♥️

We sit around the long table enjoying each other's company, everyone is almost too full to move. But mom with her traditions is wide awake and ready to run full speed. "So, are we putting a tree up here?" She asks, her eyes panning around the massive dining room.

I warned him about the usual tree decorating immediately after Thanksgiving dinner. It's not that I hate it, I absolutely adore it and Christmas is my favorite time of year. It's just that... we won't be in the cabin but for one more night.

I look to Aiden, unsure of what to say. He speaks up, "Actually, if I could have a moment with you." He sets his napkin down on the table, "Maybe on the balcony?" He suggests, I go to stand but he places a hand on my knee.

Mom nods with an eager smile, Howard takes her attention momentarily. She giggles as he whispers something to her. Seeing her so carefree, it's amazing.

Leaning over, Aiden whispers in my ear "I need to speak with her, give us ten minutes."

Aiden escorts my mom outside, I fidget in my seat about to start cleaning up. I grab my plate and stand. Howard coughs, "Emilia, set your plate back down." His voice is soft, playful. I listen, "you cooked, we will clean."

Howard looks around the room, the two other guards quickly catch on. "Yes, it was delicious, thank you for cooking." One says, standing up and gathering the plates.

The other one gives an appreciative grunt as he follows suit with cleaning. Ashley looks at me, her eyes and head pointing towards the balcony. "Hey, Em. Can you help me change my band-aid?"

Ricky looks at her with a cocked brow, "Babe, it was barely a papercut. You don't need to change it."

She rolls her eyes, standing up and gesturing for me to follow. "What are we doing?" I ask as we creep up the stairs towards mine and Aiden's bedroom.

"We're going to eavesdrop, don't you want to know what they're talking about?"

I ponder this for only a moment, "duh." I respond, I mean I know he's going to tell her about the house but I'm curious about her reaction. Trying to keep quiet, we slowly open the back door and crawl on our hands and knees onto the bedroom balcony, which sits directly above the first-floor patio.

I hear my mom's voice first, "I'm not going too. You're a grown man, and successful. I know you've got your head on the right track but I'm also not an idiot."

Aiden gives an appreciative nod, I can see them through the slits in the rail since this deck doesn't go out as far. Their both huddled by the heater and in deep conversation. My mom continues, "My husband was a detective, he dealt with bad men all the time." She says, her words slow and terrifying... what's happening?

"Ms. Banks." Aiden begins but she cuts him off with a gentle smile, "Aiden, I know you're not a bad man. I know you love my daughter. But I also know that last time I was here, there were men everywhere. Men who acted as if they were your friends but seemed more like bodyguards to me."

She takes a sip of her wine, gauging his reaction. I know this inquisitive look of hers, the one that told me in high school that I was about to get the famous Pamela interrogation about what I've been doing.

But unlike me, who would break at the slightest guilt of lying to my mother Aiden keeps a straight face, his demeanor not stiff. "I'm a man in a position of power, Ms. Banks. It was a decision I made to keep Emilia safe, as a precaution of course."

She nods, "So you're not in any trouble?"

"No, ma'am." He doesn't hesitate, I almost believe him myself.

"Okay, thank you for telling me the truth." she says.

Aiden smiles, thinking he's won the battle.

"However," She says, setting down her glass of wine on the table and standing firm in front of him. "Emilia doesn't have her father here on earth to say the things that need to be said to her first true love." She smiles fondly, so does he and then her demeanor goes back to serious.

"If you hurt her, or ever put her in danger I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth." She tries to be serious but her facade is crumbling. She may be scary to me, but not to six foot three massive Aiden.

"Go, Mama!" Ashley says, quietly falling over in laughter. I playfully swat her arm; thankful they didn't hear. But I agree, and what she said was sweet. I don't give her enough credit.

She was married to a cop for decades, she knows more than I think she does. At least now it seems she's calm and just imagines that Aiden has guards for the sole reason of his position and as a safety precaution.

"Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" she asks, back to her usual happy attitude. Howard walks outside, bringing her a fresh glass of wine. When he goes to leave, she tugs on his suit jacket. Bringing him closer to her, she snuggles against him which gets a collective 'aww' from me and Ashley.

"Actually, I was going to ask your blessing-" She cuts him off with a hand in the air. My stomach drops, as well as Ashley's, as well as my mom who has lost her balance slightly.

"For marriage?" She almost spits out her wine, I don't know if that's a good or bad sign.

A small smirk creeps up his face, "No, Ms. Banks. Your blessing of me and Emilia buying a home together." He frowns slightly, "But just so you're aware. My intention is to marry your daughter in the future. That conversation will happen at a later date, of course. But I hope your reaction won't be quite so... that." He jokes, slightly. I can tell this makes him nervous. My heart spins with joy hearing him talk about me becoming his wife.

She hugs him, "No, no dear. You just caught me off guard. I see the way you two are. I know that you're both headed in that direction and I personally think moving into a home together is a great idea before marriage. It will give you a good test to see if you're ready for that kind of commitment." Smiling she nods her head, "I never want to hold her back from love. Life is too short, just please tell me you'll be moving close? Don't take my baby girl far from me."

Aiden visibly relaxes, "Never, we found a place about thirty minutes from you."

"Anywhere I'm familiar with?"

"It's off of Wellington Crescent." He tells her.

She lets out a low whistle. I'm unfamilair with that area but apparently, she's not. "When will you be going to look at it?"

Howard laughs slightly, "What?" she ask him.

Aiden clasps his hands together, "I may have already bought it, we leave tomorrow." His words are rushed. Boy, is he nervous or what.

She shakes her head, with a smile. "And what if I would have said no?"

"Then you would be the first and only person on the planet to ever witness me beg." He replies.

She gives him an appreciative nod, placing her arm on his shoulder. "I'm happy for you." Aiden looks between my mom and Howards, "I'm happy for you two, as well."

Howard walks inside with a giggling Pamela interlaced in his arm and Aiden takes a moment to smoke, I watch him with intensity as his eyes trail across the dark yard, wondering what he's thinking of.

After looking around the empty porch Aiden grabs his phone, dialing a number and placing the device to his ear. "Hello." His voice is cheeky.

"We should go inside." I whisper to Ashley, I don't want to listen in on his personal calls. Besides, I'm sure it's nothing but business.

She shakes her head, still holding a grin. "I want to hear." She whispers.

He nods his head, listening to whoever's on the other end for a few moments.

"Yes, as we discussed before. You're set to pick Emilia up tomorrow, my sister too. Take them wherever you would like... I'm done with them." I shudder at his words.

"Why?" He repeats the question I guess, my heart is bursting out of my chest in terror. "Well, because they both enjoy eavesdropping on conversations."

He pans his eyes up to me with a smile, showing me his blank phone. He never dialed anyone and it was a joke. Not funny, but deserved. "I know you guys are up there." He laughs, tossing his spent cigarette into the tray. We giggle, like schoolgirls as we dart back into the house, my relief palatable.

When I find him, he gets a well deserved playful slap on the arm. But I don't mind watching the way he doubles over in laughter from tricking us. His dimples prominent and his laughter filling my heart.

That night, we lay in bed together. With everyone that we love inside the cabin. My mom and Howard really hit it off. Aiden filled me in, Howards been going to see her regularly and he brings her tulips every time. They were still sitting by the outdoor fireplace when we went upstairs, she spoke to me briefly about him. She was so worried what I would think, I told her to follow her heart.

She said it best. Life is too short, don't hold back someone from love.

Everything is calm, as it should be. We're happy. It's normal. I ray reality doesn't hit us in the face again soon.

"Tomorrow we start a new chapter of our lives." Aiden says, brushing the hair from my shoulders, "I hope you're ready."

♥️

See y'all Wednesday!

Emden had their first Thanksgiving together! Christmas is right around the corner...

Also, a reminder in case anyone is confused. Aidens release date will not be January 1st. I didn't put an exact date because once I publish it, it can take a while for the book to show up on Amazon and Kindle after being accepted into the system. It will be January, but just not the first day it will probably be more towards the middle of the month. I promise you guys will know immediately when it's ready for you! ♥️♥️