by Lilly Wilde
“Well, lucky for you, you aren’t dating either of them.”
“But you did,” he said, eyeing me over the lip of his glass. “What did you ever see in that guy?”
My brows rose. “You mean besides the obvious?”
“Did I miss something?”
“He’s very good looking,” I said.
Aiden sneered. “You think?”
“Okay. We’ll bypass that part. Kellan was easy. He was calming. There was no pressure with him. I could just be.”
“He sounds like a walk in the park,” he said wryly. “Are you sure you chose the right guy?”
“Oh hush. I made the only choice I could. There was really never a choice. Kellan didn’t knock me off my feet. His voice didn’t make my insides melt. His eyes didn’t pull me into a trance. His touch didn’t set my skin on fire, and he didn’t give me the most amazing kid in the world. That’s all you.” I grasped his hand as we headed into the family room to join our guests.
“But I make you uneasy?” he asked.
“Aiden, you’re a force that one can’t easily handle. Even in the most casual of circumstances, you often put me on edge. It’s who you are. It’s not a bad thing.”
*****
After Connor and Sienna’s arrival, I was in the kitchen again tending to a last-minute request.
“Aria, can I borrow you for a second?” It was Sloan—and this evening she looked positively breathtaking. Her hair had grown, falling just past her shoulders. One side of her dark brown locks was tucked behind her ear while the other lay slightly over the right side of her face. She wore a deep red mini-dress with long raglan bell sleeves. The arched hem showcased her long legs. I’d never seen her wearing anything that even remotely revealed her sexuality, unless you counted the dress she wore in my wedding, but even that had been a subdued hint of sexy, nothing as bold as she was wearing tonight.
“Sure,” I said. “What do you need?”
She let out a long, exasperated sigh as she shook her head. “It’s my brother.”
“Oh God. I’m sure you mean the younger one. What’s he done?”
“Kellan and I were taking a tour of the house,” she started, as she lowered her voice and stepped closer to me. “We saw Dianna and Lyric, so we stepped into the nursery.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Aiden walked in and had words with Kellan.”
“Pretty much. If Dianna hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have been an amicable parting.”
“He swore he would be on his best behavior,” I said.
“And you know what?” she asked. “In his mind, he probably is.”
“I’m sorry, Sloan.”
“Why are you apologizing? Although I know he won’t, Aiden should be the one doing that,” Sloan said.
“He’ll apologize. I’ll make sure of it,” I said, moving my hand sympathetically down her arm.
“Thanks, Aria. I know how hard you’re working to make this comfortable for all of us. I really don’t know how you put up with Aiden,” she said.
“Oh Sloan, don’t bash our brother,” Allison said, having joined us.
“Allison, I’m actually shocked you aren’t adding to his list of offenses. Didn’t you say he was still out to get Liam?” Sloan asked.
“Well … yes. But he’s been cool about it lately,” she shrugged. “I guess I owe that to you, Aria. So thank you,” Allison said.
“Listen to us,” Sloan said. “We’re grown women, hoping our brother approves of our choice in men.”
“My powers of deduction lead me to believe that my beautiful sisters are saying less than flattering things about me,” Aiden said, stepping behind us.
“Oh, you figured that out, did you?” Sloan asked.
“Are you worried I don’t like those assholes you’ve brought into my house? Because you should be. This brother disapproves. Vehemently.”
“Aiden,” I warned.
“Don’t start with me, Aria,” he said.
“And what are you two doing?” he asked, looking back toward his sisters. “Running to my wife hoping she can whip me in line?”
“Listen, you,” I said, pointing a finger at him. “We discussed this. And you promised. You will not be rude to our guests. I expect you to apologize to Kellan.”
Aiden’s brows rose. “For what?”
“Sloan filled me in on your visit to the nursery,” I said. “Please don’t bother to defend yourself. I don’t want to hear it.”
“So now you’re cross with me, too?” Aiden asked.
“I’m not upset … I’m disappointed.”
“I’m sorry,” Aiden said, as he leaned in and kissed me chastely on the lips.
I loved his kisses, even those that didn’t last long enough, but his gesture wouldn’t deter my thoughts of his behavior. “You just couldn’t behave, could you? I asked if you would be okay with this, and you said yes.”
“Aria, damn. How can any man really be okay with this scenario?” Aiden asked.
“If I can deal with Anja being here, you can deal with Kellan and Liam. And if you knew you weren’t on board with this dinner party, why did you agree to it?”
“The same reason I go along with just about anything that involves you, regardless of whether I like it or not … because I love you.”
“Then do as I ask,” I said. “Go to Kellan and apologize.”
Aiden turned to face his sisters, glaring at them both.
“Leave them alone, Aiden. And go.”
He was quiet—his gaze still assessing Sloan and Allison. He breathed a sigh as he turned to face me and granted me another kiss—this one on my cheek. “Anything for you,” he said, and turned to leave.
“What the fuck was that?” Sloan asked, once Aiden was out of hearing range.
“I know, right?” Allison echoed. “Who was that guy and where have you hidden our brother? How did you get him to do that so easily?”
“Nothing is ever easy with that man. You guys know that. But he’s learning. Besides, you know how the saying goes … happy wife, happy life.”
“No one ties his hands like you do. I love it,” Sloan said, grinning.
And no one ties mine like he does.
“You’re taming the untamable,” Sloan said and made the pretense of a curtsy. “I bow at your feet.”
“Oh, stop. Don’t let Aiden fool you. He may apologize, but we all know it won’t be sincere and he’s not going to stop until he gets his way. But for now, I’ll take this win. I suggest you two do the same because at any moment, he can do any number of things to break both of your relationships, and he’ll feel perfectly justified in doing so.”
“I love Aiden to the moon and back, but he really needs to stop going big brother on the guys we choose to date,” Sloan said.
“If it helps at all, remember he’s doing it because he loves you, though I know that doesn’t make it right. And I promise to keep working on him,” I said.
“Thanks,” they said, almost in unison.
I felt bad for them. It was unreal the amount of control they allowed Aiden to have over them, but then again, it was more like they didn’t really have a choice with someone like Aiden. I knew that much first hand.
I looked at their empty glasses. “We should do something about those,” I said, and beckoned one of the waiters.
*****
“Why’s everyone so quiet?” I asked. We’d all been in our little groups until sitting down at the table when a hush fell over the room. I glanced at each of them and noticed a few eyes were focused on Aiden. The silence suddenly made sense.
“Hey, what did I do?” Aiden asked. “I’ve been nothing but cordial to all of this craziness.”
“You’ve behaved for the most part,” Nicholas said, in agreement.
“I’m under a direct order from the wife,” Aiden replied.
“Maybe we’re all waiting on you to go Aiden Raine on us,” Allison said.
“I don’t know what that means,” he replied
.
He knew exactly what it meant; we all did. And quite frankly, I was wary at first, but as Aiden had said, he wouldn’t do anything to ruin this evening for me. He did step out of line, but he made up for it, so all in all, I was proud of him. I knew this was awkward for all of us, but if this was to be our status quo, then we’d better get used to it.
“Aiden, why don’t you make a toast?” I suggested.
“If you’ll raise your glasses,” he said.
A couple of people had to wait until their drinks were topped off, but once we’d all lifted our glasses, Aiden continued. “In the words of Hamilton Wright Mabie, ‘Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.’ Aiden glanced at his sisters and their dates. “And conspiracy is the right word, given the unlikely bunch seated around my table.”
“Aiden,” I warned.
“Okay, okay,” he said, and cleared his throat. “This year has been met with some extreme highs,” he said, looking at me. “And we’ve also been hit with some of our toughest challenges, but with patience, love and understanding, we’ve all made it to the other side. One thing I can say with one hundred percent certainty—it has all made me a better man. A wise man once said, ‘Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.’ I think tonight is a start to that. And to the love of my life, I love you more with each passing day. Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Never,” I mouthed.
“Merry Christmas,” Aiden said as he concluded his toast.
“Merry Christmas,” we all chimed.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
I wanted to talk to my parents. I wanted to hear their voices. I wanted them to know how happy their children were. And I so wanted them to meet their grandson. Each time I had a family gathering with the Raines, my heart broke a little. Watching them tease each other, even the spats they often had, made me nostalgic. I wanted the same thing with my parents and my sisters. There were so many talks I wanted to have with Mom about my life with Aiden, how I was planning to raise Lyric, the decision to have more kids, and my relationship with Lia and Bianca. And as for Dad, I just wanted to have one last hug. To hear him say he loved me. That he was proud of me. For him to one day sit Lyric on his lap and share some of the tomboy stories about me with him. I wanted Christmas with them. I wanted to fuss about their spoiling Lyric. I wanted it all.
If there were any truth to the manuscript I’d received, at least part of my dreams would come true someday. The last sentence in the story read, When you least expect it, we’ll meet you in forever. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I took that to mean that one day my parents would be joining us on Now Until Forever Isle. We’d all be reunited, and my sisters would finally know the truth. Until that day came, I had my memories, and I would keep them close at heart.
Aiden had been successful in locating my grandparents. They’d both been ill and were living in a retirement center. It was kind of crappy, so we moved them to one of the best in the country. Their health was improving, and we were looking for a house with around-the-clock attendants to care for them. I even had a chance to meet my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Another piece of the puzzle had also been found: my grandparents hadn’t abandoned my mom; she’d abandoned them. She was in college nearing graduation when she’d met Dad. They’d fallen in love and wanted to marry. My grandparents forbid it and cut her off, telling her she had to choose … well, Mom chose my dad. The first couple of months after the ultimatum, my grandparents made multiple attempts to reach out to Mom, but once those months became years, they finally gave up, hoping Mom would one day try to make amends. That day never came.
I wanted Lyric to be surrounded by family. It was important that he knew where he came from. And it helped me a little bit with my own identity. When I first had the notion to learn more of my background, I thought it would give me perspective on who I was. I had always felt at a loss. I no longer needed it for that reason. I knew who I was, and I was proud of who I’d become. My sisters needed to know they had family, too. I didn’t want them going through the hills and valleys of life without that. And my newfound knowledge also gave a little piece of my mom back to me.
My paternal grandparents … well, they weren’t as eager to embrace the family they felt had torn theirs apart, but Aiden had been persistent. He flew to Italy to impress upon them the importance of us connecting. Needless to say, we had plans to return to Italy in a couple of months for our first family gathering.
*****
I was a nervous wreck for the better part of the day. Leaving RPH earlier than planned, I made a stop at Marc Jacobs to pick up a shirt for Lyric. With only a few minutes to spare, I rushed home to get my son dressed and ready for his daddy.
I sat Lyric on the floor just as Aiden stepped into the house.
“Aria, I’m home! Where are you?” he shouted.
“Lyric and I are in the kitchen,” I yelled back.
Aiden walked in, pulling at his tie.
I applied my poker face and walked over to give him a kiss. “Your son is anxious to see you,” I said.
“Is he?”
“Yep. He asked for you earlier.”
Lyric was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor, surrounded by his usual assortment of toys.
“Hey, buddy. Have you missed your dad?” Aiden asked, crouching down beside him.
“You should watch him walk,” I suggested. “He goes on and on forever now, without even the slightest of falls. I stepped over and pulled Lyric up to his feet. “Step back and call out to him.”
Aiden stood and moved a few feet away from Lyric and then called his name. When Lyric started towards him, Aiden smiled and then his brows knitted together. He picked up Lyric and held him out in front of him as he considered the words on Lyric’s new shirt. It read ‘Best big brother in the world.’
Aiden glanced from Lyric to me, his bearded face confused.
“What does this mean?” he asked in a rush.
I shrugged.
“Aria …” his words slowed. “What … does this … are you?”
I nodded and laughed, my eyes welling with tears. “Yes, we’re pregnant.”
Aiden gasped, his eyes wide with excitement. His glance moved between Lyric and me. Once, and then a second time.
“Say something,” I urged.
Walking toward me, he pulled me into his arms. He, Lyric and I were in a family huddle, which didn’t last very long—Lyric wanted freedom. Aiden placed him on the floor and we watched as our son returned to his toys. Turning back to me, Aiden lifted me in his arms, spinning me around.
I looked down at his handsome face. He was ecstatic. I’d finally given him the one thing other than me and Lyric that he wanted most in the world.
“I should put you down. I don’t want to aggravate our little one.”
“Oh, I’m fine.”
“When did you find out?” he asked. “How far along are you?”
“This morning I took one of the zillion tests you bought, and it was positive. So of course, I took another one. It was positive, too. But my history prompted me to get an actual confirmation from my doctor. I didn’t even bother with scheduling an appointment. I just zipped right over there and they performed the test.”
A wide smile spread over his lips, his dark eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe we’ve finally done it.”
“Me either. Oh, I’m right at two weeks. They confirmed with a dating ultrasound.”
“Give me a second,” Aiden said, pulling his cell from his pocket.
“Who are you calling?”
Aiden held up a finger, as he spoke into the phone. “Hey, Nick, I won’t be doing any traveling for the next year unless Aria and Lyric are with me. Let’s meet tomorrow and take a look at my schedule and determine what I can pass off to you and Sloan. Hopefully all of it.”
Aiden placed his hand on my stomach.
“Everything’s f
ine,” he said to his brother. “I just want to focus on my family.”
After the call with Nicholas, Aiden knelt in front of me and lifted my shirt. He kissed my abdomen and then placed his palm flat against it.
“Thank you,” he said, looking up at me, tears rolling down his cheeks. He touched his head against my stomach and I stroked his hair as his silence became gentle sobs.
*****
Aiden and I were lying in bed. I settled my cheek against his chest as he read aloud the opening scene of Shakespeare’s Othello. It began on a street in Venice. I was certain Aiden had chosen the book for that reason—to take us back to Italy. Minus the quarrel between Roderigo and Iago, of course. But then again, that could have been a reference to the animosity between Kellan and Aiden.
Later that evening, Aiden and I had moved to the sitting room. We were thumbing through some ideas for the nursery when I looked up and saw the happiness on my husband’s face. I did this for him. I made him this happy. I was giving him a child.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing. I love you.”
“And I adore you,” he said.
“What do you want for Christmas?” I asked.
“I already have everything a man could hope for.”
I returned my attention to the swatches as I considered his present. Maybe it was time for the handmade gifts I’d considered before. Or maybe I could take a page from his and my mother’s playbook. I thought about Mom’s letter—the one she’d asked Aiden to give to me. Her note stated that she and my father had written letters and messages to each other throughout the length of their relationship, and that sweet sentiment reminded me of Aiden. Of the notes he’d written for me. I treasured each one, tucking them away in my new box—the one that held my happy memories.
I now had stationary for the sole purpose of writing notes to him. His messages to me were always on pristine white paper. Mine was beige. And I’d be using it for the first time to pen a letter to him as a Christmas gift.
“Babe, last Christmas, you wrote the most beautiful letter to me,” I said.
“Yes.”
“And I was thinking I’d like to write one for you this year.”