Alpha Aidan's Rejection Chapter 30

TARA

　　"So…?"

　　"So, what, Jenna?" I asked over the phone as I made sure that everything we needed was packed into the bag. Nadia and I were spending the rest of our day at the park.

　　"Tell me what the heck you've been up to. You sped off right after the party, and I haven't heard from you since then."

　　I sighed before I spoke again. "I could ask you the same thing, Jenna. I called your supposed duty stand, and they said you never turned in for your shift. Where did you go, huh?"

　　Even though I couldn't see Jenna, I could feel her shrugging. "Oh, just somewhere totally uninteresting. But I see what you're trying to do Tara, and I won't let you. Talk to me, girl. Have you been engaging with him?"

　　It was my turn to shrug. "It was only drinks, and don't forget it was in a public space."

　　"Well," Jenna said. "It was bound to happen at some point. I do not support him, what he did to you, or how he left you both to get here on your own, but you will have to figure things out soon for yourselves and Nadia."

　　"I know," I said with a sigh. "And time is not on our side." And I don't know how many more excuses I can give Nadia when she asks me when next Aidan is coming to see us, or when I'm going out on a date. I didn't say that part out though.

　　Before I could hear what else Jenna had to say, a knock from the front door pulled my attention.

　　"Mommy, there's someone at the door!" Nadia spoke over the volume of the television from the sitting room.

　　"Hold on, Jenna," I said and raised my voice an octave higher so Nadia could hear me. "Coming, baby, I'll get it."

　　"It's okay, we'll just talk later, okay? Say hi to Nadia for me, and let's not forget to schedule movie night for soon. Season two of Tied Souls is out, and if I spent another day without watching, I could die. See ya," Jenna said, disconnecting the line before I could even respond.

　　Out of breath, I ran out. I didn't know who was at the door, and I had always taught Nadia not to open up for strangers, so I quickly made my way to the front door before pulling it open.

　　Like always, my breath seized for a second on seeing Aidan standing outside my front door.

　　He spoke rapidly. "I know, I know. This isn't very appropriate, but I went by the diner and it was closed."

　　"We had an early day and some engagements for later," I replied on finding my voice.

　　He nodded. "Yeah. And I got these already, so I didn't have much more of a choice. I hope it's okay, Tara?" He asked with bright eyes.

　　For the first time since he had arrived, I noticed that Aidan's hands were full, and on seeing what he held, a small smile played on my lips, but I quickly schooled it.

　　Aidan had a large bouquet of white roses in one hand, but on closer look, I found out that there were two. My heart squeezed.

　　"Aidan," I breathed. "I told you you didn't have to do this again."

　　"Yes, you did, but I want to." He paused. "Is this a bad time?" He must have noticed my panting and untidiness.

　　"Yes. No." I shook my head with a little laugh. "Nadia and I are going out to the park, so we were getting ready before you knocked."

　　"Oh," he said, a little disappointment evident in his tone.

　　I looked at Aidan's other hand, and he held a bag in it. Tipping my head to the bag, I asked.

　　"And what's that?"

　　He chuckled. "I hope this is okay too, but Nadia randomly pointed her favorite toys to me a while ago, and I got a little more of them. It took some time to arrive, and that's why I couldn't bring it earlier."

　　My mouth opened, but words couldn't come out.

　　Thankfully, Aidan spoke again. "Can I come in for a minute?"

　　I stepped to the side to let him through.

　　"Hey, onion," Aidan said with a wide smile when he got to the living room to see Nadia. As soon as she heard the word, a small gasp escaped her lips and she literally jumped from her position into Aidan's arms.

　　"Careful, now, Nadia," I said, fighting past the emotions that were building up in my throat.

　　Ignoring me, Nadia beamed. "Flowers! Do I get one?" Her wide eyes twinkled with excitement, and my heart could rip out right from my chest.

　　Aidan nodded. "I even got yours first, and I asked if I could wrap it myself."

　　Nadia gasped as she took the white roses from Aidan, and her squeal could be heard miles away.

　　Aidan stood up and handed the bigger bouquet to me, and he whispered low enough for just us to hear. "I wrapped both of them myself."

　　I accepted the roses with a silent thanks, and if it weren't that I was trying to keep my calm, I would have been gasping and woah-ing just like Nadia was.

　　I thought I knew excitement, but when Aidan showed Nadia the new toys he got, her level of excitement increased times ten.

　　She wouldn't stop gushing about how much she liked them.

　　"Mommy, our flowers are so pretty. Like us!"

　　Aidan nodded. "Not as pretty as you both though."

　　Nadia's blush could strike a match.

　　And my emotions were climbing all over the place, so I needed to take my mind off this and focus my attention elsewhere.

　　"What do you say when you get presents, baby?"

　　"I say thank you," she squealed and then turned to Aidan. Grabbing him by his forearms, she sang. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love them!"

　　Seeing as my attempt to focus elsewhere brought about the opposite effect, I spoke again.

　　"I'll put these away and we can leave, baby, okay?"

　　Nadia nodded.

　　The universe must have been against me today because Nadia's next words threw me off guard and put me in a tight spot.

　　"Is Aidan coming to the park with us?"

　　Aidan froze too, but his smile was hopeful. "I mean… am I?"

　　I looked at the two of them who were alike in every way, and I knew that I owed it to Nadia, if not to Aidan.

　　If things didn't go his way and he had to leave, he could at least spend the time to get to know her, and Nadia could do the same.

　　So, I asked back. "Are you?"