Aaron's POV

My palms are sweating as I lock the car behind myself and walk up to the porch of my parent's house. It feels like a lifetime ago that I used to live here. I sigh before pressing the doorbell and just few seconds later, my mother opens the door.

Her smile is so wide that I immediately suspect something but then she wraps her arms around me like she used to when I was a kid and I forget about my nerves for a while.

"Hey, I have missed you." She tells me and I immediately agree.

"I have, too. Where is dad?" I ask, getting in as I look around the place where I first met Diana.

"He'll be here, in few minutes." She says.

"And Derek?" I question, my voice a little bitter but she gives me a look.

"He moved out. He's staying in Queens, couldn't afford an apartment in Manhattan." She shrugs and my eyes go wide in surprise.

"Really? He moved out? About time." I say.

"He's your brother, Aaron. He'll always be your brother." She says and I sigh.

"I know, Mom. I get it. I respect him but he has to earn the trust someday."

I don't think he can, though. He used to be my best friend before he turned into a bully. I cannot stand the sight of him right now for what he put me through with Diana. I shake off the negative thoughts before settling myself down in living room. My mother offers me wine but I decline it, comforting myself with the water even though alcohol would seriously help me with my nerves.

Almost immediately I miss Diana more than ever, we are together but I miss the comfort and warm she provides me when she's by my side. It's almost like her confidence influences me in a way that I feel as confident as her, ready to do anything. I might sound dependent on her, which would be toxic but I am not, I am just in love with an amazing woman who makes me a better version of myself.

"Where are you lost?" My mother cuts my trail of thoughts and I give her my full attention.

"Nowhere. Just thinking. How are things at home now that we both have moved out?" I ask, trying to detect any hint of loneliness.

"Peaceful." She breathes and I smile, content that my parents are fine.

I want to bring up the fact that I am meeting Lilly, in less than ten days. Charlotte's getting married next weekend but Diana and I decided to stay two days longer in Chicago. She planned it in a way that I can meet the woman who gave birth to me.

"Spill, what's up with you?" My mother nudges me and I take a deep breath.

Would it be alright to talk right now? I guess so. My father would be thoroughly pissed but I believe that I can handle my mother, that's why I probably should break the news to her before Dad comes home.

"There's something you need to know," I start and suddenly she's on the edge of her seat, waiting for me to speak. I rub my palms against my jeans I prepare myself to speak further, "First of all, Diana and I sorted out things." I inform her and her eyes widen at first but then she gets that offended look on her face that she does whenever I mention Diana.

"She forgave you for kissing another girl?" She asks, making me feel guilty but I nod.

"She did."

She scoffs, "I am sure she did. She probably understands as she can't stick to a single man herself."

Her words immediately makes my skin prickle as I stare dead-on at her. I tighten my fist as I remind myself that she is my mother and I always have to respect that. With my voice a little harsh I speak, "Mother, please don't." I beg and warn at the same time.

She just rolls her eyes and nods, "Is there more?" She asks and I continue.

"Before everything happened, I often confided in her how not knowing about my biological parents bothered me. She listened, she always does. She just told me and I quote, 'Aaron, whoever your parents are, I am sure they regret their decision and if they don't, the moment they see you, they would see what an amazing person they gave up.' And Mom, she always tells me that I am this person because of your upbringing and how lucky I am to have you. You are her least favourite person, as I am sure she is yours but she always tells me this because she knows how much I love both my parents."

I look for a reaction but my mother just says, "Get to the point Aaron, are you putting a ring on her finger? Is that what this sweet speech is about, you want my permission?"

That makes me smile a little and I shake my head, "I wish, Mum. She won't marry me." I tell her, knowing the truth about how she feels about the idea of it.

"She won't marry you? What does that girl have on my boy? How dare you think like that, Aaron?" She immediately gets pissed.

She has my heart, and her own — a very beautiful one that's hidden away from the world.

"Leave that! I am not marrying her, not yet." I say and take a beat pause before continuing, "With a little help, she found out about my biological parents. I know how you feel about it, you don't want me to know.. it was a closed adoption for a reason so that you never have to talk about it but I need this, Mom! I can't go on forever as a secret adoption." I say and when I look into her eyes, there's tears brimming.

The thought of this affecting her so much immediately makes me feel guilty. Should I not meet her? What could be so wrong that they don't want me to know?

"What did she find out?" She asks, her voice choked and I gulp a little.

"Just about the mother, she lives in Chicago. Lily Marks. I am intending to meet her when I visit their next weekend." I say, not wanting to withhold any part and she gasps, shaking her head.

"Don't you dare!" She yells and I frown.

"Mom! I need this, please." I beg and she stands from the couch, me following suit behind her.

"Aaron, I have not raised you for twenty one, nearly twenty two years so that you can go behind my back and do such things. Swear on me that you will never even utter that woman's name." She cries and I scowl, a little angry at how controlling she sounds. "And this Diana, she's brainwashing you against us. Throw her out of your life, you don't need such people."

That does it. That breaks the thread of patience holding me together.

"She isn't brainwashing me, Mom! She knows what it's like to be kept in the dark and feel suffocated and because she loves me, she wants me to get that little bit of closure that I can get. She wants me happy, and nothing else. And this, getting answers, that's what will make me happy!" I yell, my voice loud and harsh.

"Aaron, noo! I said no! Please sweetheart, listen to me!" She begs, leaving me confused about what could be so bad that she doesn't want me to find out.

"Mom, I beg you, alright? Let me have this. I won't go alone, Diana will be with me the entire time and if something feels wrong, I'll immediately call you up."

I feel like a teenager who's convincing his parents for a night out plan and his mother is like that strict parent.

She sighs, "She has nothing to do with this, why is she trying to ruin my relationship with you by making us fight over something so futile?"

I shake my head, "It's not futile, this means the world to me. And she would never ever make me stand against you, Mom. Never! She understands that you don't like her because of her past, and because you are my mother, you will always care." I try to make her understand but she just paces back and forth in front of the couch.

"Bullshit, Aaron. What does she know about being a mother?"

"A lot! Because she probably is one!" I yell back.

Immediately, I slap my palm against my mouth at what I just said while my mother halts right in her tracks as she turns to look into my eyes with her wide ones.

"What?" I hear a very familiar masculine voice behind me, startling me and I turn around to see Derek and Lizzy standing near the front door of the house and their expression mirrors my mother's.

Fuck! My brain stops working as I stare at everyone and try to grasp what I just spilled. No no no! This cannot be happening. I did not just tell three people the love of my life hates her deepest and most possessed secret. What the fuck!

"What did you just say?" My mother asks, stepping closer and I take a moment to react but I shake my head.

"Nothing." I decline to speak anything further but Derek and Lizzy come to stand in front of me as well.

"Aaron, spill! What did you just say about Diana probably being a mother?" It's Lizzy who speaks this time and I eye her a little.

"What the hell are these two doing here?" I look at my mother.

"I invited everyone for dinner since you haven't been here from a long time." She explains and I want to slam my head against a wall. "Answer her, Aaron." She says and I gulp.

"I don't know what you are talking about." I try to act nonchalant while Derek scoffs.

"You just spilled the beans bud, now time for the whole thing."

I have just gained her back, I can't lose her again just because I don't know how to keep my mouth shut. But I already did, that's the problem! I already opened up a secret that wasn't mine to tell. The feeling of guilt takes over as I speak.

"Diana is a mother, please get over it and don't make a scene — which means don't ever mention this in front of her. Or I will fucking kill you personally." I intend the last part to Derek who chokes and starts coughing.

Lizzy keeps her hand on his back but her eyes are on me while my mother's jaw is on the floor. Everyone takes time to process it while I think of how to make this alright for Diana.

"Are you serious, Aaron?" Lizzy asks, and I can see that she isn't asking as a person who likes me, but her tone is that of a best friend so I just nod simply.

"Is it yours? Look me in the eye and tell me it's not yours!" My mother speaks, and I frown looking at her.

"It? Seriously? She's not mine, Mum! The technology might be advancing but it still takes nine months to make a baby."

I met her four-five months back, I believe and everything might have been complicated but it's better now – it's amazing in fact, that is if she still accepts me after she gets to know that I told everyone one thing I promised I wouldn't.

"Aaron, how terrible of a mother is she if she sleeps around while having a child?" My asks, worried but still accusing.

"Mom! The only person she has been sleeping with is standing here, me! It's not a habit of hers, trust me on that. I don't even owe you an explanation of this and neither does she but she's a great mother." I assert and she looks too taken aback to say anything.

"How old is she?" Derek asks, as if being a mother immediately makes Diana older.

"Twenty one. She never lied about her age like you did." I roll my eyes and he nods, looking away.

Lizzy stares at me, "How old is her daughter?" She asks and I smile at the thought of Emily.

"Three." I say and everyone gasps a little.

"That means she got pregnant at seventeen. What the hell?" Lizzy looks shocked but I shake my head.

I think that I am spilling too much information when I am supposed to stay quiet. I don't trust Derek or my mother but I trust Lizzy, no matter what goes wrong she'll always be that person I can trust.

"Can we talk, alone?" I look at her and she nods, motioning upstairs and I start to follow behind her.

I stop and face my mother, "I am meeting Lily, mom! It's final and there's nothing you can say or do to make it stop." I tell her before following Lizzy to the terrace.

We take a seat in the open, our legs hanging loose as she stares at me and I look at the stars. "What's her name?" She asks and I smile.

"Emily." I say, looking at her and she smiles a little.

"You love her, don't you?" She asks and I nod.

"She's a great kid, it's hard not to." I shrug, meaning it.

"I meant Diana." She clarifies and I blink, nodding.

"I do, I am sorry Lizzy."

"We don't choose who we have feelings for, right?" She says, quoting my words.

If we could, I would still choose her, in a heartbeat. I don't say it aloud because I don't want to hurt the girl sitting by my side but it's the truth — Diana would always be my number one. Always.

My phone starts ringing so I pull it out from my pocket. Diana's face lighting on my screen as her name flashes along it. I think about how she would feel if she knows I am sitting with Lizzy but then without contemplating much, I answer the call. 

"Hey." I hear her say, a little noisy in the background.

"Hi. What's that in the background?" I ask and she laughs a little.

"I am doing the dishes." She says, making me smile and I shake my head because I know how much she hates it.

"Did Em go to bed?" I ask.

"Yup. It's eight o'clock." She informs and before I can respond she speaks up again, "How did she take it?" She asks and I sigh.

"Not good." I say, running a hand through my hair.

"On the scale of one to ten, how upset are you?" She asks, clearly sensing the disappointment in my tone.

"Eleven, Dee, eleven!"

The noise in the background dies a little when she speaks again, "Do you want to come over?" She offers, knowing exactly what I need and I nod, even though she can't see me. I move a little so I am away from Lizzy's ear shot.

"Yes, please! I am with Lizzy right now, don't panic or be mad, I'll be there in an hour." I say, trying to smoothly let her know the truth.

"Aaron." I can immediately sense the change in her tone.

"Dee, I love you. You, okay? Please don't be upset. I'll tell you everything once I am home." I tell her and she sighs, as if she has been holding her breath. "Breathe, baby. An hour, that's all." I assure her.

"Alright."

She hangs up on me and I know that I have upset her. I think whether or not I should call her again when I hear Lizzy behind me so I turn around and she speaks up, "You should go, you know? I wouldn't want my boyfriend to hang out with someone he has kissed behind my back either."

I gulp and her eyes move to my phone screen, "Is that her?" She asks, pointing to lock screen which is lighting up with a photograph of Emily, Diana and I. My one arm is holding Emily in place as she seats half on my lap and half on Diana's while other is around Diana's shoulder as I am kissing her on forehead and she's hugging both Emily and I. I think Ella took this photo.

I nod at Lizzy as she takes the phone from my hand, "That would be Emily."

"She's adorable." Lizzy says, a little awe in the voice.

"She is." I confirm and she looks at me, handing me the phone.

"I am happy for you, Aaron. You deserve it, all the happiness and love." She smiles at me and wraps her arms around me for a second before moving away.

"Thanks, Liz." I say, meaning it.

When I go downstairs, there's no trace of Derek and I assume my mother is in her bedroom while my father still isn't home. I decide to leave without informing anyone. It takes me forty five minutes to reach Diana's apartment and when I do, I knock on the door, not wanting to ring the bell that could wake up Emily.

Seconds later, Diana opens the door as I am leaning against the door frame. I move forward to give her a hello kiss but she turns her face so my lips meet her cheeks, immediately telling me that she's pissed. She eyes me a little before opening the door further but doesn't say a word as she goes to sit on the couch in the living room.

I remove my shoes before moving to the couch and sitting right by her side, "Hey." I say and she shakes her head.

"Don't, please. Don't test my patience." She says and I smile a little.

"Dee, all I said was hey." I tell her and she narrows her eyes at me, making me wipe off that small smile. "You do remember the reason you wanted me to come over was because I was upset, and not the other way around, right?" I say and she immediately sighs, turning to face me.

"Did you eat?" She asks and I shake my head. "Good, I had a feeling so I waited. Come." She takes my hand before leading me to dining table.

She sets a minute timer on the microwave and when it beeps, she pulls out and serves the food to me. I notice that she made lasagna and that immediately makes my stomach grumble. She rolls her eyes before coming to sit by my side to eat.

"Eat." She orders and I nod, not wanting to argue.

It tastes delicious and I make sure to tell her that, "You make amazing food." I say and she shifts in her seat a little.

"Thanks." She says and the silence falls over.

After clearing the dishes, I take ahold of her hand and lead her down the hallway to her bedroom, turning off the lights in the living room. She doesn't protest when I open the door to her bedroom and pull off my shirt and down the jeans, standing just in my boxers and go to lie down on the bed. She rolls her eyes before turning towards bathroom to change out of her jeans short.

"Seriously?" I ask her and she shoots me a look.

I get out of bed and pull her to me, close enough that our breaths are mingling, I lean down but she backs a little. "Please, Diana. I need you." I beg and she doesn't say a word before pressing her lips against mine.

Her hands meet my bare chest and mine move to her waist. I know there's so much I need to tell her but I cannot bring myself to stop as I move us to the bed, my body hovering above hers as my kisses move down to her jaw and then to her neck.

"Aaron." She moans when I suck a little harder on the skin and her voice immediately makes me stop my actions.

I part away from her skin as I look into her eyes, her eyes snapping open and both of our breaths heavy.

"What's wrong?" She asks, sounding so worried and confused, making me feel even more guilty.

I move away from her and sit up on the bed, Diana following my actions. She runs her fingers on the skin where just my lips were and I stare at the ceiling.

"Aaron, you're freaking me out. Say something." She begs and I look into her eyes.

"I am so so sorry." I say, a knot forming in my throat and she looks confused at first but then something clears in her head as she starts shaking and backing away.

"No no no!" She begins the chant, looking at me with so much hurt in her eyes, "My god, not again, Aaron. You promised you wouldn't!"

Tears start falling from her eyes, breaking my heart but also leaving me confused as I scoot closer to comfort her, "I wouldn't what, Diana? What the hell are you thinking I am apologising for?"

She blinks at me, "You cheated on me, again!"

Her words pierce through my heart as I stare at her. She doesn't trust me, I don't deserve her trust and I have done nothing to earn it but it still hurts to know that she really doesn't trust me enough to know that I would never do that to her again.

"No, I didn't. I swear on you, I didn't cheat on you." I assure her and she just stares at me. I move closer and wipe her tears before pulling her to myself and kissing her cheeks. "I promised, Dee. Never again."

She shakes her head, "What the hell are you apologising for, then?" I look away from her and she cups my cheeks, making me look at her, "Tell me, please." She begs.

"I told my mother something that wasn't mine to tell." I tell her and when she still looks confused I clear it out for her, "I was upset and we were arguing, I told her that you are a mother." I say and her eyes widen as she moves away from lap, making me feel empty. "I am so sorry, baby. I never meant to tell anyone but I was so upset..."

She just stares at me before nodding, "What happened, tell me everything?"

I spend the next five minutes explaining her what exactly went down and somewhere in the middle, our hands meet as she holds onto it tightly. When I finish, I look at her, waiting for her to say something.

"Lizzy and Derek know too?" She asks and I nod.

"Yes, I never meant for anyone to know. I don't know what I was thinking. I am sorry, Diana. Tell me what can I do to make this okay, just don't leave me." I request and she shakes her head.

"I won't leave you just because of this. I am pissed, yes, and even more pissed because you were alone with Lizzy and you let her hug you but it's okay Aaron, I can't keep Emily hidden away from the world. Maybe your parents, brother and Lizzy knowing isn't such a bad thing. None of them would know her personally, that's what matters."

I let out a huge breath of relief at her words as I pull her to myself, "God! I love you. Thank you for not being eternally pissed at me." I kiss her and she kisses me back.

"I am pissed at you, though. I don't like you hanging out with Lizzy, at all." She says and I nod, understanding where she's coming from. She isn't trying to be controlling, I would be hurt too if she hangs out with someone she kissed while we are in relationship only because she doesn't trust me enough.

"I don't think we'll be meeting anytime soon." I tell her and she nods, keeping her head on my shoulder.

"Can I ask you a totally irrelevant question and you'll not judge me?" She says and I nod.

"Anything."

"Are you planning to make love to me anytime soon?" She asks, a little red flushing on her cheeks and I laugh, knowing that we are absolutely fine.

"Nope. Not anytime soon. I want to wait, be patient." I tell her and she gives me a look.

"Wait for what? Neither of us is a virgin." She rolls her eyes.

"You are making me doubt if you are with me just to fulfil your sexual needs." I tease her and she smiles.

"If that's still a doubt, I would say you're a little slow, babe." She winks and I laugh out loud.

"Let's wait till we get married?" I say, testing the water around her and she freezes in my arms.

"What?" She looks at me, "If that's a proposal, it's a shitty one and we are not getting married."

"Ouch." I try to cover the hurt but she sees right through it.

"What's the point, Aaron? The tag ruins things. I can be your wife without someone announcing it or signing a piece of paper, you know that right?" She says and I just stare at her. "Would you treat me any differently if I were you wife? Would you love me more or less?" She asks and I see her point.

"Nothing will change. My love for you increases regardless of whether we are married or not." I tell her.

"Exactly."

I kiss her cheek, not wanting to press the issue, "I already believe that you are my wife, Diana, whether you want to marry me or not. I wouldn't want to treat you or disrespect you in a way that makes you believes otherwise, ever." I tell her, staring at her. She's nothing like the person I imagined spending the rest of my life with, yet everything that I ever needed.

She kisses my jaw and I smile, "I love you, my tag-less husband." She smirks a little and I grin at her.

"I will make love to you when we are alone, whole day and night because I know you'll be too weak in the legs to get out of the bed next day." I whisper in her ear and I can feel her sucking in a breath.

She just stares at me before her gaze moves to my lips and I slowly lean down to kiss her. The kiss is slow and sensual but it's building up to a rushed one as she straddles my lap, making me moan as I put my hands on hips to stop her movements.

The loud door bell immediately makes us stop as she looks at the clock and it shows ten thirty at night. We both look confused and she gets out of my lap while I take my time to calm myself down. She's about to open the bedroom door when I stop her.

"Diana, don't you dare open the front door without me." I say and she rolls her eyes.

"You are too turned on to come out like that." She comments, pointing straight at the bulge in my boxers as I move to pull on a shirt over my head.

"Fuck, give me a second." I say and she glares at me.

"If the bell rings one more time, Emily will wake up." She says and I pull my jeans to not make it too obvious.

The tension about who could be at the door immediately helps me with that department and I take Diana's hand in my hand before moving to the door. I look through the eye hole and immediately freeze in my shoes.

"Who is it?" She asks and I look at her.

"Derek."