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He couldn't take his eyes off of her. There was the little girl from the airport—the one who had mistaken him for her father. It made so much more sense now. Her large brown eyes and black hair were exactly like Maisie's. That was why she looked so familiar.
Her curly hair bounced around her face as she ran towards Maisie. The sight of her hit Aidan like a punch to the gut.
Maisie’s face went pale but she quickly crouched down, gathering the little girl in her arms. Aidan’s chest tightened as he saw the uncanny resemblance. Was she his daughter? He had to know. He had to ask.
He moved closer, unable to stop himself. “Maisie,” he suddenly sounded breathless. “Is she?”
Maisie hesitated. She held the little girl tighter to her chest as if she was trying to hide her from him. For a moment, she looked like she was about to deny it. But, when she looked into Aidan's eyes, she couldn't find the heart to lie to him.
“Yes,” she finally confessed, her voice shaking. “Yes, Aidan. She’s your daughter. Her name is Hazel.”
The world seemed to stop and move at the same time. His daughter. He had a daughter. He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad. Five years. Five long years without knowing he had a child.
He never got to see her first steps or hear her speak her first words. He never got to watch her grow. He had missed so much of her first, they were gone forever.
“Hazel,” he whispered, more to himself.
The girl just seemed to notice him for the first time and her eyes widened. But, she seemed to remember what had happened at the airport because she pouted.
“Hazel, I’m your father.” Aidan tried again.
Hazel shook her head and buried it in her mother's neck. “You don't want me so, I don't want you,” she said.
That one sentence was enough to shatter Aidan's heart. He hadn't known she was his daughter. He would have treated her better. She was his flesh and blood, and yet she looked at him with no trust.
Suddenly, someone burst out laughing. Aidan turned to look at Chris. “Would you look at that!” Chris said. His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. “He doesn’t even know he has a daughter, yet he thinks he can just stroll back into his Maisie’s life and act like everything is okay!”
More laughter and murmurs rose from the West family. Aidan didn’t care. His focus was on Maisie and the little girl still hiding in her arms.
Aidan walked closer to them. He looked at Maisie and Hazel still holding onto her. “I’m not here to cause trouble, Maisie. I promise,” he said. “I’m here because I love you. “Because I love her. Even though I didn't know about Hazel's existence until moments ago, I love her and I want my family back.”
Maisie’s father took a step forward, “Leave now or, I'll kick you out!” He threatened, pointing a finger at Aidan.
“I am not going anywhere. I only came back for my wife and my daughter and I will not leave without them.” Aidan said.
“Servants!” Maisie's father called. “Get this man out of this house now. He has no right to be here.”
Several of the mansion’s servants, the strong men, moved toward Aidan. Aidan was ready to defend himself if it came to that. But before any of them could reach him, Brenton his bodyguard stepped forward, protecting him.
“If you lay even a finger on this man,” Brenton warned, “you risk going against the United States government.”
Everyone went silent. Even the servants paused, confused. They looked at each other and then Maisie's father for instruction.
He stumbled back a step, “This is some kind of trick,” he muttered. “A lie. He's nothing more than a worthless laborer.”
Shanice laughed. “Why would throwing a useless man like him out anger the government? Don’t be ridiculous!” She said. Chris smirked.
Brenton replied, “Because this ‘useless man’ is recognized by the President of the United States himself.”
Gasps after gasps filled the room. It was followed by a series of murmurs. Chris’ smile fell but he quickly recovered, shaking his head. “Nonsense. What sort of ridiculous story is this?” he asked. “How could someone like him be recognized by the President?”
Brenton turned slightly to look at his boss. He couldn't just expose Aidan’s identity without permission. It was treason. Aidan gave him a small nod, allowing him to continue.
Brenton took a deep breath and continued, “This is Commander Aidan Cromwell, the youngest five-star general in the history of the United States Army and the Commander of the Central Operating Zone.”
“Impossible!” Chris finally said. “You, Aidan? The same man I've known for years? You expect us to believe that? This man is a nobody, he is a dockworker—”
“Believe whatever you like,” Aidan said interrupting him. “I didn’t come here to prove myself to you.”
Maisie’s father grew angry. “Throw him out, now! I don’t care who he is!” he shouted.
Brenton's hand moved to his gun. No one had noticed that he was carrying a sidearm all this time. Everyone shrieked, running backward and recoiling from Brenton. Even Maisie turned Hazel away from the gun.
“If anyone lays a hand on this man,” Brenton warned again, “they will face the consequences. And trust me, you do not want to anger the United States government.”
Aidan put his hand on Brenton's shoulder and shook his head. “That won't be necessary.” He said.
Brenton bowed his head and tucked the gun back where it wasn't visible. Now that they saw that the gun had been put away, the family got braver again. They began to murmur. Chris was the first to speak up.
“You expect us to believe that?!” Chris asked. “Where's the proof?”
Brenton reached into his briefcase and fished out Aidan's military cap. On the side of it were five gold stars. Aidan put on the cap and everyone gasped.
He adjusted his collar, a small smile on the edge of his lips. “I am the youngest five-star general,” he repeated, “and the Commander of the Central Operating Zone for the United States Army.”
They were shocked into silence.
- Writer
