Despite Kaleb's visit, Aaron remained in a sour mood until Wednesday, when he had to pick up his brother, Gray, from prison. Keeley had taken the day off to accompany him, as promised.

"We don't have to do much," she said. "We pick him up, take him to his apartment, and buy him lunch. That's it."

"I know, but it's still annoying," Aaron grumbled. "If I had to take a day off, I'd rather be playing video games with Kaleb."

Keeley patted his hand. "You can do that afterward. Lunch won't take all day. We'll be there a few hours, at most."

He sighed, unable to argue. It was best to get it over with. He needed to be civil for a short time, then he could return to his life.

Gray waited behind the prison gates, wearing the same outfit he'd been arrested in years ago. A guard opened the gate, warning Gray not to return. He offered a charming smile and nod before approaching his family.

"Keeley! What a pleasure. Time hasn't diminished your beauty," he complimented.

She almost snorted at his unchanged suavity but restrained herself. "Thanks, Gray. You look good, too."

He did. His hair was graying, a salt-and-pepper look, but he'd hardly aged. One wouldn't expect a man who spent twenty-five years in prison to look so young.

Gray had a mature, distinguished look, reminding Keeley of an actor younger women had adored when she was a child.

Aaron, however, looked much better in her opinion; he'd aged well. His hair was mostly chocolate brown with gray highlights, and he was as handsome as ever. She hadn't aged with him in their first life, so this was a novel experience.

Keeley hadn't changed much either. Her gray hairs blended with her blonde ones; she had more laugh lines, but that was it. She loved aging with Aaron. He had the same laugh lines, a sign of genuine happiness. She doubted he'd had them at that age in his first life, given his misery after she died.

"Good to see you," Aaron said, extending his hand.

"You too, baby brother. So, where are we going?" Gray asked smoothly.

"We'll take you to your apartment first, then go to lunch," Keeley said. "Any preferences?"

He considered this. Prison food had been uninspired.

"I could go for some sushi," Gray admitted.

"No problem!" she replied.

The walk to the car was awkward. Keeley didn't know what to say to a man she hadn't seen in twenty-five years, and Aaron wasn't talkative around people he disliked. She kept the conversation flowing.

"Aaron told me your research got FDA approval. Congratulations," Gray said once they were driving.

"Thanks! It was a long time coming. I took breaks when the kids were born, and these treatments take far longer to test than traditional medications. But hundreds of people are essentially cured now. If there are problems, they can undergo treatment again. I wish my brother could have seen this day. I did it all for him."

Keeley babbled, feeling compelled to fill the silence from Aaron. She knew Gray wanted to talk to Aaron, not her, and her mental prompts to her husband were ineffective.

"How fascinating. I'm sure there are technical aspects I wouldn't understand, but could you simplify it?" Gray asked politely.

She was grateful for the opening. She could discuss gene therapy endlessly. They reached his apartment building.

While Gray spoke to the doorman, Keeley pulled Aaron close and hissed, "I said I'd help, but I can't do all the talking! Say something!"

"I used up my conversational ability with him weeks ago," Aaron retorted.

They straightened as Gray approached. He carried a small trash bag with his recovered belongings.

Aaron, as his only relative, had hired a cleaner. The apartment had been empty for over two decades; food had spoiled, and the entire refrigerator had been discarded.

Gray hadn't requested this before his arrest. Perhaps he'd forgotten.

There were insect and dust problems; the blinds, carpets, and most furniture had been replaced. Gray offered to repay Aaron, but Aaron refused, considering his debt repaid for killing Lacy.

The penthouse had been completely renovated. Aaron kept the color scheme and furniture similar to the original. Many clothes had deteriorated, but Aaron drew the line at replacing them; he disliked clothes shopping.

(Please remove the stolen content notices. They are unnecessary and detract from the story.)