Aiden Harper

A long overdue father and daughter meeting

Raymond

I showered and dressed before running a brush through my hair and brushing my teeth. I wanted to make a good impression on my daughter. Since I wasn't familiar with Oakridge, West let me ride with him to show me around. Our first stop was the church.

I got out as Misty ran to meet Tino. I stayed with West and Alana since I didn't know many people. My eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on a girl with long brown hair. She had her back turned to me while talking to a few people. When she turned her head slightly, my breath caught in my throat—Eden.

West noticed my eyes locked on someone and smiled when he realized who it was. "Come on. You can meet your daughter after church."

I nodded before following West inside to a seat.

*******
Eden

I was talking to Nora and Aunt Carina when I felt someone watching me. I turned my head slightly and saw a guy staring at me out of my peripheral vision. I turned to the guy's back as he entered the church with another guy.

Aiden approached me with five guys and a girl. "Eden, I want you to meet some people."

I turned to the group and noticed a guy with steel grey eyes and a blue ring around them. The girl had blue eyes and brown hair and was smiling.

"Eden, meet Tino, Preston, Ryan, River, and Michael."

My brows lifted in surprise.

Aiden moved the girl toward me. "And this is your cousin, Misty."

My mouth cracked as Misty smirked at me.

"It's good to meet you finally, cuz," Misty said before hugging me.

I returned her hug and smiled. We broke from our hug and headed inside. I sat with Aiden in a pew while we attended church. It felt like someone was watching me. I turned my head to the left and locked eyes with my dad. His lips curled slightly as my eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

Aiden nudged me to get my attention.

I turned to him. "What?"

"Who are you staring at?"

I pursed my lips. "Oh, it's only my dad."

"What?" Aiden pinched his brows together in confusion.

I pointed at my dad sitting across the aisle from us. Aiden leaned past me and saw my dad looking at him. My dad smiled and wiggled his fingers at Aiden. Aiden stared at my dad with a cracked mouth before sitting back.

I couldn't hide the smile on my face, knowing my dad was a foot away from me.

*******
Raymond

I glanced around the chapel as people found their seats until my eyes landed on the girl across the aisle from me. I stared at her side profile, studying every intricate feature. I couldn't tear my eyes from my daughter. She had so many of my features it was uncanny.

Eden's head turned as my lips curved into a smile. She stared at me with her mouth agape. I had a chance to see her entire face and saw most of my facial features in her. The resemblance was uncanny.

She turned her head to her right and whispered to someone. The guy leaned forward and looked at me. I smiled and wiggled my fingers as he gaped at me. I would recognize Aiden anywhere.

We returned to the sermon and waited for it to end before heading to the bakery. While I listened to the Reverend, I glanced behind me and saw Misty, Tino, and the other boys smirking at me. They were up to something.