by K E Osborn
“Hey, big bro, still slacking off at work I see,” Blair announces as he disrupts my kiss with my wife. Jeni chuckles and shakes her head at Blair. I love that he’s in a good mood. I think that will somehow make this easier.
“Hey Blair,” Jeni answers. She stands up and hugs him.
“Hey sis, see you’re keeping my bro entertained at work. Ben told me all about your early morning coffee delivery that turned into steamy office sex this morning,” Blair announces and Jeni’s eyes widen as she blushes.
Whoops, guess we were a little too loud!
“Oh my God,” Jeni mumbles as she covers her face with her hands and giggles.
“Don’t worry Jeni, we all know you two are horn dogs for each other,” Blair jokes and I shake my head at him. He sits down on the sofa opposite me.
“How embarrassing,” Jeni exclaims and she sits back down next to me and cuddles into my side hiding her face. I chuckle and lean back on the sofa and wrap my arm around my wife.
“So, what’s so important it couldn’t wait?” Blair asks, just as Bree walks in.
“Oh, hey, Blair, I didn’t know you were coming in today?” Bree announces as she walks in and sits down next to her brother. My chest tightens and a pain rips through my heart, making me gasp slightly. Jeni takes my hand and entwines her fingers with mine and nods at me.
“Yeah, for some family thing Aiden needs to discuss with us today,” Blair says as he pokes Brielle in the ribs, she flinches and looks at him sternly.
“Hey!” she says with a slight chuckle.
“Okay, so spill bro. Why are we here? Are you conspiring some surprise for Mom and Mike’s wedding?” Blair asks and I shake my head.
“No, I, um, actually found out something about Mike yesterday and I thought it’s only right that I share it with you both at the same time,” I say softer than expected.
“Aiden, you’re scaring me, you look petrified. Is Mike, sick?” Bree asks and Blair looks at me sternly.
I shake my head. “No, no, nothing like that. It’s just that… well... Mike is, you see Mike told me… when—”
“Babe, do you want me to tell them?” Jeni asks looking at me intently.
I exhale and nod.
“Okay, so you both know that Mike and Callie were always in love and yet somehow she ended up marrying your father.”
“Well, I knew they were always close, but I guess Mom never went into much detail about her and Mike’s relationship with me,” Bree says and Blair nods like he’s agreeing with her.
“Okay, so the information we received yesterday is that before your Mom married Alistair, she had a one night affair with Mike,” Jeni says as she squeezes my hand.
“Oh, Mom’s a cheater. Wow, I would never have thought that. Is that it? That’s the bad news you look so worried to tell us? To be honest bro, I’m not surprised at all didn’t you notice the way Mike always looked at Mom when we were growing up? I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a full on affair the entire time she was married to Father,” Blair announces and I cringe again.
“No, you don’t understand Blair. Mom got pregnant just after she and Mike slept together— ”
“Eww, Aiden, thanks for the imagery. Now I can’t get the visual out of my head,” Brielle says and Blair laughs.
“Oh, great thanks Bree, now I have a visual of Mom and Mike going at it, thanks sis—”
“Guys, stop messing around, I’m trying to be serious here,” I yell and they both stop and look at me with a frown.
“Think about it? Mom got pregnant just after her and Mike…”
“Oh my God, do we have another sibling we don’t know about?” Blair asks looking confused.
I shake my head and Jeni squeezes my hand again, giving me the courage I need.
“Well, I’m confused. What are you saying Aiden?” Bree asks.
I exhale and somehow find the strength that I need even though I feel like I want to be sick.
“Mom and Mike found out that Mom was pregnant, and it could only have been Mike’s baby, nine months later… I was born.”
Brielle gasps and her hand shoots to her mouth as her eyes start to well with tears. Blair just sits there showing no emotion and he wraps an arm around Bree.
“So, let me get this straight? Mike is your father?” Blair says, more like he’s confirming the statement in his head.
The tears break through the barrier and fall down Bree’s face. I simply nod and try to fight back my own tears while Jeni squeezes my hand again.
“Wow,” Blair says.
“So, you’re only our half-brother?” Bree mumbles and I nod again.
“Wow,” Blair says, again.
“So, what does this mean?” Bree asks.
I shrug. “I’m not sure,” I admit.
“Wow,” Blair states for a third time.
“You said that already,” I say and smile.
He nods. “I know, but seriously, wow.”
I exhale a rather loud sigh. “So, anyway Jenson will be here shortly to talk about the legalities of it all—”
“What legalities?” Bree asks, suddenly.
“Well, to do with you guys. You may want to contest the will or the ownership of this business—”
“What? Are you crazy?” Bree asks, looking at me with wide eyes and a creased brow. She actually looks angry.
“What?” I ask. I notice Jeni smirk out the corner of my eye.
“You’re still our brother you idiot! Why the hell, would we contest anything? Especially the business? You honestly think I would take that from you?” she asks, with a furious tone.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I just wanted you to know all your options, seeing as I’m not actually an O’Connell. Everything Father… no Alistair, left me doesn’t really belong to me. Not now,” I confess and Blair raises his eyebrow as Bree shakes her head.
“Seriously? You’ve spent your entire life as an O’Connell. Just because your DNA now tells us that your father is actually someone else, doesn’t mean you’re not one of us, Aiden. You’re still as much my brother now as you were before I walked in here. And nothing... absolutely nothing is going to stop you from being my... no, our brother. Everything is exactly the same as it was ten minutes ago. Nothing has changed. Nothing. Aiden! So, stop worrying and let’s just deal with it and move on. Yeah, Mom and Mike have some explaining to do, well actually a lot of explaining to do, but seriously, it doesn't change the way I feel about you and it doesn’t change a thing. Not for me anyway,” she says the verge of tears again.
“Me too, bro. You’re the exact same person, and just because Alistair isn’t your father, doesn’t mean you didn’t work damn hard for what you have and what you got from him. You deserve everything he left you and more, he treated you badly for most of your life. You were virtually forced into this business and I will not be contesting a darn thing. You’re my brother and even though you’re a douche bag – I still love ya,” Blair says and Bree nods.
“Yeah, me too. I love you Aiden and that’s never going to change. I’m just so damn mad at Mom for keeping it from you for this long. How are you? Are you okay with this news?” Bree asks.
I inhale deeply and exhale not knowing what to say.
“I think he’s still coming to terms with it all. He was so concerned that you two would disown him, or think differently about him,” Jeni says.
“Of course we don’t think differently of you. Like Bree said, nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is that Mike is your father. And believe me, I wish Mike was my father, too. So, basically, I’m really quite jealous of you,” Blair jokes and I manage a slight chuckle.
“Look, Aiden, please stop stressing about it. I know that’s easy for me to say, but the only reason I’m crying is because I know how hard this must’ve been for you to hear. And I’m so sorry we weren’t there to help you through it, but we know now and anything you need you just have to ask. If you want more time at home with Jeni and the kids you got it. I c
an handle things here you know that. In fact, I insist you take off until at least after the wedding. Spend some time getting to know your real father and not just as a good friend, but as a father and son. I won’t take no for an answer,” Bree exclaims with a smirk.
“Okay, fine, but as soon as the wedding is over I’m coming back to work. I’ve already had a month off,” I state and she nods.
“You know, now that I think about it, I’m actually not that surprised about Mike. He always doted on you, and you were clearly his favorite when we were growing up. I guess it makes perfect sense now, actually,” Blair says.
I know he’s right I have always been Mike’s favorite.
Bree stands abruptly and walks over to me. “Aiden, you’re my brother no matter what. Even if you had a completely different mother as well as father, you’d still be my brother, got it?” She puts her hand out for me to take. Jeni lets go and I take Bree’s hand and stand up. She lunges forward and hugs me strongly.
“Thanks Bree, you don’t know how much this means to me,” I say and she squeezes me tighter.
Blair stands up and walks over and wraps his arms around both of us in a group hug. I chuckle and Jeni stands up and joins in, making us all laugh.
This actually went so much smoother than I thought it was going to go. I guess I wasn’t really being fair to my siblings. I know I was hoping deep down it would turn out like this, but I couldn’t help that nagging feeling in my gut that everything was going to change. When, in fact, nothing has changed, except for the fact that I can now spend some quality time with my real dad. We’re still locked in a group hug. Blair is making kissy faces at me when Benjamin coughs from the doorway. We all look over to see Benjamin smiling and Jenson standing there looking very confused. We all separate while Jeni and Bree giggle.
“Hey Jenson, sorry to do this to you, but looks like I won’t be needing your advice after all,” I say apologetically.
“When you told me on the phone what it was about, I was fairly certain you wouldn’t need me either. I’m glad it turned out the way we all thought it would,” he says. He walks across and shakes each of our hands and then turns and leaves.
“So, wait, did Father know you weren’t his?” Blair asks.
I shake my head and go on explaining everything Mike and Mom have told me. Benjamin stays in to listen and he’s just as shocked as they were, but I guess everyone knows now, which is a relief. Well, everyone except Nana. That’s the one person I’m absolutely dreading to tell.
* * *
After everyone left, Jeni came in to thank me for her flowers. Needless to say, I didn’t get any work done this afternoon. I walk out to Jeni’s desk just as she is finishing for the day and I walk with her down to my Aston Martin. I drive us home with a smile on my face.
Jeni open’s the front door and straight away we can hear one of the twins crying. I suddenly feel like I’m back where I belong, looking after my family. It’s a very comforting feeling. Marissa is busy washing bottles while Mom is rocking one of the girls in her arms and Mike is cradling the other on the sofa. I have no idea where Brody is, until I hear the pitter patter of little footsteps running down the hall.
“Daddy, Daddy your home, I missed you,” Brody calls out as he runs as fast as he can toward me. I bend down waiting for the impact as he throws his arms around me. I pick him up and rest him on my hip.
“Hey little man, were you good for Nana today?” I ask.
He nods his head as I walk in and sit on the sofa next to Mike.
“How’d it go?” Mike asks, as Jeni walks over to chat with Mom.
“Better than I thought it would. Bree was a little upset, but basically about the fact that I was upset. She said it doesn’t change a thing. Blair feels the same. So that's a good thing. How were the kids, hope they weren’t too much of a handful for you both?” I ask and Mike smiles.
“Well, they’ve been great for me. Not so much for Callie. She’s getting frustrated that they just fall asleep when I hold them.” Mike chuckles, making me smile.
“Yeah, well she certainly seems happy where she is,” I say, pulling back the blanket to see that it’s Katie.
Brody jumps off my lap and runs over to his toy box. I swear the kids constantly drinking red bull or something because he has so much energy.
“So, Bree ordered that I have the next two weeks off, or until at least after the wedding. We thought it might be nice to spend some quality time together. So, what do you think about you, me, Mom, Jeni and the kids heading up to the lake house to spend some time together. I’m not sure I’m over the shock of it all yet, but I’m working on it and I think this may help,” I ask and Mike smiles brightly.
“Couldn’t be more perfect, sounds great to me,” Mike says as Katie shifts in his arms.
“Where’s my other girl? I missed you sweetheart,” Jeni calls out as she walks over to us. She takes Katie from Mike and kisses her head.
“I didn’t know it was possible to miss three tiny people so much in the space of eight hours,” she says.
Charlie walks over to me and greets me with a smile and a wagging tail.
* * *
The next day we pack our bags and head to the lake house. We asked Marissa to accompany us so she can help Jeni and Mom with the kids, while Mike and I get in some male bonding time. We take two cars to the lake house, then unpack and settle in for our stay. Mom has given Sarah free reign with regards to the wedding planning, including confirming everything for two weeks time. I told Mom to expect some crazy extras to be added, considering she is giving Sarah free reign on all the confirmation details.
Charlie runs around the water's edge barking at the ducks on the lake and making Brody laugh with his antics. We all head out to the deck to enjoy the peace and a quiet drink. I sit on the sofa outside with Jeni while the girls take a nap in our room. Mom and Mike sit on the deck chairs as we watch Charlie and Brody playing together. It’s relaxing and even though I still feel annoyed at them, it’s easing each day. I know I’ll eventually forgive them for not telling me, but it’s something I have to work on at my own pace and in my own time.
“Aiden, wanna go out on the boat?” Mike asks.
I look at Jeni, I’m not sure why. For support... for guidance... for comfort, I don’t know, but the thought of being alone with Mike is unnerving. I don’t know why. I’ve been alone with Mike thousands of times.
So, why should this time be any different?
Jeni widens her eyes, imploring me to answer Mike.
“Sure, why not,” I answer.
We both stand up, taking our beers and head down to the edge of the lake where our boat is bobbing slowly in the crystal blue water against the dock. We walk in silence. I step into the boat and Mike unties it from the dock while I start the engine. Mike walks across and starts to set up the fishing rods. Still silence. I drive the boat to the middle of the lake and turn the motor off. We start to bob in the water. The light is reflecting from it in tiny shards of luminous light.
“So…” Mike says, and I actually laugh as I walk over and sit down next to him.
“Yeah, so how’s the guest house going?” I ask making small talk.
“Really? We’ve been living there for nearly six years.” He laughs. “It’s the same as it was before you found out I’m your father. Aiden, let's actually talk. How are you doing?” Mike asks while he casts out his line.
I instantly feel awkward. I’ve known this man for my entire life. He’s been here for everything and I mean absolutely everything, now that I think about it and yet right now, I’m finding it hard to talk to him.
“I’m okay, I guess. Still getting used to it, I suppose. How are you feeling about it all?” I ask and cast my line.
“Yeah, I guess that’s to be expected. Your mother and I don’t want you to be ‘okay with it’ if you’re not. However, you feel, is okay with us. We both want you to be happy and I know this was a shock, but for me it was a relief to finally tell you. I’ve
wanted to so many times throughout your life and came close a few times—”
“What stopped you?” I interrupt.
He looks at me and I can tell he’s trying to think of what to say next. “Aiden you looked up to Alistair, maybe not toward the end, but growing up you did and I didn’t want to take that from you. You were such a contented boy. I didn’t want to spin your world on its axis, like I have now, and ruin everything for you. I knew it would be difficult telling you, but telling you also meant outing Callie and I wasn’t prepared to put her through that torment. Alistair would have made her life a complete misery if he knew she cheated on him. You were happy to a point. Callie seemed happy, and that was enough for me. All I ever wanted was what was best for you and your mother, Aiden. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but to be brutally honest I’m extremely glad it’s come out now. Maybe we can move forward and get on with our relationship in whatever capacity you want it to be,” he confesses. I look at him and I can tell he’s happy to have me in his life, in any way he can have me, and that makes a small part of me ecstatically happy.
“Thanks Mike, I’m working on it. I’m still trying to process it all so give me some time and I’m sure I’ll be okay, eventually. I guess, I feel my life and the torment I went through with Alistair was all for nothing, especially when I could’ve been spending quality time with you, instead of being dominated by Alistair. Yes, I looked up to him, but so did Bree and Blair as does any kid to their father. I would’ve looked up to you like that too, Mike, if I had known.”
Mike sniffs. I look across at him and see his eyes watering. “Do you really think so?”
“I know so,” I say, just as my line starts to pull.
“I think you got something there, Aiden.”
We both stand up and I try to reel in, what feels like, the heaviest fish I’ve ever caught on the lake.
The line is taught and Mike is laughing as I struggle to pull it in. The sound of Mike laughing makes me laugh and he steps across to help me reel in the monster. He helps me pull back on the rod as I reel it in quickly.