no, we're not married. But we know how to find each other now."
Aidyn's little brows furrowed a bit, then he turned and looked at Axel. And the similarities between them were striking and numerous.
"Do you know how to play Mario?"
"No, but I'd love it if you taught me how to play."
"’K. You have to sit over here, and we have to keep the sound low, Gramma wants to hear things."
Axel laughed and looked up at her, a softness in his face she hadn't seen since that picture of them in her closet. Wow.
32
He still didn't know how to play Mario. He'd never been a gamer, but he did have fun and so did Aidyn. He laughed at Axel's inability to touch the correct buttons at the right time. In his defense, Axel's fingers were much bigger than Aidyn's and more suited for pulling a weapon than playing a video game. But, he still made the effort. If for no other reason than to just enjoy time with his son. His son. His son. He'd never get tired of saying that. Bridget had lay on the bed in the room and fell fast asleep. Vivian had gone down and gotten them a snack when she'd asked Axel the last time he had a meal and he told her a meal bar at the police station. She'd tsked, then went downstairs and brought him scrambled eggs, a freshly baked muffin, coffee and juice. She'd brought Aidyn the same only in a smaller portion and for Bridget, just the muffin, cream cheese and fruit since she was sleeping. Eggs wouldn't taste very good cold and she wanted to allow Bridget time to sleep. As for Axel after they’d finished eating, he knew he should sleep, but he didn't want to. Not until Vivian told him it was nap time.
Aidyn balked a little, but Axel tried soothing his mood.
"My room is just across the hall." He opened the door and pointed to his room. "I'll leave the door unlocked so you can come in when you wake up. Deal?"
Aidyn looked across the hall and thought about it for a moment. Vivian then added, "Aidyn, Momma missed you. Why don't you snuggle up next to her for your nap and you'll both help the other sleep?"
"Okay." His innocent little face, so familiar to his own turned up to his. "I have to help Momma sleep. See you when I get up."
"Sounds good little man."
He watched as Aidyn climbed up on the bed and snuggled against Bridget, whose arms instantly opened to fold him into her body. A soft smile played on Bridget's face, but her eyes never opened. He couldn't wait until he'd be able to cradle Aidyn in his arms like that.
He stepped out of the room, gently closing the door with a final glance at his son, took a deep breath and walked across the hall. His go bag lay next to his door. He scooped it up and dropped it inside the door to deal with later. Now that the nap had been arranged, it called its siren song to him and he only wanted to sleep.
Kicking his boots off and flopping on his bed his eyes barely closed before he was out.
***
Movement on the bed had his eyes flying open only to see a much younger version of his face right up to his.
Axel smiled. "Hey. Did you have a good nap?"
"Yeah. There's a baby here." The excitement in his voice was undeniable.
"There is? What's his name?"
"Tate."
"Wow. Where is Tate now?"
Aidyn scurried off the bed and grabbed Axel's hand. "Come on, I'll show you."
Axel laughed and followed Aidyn out into the hall and down the grand staircase. He could hear the women cooing and chatting and a very proud Gaige stood just outside the ring of women circling his wife and child. Gaige's eyes met his and the smile on his face was one of pure joy. Then Gaige's eyes landed on Aidyn and his smile grew a bit more.
At the bottom of the steps, Gaige walked over to meet them and shook Axel's hand. He softly said, "Congratulations."
"Congratulations to you as well." He looked down at Aidyn still holding his hand. "Have you met my son, Aidyn?"
"Not formally. I only saw him in passing." Gaige leaned down and held his hand out to shake Aidyn's.
Aidyn smiled broadly and shook Gaige's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Aidyn."
"Axel is my dad."
"I've heard that. You're lucky to have Axel as a dad.