexi picked them up off the desk beside her and threw them to him.
"Thanks." He caught them and picked up his bag. Before he left the room, he gave Lexi a hug and she kissed him goodbye.
"Sure you don't mind me staying here?" She whispered.
"Nah. I'm spending some time with my family so you can stay with yours."
"Like it or not I am part of your family now." She giggled, fiddling with the ring that was on her finger.
"You know what I mean. Have fun." He kissed her forehead before yelling a goodbye to everyone else and leaving the lookout. I waited to hear the car leave before making my presence known to Lexi.
"Lexi..."
"Yes Rocky." She shut down her computer and sat on her bed, patting the quilt next to her and inviting me up. I jumped up and sat next to her. She didn't rush me to speak, something that I was grateful for.
"This is gonna sound bad no matter how I say it but I feel like Austin is replacing me." I whimpered. Lexi looked at me, shocked. "Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy and I know that he makes you happy but, I, I don't know I just feel like he might replace my space in your life one day." I felt a hand gently rest on my back as Lexi moved off the bed and knelt down, making her eye level to me.
"You're crazy." She said to me.
"Huh?"
"You are crazy to think that Rocky. I'm sorry if I seem like I've been pushing you away but I can assure you that Austin is not replacing you. Yes I love him but I also love the other pups, Ryder and you. No one can ever replace you Rocky. And you know why?"
I shook my head. Lexi stood up and lifted me into her arms, my head resting on her chest. "Because no matter what, you'll always be my little boy." She ran her fingers through my fur and held me close to her. It was just like when I was little, me laying in her arms and listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat.

I had to make it up to her.

"Rocky, I want to ask you something." She said. I looked up at her curiously. As soon as she asked me I smiled.

And I think I know how.