Chapter 106 AGAIN.

Chapter 106 AGAIN.
Leah

"He is the second man you are bringing home. And you know it was because of you your father started this ritual?"

"I'm going upstairs," I said, standing up immediately.

"You don't trust he can withstand all your father's attacks?"

"I do," I sighed and dropped back onto the couch.

"Come here." She opened her arms, and I fell on her chest while she ran her fingers through my hair. "Your dad won't go too hard on him."

"I hope so."

"Now, why don't you try to convince your mom to accept him."

I looked up at her. "But I thought you already liked him."

"At least pretend you don't know and try to convince me."

I pressed my lips as I thought of what to say then decided on, "He loves me."

And he can kill for me. But let's keep that as just a thought.

"And that's all that matters," she kissed my forehead.

Time dragged and dragged until I finally heard footsteps. I was already on my feet and rushing toward the stairs.

My stomach dropped, seeing Aiden coming down with a blank expression.

"What did he say?" I asked quickly.

Before he could answer, dad said, "Nothing to worry about, sweetheart."

I turned to my dad, who was right behind him.

"She gets a new man, and suddenly, her old man doesn't matter anymore," he huffed, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"It's not true," I smiled, moving to slip my arm through his. "I will always love you."

"So between him and me, who do you love more?"

"Between Mom and me, who do you love more?" I raised an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat as he started walking away.

"Aiden tells me he can cook," he goes to kiss mom. "If he can make your mother ask for a second plate, then I'll approve of him."

"Deal!" I said excitedly.

After we were done with visiting my parents, which went well, we headed to Ivy's place for the last person's approval.

Everyone was already gathered in the backyard. Cole and Jax were by the grill in nothing but shorts, arguing over something I bet was unimportant. Theo, Des, Chloe, Sam, and Nyra were in the pool, splashing and yelling over a game. Just the chaos you would expect from them. 

Aria was asleep somewhere inside, and Lucas was probably with her. 

I introduced Aiden properly, and they welcomed him, of course not without being the usual assholes. 

"Your man is hot," Ivy leaned in to whisper.

"Where's Roman?" I asked, ignoring her remark.

"In the living room," she said. "He is watching cocomelon with Seth and Caleb."

"He hates that show," I laughed as Aiden and I headed inside.

We found him sitting stiffly on the couch beside Caleb, his little face scrunched in clear annoyance as the TV blared.

"Can't we change it now?" He asked Seth.

"Until Caleb sleeps, no," Seth replied lazily without looking up from his phone.

Roman hissed and turned back to the TV just as I  crept up behind him. "Boo!"

He jerked, spinning around, his hand already raised to hit when he saw me and stopped.

"Mummy!'

He scrambled up, and I pulled him into a hug

"Baby," I whispered, burying my nose in his neck. "Mummy missed you so much."

"I missed you too," he mumbled, clinging tighter.

Caleb climbed up beside us immediately. "Aunty Leah, hug!"

I laughed softly at his cuteness and pulled him in, too.

"Aiden!" Roman screamed in excitement when he saw Aiden.

"Hey, little man," Aiden smiled, ruffling his hair. "Did you miss me too."

"No," he said, looking away.

"You break my heart," Aiden said, placing his hand dramatically over his chest, and Roman giggled.

Seth carried Caleb away later, leaving the three of us.

"Baby," I started softly, sitting bsside him. "Mummy wants to tell you something."

He looked up at me, already sensing the shift.

"What do you think about... having a dad?"

His face scrunched immediately.

"No," he said firmly. "I only want you."

"But every child has a dad. Did you never want one?"

He never asked me about it, but I'm sure he must have wanted one.

He shook his head harder. "No."

"But... what if you already have one?"

The change in his expression broke me. He looked past me at Aiden, then at me again, betrayal in his eyes.

"Roman wants to be alone," he said quietly, then climbed down and walked away.

"Roman—" I called, my heart pounding as I stood.

Aiden's hand rested gently on my shoulder. "Let me."

I hesitated, then nodded.

Aiden caught up with him in the hallway and slolwy crouched in front of him. 

I stayed where I was watching Roman avoid his eyes and Aiden trying to persuade him. 

Roman glanced at me, then back at him. Then Aiden did something that made my breath catch. He went down on both knees with his head lowered. 

That's when I walked over to them.

"Why weren't you here before?" Roman asked with glossy eyes.

"I should have been," Aiden said quietly. "But I was hurt for a long time and couldn't come back to your mummy."

Roman looked down at his hands.

"But I should have fought harder to be with you."

"Will you leave again?"

"No. I swear, I won't."

Then he slowly looked back at him. "I'm only agreeing for now," he sniffed. "If you mess up, you won't be my dad again."

Aiden and I both let out a breath of relief. "I won't."

I knelt down, too, as we all got into a hug. 

We returned to the backyard together and joined the others.

Laughter filled the air, and I smiled to myself seeing the people I loved all in one place.

I looked at Aiden then at Roman and smiled softly.

I guess our story didn't end in chapter 59. It was only just the beginning.