Page 32 of Waggs

His father walked in his smile lighting up his eyes as he saw him, his legs already carrying him forward. “Aiden.” His dad dragged him in in for a hearty hug and stood back to look at him much like his mother had.

“Hey, Dad.”

“You look good, son.”

“I am, Dad, I am.”

“Are you staying for dinner?”

Waggs looked at Willow who shrugged and then seeing the look of hope on his mother’s face nodded. “Yeah, sure. If you have enough?”

Amy Wagner waved her hand in the air. “When have I ever not had enough food for my boys?”

Waggs glanced at AJ pointedly. “We actually need to talk to you and Dad first if we can.”

Amy took her grandson by the hand. “AJ, why don’t you go set up the train track in the den and then after dinner you can show everyone how good you are?”

He scampered off happily and Aiden sat down at the dining table with his mom and dad on one side and Willow next to him. It was getting harder and harder to hide his feelings. Reaching for her had become as natural as breathing and curbing it was difficult.

They’d agreed at this meeting they’d warn his parents about the danger Willow and AJ were in and tell them a few details but leave their relationship until next time.

“Willow is in trouble.”

He saw his parents grab for Willow’s hands, holding tight in a silent sign of support and realised that while he’d been hiding, they’d formed a bond made from grief. He explained the gist of the problem, leaving out the swan dive into the river but telling them about the dead girl so they realised how serious it was.

His parents’ faces were etched with concern by the time he’d finished, and he hated he’d put the worry there, but he wanted them aware so they stayed safe.

Amy patted Willow’s hand in a motherly fashion. “Well, you did the right thing. Nobody will protect you better than my Aiden. He’s a natural protector, my boy.”

Willow hugged Amy tight. “I’m sorry I ran. I should have told you.”

“Well, that’s as may be but you still brought Aiden home for a bit so I can’t be mad at that.”

After explaining what the basic plan was and how he had back up with him, his mother went about making dinner and they fell into a relaxed afternoon which was both familiar and surreal at the same time. His mother made his favourite pot roast and then he and AJ played with the train set, the same one he and his brother had played with and he missed his twin just a little less knowing that AJ was there, and he was a part of Aaron.

The pressure he’d always felt eased, and he wondered how much of it had been him.

“Hey, you look like you’re having fun.” Willow sat on the edge of the couch in the den, fiddling with the edge of her top. Aiden was lying on his side on the floor, propped up on his elbow. At her words he looked up and grinned at her, feeling a space in his heart fill with love for her. “I actually am. Being here with you makes it hurt less, and AJ makes me miss him less. It’s like a part of him is still here.”

Willow nodded but she looked pale.

He got to his feet and came to sit beside her, his arm going around her back. “Are you okay?”

Willow nodded. “Yes, just tired that’s all.”

Aiden cursed himself, he should have known. He was used to going without sleep, but she and AJ weren’t.

“We should get home and get settled.”

“It’s still early. I don’t want to drag you away from your mom and dad. They’ve missed you and are loving you being home with them.”

“Wills, you aren’t dragging me anywhere and I’ll be back a lot while I’m here.”

He didn’t let her argue but kissed her head and stood clapping his hands. “Let’s clear up and then go say goodbye to grandma and grandpa before we go.” His parents were washing and drying the dinner things. Something they had done as a couple since he could remember. His dad said it was the time of day he could catch up with his wife in peace because he and Aaron always disappeared after dinner.

The relationship his parents had always made him smile. Seeing them dancing in the kitchen would embarrass his teenage self but now he knew it was something to aspire to. He wanted that kind of love in his life, and with Willow, he hoped he’d found it.

Chapter 14