"Forgetting the Smallest"

The sun was setting on what had been a typical chaotic day at the Harris household. Seven kids, all with different personalities and dynamics, made for a lively and often overwhelming environment. Fifteen-year-old Asher, the youngest of the Harris brood, was an omega who often got lost in the shuffle. At 5'0", he was also the shortest, which made him easily overlooked. His family, comprising of five alphas, one beta, and one omega, was loving but flawed. They often forgot about Asher, not out of malice, but due to their own preoccupations. Asher's twin sister, Avery, was the apple of everyone's eye. Her bright smile and charming personality made her a favorite among family and friends. Asher, on the other hand, was content to blend into the background, observing his family with a mix of love and frustration. On this particular day, Asher's older brother, alpha Ethan, was supposed to pick him up from his extracurricular activities. However, Ethan had gotten caught up in a heated discussion with their parents about his upcoming college applications and had completely forgotten about Asher. The young omega had waited patiently outside the community center, watching as the minutes ticked by, and the sun began to set. As the hours passed, Asher grew anxious and worried. He tried calling Ethan, but his brother's phone went straight to voicemail. The usually calm omega began to feel a sense of panic wash over him. He decided to start walking home, hoping to beat the darkness. As he walked, Asher's thoughts drifted to his family's dynamic. His alpha father, Atlas, was a successful businessman who often worked long hours. His alpha mother, Astrid, was a kind-hearted woman who did her best to keep the household running smoothly. However, with six other mouths to feed and personalities to manage, it was easy for Asher to get lost in the chaos. As he turned the corner onto his street, Asher's eyes widened in terror. A car was speeding down the road, and he didn't have time to react. The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal was all he remembered before everything went black. The Harris family was in an uproar when they received the news of Asher's accident. Ethan was frantic with guilt and worry, feeling responsible for forgetting about his younger brother. Avery, who had been out with friends, rushed home to be with her family, her eyes brimming with tears. As the family gathered at the hospital, they were met with a sight that shook them to their core. Asher lay in the ICU, his small body battered and bruised. The machines beeping around him seemed to grow louder, a stark reminder of how close they had come to losing him. The room fell silent, with each family member overcome with emotion. Atlas and Astrid exchanged worried glances, feeling a deep sense of regret and sorrow. How could they have forgotten about their youngest child? How could they have let this happen? Ethan, usually a confident alpha, looked like he had been punched in the gut. He kept repeating, "I'm so sorry, Ash. I'm so sorry I forgot about you." Avery held his hand, trying to comfort him as they both struggled to come to terms with what could have been. The Harris family had always prided themselves on being loving and supportive, but in that moment, they realized they had been taking Asher for granted. They had forgotten about him, and it had almost cost them their youngest child. As they waited for news on Asher's condition, the family couldn't help but wonder: would they be able to make it up to him? Would they be able to change their ways and make sure that Asher, their smallest and often forgotten member, felt seen and loved? Only time would tell.