~Chapter 13~

Cici cracked open the door and tried to sneak in.

"Where have you been?" Matt asked. He turned on the lamp next to the couch. Theresa was sitting next to him.

She got up and hugged her. "You are ok, right? We were so worried."

"I'm fine. We just lost track of time."

"We? Who were you with?"

"Jamie Crane, my cousin."

Matt made a face. "Mary's son?"

She nodded. "Yes, he found me crying in the park and told me all about Pilar and my Aunt Mary."

"Why were you crying?" Theresa asked worried.

"Because I was worried about grandma."

"But you still left you brothers and sister unattended."

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't stay here much longer and I didn't want them to see my crying."

Theresa knew exactly what she was talking about but she knew it was going to be that easy for Matt to understand.

"Cici, come see for a second." Matt said and patted the couch. She sat down next to him. "Cecilia Pilar, you can not always run from you problems like you did today. Especially when you have other people to take care of. Life doesn't work that way."

"Then what do I do?"

 "You wait till you can be by yourself or tell us that you're are upset."

"Easier said then done."

"It always is."

"I know I know. I will not do it again. I promise. We're done right?" She asked.

"Sit back, down."

"I knew it, it was to easy. So what's my punishment?"

"I do not know yet. It will not be that big. I'm just glad to see your ok, Cici."

"Really?"

He laughed. "Yes, I love you and I'm you father so of course I care."

"I love you too." She said as she gave him as kiss on the check.  Then she walked over to her mother, did the same, and walked to her bedroom.

Theresa sat down next to him. "I'm still shocked you aren't like you parents."

"What are you talking about?"

"When it comes to punishments, you aren't like you parents at all. I just didn't expect it."

"I know I was always scared I was going to be like them. I always hated the way my parents punished us. They did not care why we did it, we were automatically punished. And they wondered why Mary left. I do not I never did." He sighed and pulled Theresa into his embrace.

"Thank for the ride, Aaron." She said as he opened her door.

"It's no big deal. It was nice to hang out with you, Nina. I hope your dad does not too mad. Because I want to see you again." She smiled.

"Well all I can see is pray. But I hope he he's in a good mood because I want to see you again too. And even if my dad does ground me; that will not stop me."

He laughed. "I never would have guessed you were so devious. I like it."

"Good, I'm going to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Defiantly." He said and she headed to her hotel room and he left.

She tried the knob and realized it was locked. She banged on the door. "Mom, Dad, Andy come on. Open up!"

No one answered the door. She leaned up against the door. She was tired, it was late and she did not want to bang or scream any more. All the sudden the door opened and she fell the floor and hit her head.

"Ow! What was that for!" She looked up and saw her father standing over her. She got quickly. "I didn't mean it! I'm sorry." She saw that her two cousins were sitting on the couch.

"Nikki, Nana you can both go home now." Both of the girls go up as soon as they heard their Aunt's words. They paused by Nina.

"Good luck, girl." Nikki said.

"I want all the details." Nana said but they hurried out side as their uncle glared at them.

As the door closed, both of her parents looked at her. "You are in so much trouble." Andy said with a smile.

"Go to your room." Prue said.

"I always miss the good stuff." He said as he marched to his room.

"You care to explain." Luis said.

"I just lost track of time."

"Just you? Not what is his name… Aaron?"

Nina made a face.

"Your cousin told us. Do you know anything about him? I mean you must have to spend almost a whole day with him alone." Luis said.

"I didn't then but I do now. Look he is really nice. He lives here with his window mother. His whole family lives here. They lived here their whole life since his mother and father left Salem."

"Who his mother and father?" Prue ask.

"His mother is Sheridan and this father is Eric Brady."

"What!" Luis said shocked.

Aaron parked his car and then headed inside. When he opened the door, he saw his mother asleep on the couch. She was clasping a picture to her chest. He looked at the picture. It was of his father and him. Oh what she must of thought. He took the picture and put it on the shelf and started to take of her shoes. Then he got a blanket and covered his mother up. As he started to head up stairs, he heard his mother call his name. He went back to her and knelt down next to her.. "Yes?"

She got up and hugged him. "You are home. You are really home. I was so sacred you were…"

"I'm fine Mom I just lost track of time and I know you can not say the word but you do not you have. I'm not dead."

"Good. I didn't want to lose you like I lost your father."

"You do not have to worry about that. Please do not ever worry about that. Now try to go back to bed I'll tell you what happened tomorrow." He gave her a goodnight kiss and then headed up to his room.