Rory
It had been a few days since Aiden showed me his Devil-self at the penthouse. At first, I thought this was all a sick joke, a curse inherited from Lucifer, because when I saw the red gleaming eyes reflected at me from my bedroom mirror for the first time in my life, I thought I was finally turning into a monster like him.
I hid myself away when my skin started turn into a hideous version of me, and I didn't know what else to do but panic. When Aiden found me later that night, it was like a dam had exploded and for the first time in my life I felt like I wasn't alone anymore.
Finally, there was someone who was so much like me. Sure, there was always Charlie to consider, but that only went so far. My brother from the future was a whole different story.
When I saw myself as an abomination, Aiden saw the opposite. He saw us as mighty beings to be honored and respected. Not lowed and feared as I first thought of myself. My brother relished in his true nature and wasn't fazed by it one bit. While I wanted to peel off the horribly gruesome skin that covered my limbs if it only meant I didn't have to look like... well... like my Devil of a father.
Speaking of the Devil.
From what I've gathered these last past weeks, was that Lucifer left my mother before I was even born and yet, he somehow weaseled his way back into my mom's heart and somehow gets back together with her in the future. Which means, his reason for leaving had to be because of me. Right?
It feels obvious to consider that the moment when Lucifer realized that Mom was pregnant with me, he had to have chickened-out, for lack of a better reason, and fled. My father didn't want me, and he hadn't even met me. He always wanted a son, not a daughter.
I slammed the car door shut and left the parking lot to continue to walk on the old gravel trail.
Aiden caught up with me without ang trouble and followed silently beside me as I led him through grounds carefully.
Chloe and Donnie had already left and were farther away from of us. We decided to stay in the car a little longer and promised to catch up with them in a moment. And when I said we, I meant me. After asking Aiden nicely to wait, he obliged without a thought.
Damn him. Damn him and his puppy dog face and damn his easy and caring nature to be so understanding of people. I didn't expect I would actually start liking him so much so soon, or at all really. Or even coming to terms with the idea that I have a brother to call my own. And mean it.
„Do you guys come here often?" Aiden asked a question while we were heading towards a more familiar area in the field.
It had been a little over two weeks since Aiden appeared and dropped a bomb about our future. And we were still no close to uncovering the reason why I-future time-traveling me that is- decided to send my brother here. Neither have we learned anything on how to send him back home.
That was a scary feeling that I finally admitted to myself, because over these past weeks, I've grown attached to this golden retriever and honestly... I don't think I wanted him to go back home.
At least, not yet anyway.
The last time I was here was exactly a year ago, was what I wanted to say, but didn't. "Only if necessary." I said. Coming off as bit sourer and colder than I intended, but it was the truth. For me that is. My mom came and went whenever she felt like it. But I was avoiding this place like the plaque cause I couldn't bare it and the emotions that followed.
„It's okay." He said and kept walking with me in an even pace.
I said nothing, but I was very grateful for the silence and his comfort. I already figured that Soul must've hinted or told Aiden about what happened a year ago. I didn't know whether to be grateful that she told him or be angry at her. Guess I'll just have to decide later once we were out of this devasting place.
When we caught up with my mom and Donnie, I saw Chloe placing the beautiful bouquet of flowers that she picked out with him and sat next to two headstones.
My gaze glanced at Donnie who helped my mom light some candles while I stayed behind them. Aiden's blue eyes were also inspecting the area. I watched as his gaze landed on one of the tombstones.
John Decker
1956 — 2000
Aiden eyed it for a few moments before turning his attention to the next one.
Penelope Decker
1959 — 2036
My gaze fell to my shoes, and I stayed silent until we were done and heading back home.
At the house Donnie and Chloe were snuggled up against each other on the couch while looking at some old photo albums, while Aiden and I were in the kitchen eating pancakes that Donnie had made for all of us when we returned home.
And when I said eating, I meant me more than Aiden. He was more interested in picking and inspecting the pancakes like they were poisoned.
To my surprise, I made a small laugh. „You're fine, your royal highness. Believe me I tasted them for poison and yet I still remain alive." I said in mocking voice trying to lighten up the mood and couch him into eating.
He stopped all together and pushed the plate of uneaten pancakes to the side. „I rather take my chances with the flying parrot, thank you."
For the life of me, I didn't understand what was up with those two. Pushing aside the fact that I'm sure my brother preferred Lucifer over Donnie to be with Chloe any day, but I couldn't see to why Aiden hated the man's guts.
The moment we got inside the car on our way back from the cemetery, my mom finally caved and started sobbing, after she had tried to hold it in the entire time we were there. Donnie didn't miss a second to comfort my mother when she needed it the most.
Now that we were home, Donnie sat with Chloe and they both spent the rest of the time talking and looking at old photos of grandma when she was still alive.
Donnie's hand was constantly around Chloe, comforting and holding her while at the same time trying to lighten her mood by keeping her occupied in healthy ways and kissing her head.
If anyone asked me, I would tell them straight. I would rather have Donnie be with my mom, then the pathetic excuse for a father called Lucifer. Chloe deserved the world, and that was exactly what Donnie gave her. The world.
„How did she die?" I was interrupted by Aiden's blunt question.
„I thought you were from the future?" I snapped at him and immediately regretted it. I cursed. „I'm sorry."
„It's fine, Rory." He easily showed sympathy. „No one ever told me exactly how she died and I was just curious."
What other facts was he oblivious to?
I started rummaging through my head of ways to tell him about without falling apart in the process. I hated death. It made into an emotional puddle from time to time.
„She died of old age." It was as simple as I told him. When I stayed silent for too long, Aiden raised a brow, waiting for me to continue. Like he knew I was just holding back. „Grandma died exactly a year ago at the hospital." I began, breathing in some air in my chest. „Mom held her hand the entire time and she passed away peacefully in her sleep. By the time I made it there, she was already gone. So, yeah. Death's a bitch."
„And you've been blaming yourself ever since?"
I wasn't aware of a fat tear rolling down my face when I lifted my head. „What else is there to do, am I right?" I tried to turn this conversation over with some light headed humor but Aiden wasn't having it.
„It wasn't..." My brother started but I interrupted. „My fault?" I asked with raised eyebrows. „Maybe not. But I know I should've been there."
„You didn't know when it was going to happen."
„I knew it was close." I said tried to cage my own anger. „The last time I talked to Grandma was a few days ago at her place. She um... she was telling me about one of her many stories and showing me old pictures of when she was younger." I tried to swallow to prevent the lump that started to form in my throat. „I told her I had homework that day. Nana smiled at me and told me she would finish telling me about her story the next time I would come and visit her."
„I lied to her get away from a boring story. A boring story— that now—I would do anything—ANYTHING to have the chance to hear her tell it to me over, and over, and over again."
„Rory, you didn't know."
„But I should have, Aiden." The tears were now spilling freely down my face. „I should have known."
A few hours later and I watching the sun go down on one of the swings in the backyard.
After that a gloomy day, it was always nice just to be alone with my thoughts. Somewhere to escape to.
I was half way considering going back inside to my room to read something that would take me away from reality when Aiden came looking for me.
„Hey." He said and then I felt a light touch on my shoulder and caught a glimpse of an orange wing lighting nudging me in the side.
„What?"
Aiden's face transformed quickly from a worried look into devious smile. „I wanna test something. A theory." He was all wings out and ready to take off. „Besides I promised to help you with your predicament."
I sighed, but the curious side of me wanted to know more of what he was thinking. „Will it be fun?" I asked before pointing my thumb behind my back. „Cause if not, I have a long ass TBR list to get to in my room."
He laughed, shaking his head. „Girl, you can read smut later." I narrowed my eyes at him while he just smiled with amusement. „Now c'mon, Dweeb, I wanna show you something."