Forever Yours [Series Two of Bittersweet Disasters]

[11] "Can You Keep A Secret?"

♜♖♜ KAIDEN PARKER ♖♜♖

{Friday, February 9, 2018}

{10:34 am} "HEY, MOM, IT'S KAIDEN. I was just calling to ask if you wanted to fly out here Thursday, February 15, and stay until"—I glance down at the plane ticket that I'm holding to see what day she'd be flying back home—"the following Thursday, the 22nd. My brothers-in-law and I have already chipped in together the money and bought you a plane ticket, I'd just mail or fax it you. Um yeah, I know this is kind of sudden, but you know I miss you and I really want you to see your grand kids and your son. So just give me a call back when you get this message. Thanks. Bye." Hitting the end call button, I click my phone off and toss it onto the bed.

I rack my fingers through my hair as I groan. "What's wrong, baby?" I hear Dezerae's soft voice ask as she enters the room, holding Matthew.

"Nothing," I answer as I pivot around to face her. "I'm just stressed. Like, what if my mom does decide to take the plane ticket offer and she flies out here? What is she going to do when she sees that I've found my long lost twin brother and he's now completely in my life; like living with me and has the last name Parker."

"Honey, you're 22," she acknowledges. "We were going to find out about Aiden sooner or later."

"What about me?" Aiden asks as he too enters the room, holding Devin in his left arm and KJ in his right arm.

"I just left a message with Mom, explaining about the plane ticket," I answer as I glimpse over at him. "I'm just nervous about her reaction when she finds out that I found you and how you're now living with me and you have the last name Parker."

"Oh."

I nod as I go over to my beautiful fiancé and start tickling underneath my nephew's chin. "Uncle Den, dat tickle," he whispers behind his giggle fit.

I chuckle and then stop after a couple moments, kissing his cheek that is now bright red from all his mad giggles. That's when Destiny enters the room and by the looks of her face, it looks like she just ran a marathon. "Ugh," she groans, breathing heavily and grabbing onto Dezerae's shoulder for support. "I am so ready for this baby to come! It's always such a pain in the effing ass walking up those stairs. Man, why couldn't Trent and Jake have purchased a multiple story house that has an elevator."

We all start laughing, even Matthew starts giggling. After a couple minutes, we sober up and Matthew gives Destiny a big smile as he reaches out for her. "Hi, Momma," he greets.

Destiny gives him a warm, welcoming smile as she takes him from Dezerae. "Hi, sweetie," she replies before kissing his temple.

"Damn, you and Trent make adorable babies," my brother replies from beside Destiny. "I can't wait to see who your daughter turns out to favor more."

Destiny chuckles and then shoots Aiden a smile before exiting the room. Dezerae glances at me and mouths, "I'll be back in a few minutes." And then she leaves the room. I sigh faintly as I peer over at Aiden. "Can you keep a secret?" I ask as I cock an eyebrow.

"Um, yeah," he answers. "Why? What's up?"

I signal for him to follow me over to my MacBook Pro. I open my emails and pull up my email confirming the hotel room I reserved for next weekend (the 16th through the 19th). I scoot my laptop to the side and show Aiden. "Woah, dude, that's nice," he acknowledges, leaning in slightly closer to look at the picture of the hotel. "Have you told her yet?"

I give him an "are-you-kidding-me?" look as I shake my head. "No, it's a 'surprise'," I reply. "That's why I asked you if you could keep a secret."