Zaaron: Grown-ish, but for real (BOOK 3)

Part 9: Made It Out

Zoey narrates.

'Stop lecturing me.' I hear AJ say, as he walks into the house, throwing his bag on the side, making me jump.

'AJ, honey, what's wrong?' I ask, as he continues walking up the stairs.

'Dad is always on me for no reason!' He says, as Aaron walks in shaking his head, as he comes and sits at the dining table with me.

'There is a reason, and you need to stop acting so grown and remember who you're talking to.' Aaron shouts up to him, as he's already disappeared.

'And what is all this about?' I ask, having absolutely no clue.

'These kids are too spoilt. We've given them everything they want and they just keep wanting more!' Aaron says, frustratedly.

'I'm not saying that's not true, but what's brought this all on?' I ask.

'You know what, Zoey? It's time to humble our kids. Zara, AJ, come one, get your jackets we're going out. Now!' Aaron says, as he passionately stands up, grabbing his car keys, and ushering me, and the very confused kids, out of the door.

_____

The air is very thick, and the sound of faulty car exhausts can be heard in the background, but other than that it's fairly quiet.

We're standing in front of a small, rustic house, with faded paint and a battered front door. From what it seems, it's empty.

'This.' Aaron says, standing in front of the house, like a teacher, as the kids and I look at him, standing in a confused line.

'This is where I grew up. This is the small, tatty house that I lived in when my parents abandoned me and I lived with my poor, old uncle who didn't have enough money to even keep himself going, let alone us both. But he still did.' Aaron says, as the kids look on shocked.

'You know, your mom might have grown up wealthy, but I didn't, and until college this is all I had. This is where I lived, with people who are looked down on, in a neighbourhood where being out at dark wasn't safe, and where you didn't know what your future held or if you'd ever get out of here.' Aaron says.

'I made it out, but some people never do.' He adds, looking away, thinking.

'Dad...we had no idea.' Zara says, going over to hug him.

'We've never realised how lucky we are.' AJ says, shuffling his feet, as he goes closer to Aaron. I look at them all, smiling from afar at how proud I am of Aaron.

_____

Aaron takes us to this cute, retro diner that he recalls going to as a kid.

'I think we've just never stopped to remember that some people aren't as fortunate as us and that our upbringing has meant that we are a tad spoiled, especially if we fail to remember the people who aren't.' Zara says, as we all eat our burgers and fries together.

'I'm sorry for acting like a brat, dad.' AJ says, and Aaron nods.

'You guys are very lucky. You live in a penthouse with a living room the size of the house I used to live in. You've never had to worry about buying food or school supplies or clothes. And it's all because your mom and I worked so hard to give you this life. And it wouldn't hurt for you guys to aspire for the same.' Aaron says.

'We are so grateful for you guys.' Zara says.

'It wasn't easy at all. Bare in mind we had Zara when we were still quite young, and it was the best thing to ever happen to us, but it was also hard. Your mom had to go through a lot.' Aaron says, looking at me with pain in his eyes, but I smile and kiss his cheek to reassure him that I'm okay.

'All I want is for you guys to be aware of the world around you.' Aaron says, as the kids nod, and we spend the rest of the afternoon drinking milkshakes and telling the kids about our crazy lives before they were born.

I look over at Aaron as he narrates his story, and my heart warms as he speaks. I can't take my eyes off of him, and honestly, I don't want to.
_____

That night, we reach home and step out of the car, laughing together.

'Thanks for today, dad. I feel like I've learnt a lot.' AJ says, as they hug Aaron before heading inside.

Aaron turns to me, his hands on my waist, and without a word more, he kisses my lips and then my cheeks and then my forehead, all whilst I drape my arms around his neck.

After pulling away, he stares at me for a long while and I smile at him.

His hands move down and grip my ass, and I laugh at him, before leaning up and kissing him again, sighing against his lips.

'I'm really proud of you.' I say, finally letting go, looking at him, as his eyes look even more piercing in the dark.

'For what?' He asks.

'For everything you've accomplished, for teaching our kids and for letting me be a part of your life.' I say, smiling.

'You see, what actually happened is I met this annoying girl one day, and I shook her hand maybe for a little too long, and then she just never left me alone.' He says, grinning as I laugh.

'And then she became my family.' He adds.

'I'm so in love with you, it's unnatural.' I say, shaking my head.

He kisses me again, hard, and then swarms me with a hug, lifting me off of my feet and spinning me around, before carrying me back inside in his arms, both of us laughing the night away.

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