As soon as CWTHAW reaches 50k...I'll post chapter 64 ❤️
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They left the sliding glass doors of the airport hand in hand, both of their duffel bags over Aiden's shoulders.
The anxiety was starting to creep back into the forefront of her mind now. The last time she checked in with Detective Bryan was an hour ago, and a lot can change in an hour. He seemed relaxed though, when she finally laid eyes on him. He was leaning against his Mazda SUV, his arms crossed around his jacket.
The temperature was in the high forties and dropping — Marley and Aiden were bundled up in winter gear themselves. The air was misty, and though the sun had set the airport's bright lights illuminated everything perfectly.
Bryan lifted off his car, not appearing at all surprised by Aiden's presence. He did attempt to close the distance to Marley, leaving it open for her to decide. After a few seconds, she felt Aiden's hand loosen around hers.
It was enough for her to launch herself into Bryan's comforting embrace while he held her back with just as much love. This man is the closest thing she has to a father, he's seen it all, been through everything with her so his comfort right now was unmatched.
Bryan kissed the top of her head, "He's stable at the moment, but no matter what happens, I'll always take care of you, okay?"
She nodded into his shoulder, her eyes stinging all over again. No matter what happens.
Marley was sniffling when she pulled away, wiping the tears away from her under-eyes to face him, "Can you take me-us, to the hospital please?"
He gave her a stern, no-nonsense look, "Your father is under heavy anesthesia. You've been through enough. You'll stay with me tonight."
Marley sighed and nodded in resignation, tired from the emotional rollercoaster she's been on in such a short period of time, and knowing Bryan was right to be concerned for her.
Aiden's hand slipped around her waist and held her against him, "Look, I-"
"You can stay, too," he conceded before Aiden could argue, "But you're on the couch. I like you, but not that much."
Marley giggled at the imagery of that. She lifted her head up to lock eyes with Aiden. He was smiling a secret, mischievous smile, because they had slept together in the same bed multiple times before. He didn't argue though — as is normally in his nature — kissing her forehead and holding her tighter.
"No problem. I appreciate the hospitality, sir."
Bryan rolled his eyes, leading them to the truck of his rumbling car, "The kiss ass gig would've worked on someone who wasn't a teenage guy once upon a time."
Aiden laughed, releasing her to pass him their bags, "I appreciate that you took care of her when I wasn't around to. I don't kiss ass, but even if I did it wouldn't be necessary with you."
Marley's eyes bugged on the side of her boyfriend's stoic, confident expression.
Bryan paused with a hand on the handle of his trunk, shooting Aiden a raised eyebrow, "What on Gods' green Earth makes you think that I approve of you enough for that?"
Aiden shrugged, "When you saw me here with her, you weren't surprised and you didn't ask any questions."
Bryan loosened up after a few seconds, shaking his head as he closed the trunk. Marley was still stunned by Aiden's confidence as he grabbed her hand and led her to the back seat, opening her door.
Her boyfriend flashed her a wicked smile, lifting her to her seat. He leaned in to buckle her seatbelt and whisper in her ear, "I'm in the passengers baby. I guess I'm a kiss ass for you, after all. I've got a cop to smooth over so he won't pull out his gun when he finds me in your bed tonight."
-
Bryan's fingers tapped against the wheel as he drove down the freeway to his apartment complex.
Marley sat in the back middle seat with her hands fidgeting over her purse in her lap. She could tell now that Aiden regretted taking the front seat by the way it appeared it wanted to reach out and comfort her, his head turning to scan her over worriedly. Marley smiled at him in reassurance before focusing her attention on the matter at hand.
"What exactly happened?" She asked.
Bryan's eyes briefly locked on hers through the rear view mirror, tight with tension, "He pissed off some people with friends in high places. When he was attacked nobody came to his aid."
Marley flinched, feeling sick. Warmth circled her right hand. Aiden had reached behind him to grab it, brushing his thumb gently over her fingers. She squeezed it tightly, needing the support she is so grateful he always knows to give.
"So he's going to be in the hospital for a while," Bryan continued, voice low, "There were a few stressful moments in the ambulance, but they think the worst is over. I understand why you need to be here, and I've excused your absence for your father, but Marley-"
"When can I see him?" She demanded.
Aiden's head turned when Bryan's did. They shared a quick look that she noticed despite their best efforts to act natural. Marley tugged on Aiden's hand in an attempt to separate them, but he refused, holding on tighter. She sighed in frustration.
"I've dealt with him alone for seven years. Don't treat me like I'm delicate."
Aiden's fingers squeezed in a borderline painful grip. His jaw locked, eyes tightening with barely restrained anger.
Beside him, Bryan's knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. "I should've called CPS a long time ago-"
"So what?!" Marley ripped her shaky hand from Aiden's grip, "I would end up in a group home while you fought through a lazy court for custody? Tossed around the system with no freedom and no choices? I chose to live with my father. I chose to stay in my own home, and deal with everything that came along with it. Seeing my father while I'm here is what is going to happen so you either support me or I find a way myself."
"Hey," Aiden grabbed her hand again, leaning over to press it to his mouth, "I'm with you, baby. Always. Whatever you want. You're not going through any of this by yourself. I won't let you."
She softened, her tense shoulders relaxing. Bryan glanced between them once he slowed to a stop at a red light. He sighed.
"Tomorrow afternoon." He told her reluctantly, before he was addressing Aiden.
"I do," is all he said.
-
Bryan's wife, Jenna, and his six year old son Christopher were in front of the tv when he led Aiden and Marley inside of his quaint condo at nine pm that night.
He and his wife have lived in this apartment for a while — it has a large open area for a kitchen, living room, and dining room, an office, and three bedrooms. It's safer for Bryan to live in a complex rather than a house given that he's a detective that works high profile cases. He tends to piss off a lot of dangerous people.
Bryan's wife has an obsession with candles and incense, so the apartment was glowing with warm vanilla as the three of them took their shoes off by the tan mat at the front door. Bryan closed the door behind him. Marley watched Aiden glance around at the comforting environment.
Bryan's wife was also a fan of a classy pop of colour — so along with the pale wood IKEA furniture and grey, fluffy couches were splashes of pastel blues, purples and greens. It all had a unique charm that wouldn't work anywhere else.
Jenna lifted from the couch, appraising Marley with a happy smile. The two of them have been close over the years too, though their relationship is nothing like Marley and Bryan's. The blonde scurried over to Marley, dressed in matching deep blue yoga pants and a zip-up sweater.
She ran a yoga studio before an accident that broke her leg. She's still weak on it and in rehabilitation, but it's obvious the last two months have been leaps in her recovery.
Jenna's hug was warm and tight, surrounding Marley with another wave of vanilla. She cupped Marley's cheeks and smiled widely, "It's great to see you. We all missed you so much around here. Your hair is amazing!" She gushed, referring to the ombre pink.
Despite her hands studying the new hairstyle, it was obvious though, that Bryan's wife was informed on the situation — by what was behind her eyes that she wouldn't say. Marley cleared her throat and looked away, taking her gloves and coat off to distract herself.
Jenna took a step away and crossed her arms as she locked eyes on Aiden removing his toque and outerwear just the same. Bryan and Jenna were on the shorter side, so the apartment had never looked smaller than when Aiden had entered it, "And who might you be?"
Aiden smiled his signature, panty-melting smile as he slipped off his Docs - a smile that definitely wins Marley over far too often to be healthy for their relationship. Tonight he was wearing his classic leather jacket with a grey hooded sweater underneath, and a dark pair of jeans that clung to his legs. His dark brown hair stuck up in all directions. Effortless style. As usual.
"The boyfriend," Aiden replied.
Jenna's eyes narrowed, clearly immune to his arsenal of charms. That's the kind of woman she is, always having a backbone of steel.
"Bryan told me he had a talk-"
"JENNA!" Marley shouted, her face burning immediately.
This happened once. It will not be happening again. Over Marley's dead body.
Jenna held out a hand in Marley's direction, still deadlocked on Aiden, who Marley refused to glance in the direction of right now. "You look like you've probably used that smile to charm way too many girls for my liking. If you say you haven't been around the block you're lying, young man-"
"Jenna, please," Marley pleaded, sending a fierce glare Bryan's way. He just shrugged, holding his hands up in surrender and going to greet Christopher — who was too focused on the TV to pick up on anything else at the moment.
Marley buried her warm cheeks into her hands, exhaling loudly in humiliation. Her only parent may be in the hospital under police supervision for a DUI charge right now — but she still has two pains to deal with.
And then Aiden had to make it worse. Of course, he had to make it worse.
"Bryan and I discussed my histo-"
"Okay, Aiden?" Marley hissed, whirling around to grip his forearm tightly. He looked down to raise an eyebrow at her casually, "You're done talking."
It was his turn to raise his hands in surrender, making a zip motion with his lips playfully. Jenna circled around them to face Aiden again, tapping her foot.
"We're not done here. Marley deserves-"
"Jenna."
"-to find all the happiness in the world and I would like to hear your intentions with her."
Marley had Aiden's arm in a deadlock on one side, and was glaring Jenna to ash on the other — who seemed intent to embarrass her to death right now. Jenna held her stare with Aiden fiercely.
"I'm not going say anything when Marley asked me not to," he replied calmly.
Marley felt her body relax, and her grip on his arm loosen. For once, Aiden was respecting her wishes. Second time's a charm, she supposed.
Jenna's expression smoothed out and a smile took over, surprising Marley, "I like you. You have my stamp of approval."
"Marley?"
She turned to watch Christopher leave the living room in a cute Spider-Man onesie, his dark blonde hair damp from a recent shower. She missed the six-year-old so much that she met him halfway, scooping him right off the floor.
He held her tightly, "I missed you." He declared.
"I missed you too, superbug," she beamed, letting him go. Chris didn't let her go far, though, taking her hand in his firmly.
"You have pink hair."
She smiled, watching his eyes narrow on it carefully, "Do you like it?"
After another few seconds of pursed lips, he nodded, shooting her a toothy smile, "I made so many drawings, Marley! You won't believe it! And I have a new Bat mobile, and..." he trailed off, peering up at Aiden's form in the doorway.
Marley smiled watching Aiden shoot him a gentle wave, "How's it goin' Spider-Man?"
Chris grunted in satisfaction, puffing out his chest in the cutest manner, "Good. Want to come see my superhero Lego's?"
Marley let out a giggle at Aiden's exaggerated reaction, a hand over his heart in adoration and gratitude, "I'd be so honoured. Do you have the villains too? The Joker is one of my personal favourites."
"Me too!" Chris shouted.
Marley watched in shock as Chris left her side to grab Aiden's hand, dragging her boyfriend along as if she didn't exist. She's spent years playing with Chris, and thirty seconds with Aiden she's as good as being thrown away with the garbage.
Chris began to ramble the way he always does, leading Aiden with his small hand clasped around his finger.
"Guess you've got some catching up to do," Jenna laughed, watching Chris and Aiden disappear with a shake of her head, "So does Chris. He didn't want to sleep until he could see you. Go have fun. We'll order a night pizza."
Marley laughed. Night pizza is something that Bryan and Jenna do with Chris on special occasions. Basically, they order pizza really late and eat it on the floor in the living room while watching a movie. She senses that maybe the night pizza isn't just for Christopher's sake.
Marley took she and Aiden's bags to her room before venturing to Christopher's. It wasn't her official bedroom by any means, but she had a few trinkets around the room, photos on the walls and a few outfits in the dresser.
The walls were grey and the sheets were a pale blue with butterflies in the fabric. Marley set their bags down on top of it before turning on her heel to head for the room across the hall.
At the intermingling of Aiden and Chris' voices, she quieted her steps into tip-toes, peeking around the doorframe.
Chris' room is the mess she remembered it — stickers on the wall of his favourite Marvel superheroes, legos everywhere, books half open and drawing/colouring utensils all over a small round table he had in the corner — so he and Aiden had found a spot on his double bed. It had a spider man print on the duvet and sheets, and they were messy too. Aiden sat on the edge while Chris sat cross-legged, a bunch of his favourite action figures in front of them that he was explaining in detail.
The kid is a die-hard Marvel fan.
Aiden didn't look at all annoyed with what he had been roped into. Just as Marley was planning a way to get him out of it, he didn't appear to need her to. He soaked up Chris' every word, studying the action figures with genuine interest, his grey sleeves rolled up passed his toned forearms, brows furrowed as he nodded along.
Marley found herself frozen in awe at the sight in front of her. Aiden doesn't seem to be the type good with kids, but he's knocking it out of the park right now. Effortlessly. Chris isn't normally this outspoken with strangers, but Aiden was encouraging the kids' words and replying with questions that he probably already knew the answers to — strictly to keep him talking.
She felt a twinge of bitterness — Chris forgot all about her! She supposed the view of Aiden playing with him was a suitable comfort.
"-and then boom! He picks her up and he swings across the buildings and he..." Chris made motions with his Spider-Man figure and sound effects with his lips as Marley finally decided to enter the room, "shoots his webs like...sssssss."
Aiden turned his head to watch her enter the room, making room in his one designated area beyond the mess. Marley sat cross-legged. Chris was instantly jumping into her lap.
"And then he drops her off to her room and she's safe and sound."
"You're forgetting something," Aiden added, sitting upwards with a teasing smile.
Chris frowned, "No I'm not."
Marley raised an eyebrow watching Aiden scoot closer, "Spider-Man drops her off, and then she thanks him with a kiss for his bravery and courage. It would go something like," he leaned in, brushing his lips against Marley's gently, while Chris made gagging sounds in the background.
She was too occupied to notice anything beyond the blue of his eyes and the racing of her heart, "that."
He pulled away and she took a deep breath that wasn't him, her head swimming. Aiden was smirking smugly, watching her dazzled reaction and enjoying every second of it.
Chris crossed his arms with a huff, "I suppose you can be a hero if you want. But only for today, and then you're not a superhero anymore."
Aiden ruffled his hair, "I appreciate that, kid. So, if I'm the hero who am I fighting?" Gesturing to the pile of villains in front of him.
Chris and Aiden went off into another discussion about the villains, their powers and their weaknesses until the pizza arrived. Marley was out of the discussion, allowing them to talk in fear of intervening in their little bromance. She was happy watching anyway.
At the words night pizza Chris was dashing out of his room at the speed of light, shouting in excitement. The kid nearly slid across the hardwood in his onesie socks, but managed to regain his balance to Marley and Aiden's amusement. Aiden lifted off the bed to leave as well, taking Marley's hand, but she stopped him by pulling back on it.
Aiden turned to face her, instant concern on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, so before she could back out, she stood on her tip toes and pulled him down to her level, pressing her lips to his in a warm, loving kiss. Attempting everything he always does to show he cares with his mouth, his hands. She slid them over his shoulders, down his chest, her left hand stopping over his racing heart as she kissed him deeply.
Aiden wrapped his arms around her to hold her back, but only after a few moments. He was overwhelmed by her — for once their roles had been reversed and she was beyond ecstatic about it.
Marley separated them, smiling in satisfaction at his blinking eyes and dazed expression. He cleared his throat, pulling her closer, "That was...uh...one hell of a kiss, Hoover."
She patted his chest with a cheeky smile, "For the bravery, courage and all that, Spider-Man."
***
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