Aiden Harper

New house, who's dis?

Eden

After my parents and I started family counseling, things were improving between us. Casper was helping us understand everything much better. My mom told me the police had informed her of Rueben and Mia's death. I can't say their deaths upset me. They didn't. If it makes me a heartless person, I can accept that.

As for Wayne, the Feds took him into custody for insider trading and his attack on me. It couldn't have happened to a more likable guy. While Wayne's actions cost him, my life improved with having Aiden and my newfound family in my life. Karma is a bitch. And Wayne was Karma's bitch. It sucks to be him.

My dad started his new job and took to it like a fish to water. He seemed to enjoy it immensely. Good. He deserved to find something that made him happy.

Within a few weeks of my dad moving here, he took my mom and my house hunting. I dragged Aiden with me. If I had to suffer, so did he.

West had given my dad several house listings to check out. A realtor showed us different houses. My dad wouldn't agree to a house unless my mom and I did. My mom and dad argued over the other houses while Aiden and I ate popcorn and watched them.

"Your folks make house hunting more entertaining," Aiden said, tossing popcorn into his mouth.

"It's better than them both agreeing right off the bat." I shrugged, eating some popcorn.

"Raymond, we've looked at twenty houses. Can't you pick one? Eden and I are fine with whatever you decide," my mom said.

"I thought you and your mom had to agree on a house, too?" Aiden asked.

"We already did. Dad's been the holdout," I said.

"Gloria, I don't want to pick the first house we saw. I want to find the right house for our family. Casper suggested we agree as a family to strengthen ours," my dad said.

"Eden and I were fine with the first five houses you showed us. We already told you we didn't want anything massive," my mom said.

"Not massive, but homey."

"Let's throw the listings into the air and pick one."

"Baby, I want the right house for our family."

"Baby?" Aiden and I asked, exchanging glances.

"Fine. We have one more house to see before deciding," my mom huffed.

My dad smiled and dragged us to the last house. Hopefully, it's the winning house.

******
Raymond

I didn't want to pick any old house and move my family into it. I wanted us to choose it together as a family. Casper explained that we needed to rebuild our family and decide things together.

Gloria and Eden didn't get much choice from Gloria's ex. He decided for them. I refuse to put my family through that hell.

The relator showed us the last house. It was an old farmhouse that sat on five acres of land. Gloria's eyes expanded when she saw the exterior while Eden gaped at it. The realtor unlocked the door and let us inside to walk around.

My girls rushed around and checked out every room in the house while Aiden hung with me.

"Gloria and Eden seem excited," Aiden mentioned.

"I'm hoping so since I put in an offer for it," I said.

Aiden glanced at me and arched his brow. "Is that why you've been fighting them in the other houses?"

I nodded and shrugged. "I'm a mountain boy. I like my space. Michigan offers space in the country. Kill two birds with one stone."

Aiden chuckled softly.