Letting go of Grace (30 page)

“So, what is going on?” my father questions, looking at Aiden.

“We have a situation on our hands that we were not expecting. A business associate of ours has made some threats that we will not take lightly. I have assured Hannah that nothing will happen, and we aren’t even certain that there is anything to worry about, but when it comes to family I would rather be safe than sorry.” I watch my father digest Aiden explanation. I don’t think he buys it, but he understands he will never get the full story.

“Hannah, are you hungry?” my mom asks. I think about all the food I made today. The last time I ate was back at the hotel, but I have no desire to eat.

“No, thanks. I think I would like to go to bed actually. It’s been a long two days.” I’m mentally worn out. Being scared that a murderer could be after me and my family has taken its toll.

“OK, banana. If you need anything let us know.” She tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and gives me a sad smile. I see Aiden walking back to the front door.

“Aiden, are you going to go talk to Knox?” I ask.

“Yes, I’ll be back.” Aiden walks out and Gabe takes a set next to the door.

“Are you going to bed, Hannah?” my mom questions.

“I think I’m going to wait for Aiden to come back.” I wanted so badly to be alone with him again. I sit down on a kitchen chair and watch my parents retreat into their assigned guest bedroom. When I see the door close I look over at Gabe.

“When did you get here?” I ask.

“Last night,” he replies leaning back in the chair.

“Who hired you?”

“Mr. Grace.”

“There are four Mr. Graces, could you be more specific?”

“Aiden Grace,” he answers as he places his hands behind his head. It was still hard for me to believe that Grant has lied to me about something as important as my family’s safety. I had to confirm his betrayal. I felt in my heart that Aiden was telling the truth, and so far it proved to be true. He’s always looking out for me. I should have realized this long ago. So much wasted time. Dammit. I immediately get up and walk over to my parents’ room. I knock lightly and open the door. I see my parents from the warm glow from the lamps on both sides of their bed.

“Is everything all right Hannah?” my father asks sitting up.

“Yes, I just have a question. Did Grant call you last night?”

“Yes.”

“And he told you a little about what was going on?”

“No, Aiden did. Grant called after and said we had nothing to worry about, that Aiden was going a little overboard. I told him Aiden didn’t want anything to happen. That he was just looking out for us. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?” I just give them a weak smile and tell them good night as I walk out and head back to the same kitchen chair to sit in before I collapse. Lying bastard. Why had I turned a blind eye to Grant’s demeanor? I have always known that Aiden was a great guy, and the thought that I’d fallen for someone who is so much like Chase made me feel guilty. I didn’t allow myself to give him a real chance, because then I would be truly ready to move on and that scared me. Like if my subconscious always knew that Grant was a temporary step till I was ready to move on with my life.

I get up and make my way up the stairs before Aiden comes back. I creep into the kids’ room and kiss them. I tuck their arms back in under the blankets, then stand and gaze at them.
I would bend steel before I would let anything happen to them.
I kiss them one more time when I hear the stairs creak. I peek my head into the hallway and Aiden is at the top of the stairs with both our bags in one hand. My heart skips a beat when I spot him. I feel bad that he’s carrying our bags. He should be wearing his sling. It hasn’t been that long since the accident.

“Ready for bed?” I ask knowing we are both exhausted. I open up the first guest bedroom and look back at Aiden. Aiden follows me into the door and places my bag on the dresser.

“I’ll take the couch downstairs.” he says, turning to walk out of my room.

“Aiden, we can share this bed,” I whisper, as I look down and get my things out of my bag. I get my PJ’s and walk into the bathroom.

A little while later I walk out showered to find Aiden sound asleep on top of the blankets, still fully clothed. I stare at him for a long time before I walk over to the lamp to turn it off. Then I tiptoe around the bed and settle in under the covers.
Once again Hannah you are in a bad spot. You haven’t opened up to Aiden and Grant could very well be on his way here and he will walk in on us sleeping in the same bed. Why do I care what he thinks? Clearly he doesn’t care enough about me or my kids to be here in the first place. Aiden does. Aiden was the one to set this whole thing up. Aiden is the one who cares and he’s been getting jerked around not just by me, but by Grant. I knew about his drug problem, I just didn’t know how long it has been going on for. Grant really tempted him the day I was in the office. He’s never wanted Aiden near me. Why would he do that to his brother who he knows has struggled for a long time?
I let out a deep sigh and roll over onto my back and stare up at the ceiling.

“You have too much on your mind,” a deep voice rumbles next to me. I turn my head and smile at him.

“Thank you for arranging all of this.”

“You’re welcome, Hannah.”

“Why does Grant think that this isn’t a big deal?” I roll to face him and tuck my hands under my chin.

“I don’t know, Hannah. My mom, Annie and Autumn are all on lockdown. Why not the kids and you, too?” His fingers gently glide across my cheek and then he tucks my hair behind my ear. I love the sensations that break out inside of me. The warm feeling he brings to my chest.

“Go to sleep, you can worry more in the morning.” He gives me a small smile and leans in to kiss my forehead before he rolls over, leaving his back to me. I go to reach my hand out to touch him, but pull it back in before I make contact. We can talk tomorrow. Sleep won’t take me, so I lie in bed and listen to Aiden’s steady breathing.

I rise with the sun to find Aiden already out of bed. My body screams at me to get off my butt and start moving. I climb out and sneak my way into the kids’ room to wake them up. When I open their door Hunter’s eyes open and a huge smile comes across his face as he shoots out of bed. I wrap my arms around my baby and hug him tight till he starts to giggle. I cover his face with mommy kisses and he grabs my face between his two little hands.

“Mommy, I missed you.” Then he smacks a big old kiss on my cheek. I laugh as I start tickling him and that’s when Ella joins in.

“Mommy!” she screams, and I bring her into our hugging party. I can’t stop kissing them and eventually they both push me away. We sit on the floor to their room laughing.

“Mommy have you met Knox and Gabe?” Ella asks.

“Yes I did.”

“They like to play with us. Is Grant here?” This question from Ella throws me off a bit.

“No, baby, he had something to do, but Aiden is here.” With that said, they are both running out of the room and barreling down the stairs. I know they see him when they start screaming. When I get downstairs he is still holding the both of them, laughing with them.

“Are you staying?” Hunter asks as Aiden puts him down.

“I think so, buddy. We are going to hang out here and then I’m going to drive you home,” he says as he starts to play fight with him. Hunter eats this up and starts pulling out his karate moves.

I look over to find Ella sitting at the table next to the man in the driveway last night.

“Good morning, Mrs. Winterfield.”

“Mommy, Knox lets me paint his nails,” Ella adds giggling. Knox looks down and smiles at her.

“As long as it’s the peel off kind, you can paint them as much as you want,” he says, then he winks at her.

“Thank You very much for being here.”

“No problem,” he says to me, then looks down at the Ella.

“Come on, princess, let’s go watch those cool looking things,” he says as he walks away from me.

“They’re minions, Knox!” Ella says, running after him. Hunter hears this and is hot on their trail.

“Are you hungry?” I ask Aiden as I walk into the kitchen.

“I actually am.” His hand brushes my lower back as he replies. I can’t hide the goosebumps that cover my skin. He quickly moves past me to the coffee. I breathe slowly to control my rapid heartbeat and make my way over to the stove to start the kettle. My parents pick that exact moment to come out of their room. Dammit, there went me talking to Aiden. I smile as my mom walks into the kitchen.

“Morning, baby,” she says with a smile.

“Good morning,” I sing back to her.

“I’m going to make breakfast.” Aiden says, surprising us.

“Don’t look at me like that. I never got to make breakfast because you wouldn’t let me. Believe it or not I can cook.” He has a devious grin on his lips. My smile widens and I walk over to the table and plop down to watch him. There is nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen. I watch as he makes us bacon and pancakes. He remembers the kids’ preferences and they are both overjoyed to have blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes. Aiden places a plate in front of me and I laugh when I see the smiley face made out of chocolate chips. When I look up I get lost for a few seconds in his eyes. He looks away first and I have to stop myself from getting up and bring his sight back to focus on me. The family all settles down for breakfast and it’s as if we do this every morning. Everyone is laughing and the kids are eating up all of the attention.

“Aiden, can we go swimming today? Grandma wouldn’t let us yesterday,” Hunter asks Aiden. He looks over at me, clearly still annoyed by this.

“I have something better planned for today,” Aiden tells Hunter. I watch as Hunter’s eyes light up.

“Are we going to go hiking?” Hunter asks. Aiden laughs and leans into Hunter to whisper to him. I watch as his eyes growing wider.

“I’m allowed to use a hammer?” Hunter says, above a whisper. Aiden nods and keeps talking. When he finishes I know Hunter is dying to tell us what they are up to, but he looks at Aiden and Aiden places his pointer finger over his lips.

“Mommy, I have stuff to do today. It’s Man Day, me, Aiden and Pop have stuff to do.” he explains to me.

“That’s fine, me, Ella and Grandma have girly stuff to do.” I hear Aiden laugh softly and I look over at him. Wrong thing to do. I glance over him quickly and look away, but the picture is seared into my brain. He looks carefree with his arms folded on the table in him front of him. His hair is messy and his smile is wide. The tight T-shirt and pajama pants aren’t helping the cause either. I have to stop staring before I’m caught practically drooling. I finish eating then start to clear the table, but Aiden stops me.

“A good cook always cleans up his mess,” he tells me as he takes my plate.

“What if I told you your pancakes suck?” I tease as I lean my hip against the counter and smile as he turns to look at me.

“It looks like you enjoyed them,” he says, taking step closer. I shudder as his thumb comes up to my lips. I feel it slide across, then I stare wide-eyed at him as he shows me chocolate. I feel my knees start to buckle and I try to stay standing when he places his thumb in his mouth to suck the chocolate off. I lick my lips nervously.

“But if you think they sucked, by all means, clean up,” he teases. I try to recover fast, but there has always been something about Aiden that makes me stupid. I shake my head a few times before I start cleaning up. When I’m facing away from him, I take a few deep breaths. I don’t turn to face him as Hunter takes Aiden’s hand and leads him upstairs.

WE STAY FOR THREE MORE DAYS.
Grant has been calling and texting me nonstop but I haven’t bothered to answer him. I’m sure he knows that I know everything. I don’t want to hear excuses anymore. I don’t want o hear lies that he sculpted with such finesse, that I believed for so long. Luckily the past three days haven’t been a waste. At least I have had a great time here. Aiden, my father, and Hunter built a bird house, while us girls baked and played games. Aiden chose to sleep on the couch every night, and I would be lying if I said it didn’t bother me, but we have found a happy medium. We joke, we tease, but no line has been crossed. And I want it to, so much.

This is our fourth day here and Aiden’s phone rings for the first time since we arrived. We are all watching another movie on the couch, and all eyes follow Aiden as he gets up to answer it. I know even my parents’ eyes are glued to him. He speaks in hushed tones and turns his back to us. I know the moment he hears something horrible. His shoulders sag in defeat and his head bends forward in despair. My body moves to him faster than my brain can tell it to slow down. When my hand touches his back he doesn’t turn to face me, he just walks away into the bathroom. Watching him walk away from me hurts. It feels as if he doesn’t want my support.