Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 218

It had been three years since Bonnie last spent her birthday at home. This time, she not only made it back, she brought Aiken along. To celebrate, Shirley went all out in the kitchen. As soon as they stepped inside, the rich, mouthwatering smell of braised meat welcomed them.

Aiken, normally so composed, was suddenly a little tense, nerves making him extra polite as he greeted everyone and handed over his gifts.

“You didn’t have to bring anything, you know,” Shirley told him, but her eyes were full of approval. She’d heard how much Aiken had helped when Bonnie was in trouble. “Come in and sit, Aiken. Make yourself comfortable. No need to stand on ceremony.”

While Shirley fussed in the kitchen, Bachelor had already set out teacups in the living room. He looked Aiken over with a kind smile. “This isn't keeping you from work, right? Did you come straight from the office?”

Aiken accepted the slippers Bonnie handed him and slipped them on, answering with a respectful nod. “I was at the station this morning, just clearing up a case. I’m actually off today, so it's no trouble at all.”

Bonnie hung up their coats and nudged Aiken toward the living room. “Go have some tea with Bachelor, I’ll help in the kitchen.” Once she slid the kitchen door shut, the chatter and talk about work faded away. The glass door started to fog up, keeping the rest of the house out of sight.

Shirley glanced over. “Is everything online sorted out now?”

Bonnie nodded and quickly explained. Shirley only caught the gist of it, but as long as no one was harassing Bonnie online or showing up in real life, she could finally relax.

Everything else, they would handle when the time came.

“Odette’s adopted girl, her name’s Hannah, right?” Shirley asked, chopping vegetables with practiced hands. She’d worked with Odette before, so she knew a little about the Lane family. “If I remember right, her real father struggled with his mental health. He died by suicide when Hannah was only eight or nine.”

Shirley just shook her head a little, understanding her stubborn daughter all too well. She peeked out through the fogged glass door at the living room, then lowered her voice. “So, you and Aiken… you two official yet?”

Bonnie shook her head, saying honestly, “Not yet.” That didn’t surprise Shirley. “Aiken seems like a good kid. Since he’s here for dinner, let’s ask him a little about his family. When people date, both sides of the family matter. I don’t want you ending up with another round of family drama.”

“His family…” Bonnie paused for a second. “I just know his dad was a police officer, his mom’s a teacher, and he’s got an older sister who’s already married and working in business, I think.”

Aiken had told her his car was a graduation gift from his sister the year he started working.

“Aiken's about your age, isn’t he?” Shirley frowned as she thought it over. “If there’s an older sister, I just hope his family isn’t the sort to care so much about having a son.”