The Walks of Life

Chapter Eight

~Two months have passed~

"Haden, you look exhausted," Aira said worriedly. "Sit down and eat something."

"I am exhausted," Haden plopped down into a kitchen chair. Aiden gurgled at the sight of his grandma. "Thanks, Mom."

"You're working too hard," she admonished. She set down a cup of coffee in front of him along with a plate of food. She held out her hands for Aiden and smiled. "You can't keep working nine hour shifts five days a week, going to school ten hours a week, doing homework for another ten, training, and taking care of Aiden."

"What else am I supposed to do?" Haden asked defensively.

"You could let us help you," Aira suggested.

"I need to do this, Mom," Haden shook his head. "Aiden is my responsibility."

"You're as stubborn as your father," Aira shook her head.

"I heard that!" Lloyd shouted from the hall. Haden began to laugh. Lloyd poked his head in and frowned at Aira. She began to laugh too.

"How is your shoulder?" Haden asked.

"I can move it more now than I could a few weeks ago, but it's still slow progress," Lloyd sighed. "I haven't been able to train."

"No duh," Haden said. "You just had surgery less that three months ago. You can't overexert yourself."

"I'm gonna loose my fighting edge," Lloyd grumbled.

"You'll be fine, Dear," Aira said, kissing him firmly on the lips. Haden stuck out his tongue.

"Get a room, Guys! Yeesh!" Haden rolled his eyes.

Lloyd smirked at his son and took Aiden from Aira. Without a word he handed Aiden to Haden. Haden raised an eyebrow at him. Lloyd took Aira by the hand and began to drag her out of the kitchen.

"Where on earth are you going?" Haden asked.

"We're getting a room," Lloyd shot back. Aira began to laugh so hard that she had to stop walking for a second. Lloyd was practically doubled over in laughter.

"Ew! Ew! Ew!" Haden covered his ears. Aiden looked at them all with confused eyes. Haden shook his head.

"Well, I did go to Darkley's," Lloyd smirked.

"You what?!" Haden shouted.

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"Dad! Be careful!" Haden admonished.

"I think I can handle putting something away," Lloyd retorted. He was trying to put something away on a top shelf but wasn't really succeeding.

"Yes, except for one tiny detail," Haden said. "You can't move your shoulder very much!"

"This is so frustrating!" Lloyd growled.

"Believe me, Dad," Haden assured. "I get it. Being injured is no fun for the ego."

"It's not my ego! It's my independence!" Lloyd argued. "I'm not used to needing help with things or not being able to do things."

"I have full faith that you will completely recover," Haden said. He took the item from Lloyd. "But for now, let those of us who love you help you."

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Haden spun round flawlessly and kicked the dummy into the opposite wall. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise. He quickly spun out of the spot he was standing in just in time to see a bolt of lightning shoot past him. He smirked and sent a wind gust towards Kai just as he was sending a fireball towards Haden.