Consume my broken heart

Chapter 38

I was sitting on the couch, biting on my nails. This would be the first time mom is going to meet Aiden. When I told mom about him she persisted in seeing him before going on their trip. Tonight they are leaving for their vacation and I wanted to say goodbye before going to Aiden's place.
Hearing a door closing, I jump out of the couch, despite my quick efforts mom already swung open the door. I swallow back a nervous giggle.

"Hello, I'm Cora, Grace her mother." Mom introduced herself with a broad smile on her face.

"It's nice to meet you, Cora," Aiden shakes her hand politely. "Come in," mom ushers him inside, his eyes landing on me. "I wished dad would be here, but he just texted me he would be late so I'll not keep you guys here for too long." She says in disappointment.

"Oh, it's a shame. Well, you'll facetime and call me regularly okay?" I insist.

"Of course, dear. And if you've got troubles with a customer you can call us any time." Mom explains warmly.

"I think I will be fine, mom. Dad has taught me everything today, so don't you worry about a thing." I assure her.

"Come here," mom grabs me and clenched me in a tight embrace.

Aiden watches us with amusement, a lovely smile spreading his face. He doesn't even look awkward or out of his comfort zone. If I would meet his family I would die from the inside, but I'm sure Aiden can keep his cool in almost every situation.

Mom withdraws from me, her focus already on Aiden. "Aiden, take care of my sweet daughter and when we return from vacation I want to invite you over for dinner," Mom asked with enthusiasm.

"I would love to come over," Aiden answers her friendly.

Mom nods and sighs with a happy face. "Well, then I will leave you guys and get back to packing. Hopefully, your father will be here soon, or else we're going to miss our plane as well." Mom shakes her head, and I noticed a slight hint of nerves.

"Mom, why are you nervous? Dad will be here soon." I assure her by stroking her arm.

"I know, I'm only nervous about the flight. You know I don't like flying." Mom says with an uneasy smile.

"Everything is going to be alright," I hug her. "Text me when you've landed."

"Of course, dear." Mom smiles warmly.

I turn to face Aiden who's gazing at me, already giving me a warm feeling. "Let's go then," I say with a broad smile, feeling the pieces of my life taking his rightful place. Mom watches us leave, her smile never-ending. I know she's happy for me, but I could notice a glimpse of fear because of my past. She doesn't know Aiden, and yet she trusts me with him because she knows I can take care of myself. She knows I wouldn't take this step with a man if I didn't trust him with all my heart.

I close the door of his car and watch him intently just because I like to watch him. He never bores me and it feels like there's still so much to explore about him.

"You look like your mom," Aiden says out of the blue, closing the space between us by entwining his fingers with mine.

"Yeah, I do." I smile at his statement.

"Ready to go?" Aiden asked, grinning at me. I nod in enthusiasm, feeling grateful for getting more time with him, even when it feels like no time will be enough with him.

-

The next day

"Of course, misses Keller. My father hasn't forgotten about you, besides he told me you still got a lot of time to arrange an appointment with your doctor first before meeting him again." I told her truthfully. Dad told me she would come over every day because she forgets a lot, lately. Two months ago she drove off to a place and she didn't know how to drive back so she started to panic and got into a collision with multiple cars. Luckily, her injuries stayed minimum, but nevertheless, the damage she has made was huge. Let's hope court will see this woman panicked and wasn't in a good state to even drive.

"Your father is such a friendly man," miss Keller smiled, her old face seeming so innocent, however seeing her car outside of the building made me overthink her innocence.

I nod friendly and look at the window again, not certain if she was here with her car. "So miss Keller is that your car outside?" I ask her, knowing it's not my right to even ask her that since she isn't family.

"Oh, yes. Isn't he beautiful? I love Honda's. My father bought me one for my eighteenth birthday." She says victoriously. I swallow and don't know what to say to her. This woman probably suffers from dementia.

"Uh, miss Keller do you have a minute," I ask her to wait for a moment.

"Certainly, darling." She answers sweetly while seating herself.

I'm muttering to myself while searching for any relatives in my father's files. "No, this isn't it, hm, gotcha!" Relieve hitting me. First I have to call her younger nephew Frank to ask if she can really drive. I couldn't live with myself if something happens to her.

-

After ten minutes, Frank arrived in his cabriolet with an expensive clothing style. "Jeanne, what did the doctor tell you!" He scolds worriedly toward his niece.

"Frank, I'm the older one so I'm the boss." She hissed through gritted teeth.

I watch the scene intently, hoping she will not be mad at me if she finds out I was the one that called her nephew.

"Jeanne, the doctor needs to run some tests first before you can drive again, you know that," Frank says angrily.

"Alright then," she hisses, stopping across from the desk where I was sitting.

"Tell your father to call me when he's back. Thank you for your help, Gracie." She exclaims with enthusiasm, her behavior changing to normal. I guess she's not mad at me. I nod and wave her goodbye.

"Young lady, thank you for calling me. I really appreciate it." Frank thanked me.

"No problem, happy to help," I tell him with honesty.

"You are just like your father, always helpful," Frank says appreciatively.

I smile at him and watch him leave, Jeanne watching for him to help her inside of his car. I gaze outside of the window, being grateful for having a great family bond as they have. Luckily, I've got a family with me that supports me and loves me and it means a lot to me. Family is the most important thing in life.

And then I see Aiden's incredible car stopping in front of the window and when our eyes lock I know he's become a part of my family, a part of my heart. There's no doubt in my mind anymore. He's the one that I want and the one that I need from now on.