The Traps of Black Swan

Shawn knew if something happens to Aarvi, Aaron wasn't going to listen to anybody. He won't be surprised if Aaron leaves the country or stops seeing anybody. So he asked so that they could find a solution to the problem that might possibly occur.

Thinking of Aarvi, he wished for the family and the family love that she finally got to stay with her. He didn't want her to think his grandfather was pitying her or making up for the past.

Leaving it apart, he wanted to convince Jordan to speak before Aaron loses his cool. Aaron had already waited for three whole years for Jordan to speak voluntarily. His patience was running out.

Jordan was holding his cane avoiding looking at anybody. He had daily persuaded himself to speak about it with Aaron, if not Aarvi. Even though he didn't do anything on purpose, he was still responsible for his actions that affected Aarvi.

He was focused on his grandson and hurt somebody's granddaughter. He hadn't taken Aaron's words seriously and never thought of a young girl having such fondness towards Aaron.

Shawn knew what dreaded Jordan the most, breaking up the family. Since Jordan was jelly so Shawn looked at Connor, "Big Dad, you know everything, don't you?"

Connor glanced at Jordan, he could understand his father who acted as a grandfather to keep his grandson safe from any troubles. But he had forgotten, he was a doctor and he was dealing with a teenage girl who was too sensitive.

He always hid the past for Jordan because Aaron was in the state to wait for them. Now, he knew it was too late, Aaron might not ask anymore and might not wish to see them either.

He had just nodded, the ICU door opened. Jordan and Megan rose from the chair and everyone's eyes fixed at the door. They hoped nothing but Aarvi waking up safe and sound. But there stood a man who had no emotions or life in his eyes. His empty gaze fixed on Jordan.

It was a silent question, asking Jordan one last time, giving him the last chance to speak. If not now, then never. Aaron wouldn't think twice to take Aarvi far away, without anybody's reach.

Jordan felt a lump in his throat looking at Aaron. Probably he should have been like many grandparents who dictated over the family members and ordered them to do it. He should have been one who could have scared his grandson to listen to his words. But he was the one who taught Aaron. If Aaron is in the wrong, then he is in the wrong too.

Upon all that, his grandson never made a mistake but him. He was in the wrong and Aaron had shown his endurance, testing his tolerance.

Aaron only moved when Jordan nodded at him, indicating he would let him know everything. He knew Aaron was going to be angry and had a small hope Aaron wouldn't leave the family but it depended on Aarvi too. If she wakes up fine with collected memories, everything will be better than before or else?

Jordan didn't want to even have negative thoughts.

Aaron could have told any nurse to be at Aarvi but he didn't. In regards to Aarvi, he trusted too few people. "Shea." And she knows the importance of his Cupcake to him.

Shea who was at the side, silently watching all the while, understood they had some family problems and those linked to Aarvi and Jordan. "I will look after Aarvi." She also wanted to know the reason but she knew to stay out of their private matters. She quickly got inside the ICU and watched over Aarvi.

Aaron didn't want Jordan to tell him in the lobby and fall into anybody's ear so he went to the adjacent room, everyone followed him.

Shawn and Aaron were standing while the others took seats. Connor nodded to his father indicating, he will reveal it to them so that Jordan doesn't have to stress out, which apparently wasn't good for his health. Megan patted Jordan's hand, her line was the same, 'Trust GiggleMug.'

Connor took a breath before and revealed looking at Aaron, "The one who took your bullet wasn't the military man, it's your Cupcake."

Aaron stiffened, Megan and Karsen were shocked.

"What!?" Shawn blurted out in horror.

-------

In the ICU, Shea watched Aarvi as her heartbeats raised and relaxed within the limit. Aarvi looked serene and the small curve at the corner of her lips made her appear like she was taking a good nap, lost in a beautiful dream.

She was right, Aarvi having a very long and pleasant dream.

----- Past -----

The summer holidays were just over, the school was starting with a new academic year. Being a girl who loves to learn new things, Ava Kelly was excited about the reopening of school, and to start her 8th grade.

Ava Kelly wasn't really tall as her height growth was still going on. Due to frequently starved, she was pretty skinny which would make one feel she was maintaining her figure as she still looked pretty.

She was wearing her school uniform. White full sleeves shirt adorned the forest green and bow tie around the collar. The plaid forest green colored, high waist, box pleated, circular skort reached till her thighs fitting her perfectly. She looked neat and tidy with her hair tied in a bun. Her bangs on her forehead made her little face even smaller. The strands of the hair falling down were giving her a delicate look.

As per the rules, her parents had to meet the home teacher and get the information regarding the academic year. The home teacher was proud of her, other than a complaint that she is too quiet and the other students often take advantage of her kindness.

Her mother had nothing to say to the teacher which Ava Kelly was used to. Since Ava was following her, Maisie had no choice but to let Ava take the car and she hated that. She had to maintain her image, and couldn't kick Ava away in public. Of course, Maisie wouldn't let Ava sit with her in the back seat, she sat with her son, Jose Kelly and Ava sat on the shotgun seat.

After just a few meters away from the school gates, Jose, who was ten years old, saw a new cafe that had opened just that day. "Mom, let's go there… Please…"

Maisie hardly said no to her son, since it was just a cafe,  she caressed his head as she ordered the driver. "Go to that cafe."

The driver responded and took reverse on the lane as they had come a little ahead. Jose invited Ava in excitement, "Sister, come. Let's eat something yummy."

Ava left her school bag in the car and alighted. Jose looked at her and extended his hand to hold her hand. Ava smiled at him endearingly and reached his hand but Maisie pulled him aside and stood between them.

Ava craned her neck to look at her mother, "Keep your filthy hands away from my son." Maisie growled at Ava.

Ava indeed felt bad, she bit her lip and lowered her head but a smile soon appeared when Jose looked at her in confusion. She would never show her hurt to others.

Following her mother, Ava heard her give orders asking Jose, and the latter probed Aarvi, "Sis, quickly choose what you want." He was already drooling looking at the baked items. Her brother has a sweet tooth.

Ava brushed her eyes and her hand pointed at a pastry and about to say it, Maisie carelessly chose one so that Jose doesn't have to share with Ava. "Add 1 cupcake to it. That's it."

The teenager who was taking orders glanced at Ava who bit her lip and lowered her hand. He anyway focused on the customer and asked them to have seats.

Ava again followed her mother and sat opposite them. She had kept her eyes outside listening to her brother cutely speaking with her mother. He was adorable but she didn't have the right to speak with him, touching him was out of the question.

She thanked the boy without looking up when a cupcake was placed in front of her.

Jose offered her cake but Maisie fiercely glared at her in a warning. If Ava said yes, she would definitely be locked in the room without dinner so Ava smiled at Jose, "No, thank you." She was always polite, young or older.

Maisie smirked before sipping her coffee. Ava took a small bite of red velvet cake with a small dessert spoon. Her mother never bothered to teach her but always expected her to behave. So Ava used a spoon.

The first bite, Ava liked the cupcake. She took another spoon and a fascinated smile peeked through her face.. In no time, the small cupcake was over and she craved for another one.