The Walks of Life

Chapter Three

Haden landed his dragon carefully. He had done his best to fly low and slow so that Aiden wouldn't get too cold or hurt his ears.

Haden dismounted gingerly and held Aiden close. He slung the duffle bag over his shoulder and his dragon disappeared. It was official. He was a father and he was going to raise his son. The birth certificate had been taken care of.

Unbeknownst to Veronica, he had added her as the mother to the birth certificate. She would be furious if she found out; but if anything ever happened to Haden, Aiden would need a mother.

Haden walked up the the monastery slowly. He looked at his watch. It read 7:15 PM. Hopefully he hadn't worried his dad with all the crypticness this morning. He looked down when Aiden made a gurgling sound. He smiled at him and Haden could've sworn that Aiden smiled back.

"Your grandpa is going to kill me right after he gets done being shocked," he explained to the tiny infant. Aiden merely blinked at him in response. He was so young. He was only a week old.

Haden made it to the door and opened it quietly. He didn't hear anything. Maybe everyone was out? He walked inside and shut the door quietly behind him. He walked silently passed the living room. There was no one there. Then he poked his head into the kitchen. It was also empty. He began to wonder if the house was completely devoid of life, but a sudden noise from Lloyd's meditation room debunked that thought.

"Haden was very forceful about being home at seven," he heard his dad say.

"Is that why we didn't go with everyone else to town?" He heard his mother ask.

"Do you think something happened?" He heard his Grandpa Garmadon ask.

"I wouldn't worry about it," he heard his mom say.

"Nonetheless, I'm worried," Lloyd said.

Haden crept up to the meditation room door. He set the duffle bag down by the outside of the door. He took a deep breath. Then he stepped into the room.

"Well-" Garmadon was saying. Then he stopped. "Oh there he is."

"Oh good!" Lloyd exclaimed loudly. No one had really noticed the bundle--or had figured out what is was.

The sudden noise made Aiden upset and he began to cry. Garmadon, Aira, and Lloyd's eyes all widened. Haden looked like a deer in the headlights. He began to bounce Aiden in an effort to soothe him. Thankfully it worked and he soon calmed down.

The silence in the room was deadly. Garmadon looked shocked. Aira and Lloyd both looked confused. Haden was terrified.

"Haden, why do you have a baby?" Lloyd asked slowly.

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"Veronica, I don't understand why you gave Aiden up," Delilah said as she followed her down the trail towards Stix.

"I don't want to be a mom," she answered shortly.

"Just because you left his life doesn't mean you're not a mom," Delilah pointed out.

"He is in good hands with Haden. Haden is a good guy," Veronica answered cooly.

"He didn't even know he had a kid and he was willing to take him," Delilah glared. "You gave birth to the child and you don't want it?"

"I don't think that is any of your business!"

"I'm just pointing it out," Delilah feigned innocence.