"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
― J.R.R. Tolkien

Bree's POV.

"I was so worried about how you'd react if the test resulted positive," I mumble into Aiden's chest while he continues to hold me close with my naked body flushed against him. "Why? I told you I would want a baby before,"

"I know but I wasn't just sure that you were ready for a baby after getting to know about Jayden just a few months ago," he looks down as if he's trying to read my mind through my expression.

"You are the one I'm worried about Bree, you went through more than I did and if anyone needs to be ready for the baby then it's you," fresh set of tears start to cloud my vision as thoughts of Jayden occupy my mind before I speak, "It's hard to think that Jayden isn't here to experience this happiness but I think I'm ready for this little one while Jayden is always going to be part of me," I don't even know if that made sense but Aiden sure understood what I meant.

My hands rubs my almost invisible bump while Aiden kisses my forehead, "We've got to tell everyone about it," I say with a smile while wiping off my tears.

"Right now, I just want us to celebrate the news first baby doll. Only tonight and then you can tell everyone in the morning," he says with a pleading expression which I comply to though I want to share the news with everyone especially Jackson and Amanda.

"You'll have to get used to my sudden cravings, my laziness and looking at me all bloated up," I giggle telling Aiden and he laughs, "I'm sure I'll enjoy every bit of it especially when you'll be too huge to walk around,"

I smack his chest playfully before kissing him. His hand caresses my bare back while kissing me back deeply and I play with his hair smiling against his lips. Breaking the kiss, I just hug him tight for a few seconds. I've got no idea why I'm doing this but I'm just happy that Aiden is happy.

My stomach growls as I remember that Maria made some cookies today, "Let's go have the cookies Maria made. I'm really hungry now,"

Aiden laughs at my excitement as I put on his t-shirt and a shorts before walking out with him hand in hand. I've never felt this content before especially knowing that Aiden is happy with how everything is happening between and us and that's all that I can ask for right now. I find Aiden staring at me with a smile as we make our way to the kitchen, "Why are you staring me like that?"

Grabbing a few cookies from the kitchen counter, I place them in a plate while filling a glass of milk, "Is it wrong to stare at my girl?" I shake my head smiling.

"I'll get that for you," Aiden grabs the plate and glass of milk from my hands making me raise an eyebrow before following him into the living room.

"Shit! Aren't we supposed to pack for the weekend? You told me we're leaving by ten in the morning tomorrow," I ask him realizing I forgot about it. "You don't have to worry about it. We can just carry two pairs of clothes and that could be done before we leave tomorrow,"

I roll my eyes at how simple he made it sound, "Want to go out for dinner or order in?"

"Let's order in please?" I tell him taking a bite of the cookie dipped in milk. A moan escapes my mouth at how heavenly it tasted but again Maria bakes the best cookies after my mom.

"Sure," Aiden responds with his mouth full of cookie like a kid making me laugh. Talk about being a child at heart and Aiden is the first on the list.

×××

"J-Jayden please don't leave me. P-please wake up," my voice cracks looking at my son connected to a bunch of machines. I shouldn't have left him alone, how could I even expect his safety with people who didn't want to accept him. It's all my fault.

His little fingers move in my hand grabbing my attention, "Momma is here baby, please wake up please?" caressing his cheek I wait for him to open his eyes but he never does.

"Bree, he's going to be fine. Stop crying please," Jackson whispers trying to calm me down but I just can't, "I-I can't Jackson, how can I calm down when Jayden is here because my recklessness. I was so excited that he was finally going to meet Aiden but I didn't even think of his safety,"

It is all my fault.

I can never forgive myself for this.

×××

"Jayden!" I open my eyes with tears in them.

"Bree are you alright?" Aiden's voice brings me back to the present as he wipes my tears looking at me concerned. I hug him tight and let out my tears as my thoughts are clouded with Jayden. "I-It's my fault he's not here with us,"

"No no Bree, it was never your fault. Don't blame yourself for it ever, you did all you can okay?" I silently nod against Aiden's chest as he holds me close. He kisses my forehead while rubbing my back to calm me down.

"What time is it?"

"Six o'clock, you can sleep for at least for two hours," he tells me but I don't think I can sleep any time soon now.

"Are you sleepy Aiden?" I look at him waiting for an answer.

"No not at all,"

"Can we just pack our stuff and go out before we leave for the weekend? I think I need some fresh air,"

"Sure I wouldn't mind that and I already packed our bags after you went to sleep last night," I smile at him before kissing him deeply. I've got no idea about what I'd do if Aiden wasn't there next to me. Probably just keep crying until no tears are left to shed. I feel lighter with Aiden around to support me. "Come on, we can have a shower and then just get going. We can even have breakfast at Della's,"

Aiden is trying hard to make my mood better and that's really sweet. I get off the bed following Aiden and I run to the wash room clutching a hand onto my mouth as I feel my morning sickness kicking in. I empty my stomachs contents as Aiden holds my hair back

I stand up feeling a little lightheaded as I flush it all off but Aiden holds me so that I can steady myself. Shit. I almost forgot how horrible morning sickness can feel. "Are you fine?"

"Yes," I respond before brushing my teeth as Aiden gets the water running for me. I shouldn't let the bad memories affect me anymore. I need to just remember the good things with Jayden and I can't let the bad memories get me while there's this little on the way. This baby needs me and I need to be ready for it.

I wash my face and turn around to find Aiden staring at me, "I wish I could read that pretty mind of yours sometimes. You always think so hard and never tell me what it is,"

I smile at him and walk up to the bath tub where he's sitting on the edge. Standing in between his legs, I wrap my arms around his neck before speaking, "I was just thinking of how I need to stop letting the bad memories of Jayden affect me,"

His hand caresses my cheek as he smiles at me, "And you need to stop blaming yourself for what happened too," I nod as he pulls me close and kisses my forehead.

"Join me for bath," I tell him and he grins in response. Seems like he was waiting for an invite then.

×××

"Please fasten your seat belts, we're about to take off," I fasten my seat belt while waiting for Aiden to tell me why we were going to Washington all of a sudden.

"I told you it's a surprise baby doll so you've got to wait,"

Rolling my eyes at his response I just look out of the window as we take off, "Trust me you'll love the surprise,"

Aiden looks at me with pleading eyes making me melt right there, "Fine," I say and he smiles entwining his fingers with mine. Aiden sure has a way to convince me.

"I just don't understand why neither Jackson nor Ricky is taking my call. Hell not even Amanda and Rachel we're taking the call," I voice out my thoughts frustrated. I wanted to share the news with all of them and now they're too busy to take a call. Even Maria and Brad were acting all busy today.

"I'm sure they're just busy," Aiden tells me but I can't help feeling the disappointment. "They always take my call no matter what,"

I rest my head on Aiden's shoulder after taking off my seat belt. I can only hope that I can speak to them once we're in Washington.

×××

Feeling a slight tap on my shoulder, I wake up from my short nap from the airport to where we were going to stay, "We're here," Aiden says and I look out to see the house that I live in six years ago just looking as beautiful as ever.

"I knew you would love to stay here," a smile makes its way to my face at his statement as we get out of the car. "Thank you,"

"You don't have to thank me baby doll," he says taking out the bags from the car before we head in. Seems like he's got someone to get the house ready for the stay.

Someone opens the door for us and we walk in, "Surprise!" Ricky, Rachel, Amanda, Jackson, Maria, Brad and the kids were all there. I look at Aiden who's grinning widely, "This is the best surprise Aiden," I tell him and kiss his cheek before heading towards all of them.

"So that's the reason you guys didn't take my calls," I chuckle as Jackson nods and hugs me tight.

"We've set up the bonfire and the pizzas are on the way so if you guys could just fresh up first, we can get started with the party," Ricky says with a smile.

"When did you guys even get here?" I ask them. "We were here last night itself. Maria and Brad made it just two hours ago before you guys,"

"Thank you for making time guys,"

"No thanks to Aiden for planning this wonderful weekend cause we all needed it,"

I turn to Aiden smiling and hug him tight just because I couldn't shower him with kisses in front of the kids. "Thank you so much,"

"Don't thank me baby doll and come on we better fresh up. Remember we've got some news to break to them?"

"Right," I say realizing I forgot about it. I guess it's going to be an exciting weekend then.

×××
So there goes yet another chapter! So close to the end and I'm excited to read your comments!

Have a great day/night!

With love,
Ana... ❤️