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Twins, what a headfuck!
We spend the next few hours socializing with the family as the kids play with the baby chickens that have recently hatched. Eventually, one by one, the others leave until it’s just Mike, Callie, Sarah, and me with Aiden and Jeni.
I’ve filled Sarah in on what’s going to happen. We decided we’d have dinner and then tell Aiden. I’ve been a little distant all day. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I feel so damn guilty for knowing and not telling Aiden straight away.
We ordered pizza and had it delivered. We all have full bellies, and we’re sitting out on the deck while the kids are watching television in the living room. It’s a beautiful night, and it’s about to be ruined by a dark secret that’s been years in the making.
Sarah comes back from putting Ella down in the travel cot, and when she sits, the atmosphere changes, and I know Callie and Mike are about to begin talking.
“So Aiden, there’s something Mike and I have been wanting to tell you,” Callie starts.
My heart rate rises and beats hard against my chest wall. Sarah takes my hand under the table, and I watch Aiden’s face intently. He seems so cheerful at this moment, and he has no idea about the typhoon ready to hit him at full blast.
“We asked Sarah and Chris to be here for this because we thought they could support you with what we need to tell you,” Mike states.
Aiden’s brows crease as he looks at Mike. “Okay, so you’re starting to freak me out. You’re not splitting up, are you?”
“No, no, nothing like that, honey. Mike and I are doing great, and I can’t wait to marry him in three weeks,” Callie announces.
“Right then, what’s this all about?” Aiden asks.
My body tenses as I watch Jeni trying to decipher what’s going on in her head.
“It’s about your father, Aiden,” Callie whispers.
Aiden visibly relaxes. “From the grave, that man’s still causing trouble. What’s he done now?” Aiden assumes, and I exhale.
“No, sweetheart, you see just before I married Niall, Mike and I, well we…” she tilts her head, waggling her eyebrows, “… you know—”
“Okay, right, yeah, I get it. But I don’t need the details of your… you know, togetherness.” Aiden grins with a chuckle.
“No, Aiden… you don’t understand. Mike and I slept together—”
“Yeah, Mom, I got that part,” Aiden announces with a grimace.
“Honey, nine months later…” Callie takes a deep breath, “… you were born.” Callie tenses.
Jeni gasps, her hand raising to her mouth, then she looks at Aiden who’s staring blankly into space. “I… don’t… I don’t know what you’re saying?” Aiden’s clearly confused.
Jeni rests her hand on his arm, and he’s starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Callie swallows hard as my chest squeezes tight. “Aiden… Mike’s your biological father.” Callie manages to say the words, but then she starts to cry.
My head snaps toward Aiden—he’s gasping for air. “I don’t understand. Did Father… I mean Niall know?” he asks calmly even though he’s clearly struggling.
“No, honey, he had no idea,” Callie admits.
Aiden stands abruptly, his chair falling backward and hitting the floor with a loud thud. “So, all this time… all these years of torment I went through with Father… fuck… Niall, and he…” Aiden runs a hand through his hair, “… he wasn’t even my real dad! What the fuck, Mom?” Aiden snaps.
“Aiden, sweetheart, I know it’s a lot to take in, and I know how hard this must be for you—”
“Do you? Do you really? If you knew how hard it would be for me then, why keep it a secret for thirty-four fucking years? And why tell me now?” Aiden raises his voice as Jeni stands to try and comfort him.
“I told them they had to tell you,” I admit.
Aiden’s eyes stare down at me with the rage of a thousand burning suns. “You knew?” he yells. He walks over and before I can react, his fist slams hard into my jaw. My head snaps to the side, a pain sears through my face as I fall back with so much force, my chair topples backward. My face hurts like a bitch, and I’m sure I heard something crunch.
“Aiden!” Jeni calls out berating him harshly.
“You. Fucking. Knew? And you didn’t think to tell me? What kind of fucking friend are you?” Aiden yells. “And you…” He points at Mike. “You’ve been in my life for its entirety, and you never thought once that maybe you should tell me that you’re my father?” Aiden yells directly at Mike.
