"Life wants you to fight it.
Learn how to make it your own. "

―COLLEEN  HOOVER, SLAMMED

Bree's POV.

"Aiden are you sleeping in there?" I yell at Aiden who's taking so long in the shower while I get dressed. Jackson's so going to kill me if we end up arriving late at Janel's christening. Yeah, that's what we named her. My phone goes off getting my attention and I pick it up as I see Brad's name flashing on the screen. "Hey,"

"The limo is ready for you guys Bree," I can imagine him rolling his eyes after stating this again since he's been calling me from half an hour telling me that we'll get delayed but well what do I do when my guy decides on sleeping every time I wake him up.

"We'll be there in five. Sorry for the delay," I drop the call standing up as I let my feet settle into my five-inch heels before storming towards the shower to bang on the door until Aiden is out. But instead, he steps out with a towel hanging around his waist looking jaw-dropping as ever, "I know you love staring at me but aren't we in a hurry right now?"

He smirks as I could feel myself go beet red in embarrassment once again and I just turn around to leave, "I'll wait for five minutes Aiden, you get that? Five minutes. And then I leave," I say trying to be as serious as possible as I point at him but my lips curl up into a smile as he gives me his cheesiest smile ever.

"Okay ma'am," I roll my eyes while quickly grabbing my purse and phone before heading out to leave Aiden alone to get dressed quickly. Feeling my stomach growl in hunger I head towards the kitchen to grab a cookie or two while scrolling through my messages. I find a web link from some private number and open it to find a picture that makes me lose my appetite.

A picture of me and Jayden next to a picture of me with Aiden back from high school. Jayden has never been exposed to the press or anyone apart from the family and friends just because we didn't want him to have a childhood filled with the suffocation of people being around you all the time like I and Jackson did as kids. And even after his death, we thought its best to keep it a secret because I didn't want Aiden or anyone else to know.

But now, looking at the story the media made up of these pictures made me want to hit the person who wrote this. The article says that Aiden left me after high school because I was pregnant and because he just didn't want to take responsibility. Apart from the fact that Aiden has been read the wrong way in the situation, they also wrote that I wasn't a good enough mother to take care of Jayden and that's the reason he's not here today. With that, I stop reading as I feel my eyes go damp as tears threaten to roll down my cheeks. Maybe they're right, I wasn't a good mom after all.

"What the hell is this?" Aiden's voice brings me out of my thoughts as he quickly grabs my phone into his hands with wide eyes. His expression keeps going angrier as he reads further while silent tears roll down my eyes but I quickly wipe them off. No matter what I've got to look all good and happy for Jackson's sake today. "Aiden, let's go,"

I grab the phone back into my hand and close the article before looking at Aiden who's busy trying to keep his cool while pacing around, "stop," grabbing his arms I force him to look at me.

"Please let this go, please?" I plead as tears start forming in my eyes once again. My tears have got a horrible timing. "I can't believe how you expect me to stay calm while people make up stories about you and Jayden,"

Sighing I let my hands fall to my sides as I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down, "Can we please have this conversation later Aiden? I... I'm not going to let this affect Janel's christening and it's a big day for Jackson so no we are not going to discuss this just yet,"

"I don't know Bree, I don't know if I can keep calm about this," I look up to meet his angry gaze which softens as soon as he sees my tearful eyes and pulls me close into his embrace making my tears fall free as a sob escapes my lips. "Every time we think we're over our past, something or the other keeps coming up reminding us of how things went all wrong,"

Aiden takes my face into his hands wiping my tears away, "Hey stop crying now baby doll, I've got a surprise for you today,"

A small smile finds its way onto my lips at Aiden's attempts to make me feel better. I peck his lips teasingly before getting out of his hold, "I'm going to make you finish that later Bree,"

Aiden narrows his eyes at me as I walk away from him so that we don't make it anymore delayed than we already did. He catches up with me as I grab my stuff and step out of the house but not before he gives my butt a squeeze making me squeal in surprise as he walks away teasingly from me this time. I shake my head smiling as I follow him out to the car.

I wish those few moments that we are in our own world without thinking about the people around us could just be our everyday life but I guess it's just too much to expect that sometimes.

Looking at my reflection on my phone, I internally appreciate myself for using the waterproof makeup because I just don't seem to stop myself from crying most of the time.

Brad holds the door open for me to get in and I get into the car bumping shoulders with Aiden. I smile taking a look at what he's wearing today. Sexy as always in a dark grey suit and a white shirt, "imagining me without this thick layer of clothes baby doll?"

I narrow my eyes at Aiden's smirk," says the person who's unable to keep his hands to himself?" I reply point to his hand that's on my thigh.

"It's not like you don't like it," a blush finds its way to my face and I look away. He kisses my forehead smiling and pulls me closer making me get comfortable in his embrace. Maybe it's just us making it up for all the six years now.

××××

"Mhmm Aiden, why are you acting so weird? Is everything alright?" I ask concerned with Aiden pacing around with a weary smile trying to convince me that everything is fine. "Yeah I'm good, everything's just fine,"

"Probably not cause you don't look like everythin-" Jackson interrupts me suddenly.

"Amanda's mom is killing me! Please help?!" He whisper-shouts making me giggle. Amanda's mom was always hard on Jackson and for some reason even after eight years of their wedded life, she still makes him nervous. "Fine, what's going on with her now?"

"She's pestering me about not giving enough time to Amanda and the kids. Even if Amanda tried supporting, she'll just start with how my lovely wife is against her own mother," he says with a bit of humor.

"Oh brother sounds like you're having a great time today," Ricky's voice catches my attention as he grins at Jackson standing behind me with Aiden next to him. "Stop making fun of him now,"

A smile makes its way onto my face as I roll my eyes at Ricky as he pulls me into a tight hug. Apart from Jackson, Ricky has been with me through thick and thin, especially after Jayden's death. Kissing my forehead he releases me from his embrace before pulling Aiden into a bro-hug.

"So where are Amanda and her mom?" I ask looking around for them as Jackson answers me pointing out to the kitchen.

"I'll handle this which means you can loosen up a bit and have fun with the guys," I tell Jackson before walking away from him. Usually, when it comes to get-togethers which include Amanda's mom, I'm always the one who keeps her occupied with some chat just so that she can stop being hard on Jackson.

She's a great person but just too worried about her daughter all the time and whom can we blame, all she has is Amanda and all she wants is to make sure she's happy with her family.

Luckily, Jackson being the bigger person always understands the concern but still cannot help acting like a high school boy talking to his girlfriend's mom. "Breeee!" Nathan's voice gets my attention as I enter the kitchen. He looks handsome as always wearing a baby blue shirt on black pant with a bow making him look adorable. Well, what can I say? He's a splitting image of my handsome big brother.

"Hey there little guy," I said greeting him with a wide smile as I carry him into my arms while he kisses my cheek. "Good evening Ms. White," I greet Amanda's mom while she walks towards me with a wide smile.

"I was waiting for you the entire evening sweetie, the party is boring without you," she says half hugging me since I was carrying Nathan. "I missed you too," I smile before diverting my eyes to a tired Amanda with Janel in her arms.

"I talk to your mom and then we can talk and play with grandma together alright?"

"Aye Aye captain!" Nathan replies making me giggle along with Amanda and Ms. White.

"I'll let you two women have a chat while I play with my grandson," I acknowledge nodding cause I need to talk to Amanda first. She looks way too tired as if she hasn't slept in days but again that happens with newborns.

"I know I know, I look like a zombie," Amanda states giggling a little as she stands up and hands the baby to me. "Damn, I don't know what I would've done if you and Aiden didn't offer to take care of Nathan. Jackson and I have been struggling to handle this little devil here,"

We both laugh a little looking at sleeping Janel as I sit down on a bar stool while Amanda rests her head on the kitchen island counter. "Want us to stay the night and take care of Janel and Nathan? That way you and Jackson can take some rest and also be there if we can't handle them,"

"I can't thank you enough Bree, you've already been so much of help to me and do you even have to ask about staying back? It's your house too sweetie and as long as Aiden is okay with the idea, I've got no reason to not trouble you again," she says smiling.

She's been the most welcoming person every time I needed Jackson to comfort me without feeling that I was interrupting their life and honestly I don't think I can thank her enough for being there for me. All these guys have never left me alone to dwell on my own pain and I will never hesitate to be there for them. "I don't think Aiden would say 'no' if I ask him," I reply grinning.

"Its so nice to see you this happy and relieved,"

"Only because of Aiden," I state giving her a warm smile.

"Did you guys start talking about a future together?"

"I love him Amanda and I can't imagine a future without him again..."

"Maybe you guys should talk?" she suggests squeezing my hand with an assuring smile.

"Yeah and we've got to stop acting like teenagers in love cause all we seem to be doing is skipping work schedules," I add making both of us giggle.

A future is something I didn't think about in a while but as Amanda said, its time we start talking before its too late and I can't afford to lose Aiden again. He seems really serious about us and I can't be happier about it. For all, I know Aiden is never going to give a chance for us to fall apart ever again.

As cheesy as it may sound, everything we've been through from high school drama to dealing with Jayden and making us work all over again, Aiden was the only one who handled everything and worked towards making us work. And to get us to place in life where I'm finally getting to think about having a future without the fear of losing him.

Talk about the things love can do and you'll probably be listing out every moment in your life.