I do not own any of the characters mentioned here. This is a fanfiction of Lisa Mcmann's books: The Unwanted series.

This event takes place a few days after Aaron arrives in Artime during his free time.

Crow took the twins down to the beach so that he could enjoy the sunshine while they plucked the forever flowers. With the battle with Quill around the corner, he wanted to utilize every spare moment in the sun.

Thisbe and Fifer squealed with excitement ready to stretch their legs and run around. As if on cue, Carina arrived with Seth. The toddlers embraced each other and immediately started playing in the sand.

"Hey Crow!" Carina said.

"Hi, are you here to join us?" asked Crow.

"No, actually I have to meet Lani and Sam. Sam isn't exactly a fan of Seth's naughtiness so I was wondering if you could watch him while I am gone? Ever since the arrival of some people I don't feel comfortable leaving him without supervision," Carina said.

"Oh you mean Aaron, yeah I am pretty worried too. But I hope he wouldn't want to hurt his own sisters," Crow added timidly.

"I hope so too, but you should carry some components just in case," Carina said, patting Crow's back.

"Way ahead of you," he said, revealing his bulging pockets.

Carina nodded. "And you know how to use them?"

"Mostly, I only took simple ones," Crow said. Carina nodded and realized she was late.

"Alright Seth, Mama's leaving, give me a hug?" Carina asked hurriedly.

"Bye bye mama. I wuv u," Seth mumbled, hugging her.

"Aww me too honey," she replied before running off. Slowly Fifer waddled up to Crow with tears slowly forming.

"Mama?" She asked. Oh no Crow thought. Thisbe perked up full of concern. Soon enough they both began crying. With Seth wondering what was going on. Right that second In the distance Crow saw a figure with curly dark brown hair walking toward them. Eager to distract the twins he pointed the figure out to the twins. Both of them perked up and made a beeline toward their loving brother. Ax! Ax! They screamed. He froze confused and looked a little scared. Thisbe and Fifer hugged his legs flailing their arms up for him to scoop them up. He looked down at them unsure of what to do. He then uncomfortably picked them up one by one. A puzzled Crow walked toward them. He was unsure of why Alex seemed different. It was only when he walked up closer to the figure he could evidently see the scars on his face.

First it was Thisbe she looked wildly at the figure. She started punching and kicking until he let her down then ran to Crow who had realized it only a second before Thisbe. No Ax! Fifer suddenly realized too and started screaming until he released her. Then she ran back to Crow weeping.

" I can't believe I didn't realize it! You're not Alex. You are Aaron," Crow whispered with fear. Crow realized that he could not show that he was afraid, he was the twins and Seth's only protection right now and he would not let anything happen to them. He took in a deep breath ready to fight. Crow pulled out some scatter clips ready to attack.

Aaron shot his hands up in the air, "don't" he said.

"You even sound like him," Crow said in disbelief.

"I won't hurt them," Aaron said, "they are my family."

"Aren't you the same person who tried to kill Alex so many times before? He was your family too, your own brother, more than that he was your twin," Crow spat out.

Aaron winced. "I've... I've changed," he said meekly.

Crow rolled his eyes, "yeah you've changed, so now you're ready to kill your sisters too. I have always agreed with Alex's decision because it has always been right but I don't know what he was thinking bringing you here. I also know that he was dying when you nearly died. He cares about you so much and it's shameful you don't feel the same way. Saving your life, totally not worth it." For a moment the fire reignited in Aaron;s eyes, immediately Crow cowered. Inner applecorn Aaron thought he focused then let out a pained sigh.

"You've got every right to hate me but they are my sisters. Alex is my brother and he trusts me with them. So please." Aaon pleaded.

Crow fought against his fears inside him. For Alex, be strong Crow thought. He regained his bold face and smirked "alright here: Thisbe, Fifer if you want you can go to him if you want."

"No Ax!" Thisbe screamed, with Fifer whimpering behind her. Seth, still confused, returned to playing in the sand. Defeated, Aaron turned to leave broken hearted when the spitting replica of him appeared.

"Ax?" The twins looked at the mirror image and asked.

"Yes it's me come on" he said with his hands wide. The twins were hesitant but when they jumped into their dear brother's arms they knew it was him. They embraced him tightly, planning on never letting go. In a moment the bold Crow who stood up to Aaron stood behind Alex. His eyes full of trust as though Alex was his own brother.

Alex looked around confused. When he saw his broken hearted brother, his terrified siblings, and his cowering friend he connected the dots. "Crow," Alex said, "Aaron is my brother and I 100% believe he has changed. And you and I both have no right to deny him his sisters."

Crow scowled at Aaron, still not willing to give him a chance.

But Aaron didn't notice, nor was he bothered. He was still hung up on something Alex said moments earlier.

"100%?" Aaron asked Alex slowly.

"Nah, maybe 80ish?" Alex laughed. Aaron offered a slight smile.

Spotting Alex, Aaron and Crow, Sky walked up to them. "Hey Crow, your blackboard was calling for you," she stated, "don't ask me why, he said something about organizing your room being a necessity not an option."

He blushed, "the twins he asked?"

"I'll take the twins off your hands," Alex said, "I've got a few minutes."

"The state that my room is in is all thanks to can be a handful ," Crow warned, "not that you don't know Alex.

"Oh I'm sure, but luckily they've got both their brothers to keep them entertained," Sky added before shooing Crow off. Crow still wasn't sure about Aaron but he trusted his leader, who had somehow turned into a brother to him. Secretly he was hoping Alex would soon become his real brother thanks to Sky, but that was for the future now he decided to enjoy some ice cream before getting an earful from his blackboard.

Alex settled down on the sand and patted the ground next to him for Aaron to sit. Aaron bit his lip then scuffled over. Meanwhile Sky went over to see what Seth was busy with near the beach. Gently, Alex pried his sisters loose from his chest. Thisbe peeled her body off Alex's to listen to his soothing voice, her trusting eyes not wavering once. Meanwhile Fifer held on to Alex tighter and when Sky and Seth rejoined them she decided she was not moving. Soon Alex gave up on Fifer and decided to start with Thisbe.

" Alright Thisbe this is Aaron," Alex whispered.

"Ax?" She asked.

" No, I'm Alex, remember?" Alex asked. She nodded solemnly. "That's Aaron." Aaron awkwardly waved. Thisbe stole a glance at him.

"Ay-on?" she guessed

" Yes and he and I are like you and Fifer okay? He is my Fifer. Or better yet, I am his Fifer." Alex slowly said, realizing it. Thisbe looked at him intrigued. Sky scooted closer to Thisbe and picked her up.

"Aaron is your brother just like Alex," she said.

"The four of us, we are family," Alex finally said

"Famy?" Fifer asked with glistening eyes barely looking at Aaron.

"Yup you want to give him a hug and say hello?" Sky asked. Fifer looked away timidly but Thisbe reached out her curiosity at its peak.

Aaron, overwhelmed, moved away. "I.. I can't, I don't…" he stared. Sky gently smiled before placing Thisbe on Aaron's lap. They shared a moment of silence inspecting each other. Then she toddled over to Alex.

"It's a start," Alex offered.

"Yea, more than I expected," Aaron agreed. Soon the three kids got used to Aaron's presence and continued their naughty play. Soon enough Fifer waddled over to him and offered him a handful of sand. He looked at Alex unsure of what to do. With his brother's reassuring nod Aaron managed to squeak out a thanks. Satisfied she plopped down on his lap to catch a break before rejoining the others. Following her lead Thisbe curled up on Alex's lap and the girls held hands across their brothers' laps. Smiling Alex and Aaron intertwined hands. Seth ran up and occupied Sky's lap. The family gazed at the beach for several minutes before Sky carried off Seth with a smile playing on her face. Alex's body tensed. He had never been alone with Aaron before after his change. He didn't know if he was ready for it. He knew there was no reasoning with feisty Sky. Uneasy, he decided to get up, but with Sky's warm kiss he stayed. Sky set off to Carina's room in the mansion to leave the Stowes in a precious moment with the four of them together at last. Alex smiled at Aaron. Aaron smiled back questioningly.

"I'm so glad you got stuck in the island of shipwrecks with Ishibashi. I like this version of you." Alex said.

Aaron laughed jostling Fifer. "Me too bro. And this not a version of me. This is me." Alex nodded satisfied

Aaron turned away from Alex's earshot and fearfully whispered to himself " I hope."

Thank you! This is in progress, more chapters to come. If you enjoyed reading support me!