by Wade, Maddie
AJ was asleep long before Waggs finished the story about the two little monkeys. He switched the lamp off but left the door ajar, so the light from the landing gave a soft glow.
Walking to his own room, he saw Willow’s fever had spiked again. He tried to wake her to give her more medicine, but she was pretty out of it. He got her to sit long enough to swallow the fluid, and then set up a fan in the corner of the room to try and cool her heated skin. Waggs knew he wouldn’t sleep much for worrying about her, so he’d make himself comfortable in the armchair he had in his bedroom and stay there. Looking down, he stroked a hand over her hair. “What are you hiding, Willow, and why are bad men after you?”
Waggs knew the question wouldn’t be answered until she was well, and until then, he’d make sure nobody got near her or AJ. Securing his apartment, he logged into the Eidolon network and put his home online. After the shit happened with Lacey and Gunner, Will and Jack had wanted to protect the team. They’d fitted new security systems to each residence that they could switch online if there was the slightest threat. It sent a signal to the team and Lopez, who monitored it, that whoever went online wanted extra measures to be put in place for their safety.
He knew doing it would raise questions, but he’d rather answer the Spanish inquisition than risk Willow or AJ. Plugging in the thumb drive he noted it was password protected and smiled to himself when entered AJ’s birthday and it opened. He would need to have a word with her about that. His eyebrows drew together when he saw a list of dates and values, with what looked like vehicle registrations on it. The second page had details of girls’ names, with ages, physical descriptors, and a number.
He wondered what it meant and if it was the reason she’d come to him feeling so frightened, and she had been. He knew her far too well not to see the fear in her eyes. Whatever it was, he would fix it. He may not be able to help her in other ways but this he could do, and he would.
Chapter 3
Willow opened her eyes and confusion filled her as she rolled over and saw the dark green comforter and the pale grey walls. Sitting up fast, she grabbed her head as pain made her vision blur and nausea roiled in her belly.
“Easy, Wills.”
Willow turned, regretting the quick movement as her vision swam again and she held her head in her hands.
She felt a touch on her shoulder and lifted her head slowly to see Aiden looking at her. He looked every bit as good as she remembered. Many times over the last five years she’d seen him at his worst, drunk and grief-stricken but now he looked good, better than good—he looked delicious, and she probably looked like shit warmed over.
“I don’t understand.”
Aiden sat on the bed and handed her a glass and some pills.
She looked down at them and then back to him. “What are these?”
“Pain killers and something to reduce your fever. You have the flu.”
Willow took the pills and drank some of the water before handing him the glass and sinking back against the pillows, exhausted. “How long have I been here and where is here?”
Aiden chuckled, and the sound went through her like a caress. “You arrived yesterday, and here is my place.”
Flashes of memory assailed her, and she remembered a woman in a wedding dress, being carried, and her son. Willow sat up suddenly and groaned. “AJ!”
“He’s fine. He’s watching cartoons and eating some cereal.”
“Oh, good.” Willow once again fell back, the last of her energy leaving her once she knew her son was safe. No matter the past or the complexities of their relationship, Willow knew Aiden would keep her son safe and cared for while she couldn’t.
“Is there anything I need to know about AJ? Does he have any allergies I should know about?”
“No, he’s fine with everything. Is he sick too?”
“Not so far, but I’ll watch him closely.”
Willow grabbed for Aiden’s hand, and he curled his fingers around hers as she brought his arm and hand to her chest and cuddled it, sleepily. “Thank you, Aiden. I knew you’d protect him.”
She felt lips against her temple and smiled.
“I’ll protect you both, Wills. Now sleep. AJ and I are going shopping, but my friend Mitch is here keeping watch while I pick you up some clothes and stuff. Is there anything you particularly need?”
“Um, no. Just some regular clothes. There’s money in my purse.”
“You didn’t have a purse, sweetheart, just yourselves.”
Willow was struggling to stay awake now, but she tried to remember where her purse was and why she had no luggage. She remembered packing for her and AJ before deciding that flying to Aiden and asking for his help was her only chance.
“Not sure where it is.”
“Don’t worry, Wills, we’ll figure it out.”
She could feel the heavy, comforting way he stroked her hair and down her back, it made her feel safe for the first time in months. Aiden had always made her feel that way, and she’d missed him so much. She’d always miss Aaron, but when he’d died, she’d not just lost him but Aiden too. “Love you, Aiden.”
“Sleep, Willow.”
Willow did just that, falling into a fitful sleep filled with dreams of Aaron and Aiden.
It started with the three off them sitting in the home she’d shared with Aaron. Each of them drinking a beer, their feet up on the small table that was in the middle. They were laughing and joking as they’d always done, and she felt so lucky to have these two men in her life. The only downside was that she was in love with them both. She was with Aaron, and she loved him until her heart hurt, but she loved Aiden too, and not like she should love her boyfriend’s brother.
Willow knew in some part of her brain that it was a dream but as the scene changed, fear gripped her by the throat. Suddenly Aaron was covered in blood and reaching for her, begging her to help him and then Aiden dissolved in front of her, disappearing before her eyes, and she tried to grab him to stop him leaving her as she held Aaron’s broken body in her arms.
“Aiden, please don’t leave me.”
She looked down, and she was covered in blood, Aaron’s lifeless eyes looking at her with accusation as if he’d known how she felt. Willow began to cry as both the men she loved left her.
* * *
Waggs was still reeling from hearing Willow say those words. He knew she didn’t mean them in the way he wished, but it was still nice, which made him feel sick inside because to think it was a betrayal of his brother.
“I’m ready!”
Waggs looked down at his nephew, with his hair all askew despite the comb he’d run through it. He crouched down and looked the little boy in the eye. “Okay, bud, let me go talk to Mitch and then we can go. Why don’t you watch cartoons for a minute?”
AJ shrugged. “Okay.”
Waggs smiled at the easy capitulation and wondered if he was always that easy going. He and Aaron certainly hadn’t been. They weren’t terrors, but they could undoubtedly raise hell when they wanted too.
Mitch was watching from the kitchen as he drank a cup of coffee, he’d helped himself to. His home, much like the other guys’ homes, was familiar to the team but with Mitch as his landlord and neighbour, he was even more of a regular.
“Willow has a fever still, but I gave her some medicine, and she’s sleeping. Call if you need anything and thanks again, Mitch.”
“You were there when I needed help with Autumn’s problem, and I’m here now.” Mitch shrugged. “We’re friends. It’s what we do.”
“Regardless, I appreciate it and thanks for not giving me the third degree about Willow and AJ.”
Mitch chuckled. “Figured that was Deck’s department.”
Waggs lifted his eyebrows and smiled. “Yeah, I guess. Now I better get going. I have absolutely no idea what a kid his age needs, I’m winging it.”
“Autumn is happy to go with you if you need help.”
“Nah, we’ll manage but thanks.”
> He walked back into the living area and watched AJ for a second, it was spooky how much he looked like Aaron. “Ready to go, buddy?”
AJ jumped to his feet and ran to him, slipping his hand in his. “Yep.”
They walked into town, as it was quicker than taking the car and finding a parking space. Making their way to the new area, he stopped and looked around before looking down at AJ. Clothes first then some toys.
“Let’s get some clothes sorted for you, buddy.” The first shop was a bust, only having older children’s clothing, but the next worked. He held the clothes against AJ and frowned. It had his age on the label, but it looked too small. Waggs had no clue if he was an average size for his age or not, so he’d have to try them on. After the first four items of clothing, AJ began to look bored, so Waggs quit while he was ahead and bought a few pairs of trousers, shirts, and t-shirts in several colours as well as pants and socks.
Looking down, he realised he only had the shoes he was wearing so they headed for the shoe shop next, where a nice lady measured AJ’s feet and picked trainers with lights on and toys in the sole, for Christ’s sake.
“We need to get your mom some stuff, but after that, we can go to the toy shop as you’ve been so good.”
AJ pumped the air with his little fist. “Yes.”
Walking into a woman’s clothing shop was somewhat of a new experience for him, and he instantly felt out of his comfort zone. It must have been evident because a woman in her fifties approached and asked if he needed help.
“Yes, please. I need a basic wardrobe for a woman my age in size….” He looked around to find something that would indicate Willow’s size and saw a mannequin around her size. “About that size.”
The woman followed his gaze and smiled kindly. “Does your wife have a favourite colour?”
“Oh, she isn’t my wife, she’s my…” Sister-in-law wasn’t strictly true because she and Aaron had never married, and friend felt wrong too, but it was what she was he guessed. He and Willow had always been friends before, and he’d forgotten that the last few years.
“Friend. She’s my friend.”
“He’s my Uncle Aiden.” AJ nodded his head proudly, and Waggs grinned.
“Well, let me see what we can do. What does she need?”
“Everything. Underwear, clothes for day to day, shoes, the lot.”
Thirty minutes later, Waggs and AJ walked out with more bags than he’d anticipated, and they still had the toy store to go. Luckily, that was on the way back to the house. He ended up buying AJ a football, a nerf gun, some Lego bricks, as well as a superhero costume, and some colouring books and pens.
When they walked through the door of his apartment, Mitch’s eyes bugged as he stepped forward to take some of the bags from him. “Did you buy the store out?”
“I know, right? Who knew a kid needed so much.”
“Oh, you have no idea. For small people they can take over an entire house.”
“I believe it. How was Willow?”
Mitch frowned. “She called out for you a few times, but when I went in, she was asleep but fitful.”
“It was probably Aaron she called for.” Waggs hated to think of her so poorly, but at least she was getting the care she needed here.
“Yeah, I heard Aaron, but I also heard Aiden, too. It sounds like this is way more complex than it first seems, am I right?” Mitch clapped him on the shoulder.
Waggs frowned, hating that he was pleased she’d called out for him. “It shouldn’t be.”
“A life worth living is always complex, man.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Waggs shook off the thought. “You staying for coffee?”
“Nah, Autumn has some jobs for me in the garden, but if you want to bring AJ out later, we can kick a ball about with him.”
“Yeah, sounds good. Let me get him fed, and we’ll see you in a bit.”
He saw Mitch out and turned to see AJ had already ripped open the packaging of the costume and was wearing it while he did some colouring. He was a good kid, and Waggs regretted not getting to know his nephew sooner. It was something he was going to correct now he had the chance.
“Want some lunch?”
AJ didn’t look up but nodded.
“What would you like?”
AJ stopped what he was doing and cocked his head as if deep in thought, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth like he used to do as a boy. “Do you have apple and cucumber and cheese?”
“I sure do.”
“Okay, I want that and some cheese crackers, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Waggs made the food and sorted a sandwich for himself and delivered it to AJ. They ate in comfortable silence with AJ watching him closely. He supposed it was usual for someone new to pique a child’s interest. “Everything okay, AJ?”
“Is Mommy going to die, like Daddy did?”
Waggs reached over for his nephew’s hand. “No, AJ, that’s not going to happen. I’ll make sure you and your mom are safe. You don’t have to worry about any of that, you hear?”
“What about you, who keeps you safe?”
Waggs relaxed slightly from the anxiety that hit him when AJ had uttered his fears out loud. “Well, you met my friend Mitch, and I have other friends who work with me that will watch my back. We all watch each other’s because we’re a family of sorts.”
“What about Mommy and me? Aren’t we family? Don’t you love us?”
Waggs got up and walked around to AJ, ducking to his level. “AJ, I love you and your mom very much, and yes, we’re family. I guess after your daddy died, I got sad. I forgot what was important but having you here made me remember, and I won’t disappear again, AJ. I promise.”
“Okay.”
Waggs laughed. He’d just given a heartfelt, if short, speech and all he got back was a simple, okay. “How about you do some colouring, and I check on your mom, and then we can go and play football with Mitch and his daughter Maggie for a bit?”
“Yes, please.”
Waggs ruffled the boy’s hair and went back to his bedroom to find Willow asleep still. He touched her forehead, and found she was cool and sleeping soundly, spread-eagled with one shapely leg sticking out of the covers and tempting his sanity.
He placed the bags of clothes on the chair and cracked a window so he could hear her from outside if she needed him. Then he took AJ out to play soccer as he knew it.
Chapter 4
Willow woke without a headache and felt more rested than she had in months. Rolling over, she found her stomach was much more settled too. Sitting up, she realised she was wearing a large man’s shirt, and as she bent her head to the collar and sniffed, she knew it was Aiden’s. His clean, manly scent, so achingly familiar, made her heart race.
Snippets of memory came back, and she realised she’d not only crashed his friend’s wedding but had thrown up all over him too. Then she’d passed out and left her son for him to care for without any thought if he might have plans or things to do. Not that she could help being sick but coming here had been her decision.
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she realised it was dark outside, and a glance at the clock told her it was after seven pm already, but she honestly didn’t know what day it was. Her growling stomach made her get up, and after steadying herself, she went to find the bathroom. Using the toilet, she washed her hands, noticing the tiny boy’s toothbrush beside the adult one, a new one still in its wrapper, and a feeling of longing hit her in the chest.
Such an innocent thing but one that spoke of the loneliness she felt in her soul. Unwrapping the spare brush, she went to town on her teeth, getting rid of the fur on her tongue before she glanced in the mirror and saw her hair was a disgusting, greasy mess. She needed a shower, but first, she needed to check on her son.
Moving down the hall, glad that the shirt fell to her mid-thigh and covered most everything, she smiled when she heard laughing. Poking her head into the door, she stopped to watch Aiden
and AJ sitting on the sofa, eating popcorn, wearing sweatpants and t-shirts, although AJ had a Superman cape over his. Both were laughing at something on the TV, and as she observed, her heart beat faster, and an ache formed in her belly that had nothing to do with a bug and everything to do with grief and regret.
AJ was so much like Aaron, but that meant he was also like Aiden. In a lot of ways, he was more like Aiden, having his calmer temper. Seeing them like that, she realised how much they had both missed out on. She wasn’t the only one who missed Aiden; she knew his parents did too, she saw them every weekend and not a visit went by without her seeing the sadness in his mom’s eyes.
She wanted to rail at Aiden, to tell him he was selfish for leaving them as he had, but she knew it was self-preservation. He was running from the pain, from the remorse of what they’d done after Aaron was laid in the ground, what they continued to do every year, compounding that mistake. Every year she said she wasn’t going to do it, to fall into the arms of a man she loved, to erase the grief of another man she’d loved and would always love. Yet, every year when he knocked on her door, she answered knowing where it would lead.
She wondered if Aiden knew how she felt about him. Sometimes she thought he did, that maybe he returned her fucked up feelings but then the next day he was gone, leaving her with regrets and heartache.
Deciding she needed to stop acting like a lovesick fool and get back to being a mom, she stepped into the room. Aiden’s head snapped up to her face before dropping to her legs and making her blush at the heat she saw in his eyes. He quickly hid it and stood, moving to her; the television still had AJ engrossed.
He made it to her and took her arm, guiding her to a seat at the same time AJ finally noticed her.
“Mommy!”
He ran toward her and threw himself at her, wrapping his arms around her neck and a rush of love swept through her for her son who’d saved her more times than he’d ever know. She held on tight as she kissed his hair and he pulled back to look at her, his small hand stroking her face.
