Because of My Best Friend

17. Meeting the Family

*JUSTINE POV*

I just tucked the kids into bed, and now I have to face Aidan.

He was so amazing today.  I didn’t want to cancel our plans this weekend, but family comes first.  I didn’t know how he would take it and kept my text message brief, hoping he wouldn't question anything. 

I definitely didn’t expect him to come here still.  He probably thought the worst because I kept everything so short, and I hate that I did that to him.  I could see it in his face when he answered the door.  I’m sure the last thing he expected was a pair of sugar crazed twins.

But he helped me.  Something I didn’t know I needed.  Taking my shower, I wanted to cry the stress from the past two days, and then seeing him interact with the kids made me melt even more.

Going into my bedroom, Aidan clearly made himself at home, reading a book in my bed… with no shirt on.  Yum.  I stand there for a few minutes, enjoying the visual and the man that makes me smile every day.

“We going to talk about it?” he says, glancing from his book to me.  I reluctantly nod my head while walking towards the bed.  He puts the book to the side as I crawl under the covers, snuggling right up to him.  He doesn’t hesitate in wrapping his arms around me and I squeeze him tight.  I didn’t know how badly I needed his arms until this moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me Justine?” he whispers out. 

I let out a sigh, squeezing him tight one last time, then sit up to face him.  “Because when I’ve told boyfriends in the past that I have a brother with down syndrome, especially with medical issues, they freak out on me and leave.”  There I said it.  But the judgmental stares that I’m used to getting when I say this, he’s not giving me.

“Is that it?”

“You don’t…. you’re not bothered by it?”

Now his face turns a shade of angry.  “What kind of assholes did you date Justine!?” he practically yells, making me flinch.  He lets out a sigh and grabs me so I am laying on top of him.  “Sorry, but I can’t believe you’ve been with such shitty people.  It shouldn’t matter if he has down syndrome- it’s not like he had control over it.”

I let out a humorless laugh.  “I agree.”  I lift my head up and fold my arms across his chest, resting my chin, finding myself wanting to tell him more.  “I was an uh-oh baby myself.  My dad didn’t want any more kids.  So, when mom found out she was pregnant when I was 13, it definitely turned our family around…. Even more so when we found out he had down syndrome.  It wasn’t too bad at first.  I helped mom out anyway I could, but dad couldn’t handle the stress.  He would stay out later and later, and barely spent any time with Danny.  By the time I went to college, things got worse at home, and he just up and left.”

I close my eyes, hating that our own father left us all.  Even though two of his kids were adults, he left mom to herself, dealing with all the finances and hardships.

“So, you moved back home… didn’t graduate,” he says softly, rubbing small circles on my back. 

I open my eyes and give a grim smile.  “Mom needed the help.  Danny was barely 9 years old and struggling with his communication and socializing.  Tracey, my sister, was already married and had her own kids at that point.  It was the only option at the time.”

Yes, I gave up a lot.  I had dreams and wanted to pursue an actual career, but Danny came first.

“So why is he in the hospital?”

“He was born with a heart defect, and had surgery when he was a lot younger.  He was experiencing complications at home, so is just staying at the hospital for the weekend for tests.”  It’s been years since Danny has had issues dealing with his heart, and we all thought the worse, but thankfully, he’s okay.  Kelsey spent the night with me at the hospital the first night, but I didn’t want her to waste her weekend- I knew she had plans to go surprise Tanner.

“I’m sorry baby.  I wish you would have told me,” he says in a whisper.

I lean up and kiss him softly, loving how comforting it is to have him with me right now.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t know how to tell you….”

“You can tell me anything Justine.  We’re together now.  Whatever is going on with you, you can tell me… just like I can you.” 

Aidan held me throughout the night.  He listened and we talked, and it was wonderful.  I’m so happy he came down.  He’s definitely owning my heart right now.

* 

The next morning, I stretch and felt the bed was empty.  I sit up and see it’s 9am.  Time to deal with the kiddos.  I walk out of my room and hear Aidan and the twins arguing over breakfast.  When I come into the kitchen, Aidan drags me him, hugging me to his body and kissing my forehead.

“What is wrong with these kids?  When I offered to make them pancakes, they acted like I was trying to kill them, and asked for frickin’ avocado toast!   And don’t even get me started on their critiques of me making it….”

“He was cutting it in cubes, not slices,” Bianca complains. 

They really are spoiled brats.  Aidan and I stand there, totally judging them.  “Their family practices healthy eating to the extreme.  Hence why the sugar high hits them so hard.  I’m going to have a bowl of cereal.  You want that or bacon and eggs?”

“I can get it myself babe.  Sit down..., eat.”  He softly pats my butt to sit down and I just smile like a goof. 

After breakfast, everyone takes their showers and gets ready to go to the hospital.  Part of me is nervous to introduce Aidan to my family.  Hell, we’ve only been dating for a month.  And yea, he was great with the news of my brother last night, but people act differently around others who are not like them.  I just hope he doesn’t freak out on me.

Once we check in, the kids rush into Danny’s room.  I hold onto Aidan’s hand, and he can probably sense my worry because he leans over and kisses me quickly, smiling while pulling away.

“Hey Just, who’s he?” Danny asks.

I smile as I bring Aidan closer.  “This is my boyfriend, Aidan.  He wanted to meet you.” 

Danny smiles while Aidan holds his hand out.  “Justine talks a lot about you.  It’s great to meet you.”

“She’s the best sister,” he says proudly, making everyone laugh.

“Well, I take offense to that,” Tracey says, standing at the doorway with our mother and Maria, Danny’s helper.

“Momma!” the twins say, running up to her with hugs.  She hands them a backpack, probably full of things to keep them occupied.  The room feels so cramped suddenly, especially with my mom’s eyes bouncing between Aidan and I.

I quickly make introductions, and everyone takes their place around the room.  After a round with the doctors, Aidan, Maria, Danny, and the kids started playing UNO- per Aidan’s request.  I told him last night that Danny loved card games, and he actually took initiative to interact with my brother. 

After staring at my wonderful boyfriend for over 5 minutes, my mom drags me out into the hallway, my sister hot on her heels.  “Sooo…,” she says all giddy.

“Soooo….,” I repeat.  I look back at the scene as Danny laughs because he just gave Aidan yet another draw four.  Aidan really sucks at that game.  “He’s great, isn’t he?” I sigh out.  They both laugh at me and I begin to blush.  I’ve never introduced a guy to the family before, at least not formally.  “He lives 6 hours away, so don’t plan anything just yet.  It’s only be a month.” I warn them.

“Sometimes that’s all it takes baby sis,” Tracey taunts, elbowing me in the ribs.

“He’s a nice young man Justine.  Bring him for dinner sometime for a proper introduction.”  I nod my head, my eyes still glued to my man. 

We stayed at the hospital for a couple more hours.  Aidan was great the whole time, and Danny even gave him a hug when we left.  When we got back to my place, you bet your ass I jumped Aidan and didn’t let him out of the bedroom until the next morning.

*

*

Saying goodbye is always the hardest part to this long distance thing, but this was the best weekend I ever had with him.  When I walked with him at the airport, I felt the tears coming.  Aidan looked concerned for a second but just pulled me in for a long hug.  We stayed embraced like that until he really had to get on the plane.

When I got home, I knew I needed to pop in a good ‘cry’ movie.  Between Danny, the kids, the amazing Aidan, and the fact I’m about to start my period, sometimes all a girl needs is a nice long crying session. 

Halfway through Marley and Me, Kelsey comes barging into the apartment with a glorious smile on.  She looks at my red puffy eyes, then the movie… sighs, and joins me on the couch.

“Bad week?”

I shake my head, blowing my nose into some tissue.  “The absolute best!”

I clear the confusion and told her everything that happened over the weekend.  Not leaving one single detail out.  When I was finished, I felt fully energized and completely happy.  Damn these stupid hormones.  “So, how was your weekend at Tanner’s?”

“It was great.  You should have seen his face when I popped up at his door.  He stood at the doorway stunned for at least two minutes after I walked in and made myself comfortable,” she laughs.  “He’s really a great guy.”

She said the last part sadly, and I turn to look at her, and she’s sporting on a fake smile.  “What’s going on with you two anyways?”

She looks to me grimly.  “We’re just having fun, right?”

“Kelsey—”

“Well, I’m going to take a shower.  That was a long drive.  I should’ve taken the plane like you suggested.  Night Just!”

Bitch completely cut me off.  I shake my head and continue the movie.  You don’t drive 6 hours for just ‘fun’.  But, if she wants to avoid the elephant, then I’ll let her.

After I cried myself out, took a shower, and snuggled into bed, I checked my phone and saw that Aidan texted me 30 minutes ago to let me know he got home.  It’s late, and I probably should just text him back… bbbuuuuttt…..

Hello?

Shit.  He sounds groggy.  “Hey,” I say softly.

Hey baby, you okay?

“Just wanted to hear your voice… and to tell you goodnight.”  s**t.  I sound needy.  I roll my eyes for calling him.  I can hear him laughing on the other end, continuing my embarrassment.

You can call me anytime you want, okay?  We both need to get up early, though.  Goodnight Justine.

“Goodnight.”

And Justine?

“Yea?”

I had a really good weekend with you.  Sweet dreams honey.

And with that, he hangs up.  My hormones can’t take it anymore as a watery smile breaks out.  If he even dares to think about breaking up with me, I’ll kill him.

Gah, I really have an incredible boyfriend.