"He's a great kid, isn't he?"

I turned to look at the brunette whose eyes kept their focus on my son a bit far away from where we are, playing with both his dad and Aiden. It did surprise me how much Tris and Aiden have been interacting with each other the past few hours, although not so much as I know how Tristan is. He can make anyone comfortable with his friendliness and warm presence. And with Aiden, it's not much of a surprise that she would willingly spend time with my ex and seemingly enjoy it. She's just so pure and kind-hearted.

"He is," I agreed with Bianca, knowing how great my son is, whether it is related to how we raised him or simply how he is despite his young age. "Aaron takes a lot after his father."

"Tristan says otherwise, he said Aaron takes after you" she chuckled. I hummed, not knowing what to reply or at least say to the woman beside me. "Ahm... I've been meaning to talk to you for a while now."

I glanced at her, signaling her to go on.

"First of all, I want to apologize, you know, for ruining your marriage-"

I cut her off. "It was already ruined before you even came. An apology is not needed, if anything, I want to thank you for making my bestfriend happy again." I smiled sincerely. It's something I've always wanted to say to her. "Thank you for loving him the way he deserves to be loved."

"You did, too."

"It wasn't enough to keep our relationship," I looked ahead, my eyes darting to the young woman who kept my mind occupied. "So, please promise me that you would love him to the very end. Tristan is one of a kind, and being loved by him is a privileged I would never forget."

"What about you?"

I looked away from staring at the smiling raven-haired girl, my brows raising in confusion. "What about me?"

"Who's loving you now?" Bianca asked, but the way she's looking at me tells me that she already has an idea who. "I saw the hand holding, but even without seeing it, the way you two look at each other tells me enough." She admitted, blue eyes glancing at Aiden.

Her admission of witnessing our little interaction earlier surprisingly didn't make me nervous nor worry. Something about her and the way she's speaking makes me want to trust her.

I nodded. "Do you think it's strange?"

"What do you mean strange?"

"For me to fall-have feelings for someone 15 years my junior," and my student for that matter.

The age difference doesn't bother me that much anymore, although some worries still linger.

"Age has nothing to do with who your heart chooses to love," Bianca stated, eyes reassuring my worries. "I've talked to her, saw how she acts, specially around Aaron. Aiden seems like a mature and responsible young woman."

"She is," I let out a sigh. "She's proven that age has nothing to do with maturity."

"Then what's stopping you?" Bianca asked, earning a raised brow from me. "You didn't have to tell me, it's obvious you're still somewhat hesitant with this."

Am I that obvious?

"A lot of things."

My career, reputation, my son's opinion, other's opinion, the possibility of ruining Aiden's future and my fear of being left heartbroken once again.

"Do you like her?" I turned to look at the brunette, biting my lip in thought before nodding.

Of course I like her, how could I not?

How could anyone not like those brown innocent eyes, charming smile and gentle touch? How could I not have feelings for someone like Aiden? She's proven so much to me, given me many reasons to trust her, showed me what it'll be like to be loved by her.

"I like her too much for my own good."

"But are you willing to take a risk?"

"I already am." And I hope it's worth it. "You're the only person I've talked to about her, by the way. Tris doesn't know."

"And how does it feel letting some of your feelings out?" She smiled, eyes genuine.

"Great," I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."

"A thank you is not needed," Bianca playfully said, making the both of us chuckle. "Just a friendly advice," she paused, waiting if I'll decline. "Try to be a little braver, no one will judge you here."

My conversation with Bianca cut short when the three approached us, all sweaty and worn out from all the playing. Aaron slumped down beside me while Aiden sat carefully to my other side, eyes regarding me with a small smile.

"Hey."

"Hallo." a shy smile accompanied her sweet greeting.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Aiden nodded, happiness radiating off of her.

"Are you?" She asked back, and I nodded. Her mouth moved to say something but was interrupted when Bianca suddenly spoke.

"Hey, we were wondering if it's okay to leave the two of you alone?" She smiled, pertaining to Aiden and I. "If it's okay with you, Amayah. I want to spend time with Aaron. Only if you're okay with it." I knew what she meant, but something's telling me she also has another agenda for it, the sly smile on her face proves my suspicion.

I turned to glance at Tris who only shrugged before looking at my son. "Are you okay with it, baby?"

Aaron nodded, smiling. "Yes, mom."

"Alright, you three enjoy your day." I gave my son a kiss on his forehead before the trio left Aiden and I alone, the former fidgeting with her hands as she looked down.

I smiled at her cuteness. "So, it's just us."

Aiden chuckled nervously. "Y-Yeah, just us."

"What do you want to do?" I asked, wrapping the lace crochet cover up tight against my body, the material barely hiding the red bikini underneath.

"Whatever you want." She answered.

I hummed in thought. "Let's swim, then?"

"I haven't put sunblock on."

Just a friendly advice... Try to be a little braver, no one will judge you here...

Biting my bottom lip in thought, I contemplated for a few seconds before offering. "Want me to put them on you? I have some here."

The clear surprise showed on her face, brown eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, especially the now appearing blush on her cheeks.

"It's okay if you don't want me to." I smiled in assurance, trying to be nonchalant about it.

That must have brought her out of trance. "Oh. Okay, I-you can. Yes, please."

Smiling in triumph and making sure the trio aren't around the corner or anywhere near us, I took out the bottle of sunblock. As soon as I turned back to the taller girl, she was already in her sports bra, the discarded tank top sitting on her lap. Looking away from the sight of her abdomen, I guided Aiden to lie on her stomach.

Squirting a few drops of lotion on my hands, I started to massage the substance all over her back. Making sure to cover from her broad shoulder down to the dimples. And just like the ones from the lake, Aiden has the same scars I saw around her front, although fewer and less noticeable.

She still hasn't told me where all this came from...

I cleared my throat. "Want me to put some on your front as well?"

Aiden didn't answer and instead turned around, cheeks way redder now compared to earlier. My eyes scanned over taut abdomen and the same scars I saw before. I let my fingers trace the longest one just above her chest, touching a few more that I'm sure were deep enough to leave such a painful reminder.

"Where did this came from?" I asked in a quiet voice, pertaining to the longest scar.

"Beer bottle," she simply answered. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"And this?" The second longest scar.

"Beer bottle."

"This?" Third longest.

"Belt."

"It doesn't hurt anymore?" Aiden shook her head, a smile I recognized as a sad one. A smile I never wanted to see from her.

"How about here? Does it hurt still?" I touched her chest, feeling the beating of her heart.

"It hurts less when I'm with you."

A hand reached up to my face, soft palm pressing against my cheek as her thumb caressed a stray tear away.

"Then I guess you should always stay by my side then?"

Aiden smiled. "I guess."