April Fool’s

The frigid air of winter vanished as spring drew nearer. Aiden had finally had his cast removed and was able to walk on his own. He had to do physical therapy but, as long as it meant he no longer needed the wheelchair, he was happy. His ribs were still on the mend but they didn't hurt nearly as much as before.

The one thing about healing that Aiden didn't like was that Derek no longer slept with him in his room. He said there was no longer a justifiable reason to explain to Mrs. Hudson if he stayed. Aiden knew he was right and he knew from the beginning that it wasn't a permanent arrangement but that didn't make it any easier to get used to. He'd often wake up in the middle of the night to find himself reaching out to nothing.

Another thing that happened when he was out of the cast was Isaac spending at least one day a week with Aiden. They'd go out to dinner or just stay at the house and chat. It was during one of these times that Isaac asked Aiden if he would be okay meeting the Atwood family.

According to Isaac, he hadn't found the right moment to tell any of them yet and the first of April there was going to be a family gathering. He couldn't think of an easier time to let everyone know about Aiden. Aiden wasn't quite so sure about it though.

"Um, don't you think that might make things a little more awkward?" He asked Isaac in a concerned tone.

"I think it's bound to be awkward no matter what but if we do it this way then the entire family learns about you at the same time. Unless you'd rather be introduced to everyone separately over and over and over…" Aiden cut him off.

"Okay, I get it! I'll go." And so it was decided that Aiden would meet his long lost paternal family.

When the day finally arrived, Isaac went to the house to pick Aiden up. After ringing the doorbell, Derek opened the door. He stared for a moment as if debating on whether or not to let Isaac through the door but, in the end, he stepped back and let him inside. They both stood silently in the hall waiting for Aiden to come downstairs.

Mrs. Hudson came down the stairs first with Aiden right behind her. He was wearing black skinny jeans, high heeled ankle boots, and a blue silk turtleneck tank top. He also had on a thin silver chain necklace that reached his stomach, black half gloves, and a small bag with a silver chain. Isaac smiled when he saw him.

"Hello Aiden. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," He answered just as he reached the last stair. "I'm all set." Then he looked at Derek. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll see you later."

"Mhm." Derek wasn't pleased in the slightest when he heard what Isaac was planning but, as Aiden had already agreed, there wasn't much he could do about it. He just hoped that the Atwood's weren't as bad as the Montgomery's when it came to illegitimate children.

Isaac led Aiden out the door and to the car where he held the back door open for him. Aiden climbed in and waited while Isaac went around to the other side. As soon as they were settled, the driver turned the key in the ignition and drove off down the road. The place they were heading to was relatively close to the Montgomery manor and it would take around the same amount of time to get there. It seemed that that's where all the rich people's mansions were.

As they got closer and closer to their destination, Isaac got more and more restless. He started tapping his fingers against his arm and would frequently glance at his watch. Aiden wasn't sure if he should try and help or just keep quiet. Isaac noticed Aiden watching him so he quickly stopped fidgeting and smiled.

"You're not nervous, right? Everything'll be fine. No matter what, you are my son and that won't change." Even though Isaac was talking to Aiden, it was more like he was reassuring himself. Aiden smiled and nodded anyway.

"You're right. There's no reason to be nervous. Everything will be fine."

In fact, Aiden wasn't the slightest bit nervous. After growing up the way he did and understanding from a young age how the world usually worked, he had zero expectations for any of his new so-called family. If they turned out to be nice people then that was great but Aiden already had everyone he needed so he wasn't going to care regardless of how things went with the Atwood's.

Soon enough, the car pulled up to a fancy mansion. It was impressive on its own but it was nothing when compared to the Montgomery manor. Isaac got out of the car, followed by Aiden, and they both walked up to the door. Before Isaac could ring the doorbell, the door was pulled open and a short, grumpy looking middle aged woman.

"Master Isaac, welcome back. The other's are already in the dining room." The woman narrowed her eyes at Aiden but said nothing as she took a step back and held the door open for them. Isaac thanked her and walked inside leading the way through the house. He stopped just outside of what Aiden assumed to be the doors to the dining room and turned to face Aiden.

"Are you ready?" Isaac asked in a whisper. Aiden nodded and Isaac pushed open the double doors.

The chatter in the room suddenly came to a halt as they both walked in. Aiden could feel the questioning gazes from all around him but he kept his eyes forward and confidently followed Isaac to the head of the large table where an older man with a stern face was sitting. When Isaac halted next to the man's seat, the man spoke without even looking at him.

"Isaac." His voice was deep and commanding with just one word.

"...Father." Aiden had been told earlier that Isaac's father, Griffin, wouldn't be as much of a problem as other members of the family but he didn't exactly feel like an easy going person either.

"Since when are outsider's brought to family gatherings?"

"He's not an outsider. He's my son." If Aiden had been drinking anything at that moment he definitely would have spit it out or started choking, which many other people in the room did. The purpose of being there was indeed to announce Aiden's existence to the family but Aiden had no idea that Isaac would be so blunt about it or that it would happen almost immediately.

Despite the sudden declaration, Griffin didn't appear as flabbergasted as everyone else. He calmly took a sip from the glass in front of him and finally looked up at Isaac.

"The proof?" At that point, Isaac pulled an envelope out of his inner suit jacket pocket and handed it to his father. Griffin opened the envelope and read the contents as everyone else in the room waited with bated breath. Then, Griffin folded the papers, put them back in the envelope, and nodded. "I see." He stood up from his chair and strode over to Aiden. "Your name?" Aiden met his scrutinizing gaze and answered loud enough for the entire room to hear him.

"Aiden Hale."

"Hm…Hale, is it? Wasn't that Elara's mother's maiden name?" Griffin glanced at Isaac who nodded with a complicated look on his face.

"...It was." Gasps echoed around the room. Aiden felt an emotion just as complicated as Isaac's expression. Lyla had never told him his mother's name and Aiden had only found out recently from Isaac. Hearing her name from someone who was involved with the chaotic events that led to his mother's tragic fate and his own difficult life stirred something uncomfortable in his heart. He didn't like it.

While Aiden was trying to sort out his emotions, someone slammed their hands on the dining room table and stood up from their seat. Everybody turned to look at the woman who was bound to cause further commotion. It was Amelia, Isaac's wife. She stormed over to where Isaac, Griffin, and Aiden were standing. Isaac took a protective step in front of Aiden as she got closer.

"This is ridiculous! Stop this at once, Isaac! Is this some lame attempt at an April Fool's prank? If it is, no one's laughing!"

"April Fool's? Sadly for you, this isn't any kind of prank," Isaac glared down at her. "Aiden is my son. Mine and Elara's." Then, he turned to everybody else and wrapped an arm around Aiden's shoulder's. "I only found out about him recently but he is definitely my son and I consider him family. I brought him here for introductions. Everyone, this is Aiden. Treat him well." Taking that as his cue, Aiden smiled brightly at all of them and lied perfectly.

"Hello! I'm Aiden Hale. It's nice to meet you all."