AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I know she’s right. I know Killian and Bree won’t contest anything, but I should at least give them the opportunity if they want to. I guess I’m also petrified of how differently they will treat me, knowing I am not a full blood relative.
Then it dawns on me. “Holy shit!” I say out loud, and everyone looks straight at me again.
“You okay? Jeni asks.
“Nana,” I mumble. “I’m not even related to her.” My stomach collides with the floor.
I look over at Mom with a fresh set of anger in my eyes, and she frowns at me.
“She’s so old. What if this news kills her? I’m going to be responsible for her death,” I exclaim.
“Aiden, don’t think like that. She will love you the same way she always has. You’re not going to kill her,” she chides, and suddenly I feel completely overwhelmed.
I start to hyperventilate. I rest the back of my head against the chair trying to fight off some sort of panic attack. “Fuuuck!” I yell out as I run my hands through my hair.
Jeni pulls my hands from my head. “Aiden, look at me,” she snaps.
One of the twins starts crying. Great, I woke her up!
“Aiden!” Jeni yells, snapping me out of it. I look at her through fearful eyes, and she simply stares into my eyes with so much love, giving me the strength I need to calm the fuck down.
Mom gets up and walks off, I’m assuming to the twins.
Mike clears his throat. “I’m sorry, Aiden. I know how hard this must b—”
“Do you?” I snap as I look at him and frown.
He exhales and stands. “Look, I’m going to give you some time. Hopefully, we can get back to some semblance of normal before the wedding… for your mother’s sake.” Mike’s voice is low and full of hurt as he walks away.
Our baby stops crying as my eyes remain focused on Jeni. I can’t help but literally thank God that I have her by my side.
“Are you okay?”
I close my eyes and exhale. “I don’t know what I am. How the hell am I going to face Brielle tomorrow at work?”
“Take tomorrow off. Stay home with the kids and me. We will have a family day… just us, no parents, no friends. Just us?”
I exhale and shake my head. “I can’t. The Johnsons are back with a new account tomorrow. I have to be there. I really need you with me, Jeni.” I exhale.
“Okay, how about this. I’ll come in with you tomorrow—”
“You can’t… the girls?” I interrupt.
“I’ll have Callie and Mike watch them. We can drive ourselves to work for once. And anyway, I have the report I still need to finish for the Jones’ account, remember? I didn’t get it done before the girls came along. And before you ask, I’ll express some milk for them. They will be fine. Let me come to work with you tomorrow. We can call in Killian, and we can tell him and Brielle together. Kill two birds with one stone. Okay?”
Every time I think I love her the most I possibly can, she surprises me by pushing my love for her even further. “You amaze me,” I say.
“I know.” She smirks. “Do you want to come with me to tell your parents they’re babysitting tomorrow, or do you want me to do it?”
I reflect on her use of the words ‘my parents.’ I shake my head, and she nods in understanding.
“Okay, I’ll be right back. I love you.” Jeni leans in and kisses me softly.
“I love you, too, baby. So much. Thank you.”
She stands and walks off to find Mom and Mike. I lean back in my chair and shake my head. I know I’ve said so much irrational shit, but I can’t help but wonder if they will become my truth. I’m mostly concerned about Nana and how she’ll take the news. I’ll have to visit her, but I think I will leave telling her up to Mom and Mike. I think they should be the ones to disappoint her, not me.
Charlie, our long-haired American Akita, runs over and rests his head on my lap.
