After promising that we would hang out again soon, I walked out of the diner and into the cold. I went into my car and sat down. I spent a few moments staring into space, and then I was almost knocked out by an idea. Figuratively, of course.

I started my car excitedly and drove to my next destination. It felt so good to have Cameron open up to me, that I would love to keep this feeling going. I want everyone in my life to feel comfortable with telling me their problems. I want to be able to help everyone just like they help me whenever I'm going through a tough time. I just... I want to be a good friend. And a good person overall.

I pulled up to the house and parked my car, still excited. I hopped out and walked up to the front door. I rang the doorbell and knocked three times. While I waited, I played with my fingers.

The door opened, and Aiden stood there in a burgundy pullover hoodie and khakis. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Tracey, what are you...did something happen again? Do you need to talk about it?"

I shook my head. "No no, nothings wrong! I just... can I come in?"

"Hey A-dog, who's at the door?"

I almost laughed at the nickname, but a woman came into the doorway and I was momentarily shocked. She looked like she was in her late 20s, was about 5'7" and had milk chocolate skin. Her dark brown hair fell in loose curls halfway down her back, and they matched her dark brown eyes. She was stunning to say the least.

The most surprising detail? She was holding a toddler on her side.

Who in the world is this woman?

"Oh! Hello," the mystery woman said in surprise. She bounced the toddler up and down on her waist.

Aiden rubbed the back of his head, obviously feeling uncomfortable with the entire situation.

"I...uh..."

"Who's this?" she asked in a cheery voice.

"This is uh..Tracey," he gestured to me, "my girlfriend."

"Oh! Hey, I'm Serena," she smiled and held her hand out.

I gave her an awkward smile and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you," I turned to Aiden, "Um, can I come in?"

He looked dazed, but he shook himself out of it. "Sure, let's go to my room."

We walked past Serena, and I followed him up to his room. I sat down on his bed and looked at him expectantly. He sat down next to me and avoided my eyes.

I cleared my throat. "Um, Aiden?"

"Yes Tracey?" Aiden said nervously. Why is everyone nervous around me lately? I don't think I'm intimidating or anything. I think I'm a fairly nice and welcoming person.

"I don't bite you know," I said, voicing my thoughts a little.

"I know you don't," he said, chuckling a little bit, "What do you want to talk about. I mean, why did you come?"

"Who is that downstairs? Is that your mother? Do you have a little brother that you never told me about?" I rushed out.

"Whoa Tracey relax. That is not my mother, and I do not have a little brother."

"Okay..."

"That is my older sister and my nephew," he said simply.

"So.."

"So?"

"Aiden," I said seriously, "Where are your parents?"

Aiden tensed up, just like he did last time I asked. He was silent, and he refused to meet my gaze.

I lifted his chin up until he met my gaze. "Aiden, you know that I really like you and care about you right?"

He gave a small sigh. "I know."

"And you know that I would do anything to help you and protect you?"

"Yes."

I put my hands on his shoulders and gave him a reassuring look. "Where are your parents?" I asked softly. At this point, I'm not even sure I'm ready for his answer. If it's this hard for him to tell me, it can't be good.

I started to second guess myself. "I mean you don't have to tell me if you're really uncomfortable with it. I'd completely understand if-"

"My parents are dead, Tracey. They died two years ago."

I let out a small gasp. I really couldn't help it, I was caught off guard. "Oh my God, Aiden I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry." I pulled him into a tight hug, and he put his arms around me and squeezed.

When he pulled away, I asked "What happened? If you're okay with talking about it, of course."

He took a few deep breaths and looked in my eyes. I nearly burst into tears when I saw the hurt in his eyes. I hate that I brought this up. I hate that I'm the reason he's hurting right now.

He started talking slowly. "It started out as a burglary, and ended as a double homicide. My dad heard a noise downstairs, and he went to go check on it. He probably thought it was me. When he saw the burglar he tried to fight him off and got shot. My mom heard the commotion and rushed downstairs to see what was going on and he shot her too." He cleared his throat as his eyes became watery. I pulled him into a hug and laid us both down on his bed.

"He shot them in the head Tracey, in the head. Neither of them had a chance." Aiden was now silently crying, and my heart broke. I caressed the back of his head.

"And you know where I was? I was at a freaking party. While my parents were being killed. I came home piss drunk to cops everywhere. I thought I was imagining everything," he choked out through the tears.

"I could've done something. I could've protected them. Now they're dead because I put some party over their lives."

I looked him straight in the eyes. "Don't you dare say that. None of it was your fault. There was no way you could've known what would happen when you went out that night. And if you were there, who knows, the burglar could've killed you too. I never got to meet your parents, but I know that they would never blame you for what happened to them. I know for a fact that they love you no matter what, and they wouldn't like knowing that their amazing son is blaming himself for their deaths." I took in a deep breath as I finished my mini speech. I hugged him tightly.

"You are an amazingly strong individual, and I am so lucky to have you as my boyfriend." I planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I'm here for you." I said, repeating the same words he said to me yesterday. He relaxed in my arms and pulled me tighter. Then, he crushed his lips against mine. I kissed him back with the same desperation and emotion that he kissed me with, and I rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort him even more.

"I love you," he murmured on my lips. He visibly tensed up and tore his lips from mine, his eyes wide.

My eyes widened as well. He loves me? I honestly didn't know how to feel about what he just told me. Aiden is a wonderful person, inside and out and I truly cherish every moment spent with him. He has comforted me when I was down, and I know he would go to the end of the earth and back to make me happy. But I never really stopped to consider whether I loved him or not. I guess I was just scared of what I would realize if I thought about it.

I looked at him for a moment then smiled, ready to admit to him what I've been too scared to admit to myself.

"I love you too."

-

I held baby Jacob in my arms gingerly, not really knowing the proper way to hold a toddler. He smiled up at me with his big brown eyes, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. His happiness was infectious. I held out my finger to him and he wrapped his tiny little hand around it tightly. He squealed in excitement and drooled a little. I chuckled and used his bib to wipe the drool up.

"You have a beautiful son Serena," I said with a smile on my face.

"Thank you," she responded with a smile of her own, "How's my baby brother? Is he the gentleman he was raised to be?"

Aiden told me that Serena already had settled down in another state when the incident happened, and he insisted that she stay there. I wasn't too happy to find out that he lives in this big house all alone, but I was assured that Serena and other family members check up on him all the time to make sure that he's safe and has everything he needs. His sister is down here right now until the end of our holiday break to spend time with him. She comes down on every break, since she's a teacher and she has breaks around the same time as us. Even with that assurance, now that I know, I will be over more often to check up on him myself.

"Oh, he's a perfect gentleman. Everything I could wish for," I said truthfully.

She beamed at me. "That's great to hear. Take care of him, alright? I wish I could be here for him 24/7 but I can't. I trust you to make sure he's alright."

I nodded. "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe."

"Thank you," she said softly.

Aiden walked into the room with games and a big smile on his face. "Alright, who's ready for game night?"

"I am!" I said with excitement. Jacob gurgled in agreement.

"Alright," he said sitting down next to me, "Let's play."

_________________

WOO! Two chapters in a day! Are you proud of me? Because I'm proud of me

Okay, so what did you think?

What are your thoughts on Aiden's past? I'm sorry if these two chapters are super depressing, but I really wanted to show Tracey learning that everyone has their own demons and blah blah blah.

I promise the next chapter will be much happier!

Oh! but a little bit of good that came out of this chapter. You know what I'm talking about *wink wink *

The big I LOVE YOU! What did you think of that?

Okay well I think you've had enough for one day. Until next time!!

Theaa :)

*Song for this chapter is See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth. Let's have a moment for Aiden's parents and Paul Walker, yeah? R.I.P. (this song always makes me super sad and teary eyed) :,(