Page 5 of Waggs

One thing was for sure, he was going to find out.

Chapter 2

Waggs had taken a quick shower and thrown a load of laundry into the machine before he checked on Willow again. Her chest was rising and falling steadily, but she still had some redness to her cheeks, so he pulled the quilt off her and left the sheet. It was strange seeing her in his bed.

He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t, in his wildest dreams, imagined it as some sort of secret fantasy he knew wouldn’t come true. A bit like fancying a celebrity you knew you’d never meet. It was safe and untouchable, and yet, he was standing over her now, watching her sleep. It made him feel like a creeper, so he backed away and pulled the door almost closed so he could still listen out for her.

It was almost seven pm, and his stomach rumbled as he realised he hadn’t eaten since the wedding breakfast. Walking down the stairs, he was glad he had a three-bedroom home. Sleeping on the couch wasn’t his idea of fun, and he’d done his time sleeping in shit places.

Poking his head in the fridge, he found some bacon and slapped it under the grill. He toasted some bread to make a sandwich, adding a layer of brown sauce. With the plate and a mug of coffee in his hands, he went into his living room and sat on the couch, turning the TV on low.

His home was comfortable, if that was a style. Two large comfy couches, an armchair, coffee table, and a big TV on the wall made up the central portion of the living space. His apartment was in a shared house with Mitch and Autumn, and Bebe, who lived across the hall. It was an open plan, where the kitchen flowed into the dining room and then the living room. Waggs preferred it; perhaps it was the open sight-lines, or maybe just that he hated to be cramped.

He was finishing his sandwich and feeling more human when he got a text from Jack asking if everything was okay. He’d known news would travel fast between the Eidolon team and their wives and girlfriends. Pax and Blake had married the end of last year, and so had Alex and Evelyn, but Will and Aubrey had put their wedding off until Eidolon had sorted things with Frederick Granger.

Jack and Will’s father had been partly behind the threat, not only on them but the monarchy too, and was now on the run. Jack was hunting him, and when he found him, the entire team would be there to take him down.

Waggs knew his friends would be curious about the fact he’d never mentioned Willow and AJ to them, that in itself was unusual, and he understood that, but talking about Aaron was still hard for him.

Jack and Will knew about his brother and his family, but they let him keep that private. It wasn’t a secret as such, but he knew it would bring questions he wasn’t prepared to answer because it would’ve meant holding a mirror to his own behaviour.

A sound in the hall caught his attention, and he stood, moving to the door leading to the hallway. Waggs stilled as he saw AJ standing halfway down the hall. Waggs felt his breath catch in his chest, pain so awful he felt like he could hardly breathe for it. He looked so much like Aaron that it was like looking in a mirror of time.

Waggs moved slowly making his way toward the child, knowing this must be frightening for him. “Hey, AJ.”

AJ had his thumb in his mouth and was eyeing him warily but what he said next was like a sucker punch. “Are you my daddy?”

Waggs closed his eyes to ward off the pain and anguish rushing through him. Grief for his brother, regret that he wasn’t there, but also, he was ashamed to admit envy that he couldn’t say yes. He forced his eyes, which were surprisingly wet, open and shook his head. “No, I’m your Uncle Aiden. Your daddy was my twin brother.”

AJ cocked his head and frowned. “How come you don’t visit? Uncles are meant to visit and come for vacations, right?”

Waggs smiled at the astute boy. “Well, I’ve been very busy with work and stuff but you’re right, I should have visited more.”

AJ looked around. “Where’s Mommy?”

“Your mom wasn’t feeling well, so she’s sleeping down the hall. Would you like me to show you?”

AJ nodded his head so hard it was a wonder he didn’t get whiplash and Waggs smiled, offering his hand, but AJ reached up as if he wanted Waggs to carry him. Waggs bent and lifted the little boy into his arms, his heart settling as the tiny arms came around him with so much trust. He knew at that moment he’d die to protect this boy. His life was so much more important than any shame he carried for his own actions.

He carried AJ toward the bedroom and held his finger over his lips and whispered. “Let’s not wake Mommy, she needs her rest.”

AJ nodded as Waggs made sure he was happy his mom was safe. His nephew had the heart of a protector, just like his dad. Waggs backed away and carried him back to the living room, not sure what his plan was now. He didn’t have a lot of experience with kids. Oh, he could make sure they were well, but the day to day caring thing was a bit out of his comfort zone.

Placing him on the sofa, he sat beside him and turned the TV to a kid’s channel that looked acceptable. “Are you hungry, AJ?”

The boy nodded, but his eyes were tracking around the room, taking everything in, especially the pool table, which doubled as his dining table. “What do you like to eat?”

“Peanut butter and jelly.”

Waggs grinned, feeling the first genuine smile since this began. “Now, that I can do. You good here while I make it?”

AJ crossed his legs and began watching a TV show with a little lion cub and his detective friends. Waggs rushed to make his food and got back to find he hadn’t moved a muscle but was giggling at something on the television. It was a surreal moment he’d never expected, and although it hurt a little, it also brought him more joy than he’d expected. It was a surprise gift that he’d cherish.

AJ ate the sandwich and drank the milk Waggs gave him but left the crusts.

“You don’t like crusts?”

AJ shook his head. “Mommy always cuts them off for me.”