"Morgan! You're early!" Fran swung opened the door and almost leaped into Morgan's arms.
"Traffic was good, Momma. How've you been?" Morgan let her go and smiled at her bright face.
"Well, you would know if called me more often. All I get is a surprise call from my son saying his coming over in a week's time with a surprise. How do you think that make your momma feel?" Morgan's mother hadn't noticed Aaden yet.
"Sorry, but Momma you know I'm" Fran cut her son off.
"Yes, yes, you're busy, too busy to call your lonely mother. Anyways, what is this little surprise of yours?" Fran looked her son over.
Aaden was almost hyperventilating when Derek slid over so that Fran could get a good look at her. Her face grew puzzled, and then a slight smile quirked her lips, "Well, who's this?"She gave her son a questioning look.
"Momma, this is Aaden, your new granddaughter." Fran looked surprised.
"Well, why don't you two come in, it's pretty windy out here." She ushered them inside.
"Derek why don't you show Aaden too Sarah's old room and put your bags into your own room and then we'll talk." She smiled and headed into the kitchen.
Morgan grabbed the bag out of Aaden's hand and hulled them both upstairs. Morgan showed Aaden Sarah's room and dropped her bag on the bed.
"Derek, she doesn't like me."Aaden sat on the comfy bed.
"She just met you Aaden. I don't think she doesn't like you, she's just surprised." Morgan kissed her forehead and headed out the door to his room.
He set the bag on the bed and sat down beside it. She did act a little odd when he'd presented Aaden. He expected her to act differently.
***/**/***
"So, how old are you, Aaden?" They had all come together in the living room. Fran had smiled at them awkwardly and then teased her son about random things. The conversation had now turned to her.
Aaden cleared her dry throat, "Fifteen," She tried smiling at her, but it felt weirs so she looked down at her hands.
Morgan could feel the awkwardness in the room. He knew that his mother wanted to ask him some questions, but he also knew that she was too afraid to say them in front of Aaden.
Aaden suddenly got up, "Where's the bathroom?" she asked politely in a small voice. She was still looking at her hands.
"Upstairs to your left," said Morgan. Aaden looked up to meet his eyes and smiled in thanks. She then headed up the stairs.
When Fran heard the door close, she started badgering Derek with questions, "When did you decide this Derek?" she looked a little upset.
"Well, on the last case. She was abducted with twenty other kids and both her parents died. I don't know how I knew, but when I saw her I just had to give her a better life. I thought you'd be happy." Morgan frowned at his mother.
She sighed, "Derek, I am happy. Do you know how long I've waited for grandkids? Sarah's finally got the little one and now you. I really excited. I just wish you would have told me sooner, that's all."
"I know, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Listen, it took me everything to bring Aaden here," Morgan looked up the stairwell to make sure Aaden was still in the bathroom, "Her mother used to beat her. She doesn't like the idea of a mother. I told her that not all mom's are like that, but she still needs to see it."
Fran looked into her son's eyes and nodded, "Ok, let's show her what a real family looks like."
"Thanks momma." Just them the door bell rang.
"Oh that must be Sarah and Desi," Fran got up to let them in.
"Momma, you never said they were coming!"Morgan laughed, excited to see his annoying sisters.
"Well, of course they are. It's not every day there brother comes to visit," she opened the door.
"Derek!"They said together. He smiled and got up to give them both hugs.
"So where's this surprise momma's been talking?" Desiree Morgan asked, playfully punching her brother in the gut.
***/**/***
Aaden stood over the sink. Her heart was pounding and her head ached. She ran the tap until the water was cold and splashed the liquid on her face. She closed her eyes. Why was it so hard for her to meet Morgan's family? She should be excited. Images of her mother standing over her, beating her, made Aaden open her eyes and focus. She was scared. As Aaden got herself back together and opened the bathroom door, she heard the door bell ring and then two melodic voices excitedly screamed Derek's name.
