AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, you feed Ella… I’ll talk to Mike. See you downstairs for breakfast,” I say, leaning in and kissing her forehead.
I dress and go downstairs, noticing Killian and Daniel asleep on the couch with Lilly cuddled into Killian. I walk out to the deck where Callie and Mike are in deep conversation. Mike’s sitting with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He’s a mess as Callie tries to comfort him.
I clear my throat, and they both look up at me. “Morning,” I murmur quietly.
“Morning, Chris,” Callie hums as Mike looks up.
“Mike, we need to talk,” I assert, and he pats the seat beside him.
“I know. Callie and I have been discussing it. I haven’t slept. I’m terrified Aiden’s going to resent me,” Mike admits.
“Aiden might be upset that you never told him, but he forgives easily. Plus, he loves you like a father. You need to tell him, Mike, ‘cause I don’t think I can keep your secret. It puts too much pressure on me as a friend to withhold something so significant from him. If Aiden ever found out…” I trail off.
“We know. We won’t ask you to do that. That’s why we’ve decided to tell him. But we think it’d be best if you and Sarah were there as well, to help Aiden and Jeni come to terms with what we have to tell them. I’m fairly sure they won’t want us around, and we want you to be there to help them through it,” Callie whispers.
I nod, finally feeling some relief from the anguish I’ve been feeling. I exhale and slap Mike on the back. “You’re doing the right thing. You’ve kept this from him for thirty-four years. I don’t know how you managed to keep it a secret for so long. It must’ve been killing you, Mike?”
“You have no idea how horrible it’s been. When Aiden was born, it was the worst time of my life.” Mike grimaces, and Callie wipes a tear from her cheek.
“When do you want to tell him?”
“Today. When all the kids leave, and it’s just us. I think Aiden should know before Killian and Bree, it’s only fair,” Mike declares.
“Okay, today it is then—”
“Why do you all look so gloomy?” Jeni asks.
We turn around to see her holding one of the twins. Aiden comes up behind her with the other and kisses her on the cheek. Considering the amount of alcohol Aiden consumed last night, he hasn’t pulled up too bad.
“Too much alcohol,” I reply, and Jeni laughs loudly.
Aiden winces. “Baby, I love you but quiet voices today, please,” Aiden jokes. He obviously looks better than he feels.
“Sorry, hon.” Jeni smirks, then walks off as Aiden sits down holding a baby and nursing a sore head.
“Man, do you feel as shit as I do?” he questions, and I nod my head.
“Fuck, yeah.”
Jeni brings a can of ginger ale and some painkillers for Aiden. “You guys want some, too?” she asks, looking at Mike and me. We both nod, and she giggles, walking off to the kitchen.
“Hey, is it okay if we stay for dinner again tonight. We can order in if you want?” Callie asks Aiden.
“Yeah, of course. Chris, you and Sarah can stay for dinner, too, if you want?” Aiden queries, and I nod.
Guess we’ll be telling him after dinner—but we have to get through breakfast and lunch first.
Jeni brings us some painkillers and a ginger ale.
“Okay, who’s for an All-American breakfast? Bacon, eggs, pancakes?” Jeni asks, and instantly my stomach rumbles.
“I’ll take that as a yes from Chris,” Jeni teases.
“I’ll help you, sweetheart,” Callie offers.
Jeni walks over to Mike and hands him a twin. “Hey, little cutie, which one have I got?” Mike asks, and we all laugh.
Aiden looks over. “You have Katie. Kassie has a freckle under her ear. It’s the only way we can tell them apart,” Aiden explains.
