I own nothing. On a side note, I'm not sure if this is the end chapter or not... you guys should tell me what you think. Thank you to those who have reviewed for letting me know what you're thinking! It's kind of a big deal.

Aiden stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked into the kitchen.

Heather was there, mashing up some potatoes for dinner that night. It was about a week and a half after Will had come to visit, and despite their best efforts, neither of them had really talked about the event. They understood a lot more, however. When Aiden saw his mom flipping aimlessly through a Home and Gardens magazine, or trying to make a great meal, he didn't see it as sliding into suburbia anymore. He recognized her trying to build a home that he wouldn't want to run away from, a home that could raise him well. When she heard guitars wailing from behind his door, or saw a skull doodle on his palm, she didn't freak out immediately. It wasn't easy, but she focused on the unique individual that was being harvested. So, while the shaky areas remained untouched, the two had already grown closer.

"Hey, Mom." Aiden sat himself on the counter top.

Heather started cutting up carrots. "Hey, how was school today?"

"The usual."

"How's that Leah girl? Haven't heard about her in a while."

Aiden rolled his eyes. "You mean Leah from like, seventh grade?"

"The one you walked home yesterday? Busted." Heather grinned wickedly at her son's face. Aiden was rarely ruffled, but she caught the tinge of pink on his face. "Saw you two walking as I was getting back from the store. Way to not take the hand she left awkwardly dangling by her side."

"Mom!"

"Alright, alright. I'll lay off. I wouldn't think you to be shy about girls."

"Was Dad?"

"Oh, he was just like everyone else. Charlie introduced me to his friends, first of course, then-"

"No, I meant... I meant Will."

"Oh." Heather cleared her throat and smiled. "Will showed me off to everyone except his parents. Just about everyone knew me as 'Will's Girl' because he'd always say to the waiter or the cashier or anyone who'd listen this one line. 'I'll have one jaw-drop please, for my girl here,'" she laughed, imitating Will's deeper voice. Aiden smiled as she warmed up quicker than expected to talking about this man. "But his parents. He really didn't have much of a home life. They fought a lot, you know? We only really were with his parents a handful of times."

"Am I really a lot like Dad?"

Heather looked at Aiden and burst out laughing. "Sweetie, you're practically his carbon copy! Well, as far as I've seen you're everything good about him. You've got great character."

"What do you mean?"

Heather leaned on the counter with her son, watching the water simmer. "I mean you've got good roots. You know what my mom said about you when you were born?" Aiden shook his head. "She said that you were going to be very interesting to watch grow up."

"Why'd she say that?"

"Because. You are the product of two very different people, who together were a somewhat- force of nature, if you will. That's what she said, anyway. We both know Grandma can get a little crazy. And when your father comes up the craziness only skyrockets."

"Did Grandma like dad?"

"Oh, noo. Not at all. If I had a penny for every time she called him a scoundrel, among other things, I'd be able to hire someone to do my cooking and cleaning all these years later. Grandpa liked him though. He'd never admit it for fear of Ma's wrath, but you could tell. He would've liked you a lot too. Crap!" Heather started fiddling with the pot of carrots. "Go wash up, kiddo. Dad's coming home a bit late tonight; he said to start without him."

Aiden hopped off the counter and walked into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror, and wished he had something to compare to. Does his nose have that little bump too? Is my hair really as dark as his? "Aiden! What, are you making the sink in there?"

"Coming, Mom!" He dried his hands and flicked the light off.

Later that night, Aiden still couldn't sleep. He started pacing around in his room, looking for something quiet to do. Maybe I'll just get a drink and go to bed. On the way out, he bumped into his mother.

"You haven't done this in a long time," she yawned.

"Done what?"

"I heard you up and about in your room for the past half hour, and I knew you'd be wanting something to drink. You've done that since you could toddle, ya know? So I figured that since I wasn't sleeping so great, I'd join you and fix you something. Come on." Aiden sat at the table, drumming his fingers. Heather bent into the fridge. "What do you want?"

"Milk sounds good." Aiden wondered at himself. Last week this would've been the last thing he'd be doing. Nearly fifteen, what near Jesus of Suburbia would think of this being a midnight adventure?

Heather set the glass down in front of him, and took the chair to his left. Aiden smiled.

"You made me chocolate milk."

"It's your favorite drink, according to your second grade 'All About Me' poster. I saw it the other day."

"Did Dad like it?"

Smiling behind her glass of milk, Heather nodded. "If he wasn't with the guys, it was his favorite drink."

"And if he was with the guys?"

"Budweiser. Why the sudden interest in your dad?"

"Just am." Heather smiled knowingly to herself.

"Was he there when I was born?"

"Mmhmm. All eight hours."

"I took that long?"

"With your big head? 'Course you did! You should ask him about the day you were born. I don't remember much of the during except for screaming."

"I will. Sometime." Aiden slurped up his milk and went back to bed.

Heather sat in her chair for almost another hour.

Please let me know whether to continue or leave it as is!