Chapter 174
When they landed, Aiden was already sleeping. The long flight had worn him out, and his small body was curled up against Mia’s side, soft breaths brushing against her arm. Mia smiled gently as she looked down at him, brushing a loose curl from his forehead.
She hated waking him, but they had arrived.
Gently, she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. “Aiden,” she whispered. “Baby, we’re here. Wake up.”
Aiden stirred slowly, his brows furrowing before his eyelids fluttered open. For a moment, he just looked up at his mom, confused, trying to process where he was.
His sleepy eyes met hers, and recognition dawned on him slowly.
“You okay, baby?” Mia asked softly, brushing her thumb across his cheek.
Aiden nodded, still yawning. His little arms stretched out toward her, the universal gesture that said he wanted to be carried.
Mia let out a quiet chuckle as she gathered him into her arms. Even though he was getting bigger, she still loved holding him close. His warmth, the way he nuzzled into her shoulder, reminded her of all the moments they’d been through together. Just the two of them.
The airport was buzzing around them–people talking, luggage rolling, announcements playing in the background.
Finding Ethan didn’t take long. He stood at the far end of the arrival hall, waving both arms like an excited kid. A wide smile lit up his face the moment he spotted them.
“Uncle Ethan!” Aiden shouted, his voice echoing through the crowd, turning a few heads.
He wriggled in Mia’s arms before she could even respond, slipping to the ground and running toward his uncle with wide open arms.
“Careful, baby!” Mia called out, though she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.
Ethan caught him without missing a beat, scooping him up into the air and twirling him around. Aiden let out a laugh that seemed to brighten the whole
terminal.
“I missed you, buddy!” Ethan grinned, holding Aiden close. “You got taller! What’ve you been eating, huh?”
Aiden giggled, his arms wrapped tightly around Ethan’s neck. “Mama’s spaghetti and grandma’s pancakes.”
Mia walked over smiling
When Ethan set Aiden down, Mia hugged her brother tight.
“How was your flight?” he asked, pulling back to look at her.
“It was fine,” Mia said, a bit tired but relieved. “He slept through most of it.”
“Good. You both needed the rest,” Ethan replied, grabbing the handle of her suitcase without waiting for her to ask. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I parked just outside.”
Mia nodded, lifting Aiden into her arms again. She rested his head on her shoulder and followed Ethan through the crowd.
Ethan loaded the bags into the trunk, while Mia buckled Aiden into the back seat. He looked out the window sleepily, still not quite fully awake.
As soon as they were all in the car, the chatter began.
“So, tell me everything,” Ethan said from the driver’s seat as he pulled out of the airport. “How’s Mom? Ann? and Lily?”
1/4
12:03 Sat, 9 Aug V
Chapter 174
Mia laughed softly, leaning her head back against the seat. “They are okay”
“And you? How are you doing?” Ethan glanced at her in the rear view mirror, his eyes softening.
Mia met his gaze for a brief second before looking at her son, who was now wide awake, listening with curious eyes. “I’m okay,” she said simply. And in some ways, she really was, maybe not completely, maybe not perfectly..but being here, with Ethan, with Aiden… it felt like the beginning of something better.
Mia had gotten so close to his brother that just being here with him makes her feel everything will be okay.
Aiden chimed in from the back, kicking his feet lightly. “Uncle Ethan, can we go to the park later?”
“Of course! We’ll go wherever you want, champ,” Ethan replied, smiling into the mirror. “But first, we get you two home”
The car rolled on, filled with the occasional laugh, and Aiden’s animated stories about the airplane, the snacks, and how he was sure the flight attendant gave him extra juice because he was cute.
Mia looked out the window, the city passing by in a blur.
Ethan took them to his house, and Mia was honestly surprised by how nice it looked. She had expected something simple, but what she saw as they pulled into the driveway left her quiet.
The house was freshly painted with a small garden out front. Aiden pressed his face to the window, eyes wide. “Wow,” he whispered, still half–asleep but clearly amazed.
Ethan unlocked the door and stepped aside for them to go in first. “Welcome home,” he said with a smile.
Inside, it was even better. The house was cozy and warm. Everything smelled new. The floors shined, and the furniture looked beautiful. A television mounted neatly on the wall, and a huge teddy bear sitting by the window.
“It has about four rooms,” Ethan said casually, like it wasn’t a big deal. “I just moved in… figured I should prepare before you got here.”
Mia turned around to face him. “You moved here just for us?”
“Yeah,” he shrugged. “I wanted you two to have somewhere safe and peaceful to stay. I knew you were gonna need the space.”
Her chest tightened with emotion. She hadn’t expected this much, maybe a couch to sleep on, or a cramped apartment with barely enough room for Aiden to move around. But this? This was something else entirely.
The sound of little feet racing across the room pulled her attention back.
Aiden was already running around the living room, his face lit with joy. He giggled as he made laps around the coffee table, then stood still and threw his hands up. “I love it here!”
Ethan laughed. “There’s more. Come on, let me show you your rooms.”
He led them down the hallway. “This one’s yours, Mia.”
She stepped inside. The room was fully set up. A simple but elegant bed stood in the middle, with white sheets and soft pillows. A dresser stood at one corner, and a small reading table with a lamp sat hear the window. Her suitcase had already been placed by the bed.
She didn’t know what to say.
Ethan nudged her shoulder. “Come on, wait till you see Aiden’s.”
They walked a few steps down to the next room. The moment the door opened, Aiden let out a loud gasp. His mouth dropped open and he slowly walked in, his eyes scanning everything.
2/4
Chapter 174
Toys. Everywhere.
The walls had superhero stickers on them, there was a car shaped bed at the center of the room, and shelves filled with action figures and books.
“Hove it mama” Aiden shouted, turning to look at Mia, then back at the toys.
“You like your room, buddy?”
“Yes!” Aiden shouted, spinning around, his arms stretched out like a helicopter.
Mia leaned on the doorframe, shaking her head but smiling.
“Seriously, Ethan,” she said, looking over at her brother. “You didn’t have to go this far.”
“Yes, I did.” His voice was calm. “I want to make sure you’re both comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Mia whispered, staring at him. She looked closely now. Really looked.
He was taller. Bulkier. His face had more lines, more calmness. A few faint scars ran near his knuckles. The tattoos were still on his arm, but the wild look he used to carry in his eyes? Gone.
She couldn’t help but remember.
The Ethan who used to run around Willowcrest with a backpack full of drugs. The one who always got into fights. The one who brought the police and Willowcrest elites knocking more times than she could count.
The Ethan who made the whole family run but of the house countless times.
That Ethan? He was gone.
Standing in front of her now was a man.
And she had changed too.
The girl from Willowcrest? gone. Heart break changed her. Aiden made her grow. The moment he came into her life, everything changed. She had no choice but to become better. Stronger.
Looking around, she realized how far they had all come.
And she was grateful.
“Ready for your interview?” Ethan asked, pulling her back from her thoughts.
Mia nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think I am.”
Ethan stared at her for a second, his face unreadable.
“What is it?” Mia asked, folding her arms.
“Nothing,” he replied quickly. “Just proud of you, that’s all.”
Mia gave him a playful look, not entirely convinced. But she let it go.
“I’d really like to meet and thank your friend,” she said after a moment. “The one who helped me get this interview.”
“Yeah, sure,” Ethan said with a nod. “You’ll meet him soon.”
3/4
