The next morning, Aiden woke up with a mix of emotions. His body was sore, a painful reminder of the punishment from the night before, but the guilt weighed even heavier on him. He knew he had let everyone down, and though Michael's words had been comforting, Aiden still struggled to forgive himself.
Downstairs, the house was quieter than usual. The other boys were giving Aiden space, sensing that he needed time to process everything. Aiden appreciated it, but he also knew he couldn't avoid them forever. Eventually, he'd have to face the rest of the family.
When he finally made his way to the kitchen, he found Michael, Jackson, and Logan already seated at the table, eating breakfast. Andrew was sitting next to Michael, quietly sipping on a cup of juice. The room fell silent as Aiden entered, the tension thick.
"Morning," Aiden mumbled, sitting down at the table.
Michael gave him a small smile. "Morning, Aiden. How are you feeling?"
Aiden shrugged. "I've been better."
The others nodded, understanding what he meant without needing to say more. For a moment, they all ate in silence until Jackson finally spoke up.
"We were all worried about you last night, Aiden," Jackson said softly, looking at his older brother with concern. "We're just glad you're okay."
Aiden sighed, the guilt bubbling up again. "I'm really sorry, guys. I didn't mean to make you worry. I was stupid, and I should've listened to Dad and Papa."
Logan, who had been quiet until now, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but what's done is done. The important thing is that you're okay, and you learn from it."
Aiden nodded, appreciating the support. "Thanks, Logan. I'll do better. I promise."
Andrew, who had been quietly listening, reached out and touched Aiden's arm. "We all make mistakes, Aiden. What matters is that you're here now, and we're all together."
Aiden looked at his youngest brother and smiled. "Thanks, Andrew. That means a lot."
The tension in the room started to ease as they finished their breakfast. But just as they were getting up from the table, they heard the familiar sound of Mr. Thompson and Mr. Harris coming down the stairs.
Aiden's heart skipped a beat as the two men entered the kitchen. They greeted the boys with a nod before Mr. Thompson turned to Aiden.
"Aiden, we need to talk," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Aiden swallowed hard and nodded, following Mr. Thompson into the living room. Mr. Harris stayed behind with the other boys, giving them a reassuring smile.
Once they were alone, Mr. Thompson gestured for Aiden to sit down. "Aiden, I want you to know that we're not angry with you. Disappointed, yes, but not angry."
Aiden looked up, surprised. "You're not?"
Mr. Thompson shook his head. "No, Aiden. We know you made a mistake, and you've faced the consequences. What's important now is that you understand why we're so concerned."
Mr. Thompson leaned forward, his expression serious. "You're 20 years old, Aiden. You're an adult, and with that comes responsibility. We're not just here to discipline you; we're here to help you become the best version of yourself."
Aiden nodded, his throat tight. "I know, Dad. I'm sorry for everything. I really am."
Mr. Thompson reached out and squeezed Aiden's shoulder. "We know you are, and we believe you can do better. We just need you to believe that too."
Aiden felt a wave of emotion wash over him as he nodded. "I will, Dad. I promise."
Mr. Thompson smiled softly. "Good. Now, go spend some time with your brothers. They need you as much as you need them."
Aiden nodded, grateful for his father's understanding. He got up and walked back to the kitchen, where the other boys were waiting for him.
As soon as he entered the room, Michael walked over and wrapped him in a tight hug. "We're all here for you, Aiden. Always."
Aiden hugged him back, feeling a sense of peace that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Thanks, Michael. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."
"You'll never have to find out," Michael said with a grin, pulling back to ruffle Aiden's hair.
As the day went on, the boys spent time together, playing games, talking, and just enjoying each other's company. The tension from the previous night slowly melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of unity.
But even as things returned to normal, Aiden knew he had to keep working on himself. He had made a promise to his family, and he was determined to keep it.
To be continued
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StarlitHearts
