Chapter 96 UNTIL YOU STEPPED

Chapter 96 UNTIL YOU STEPPED
Leah 

I woke up alone, frowning at the empty space beside me.

Roman usually waited for me to wake up before leaving the room.

My ribs protested as I pushed myself up, pressing a hand to my side before swinging my legs over the edge.

The cabin was unusually quiet , and I could hear the rustling of paper coming from the living room.

I followed the sound down the hallway to find Aiden lying flat on his back on the rug, dead asleep while Roman knelt beside him, permanent markers of different colours uncapped and scattered everywhere. There were also drawing sheets littering the floor, a few scribbled on, and a few clearly abandoned once he found a better canvas, Aiden's face.

He had drawn thick blue eyebrows, a red mustache, and green whiskers across his cheeks. 

His tongue peeked out in concentration as he carefully added something near Aiden's chin.

I pressed my lips together to stop the laugh threatening to escape.

Roman suddenly stiffened and slowly turned his head toward me. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he immediately shoved the black marker behind his back like a tiny criminal caught in the act.

"What," I whispered, fighting to keep my voice stern, "are you doing?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly.

I glanced at Aiden's face, and he followed my gaze.

I raised a brow. "That doesn't look like nothing, honey."

He bit his lip and lowered his head.

I stepped farther into the room and sank onto the couch. Leaning closer to him, I whispered, "You missed a spot."

His eyes lit up.

I pointed at the brown marker on the floor. "Draw something for me too."

His grin turned wicked as he leaned over Aiden's forehead and, with extreme dedication, drew a large, mistakeable poop on it.

I had to clap a hand over my mouth to muffle the laugh, shaking my body.

"Oh my God. Your drawing has improved." I clapped quietly for him.

He leaned back proudly. "Should I draw another one here?" He asked, pointing at Aiden's chest.

Just as I was about to reply, Aiden shifted, and we both froze.

He sniffed. "Why do I smell permanent marker, Roman?" He muttered groggily.

Then he blinked twice, squinting at Roman then at me.

I think the laugh I was holding back gave us both away.

"Don't tell me..."

He sat up, and I burst into laughter, regretting it the moment my ribs punished me for it.

Roman sensed the danger he was in, jumped up, and started running. 

"Roman!" Aiden roared after him.

Shrieking, Roman darted around the couch with Aiden hot on his heel until he caught him.

They both tumbled onto the rug with Roman laughing so hard he could barely breathe as Aiden pinned him down on his thighs.

"It was mummy's Idea!" Roman accused, pointing at me.

"What?!" I gasped dramatically. "I did no such thing."

"Don't worry. I'll deal with her later."

Roman squealed as Aiden grabbed a marker and drew a little moustache on his face.

I took that as my cue and slowly stood, intending to sneak away unnoticed.

"Where do you think you are going?" Aiden asked.

He was already on his feet.

I froze on the spot.

"Hey, I didn't even touch the marker!" I defended, backing up carefully.

He stepped toward me, Roman tucked under his arm. 

I bumped into the wall, trapped between it and him. Then, I squeezed my eyes shut in surrender as I felt the cold wet tip of the marker press against my forehead.

A slow stroke, then nothing.

I opened my eyes, and he was smiling down at me, that massive poop still proudly stamped across his forehead.

I couldn't take him seriously with that thing on his face.

"No fair," Roman grumbled.

Aiden glanced at him. "You want to draw on her too?"

Roman nodded eagerly.

He giggled and took the marker with wicked excitement.

"Mummy, close your eyes."

"Baby, do you really want to mess up mummy's beautiful face?" I asked cutely while fluttering my lashes.

"Yes," he replied coldly. "Close your eyes."

Shit! That didn't work.

I obeyed.

I felt the careful drag of the marker across my skin as he doodled all over it.

Aiden's laughter made me open my eyes. "Wait, what is he drawing?"

"Close your eyes!" They both chroused, and I shut it immediately.



The cabin smelled of baked turkey and spices.

Aiden stood by the stove, shirtless the way I liked it, moving with quiet precision as he worked his magic that would soon become fried rice.

I sat on a stool while Roman perched on the counter beside me, legs swinging as he watched Aiden with me. 

He looked more excited about eating Aiden's food than me. Ever since he tasted Aiden's pancakes, he was always looking forward to meal time. 

"Roman," I whispered.

He hummed but didn't look at me.

"Do you still not like him?"

He nodded without hesitation.

"Why?"

He shrugged.

"You used to love playing with him. What happened?"

He didn't answer.

I took his hands in mine and squeezed them. "Can you be nicer to him? For me?"

"But I don't want to," he muttered.

"Pretty, please? Mummy will be sad if you two don't get along."

That got his attention. He turned to me with a sad look.

"Just try being friends first. Please."

A small pause then reluctantly, "Okay, mummy."

"Thank you, honey."

"And you can call him Aiden," I added carefully.

"Really?"

I smiled. "Yes. Mummy won't have a reason to cry in her sleep again."

His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded.

I rubbed my stomach jokingly and said, "I'm starving. Tell that cook to hurry before I faint."

Roman turned toward the stove and cleared his throat with exaggerated authority. 

"Aiden," he yelled.

Aiden froze, then turned slowly, his eyes meeting Roman's first before mine. He looked shocked.

I gave him a small, reassuring smile and noticed the way his eyes lightened up.

"What's it, little man?"

"Hurry up," Roman ordered. "Mummy said she's hungry."

"Almost done, Sir," Aiden replied, turning back to the stove.

I watched his shoulders straighten slightly as he stirred the rice.

I was aware of all the effort he was making to get close to Roman, and I also know how hard Roman was making it for him. I hoped that with this little push, they could try to get along.

After that day in the kitchen, their relationship changed.

Roman didn't suddenly adore Aiden. But he tried his best to adjust to Aiden's constant presence. And that was all that mattered. 

He called him Aiden more often, still stiff and territorial sometimes, but he stopped glaring every five seconds.

Aiden noticed, and he matched the effort with quiet patience.

They played for hours most days, wrestling on the rug or playing football outside while I watched them with a big smile on my face.

It didn't take long for their relationship to graduate to Roman sleeping off on his chest.

They were so cute together that I took a lot of pictures of them.

For the first time since being in a relationship, I felt it clearly.

This was the family I had always dreamed of.