Aiden Harper

Family

Raymond

I brought Gloria and Eden to West's house until we could figure out things. When I opened the front door and ushered Gloria and Eden inside, West and his family stood in the kitchen doorway. Their brows knitted in confusion to see me with Gloria and Eden.

West walked toward me. "Raymond, what's going on?"
He nodded to Gloria and Eden.

"Can I talk to alone?" I asked.

West looked at me before nodding and heading to the kitchen. I followed him until we were alone.

"Who's the woman, Raymond?" West asked me, arms folded.

"Gloria."

West didn't say anything.

"Gloria told Eden and me the entire truth about why she ran and kept Eden from me."

West leaned his back against the counter and rubbed his chin. "And what she did she say?"

"My mom threatened to kill Gloria and the baby if Gloria didn't leave."

West pinched his brows together.

"Gloria met Rueben at a diner. Rueben sweet-talked her into a date. Gloria made the mistake of letting it slip about my mom to Rueben. If Gloria didn't comply with him, Rueben would threaten Gloria, using my mom."

"What?"

"West, you knew what my mom was like. Imagine my mom threatening someone like Gloria. If it was Misty, wouldn't you do everything to protect her?"

West pressed his lips together and nodded.

"Two people interfered with my life and kept my family from me for over twenty years. I lost the woman I love and time with my daughter. My mom took so much from me and didn't care. She lied about my paternity because of greed and cheated me out of a father."

"So, what's your plan with Gloria and Eden?"

"Gloria and I need to figure out things. I'm slowly building a relationship with Eden. I want my family. You understand how important family is, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." West sighed. "Come on. I'll have Alana get Gloria and Eden situated. Gloria can stay in the other spare room. Eden can bunk with Misty."

I nodded and followed West into the living room.

"Alana, can you get Gloria and Eden situated upstairs? Gloria can have the other spare room while Eden bunks with Misty."

"Sure," Alana said, leading Gloria and Eden upstairs.

"Are you okay with this arrangement?" West asked Misty.

"I'm fine with it." Misty shrugged. "It's better if they're here than anywhere." She turned and headed upstairs.

"Misty is amazing," I said, surprised by Misty's reaction.

"Yeah, she is," West said.

********
Eden

Alana showed my mom to two rooms. I walked into Misty's bedroom and looked around. In the past month, I have been shuffled to four places. How did my life get so wild?

The bedroom door opened. I turned to see Misty enter and close the door behind her.

"I guess we're roomies temporarily."

"I don't want to encroach on your territory."

"Don't worry about it." Misty waved me off, sat on her bed, and patted a spot beside her.