64.

Xander




It’s been two weeks since Aiden has been back in custody, and all I can say is that it was the best decision we had ever made. Jessica was arrested but we had her released on probation. She knew that Aiden was our half-brother and only wanted to protect him. She apologized and all was forgiven.




Aiden was going to be sentenced again for his escape and they were looking at adding another two years since he returned with no incident. It was a relief for everyone because his sentence was only going to be fifteen years, according to what our lawyer had told us.




I was sitting in the visitor's area of the Sun City Prison, waiting for Aiden. Today was going to be the first time I had spoken to him ever since he was arrested earlier in the year.




I hear chains clanking and I look towards the door and see Aiden's handcuffed from his knees to his arms. I stand up and wait for him to get to the table.




“Hey man,” Aiden greets. He looked somewhat happy to see me.




“Hey,” we sit down, and the guard stands at the corner of the room.




“Fancy seeing you here,” he chuckles.




I nod, “I know. I just thought that you and I had this conversation a long time coming.”




He nods, “I agree. I wish it were under better circumstances.”




“Better now than never, right?”




He hums, “I’m sorry about everything, man. I -”

“Aiden, no. I think you being in here and willing to serve out your sentence is a good enough apology. I’m the one who should be apologizing.”




Aiden shakes his head; he was biting his lip to stop himself from crying.




“When I found out that you were my brother, I couldn’t believe it. I was hell-bent on killing you, no lie. I called mom and she explained everything that happened. Dad had no right to send you away like that,”




Aiden sniffs, “My ma told me that he wanted nothing to do with me. It was a mistake; he was only looking after me because your mother told him to. I hated that man and when you came here, I wanted to take you down and ruin you. I wanted to see you suffer the way I did.”




He wipes his tears, “Little did I know that I would suffer more.”




I wipe my tears and let out a shaky breath, “That man took too much from us and we can’t let him continue to do that. Aiden, I want you to know that you are family now. Regardless of your past, I’m here for you.”




Aiden nods, “Thank you.”




“He’s gone now, and we have to leave a legacy for ourselves built on the right foundation.”




“You’re right. Please look after my ma for me until I’m out.”




I nod, “Already taken care of. This is the time for you to focus on yourself, Aiden. Rebuild yourself, forgive dad, and come out a better man. I’ll be here to support you.”




“I will, baby bro,”




I chuckle, “Who would have thought? I’d be the middle child.”




Aiden and I continue to talk, he asks me questions about dad, and I answer him. The more we spoke, the more I realized that he needed me, and I needed him. My dad hated himself, so he made sure that we all isolated ourselves to stop us from seeing how messed up he was.




Leaving the prison, I think both Aiden and I left feeling better, and on the road to healing. I get into the car and make the three-hour drive back home.




I get home after 18:00 and I park the car in the garage and make my way into the house.




“Babe?”




Nikki doesn’t answer.




“Nikki?”




“I’m outside baby,”




I let out a sigh of relief and make my way to the patio, I slide the door open and step out.




“You had me, worried babe, I thought some-




“Surprise!”




I scream and look up and see my family standing outside with a banner saying Happy Birthday.




“Holy shit, you scared me,”

Nikki laughs, “You were right, Charles, he had forgotten his birthday.”




Nikki walks up to me and hugs me, “Happy Birthday baby.”




I had forgotten today was my birthday. Things had been so crazy the last few weeks, I’d lost track of time.




I kiss Nikki and everyone walks up to us, and we are engulfed in a warm embrace.




“You guys are the best, thank you,” I say.




My mom pinches my cheek, “My baby boy. You’re getting old.”




I chuckle, “I’m only 27 Mom.”




Jessica laughs, “I thought you were at least 35.”




I roll my eyes, “Very funny, Jess.”




“Let’s get this party started, people,”




We walk over to the table, and we have a wonderful time. As the night comes to a close. It’s time for gifts, and Nikki stands up and gives me an envelope.




“Honey, you have made such an amazing impact on my life, and I could be more grateful. You’ve made me a wife and a mother all in the same year. So, to say thank you for everything, I’m giving you 25% of my company shares,”




Everyone cheers.




“Baby, you didn’t have to do this,”




She nods, “Yes I did because I’m going to need help running the company and I couldn’t think of anyone better.”




I pull her into my arms, and I kiss her lips.




“I love you,”




“I love you too,”




Charles comes back from inside the house, holding a big black balloon.




“Ladies and Gentlemen, it's gender reveal time,” he sings.




He places the balloon in front of Nikki and me and hands us two pins.




Everyone counts down and we both close our eyes and pop the balloon.




Blue powder comes out and Charles cheers.




“No!” Charles screams.




“Somebody owes me a Ferrari!” X laughs and high-fives my wife.




I facepalm myself and laugh, I was happy either way. The next one will be a girl. God, please let it be a girl.




Charles pulls out two sets of keys.




“Lucky for you bozos I was prepared,” he hands over both the keys to Nikki and X.




Nikki walks to her mother and gives her the keys, “Mama, this car is for you.”




Nikki’s mother grins and starts ululating.