Healing Aiden (Lords of Discord 5)

“Mother, Rafe said he was going to smash my new telescope!” the one who was likely Bel cried. He stood straight, his slender shoulders painfully tensed while he roughly wiped tears from his eyes.

“He said he was going to name the first planet he discovered after Mrs. Pitts’s dog!” Rafe argued, his small body positively trembling with indignation.

“Rafe, really!” Julianna said with exasperation. “You know Bel can name a planet whatever he wants if he discovers one. If you want to name a planet something else, you’ll just have to discover one too. Now apologize.”

Bel sucked on his bottom lip as he stared at his twin, his heart in his eyes. Rafe’s shoulders slumped in an instant before he crossed the short distance between them and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

“So sorry, Bel. You know I’d never hurt your telescope,” Rafe mumbled.

Bel didn’t hesitate to hug him back. “It’s okay. I’ll help you find your own planet, Rafe.”

“A comet. I want to name a comet after Mother,” Rafe replied, and Aiden swore he melted into a puddle right there in the music room. He had no defense against them.

The oldest child slipped down from the piano bench and walked over to them, holding the hand of the youngest. His inquisitive gaze remained locked on Aiden while he kept his body positioned between himself and the little one. So protective.

“Aiden, I would like to introduce you to my sons,” Julianna began. She motioned to the tallest, who looked to be maybe thirteen or fourteen. “This is Marcus, my oldest son, and Winter, my youngest, is with him.” Her youngest couldn’t have been more than six or seven. He was a small, slender child with a wary look in his large eyes. Both children bowed politely, and Aiden returned it before he extended his hand to Marcus, and then Winter.

“It is an honor to meet you, Master Marcus, Master Winter,” Aiden said.

“My lord,” Marcus answered firmly, holding his gaze. If he didn’t know better, he’d believe the boy was sizing him up, maybe even warning him to proceed cautiously.

“And these two troublemakers are my twins, Rafe and Beltran,” Julianna continued.

Aiden repeated the bow and shook the boys’ hands. They were possibly eleven or twelve years of age.

“Boys, this is my dear friend, Lord Aiden Martin.”

“Lord Martin, what’s in the box?” Winter asked boldly, knocking a chuckle from Aiden’s lips.

Aiden looked over at Julianna for permission, and she smirked as she said, “He has generously brought you a surprise, but I think we should first give him the surprise you’ve prepared.”

The older boys quickly hurried to the other side of the room, Marcus hopping up on the piano bench. But Winter remained in front of his mother, his hands behind his back.

“May I go first, Mother? Please.”

Julianna gently touched his cheek, smiling warmly at him. “Of course, darling.”

While Winter scurried over to a box on a small table, Julianna led Aiden to a nearby settee to sit. When they were settled, Winter stood in the center of the room with a flute raised to his lips. He looked to his mother, who gave an encouraging nod before he played his first note. It was a simple song, but his notes were sharp and clear, the dance of his small fingers so perfect. Aiden was in awe of the child. To stand there so composed, playing for the intimate audience, one of them a complete stranger.

At the end of the song, Aiden loudly clapped as he jumped to his feet. The boy beamed up at him, his chest out and cheeks red while his blue eyes sparkled. The little boy placed his flute on the table and ran over to the settee, practically diving between Aiden and Julianna. His mother gathered him close, peppering his face with kisses and comments on how proud she was of him.

“Marvelous. Simply marvelous!” Aiden added when Winter turned his gaze up at him.

Winter snuggled between them, his smile so wide. “Thank you. I hope to get as good as they are,” he replied, pointing across the room.

Aiden followed his finger and his heart stopped to see the other three boys poised and waiting. Marcus was behind the piano while Beltran sat behind a cello nearly taller than himself. Rafe stood close to his twin, a violin tucked under his chin.

With a small nod from their mother, they started to play, and Aiden was transfixed. He was transported to the heavens. He’d heard countless professional concerts in his lifetime, but none of them compared to the beauty that filled that room. And these were just boys. Children! Their small fingers moved with an expert grace across strings and keys.

Time stopped. The world around them fell away. He was simply existing in this perfect bubble with the most amazing woman he’d ever known and four wonderful children. He didn’t want this to ever end.