REMINISCENT

CHAPTER THIRTY: Where It All Started (EDITED)

Aiden's POV
3...2..1 beep beep beep my watch gave the midnight warning

"Happy anniversary my love" dad kissed mom

I smiled at them. She sat on his lap and they talked animated

"Right Aiden?" Desirae held my arm and smiled

I felt bad I had zoned her out "sorry I wasn't listening"

She pouted and I patted down her hair. She swatted my hand away and beamed "it's okay"

I resisted the urge to frown at her, I get she doesn't like people touching her hair but for some reason I've always liked keeping my fingers tangled in curly hair and I don't know why I thought she'd be okay with that.

"I'm tired, I think i'll call it a night" I said then pecked her cheek "good night, I'll see you in the morning"

She nodded okay with a sad smile "can we cuddle?"

The thought wasn't so exciting, I'm not the type of guy to just let anyone in my bed but I'd be rude to refuse seen as how we have talking for months now and it would seem like I was wasting her time. I didn't really think of her like that after the beach party but Jake hyped me up about it and I felt really good about getting to know her. Don't get me wrong she's gorgeous but I was reluctant

I nodded with a small smile. My eyes darted to Jake's involuntarily and he raised his brow at me, I gave him the defeated look to which he chuckled at then excused himself so he could head to bed. He still doesn't really spend time with me a lot when she's around, maybe it's respect I don't know.

"Let me just say goodnight to mom and dad then we can head up"

I got close to them and cleared my throat "happy anniversary mom and dad" I smiled

They looked at me with something in their eyes...pity? They weren't smiling "what's wrong?" I asked worried

Mom beckoned me to get closer. I pulled a chair and sat in front of them. Mom placed her hand on my cheek and dad kept his hands around her waist but looked at me intensely

"What's going on you guys are creeping me out it's almost scary" I smiled nervously

Mom sighed and blinked back tears "nothing I just remembered what we've all been through.  I've remembered the day you were born and you growing up around here"

For some reason my heart still didn't stop beating fast but I was relieved there was nothing wrong "yeah I loved this place"

They both stayed silent looking at me while I thought, like they knew I was going to ask something "why did we move? I can't seem to recall "

"Umm..." dad cleared his throat and spoke for the first time "the best physiotherapist came from where we are located at now" he smiled sadly and they both looked at her legs

My eyes darted to them as well and I felt sad. I've never really spoke about mom's accident, I barely know anything about it and I don't bother asking because every time I tried she'd get emotional and cry. I didn't like seeing her cry and I assumed she'd always do because she still had trauma. After that time she told me about dad being the driver I've never asked again even though I had questions.

"When did it happen? The accident?" I whispered not looking at them

"What?" Mom sounded a bit shocked

I looked at her through my lashes "the accident that made you chair bound, when did it happen?" 

"Oh" she some what looked like she didn't expect that "it happened on this very day 4 years ago"