Chapter IX: Meet Aidan

Aidan was the middle child. The only boy out of 3. He had a younger and an older sister. And yes, he was spoiled. His mom, to make sure he doesn’t get the middle child syndrome, which he had no idea what was supposed to be, pampered him to the moon and beyond. His sisters started to do the same. Even his younger sis, Charlie, was all protective and motherly towards him.

He was a good guy. Always having good grades in school, doing good deeds and doing volunteering work, studying IT for a good job, always playing it safe. He married his high school sweetheart, whom he loved a lot. Yeah, he enjoyed teasing his mom, but that was the only mischievous act he dared to do. And that was mostly because she was the one starting things. Like, who wouldn’t allow their children to enjoy their birthday by making everything about their mothers. Yes, women can give birth, good for them, amazing thing. It was not his fault that he couldn’t. If he could help with that, he would.

So he was happy, settled. Him and Diane, his wife, decided to have kids in their 30s. There were less that 2 years for that to happen and he started telling her over and over that he was ready. He just wanted to make sure she knows, she doesn’t think that he is part of the majority, those men who are never ready for the responsibility of a child. He started reading books about how to help more, how to be a better partner for your pregnant wife. How to be part of the birth process, the afterbirth process. How to be there for Diane but for the baby as well. He was ready.

But every time he tried to start the conversation about kids with Diane, she would just turn her back at him, and ignore him. He didn’t do that too often, as he didn’t want to upset her either, but he did try to discuss the subject with her, just because he wanted to make sure she knew he was ready.

And he thought they were ready. Both of them. Even if Diane did mention now and then that she wants to party for a couple of years, she wants to travel just the 2 of them for a while. His argument that they could travel with the kids, didn’t help. Especially that he said kids, the plural.

Last night, for Tess birthday, they had a blast. They danced, and laughed and they had the time of their life. They got home and Diane was vibrating with happiness and joy. She mentioned to him then: See, we won’t be able to do that once we have a kid, you know? And he just said that no, maybe not for a couple of years, but there will be so much more fun with a kid, other type of fun.

She said nothing, and she went to bed. He tried to talk to her, but she refused. She just turned her back at him again and went to sleep. He woke up in the morning feeling positive that she just needed time to process all the changes, but they will be ready to start getting pregnant soon. He could feel it.

He rolled towards her, just to find her missing. He did find a letter on the pillow saying: I can’t go on like this. I am sorry.

He read that over and over again. What was that suppose to mean? He tried to call her with no answer. He called her mom, her friends, her colleagues. No trace of her. Or anyone knowing anything, wouldn’t tell him.

He spend the morning trying to reach her. He left voice mail after voice mail, trying to apologise, not knowing for sure for what. It couldn’t be the fact that they were chatting about kids again. They both agreed to have kids, they both wanted them. Maybe not right now, but in the near future. Did she change her mind and never told him?

He was confused and with a lot of questions. Questions he won’t get the answer from her. Not without reaching her for sure.

So he decided to go and talk to Tess. Tess will know what to do. She will know what to say, something to make him feel better. She will have a solution, she always does.

…

Knocking at the door, Aidan had all kind of thoughts. But he did not expect for a stranger to open the door. That got him right out of his busy mind.

He checked the door to make sure he is at the right house, then looked back at the guy. The guy just turned and yelled in the room:

- Tess, I think there’s another stalker here looking for you.

- I am no stalker!, said Aidan. Who the hell are you?

- Hi, I am Con. And you are?

- I am Tess’s brother, Aidan. Not appreciating you opening my sister’s door at all.

- Sorry about that. She was busy getting breakfast ready. You are welcome to join us.

- What? Who are you and why are you acting like you live here? Tess?! Teeeess!, Aiden started to yell pass the guy. He then just went in the house, forcing Con to step to the side.

- Yes, please, come in, said Con ironically.

- Of course I am coming in. This is my sister’s house!

- It sure is!.

- You have quite the mood going on, said Tess while coming to welcome him and planting a kiss on his chick. Come in, have breakfast with us.

- Yeah, I really need to talk to you, said Aidan, alone, he then added, looking at all the people at the table in his sister’s house. That Con guy went and set down at the table as well, next to Mia and Francis. That’s a full house.

- Oh, yeah sure. Francis, can you finish the dish for me please?

- Actually, I think it’s time for us to go, said Francis to Con. Con didn’t seemed to be moving. Now! said Francis.

- Ok yeah, I suppose we can go. I will have to get a rain check for that breakfast though, Tess.

- Yes, of course, I owe you one, answered Tess with a smile.

- I’ll go, gather my stuff and I will be on my way, said Mia.

- Actually, I could use your advice as well, Mia, if you don’t mind, said Aiden in a low voice.

- Yes of course, if you need me, happy to help, answered Mia.

- Why can’t I help? said Con in a winning voice.

- Let’s go, bro!, said Francis in a deep voice.

Con and Francis went for the door when the door slammed open and a tall thin brunette stepped in yelling: I am pregnant! God, I am fucking pregnant!