Chapter Twenty-Five
A few days after the incident at the diner, Brooke, Aiden, Alex, and her mom were sitting at the dining room table at Aiden’s father’s house. Alex sat at the head with Brooke’s mom to his right. Aiden and Brooke were across from her.
“I’ve got to tell you, Lizzie,” Aiden said, spearing a piece of asparagus on his fork, “I missed your cooking while I was gone.”
Brooke’s mom laughed. “You always were a charmer, Aiden Sterling.”
Aiden’s eyes flickered over to Brooke, and he smirked, probably because she’d called him the same thing the other day. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight off her own smile.
“What do you think of the food, Dad?” Aiden asked with the slightest hint of teasing in his voice.
Alex picked at his meal, his brow furrowed as he stared down at his plate, as if the lean chicken and grilled vegetables had personally offended him.
At Aiden’s question, he looked up and gave Lizzie an obviously fake smile. “It’s great, Lizzie, as always.”
Brooke stuffed a bite of skinless chicken breast into her mouth and stifled the urge to giggle.
Her mom really was a great cook, but before his second heart attack and dietary restrictions, he loved unhealthy food.
His favorite food was bacon, which probably had a lot to do with his clogged arteries.
But it was sweet of him to act like he enjoyed the healthier meal her mother worked hard to prepare. Brooke saw her mom reach out to squeeze his hand, and he sent her a look full of warmth and affection.
Happiness filled her. When her dad died years ago, they’d both been devastated. She thought her mom might never move on, but slowly, over time, feelings started to develop between Lizzie and Alex.
Despite her mother’s attempt to hide the beginning of their relationship, it was impossible for Brooke to miss the lingering looks and casual touches they shared.
Two years ago, they revealed the truth. Brooke hadn’t been surprised.
Some of the Sterling kids were but everyone cared about her mother and were pleased they’d both found happiness together.
“So, the plumber will start excavating the day after tomorrow?” Alex asked, as he reluctantly scooped some brown rice onto his fork.
The plumber had been delayed on another ongoing job and Aiden hadn’t been eager to rush him, either. “Yes. It’ll take a couple of days, but he stopped by and used a sewer scope to locate the problem, so the damage to the yard should be minimal.”
“That’s good to hear,” Alex said.
Brooke’s mom cleared her throat, and all eyes turned her way. “I need to tell you all something.” She placed her napkin on the table and folded her hands together, no smile on her face.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Brooke asked, her mother’s serious expression worrying her.
“Nothing!” Lizzie rushed to say. “It’s just that when the work on the gatehouse is complete, I won’t be moving back in there.” Her apologetic gaze slid to Brooke.
“You’re moving in here?” Aiden asked, while Brooke tried to process the implications.
“Yes, she is,” Alex said.
“Only if you’re both okay with it.” Her mother said in a no-nonsense voice.
How did Brooke feel about her mom taking such a big step? Not that it mattered. Lizzie was entitled to live where and how she wanted.
And when she let the news settle? “I’m thrilled for you both,” Brooke said, aware her voice held all the warmth she felt for them.
Her mom smiled, then turned her gaze to Aiden. “And you?” she asked.
He reached for her mother’s hand. “You don’t need my permission to move in here,” he said. “This is my dad’s house and his life. I want you both to be happy.” He smiled at her before releasing his grip. “Besides, I’m only living here temporarily.”
Brooke glanced at him, her stomach suddenly in knots. Was he leaving again when Jared returned to work?
“What is your plan, son?” Alex asked.
“When I first came home, I wasn’t sure what my future plans were and I wanted to spend time with you.” He turned his gaze to Brooke. “Now that I’ve decided I plan to stay home for good, I’ll start looking for my own place.”
She exhaled a long, relieved breath. Though he’d once again announced something huge in front of the family without telling her privately, this was very good news. News she’d have to trust in. A lot of changes had been revealed in one short family meal.
The mood was light and happy as they finished dinner.
When the meal wrapped up, Lizzie recruited Alex for clean up, and sent Brooke and Aiden into the living room to relax.
Or so she said. Brooke had a feeling her mother was giving them time alone.
Though Brooke hadn’t had a private moment to tell her mother she and Aiden were dating, as she’d already learned, a mother sensed some things.
She followed Aiden into the living room, taking a seat on the couch. He settled in beside her, ignoring the space on the other side.
He slid an arm over the back cushion, behind her head, and turned to face her. “Now that your mom isn’t moving back into the gatehouse, are you going to stay?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve been thinking it was time to move into my own place anyway. I have the money saved and I only stayed as long as I did so Mom wasn’t alone. She clearly doesn’t need my company anymore,” she said with a wry grin.
“So I guess we’re both looking for a new place to live.”
Her breath hitched at his words. Could he be hinting at them moving in together?
Before he could continue, his cell rang. He groaned, pulled the phone from his back pocket, and slid his finger across the screen to answer the call. “Jared? Everything okay?”
Brooke couldn’t hear his reply but Aiden’s sexy lips turned upward in a huge grin. “Okay, great. Brooke and I will be there right away.” He tapped the off button and met her gaze.
“Charlie’s in labor?” she asked, feeling the excitement as she spoke.
“She sure is. I need to tell Dad.”
They rose to their feet at the same time Alex walked out of the kitchen, her mother alongside him. “Jared called.”
“I just heard,” Aiden said. “Two cars or one?” he asked his father.
“Let’s take two in case anyone wants to leave early,” Lizzie suggested.
Aware her mother would be the one dragging Alex out if the night went on too long and he got too tired, she stifled a laugh and nodded.
“Sounds good,” Aiden said.
When they arrived at the hospital and made their way to the waiting room, the rest of the Sterling siblings had already arrived. Even Remy and Raven, who had just returned from vacation were there.
“Where’s Dad?” Dex asked as they joined the crowd.
“Dad and Lizzie are on their way,” Aiden said.
“Is there any news?” Brooke asked, turning to Fallon and Noah.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. We just got here, too. I had to get Aunt Clara to stay with Gabbi,” she said of her former boss, now partner at the gallery they co-owned. The twins were huddled together in the corner, bouncing with excitement.
“Not yet,” Remy said, joining them. “We were with them when her water broke and drove them to the hospital. Jared said Charlie’s contractions were only five minutes apart by the time we arrived.”
The next hour consisted of everyone hanging out in the waiting room, eager for the arrival of the newest member of their family.
Remy left to meet Alex and Lizzie at the entrance of the hospital and bring them to join the family.
Aiden kept the twins entertained with wild stories of his worldly adventures.
Though Brooke was sure he exaggerated most of them, the girls were fascinated.
Noah was busy on his phone, and Dex was in a corner with Samantha, their heads together as they talked in low voices.
And Brooke listened to Fallon and Raven chat while taking in the warmth of the scene around her, grateful to be part of it.
The automatic doors leading to the delivery rooms opened and Jared stepped into the room, a dazed look in his eyes. “Kylie Gigi Sterling has arrived! We named her after both our moms.”
Brooke glanced at Alex, who had tears in his eyes. “That’s wonderful news.” She turned to Aiden who’d stepped up beside her and pulled her into a hug.
Jared’s happiness spread through the waiting room, and everyone rushed forward to congratulate him, making it quick because he was eager to get back to Charlie and the new baby.
They waited for a chance to see the new family and finally, Jared reappeared, ushering them in a few at a time, starting with the twins. He wrapped an arm around each girl and led them out the door and toward their mom and new sister.
Seeing the tender happiness that they shared made Brooke think about her own future. She wanted this one day; the love, the babies, and a husband who looked at her like she hung the moon.
Before she could think on that further, it was their time to go in to see the family. Charlie was exhausted but glowing. Jared hovered like a new dad.
And Aiden sat in the visitor’s chair, cradling his niece in his arms. He looked up at her, warmth and other emotions in his eyes, and she knew. He was the only person she wanted this kind of future with.
The longing she felt in that moment was so overwhelming she teared up, accepting the inevitable.
No one made her as happy as Aiden Sterling.
No one had ever made her as miserable, either.
But love took work. Both parties had to try their best. Though Aiden had shattered her years ago, he was still the only person who could make her feel whole.
Which meant she had put the past behind her.
She believed that Aiden wouldn’t hurt her again.
And that set her free.