Chapter Fifty-four: Family

Aamon’s Point of View

I received a text from Grace asking me to come over in approximately two hours. She said the boys couldn't wait to meet me as well. I hoped their enthusiasm for meeting their "Aunt" Grace's boyfriend wouldn't fade too soon. I had witnessed them growing up from a distance, and I wouldn't pass up the chance to spend an afternoon with them.

Grace mentioned that Xavier had given the kids a building set and Shiloh a gift card for the local bookstore. She told me I didn't have to get them anything, but it might be a good way to connect with them. So I asked her to send me a photo of the box so I wouldn't buy the same one. But when I got to the mall, I ended up getting an even more extensive set than Xavier's. Not because I was trying to compete but because I wanted to spend time building it with them (if they would let me). I never had siblings growing up, so this was a new experience. As for Shiloh's gift card, I added more value so she could have more options on what to buy.

It was absurd. I should not have felt intimidated by a teenage girl, but I did. I understood that gaining her approval and acceptance would make it easier for me to connect with Salem and Onyx. I longed to become a meaningful presence in their lives. My grandfather shared this desire just as strongly as I did.

When I hired Grace to befriend my step-sister, it never crossed my mind that they would become inseparable or that I would fall madly in love with her myself. Now that we had reunited and rekindled our relationship, I was determined never to let go of Grace again. I had even purchased a ring, fully intending to marry her. But first, I needed to sort out the complicated situation with Lillianna and find a way to have Rei accept being a part of the Brzezinski family.

Pulling my vehicle into the driveway, I noticed a couple walking their dog down the street. However, as soon as they laid eyes on me, their expressions transformed into shock and fear. They quickly turned around and walked away at a brisk pace. I couldn't help but chuckle; there was no doubt the neighbours would be talking about this encounter. But it didn't matter to me. Rei and the kids will be back with me in just a few hours when she returns home.

Shiloh’s Point of View

I spent some time cleaning up the main floor and kitchen of the house while Aunt Grace helped Onyx and Salem tidy their rooms. Mom hadn't had a chance to notice how messy their rooms had become this week, as she had been swamped with work. I couldn't understand why they always left their socks lying around in random places throughout the house. Was it really that difficult to put them in the laundry basket? Thankfully, Aunt Grace motivated them to clean up their act and even got them to finally put the stacks of dirty dishes from their rooms into the dishwasher. She had a unique talent for making tedious tasks more enjoyable and getting my brothers to do what they were supposed to without feeling nagged. It was a skill I certainly didn't have.

I was anxious as I made my signature grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone. They were famous within our family because even my brothers, who were notoriously picky eaters, would devour them without complaint. It was the first dish I had learned to make, and my mom told me that love was the secret ingredient to any recipe. She had taught me how to make them when I was Onyx's age, and she always said that if you put love into your cooking, anything would taste good...or at least be edible.

After some thought, I opted for a safe choice when making the smoothies. I only used the necessary ingredients: yogurt, milk, and fruit. When I asked Aunt Grace what Aamon's favorite fruit was, she couldn't give me a definite answer. It made me wonder if they were truly dating. How could she not know something as simple as his favorite fruit? I started to question if she even knew his favorite song or book.

A mafia presence in our small town was only known to me through the rumours spread by the popular kids at school. They claimed that the Brzezinski family, a powerful and wealthy group with international connections, had established themselves as one of the oldest families in the community. It was said that no one who crossed them survived to tell the tale. This knowledge was enough to make anyone nervous, regardless of its truth. However, my Aunt Grace claimed to be dating Aamon Brzezinski himself. Being even more protective than my mother sometimes, I trusted that he was safe around us.

Did I truly believe Aunt Grace when she claimed this man was not my father? Not entirely. There had to be some connection between him and our family for him to spend so much time protecting us. My mom was always beautiful, but also a bit unaware of it. I say that with love, but she never seemed to realize how many men were drawn to her. Part of me thought it was because my Mom never got over my Dad. That would explain why there wasn't a single picture of Greg Ravenscroft in our home, even in the hiding spots where Mom stashed our Christmas presents.

I had a feeling that if he showed up and spent time with us this afternoon while Mom was away, I would finally get some answers. My trust in my Mom and Aunt Grace telling me the truth about my Dad's whereabouts had dwindled over the years. How could someone just disappear when they have three young children under 5?

I arranged the table settings for five individuals, placing a jar of pickles and a plate of sandwiches in the center. As I finished pouring the smoothies into glasses, the doorbell chimed. My stomach fluttered with nerves, but I quickly made my way to the front door, eager to be the one to answer it.

I pushed open the door, and there he stood— the man who had always been watching over my brothers and me. His smile was welcoming and his eyes were full of happiness, creasing at the corners with delicate wrinkles. Aamon Brzezinski was a strikingly handsome man who somehow felt like family to me. Why did this stranger feel like home?