Aiden had been living in his grandfather’s house, technically now his house, for a few days now, and it felt more like home than he had expected. The old house, once filled with shadows of memories, was slowly becoming something more vibrant. The creaky floors no longer seemed ominous, and the worn furniture was starting to feel comfortable in a way that was both familiar and new.
The dog, whom Aiden had affectionately named Charlie, was one of the biggest reasons he actually started seeing life was worth living again. He had named him after one of his favorite characters from a book his grandfather used to read to him as a kid—Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
Charlie had quickly made himself at home, darting around the house with an energy that made Aiden laugh more than he had in months. Every morning, Charlie would greet him with a wagging tail and a bark, demanding attention, food, or a walk. It was impossible to ignore him, and Aiden found that he didn’t want to. The dog had become his constant companion, and it was undeniable that Charlie had created a bond with Aiden.
In many ways, the days in the house had been healing. Aiden felt healthier, both mentally and physically, than he had in a long time. The slow, quiet life suited him. He found himself walking through the garden with Charlie, enjoying the peace, or sitting on the porch in the evenings, the cool air brushing past him as the sky turned to dusk. And he wasn’t even worrying about working.
Aiden had liked working, or at least he had thought he would. When he first joined the company, there was a spark of excitement, a feeling that he might do something meaningful with his life. But it didn’t take long for that excitement to fade as life slipped away from him. Money was never the issue. His father was wealthy, though Aiden had been cut off from that world after the divorce, and his mother had a decent job that kept them comfortable. He hadn’t known his grandfather was a millionaire, but he was aware that his grandfather wasn’t struggling either. It wasn’t about wealth for Aiden. He had wanted to do something amazing, something that would matter, but somewhere along the way, he had lost that dream and, with it, a part of himself.
Anyways, he had been reading one of the many books from his grandfather’s shelves—an old, thick volume on the history of mythology—but it wasn’t holding his interest. The words blurred together after a while, and he found his gaze wandering more often than not.
Eventually, his eyes landed on his grandfather’s journal, resting on the table nearby. He had avoided picking it up again after that first strange entry, unsure if he was ready to dive back into the mysteries his grandfather had left behind. But something tugged at him now, a quiet curiosity that he couldn’t shake.
With a sigh, he closed the mythology book and set it aside. His hand hovered over the journal for a moment before he finally picked it up, the leather cover cool and worn beneath his fingers. He opened it to a random page, flipping through the familiar handwriting until something caught his eye.
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August 1, 1997.
Aiden blinked. His birthday. The day he was born. His heart quickened as he began to read.
August 1, 1997
Today, I became a grandfather.
I don’t know how to describe the feeling. I’m sitting here in the quiet of the evening, and my thoughts are still racing, filled with everything that happened today. My daughter—my dear, strong girl—gave birth to a son. His name is Aiden.
I held him for the first time this afternoon, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt such overwhelming love. He’s so small, so fragile, but in that moment, I knew. I knew that this boy would grow to be something special, something far beyond what I could ever hope to achieve in my own life.
It’s strange, the way time shifts when you hold a new life in your hands. Everything feels more immediate, more real. My entire life—everything I’ve done, everything I’ve learned—seemed to lead to this moment. Holding him, I felt the weight of responsibility settle in my chest, but it was a welcome weight. A burden I was eager to carry.
I am so proud of my daughter. She was calm, stronger than I think I’ve ever seen her. Watching her with her son today, I saw a side of her that made my heart swell. She will be a wonderful mother—I know it. But even as I admired her strength, I couldn’t take my eyes off Aiden.
I think I fell in love with him instantly.
Aiden paused, his throat tightening as he read the words. He had never known his grandfather had felt this way. Growing up, his grandfather had always been warm but reserved, never one to express his emotions outright. But here, in these pages, the love and pride were palpable, and Aiden felt a deep, aching sense of connection he hadn’t realized was missing.
And his mom…
He swallowed hard and continued reading.
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I know it’s too soon to say what kind of man Aiden will become, but I can’t help but think of his future—of what I can give him, what I can teach him. My library, the house, the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years—it’s all for him now. It always has been, I think.
I didn’t realize it until today, but I’ve been preparing for this moment for years. All of it—the books, the research, the secrets I’ve kept locked away—will belong to Aiden one day. Not just the physical objects, but the legacy they carry. The library, especially, is more than just a collection of books. It’s a key to something far greater, something I’ve only begun to understand myself.
I’ve left things hidden here, things he will need to discover when the time is right. There are paths I’ve started that he must finish. I can see it now, the way it’s all unfolding. The magic in this house, the library... it was never meant for me alone.
I have no doubt that Aiden will find his way. He’s my grandson, after all. He’ll inherit everything, but more than that, he’ll inherit my love and his mother’s love. And when the time comes, he will know what to do.