His brows furrow and he pulls me closer. “Of course, honey—anything you need.”
“Tell me again,” I whisper. “I want to hearyousay it again.”
It takes a few seconds for realization to wash over him, and his mouth pops open in surprise. Liam hasn’t said thosethree words in the last month, and I certainly haven’t asked him to repeat them.
I thought maybe once was enough. Liam could say how he feels and I’d accept it. Then neither of us would be tortured again by him having to continuously repeat it, and me not having the guts to say it back. Showing him in other ways is much easier for me. Every time we have sex, or when we cook together, or our nights on the couch with Rosie. All of that is what’scomfortablefor me.
After tonight, I’m so out of sorts that the only thing I want isLiam.
I don’t want the last person to ever say they love me to be Stefan. Maybe not the last personever, but I don’t want to think of those words and associate them with him for another second.
Stefan’s declaration left me feeling slimy, immediately in need of a shower. Then to have his lips on mine again… I shudder at the memory.
“Will you please say it again?” I whisper.
He nods lightly. “I love you, Calypso. So fucking much. And I’m not going anywhere.”
My lips part, slowly growing the courage to say it back. His words wash away the lingering stickiness left by my ex-husband. It’s going to be a long time until things are “okay,” and longer to really beover, but there are some problems Liam has the ability to fix now.
Starting with the way Stefan sounds, and tastes.
Liam continues, “The only life I want is the one that includes you. I don’t want children, I don’t care about marriage. Commitment comes in many forms, and our routines make me feel more tied to you than an engagement ring ever could.”
A smile peeks through. “That’s good—because I won’t change my mind on kids or marriage. I don’t want any of that. A bigger house and anothersmalldog?” I tilt my head back and forth. “Maybe I could be persuaded."
The gorgeous, affectionate grin that Liam reserves only for me pulls at his lips. Honestly, the small space is fine. We rarely feel as if we are stepping all over each other but Liam has a large family. If I wasn’t in the same city as my siblings, I’d want there to always be a room open to them. Plus, Jake and Stella are getting to the ages where they want to spend less time at home. I love both of those kids and wouldn’t mind having them over more often.
We aren’t in a rush to make any big changes, which makes what I’m about to say easier. Knowing we are both open to the possibilities is more than enough for the time being.
I open my mouth, finally ready to return the sentiment, when Liam gently pushes his finger against my lips. “There’s one more thing.” My brows furrow at his serious tone. “I wanted to tell you after Vivi’s wedding, but it felt important toshowyou.”
“Okay…? Show me what?” I watch him slide open the junk drawer and pull out a legal envelope.
Silently, Liam lays the contents on the counter in front of me. It takes me a few seconds to understand what I’m looking at…
Medical records?
Hesitantly, I pick up the pages and flip through them. There’s a lot of information I don’t understand, and it seems like this is afullrecord; I’m waiting for something to jump out at me. Then I see it.
My gaze flies to Liam’s. “This says—you had a vasectomy? When?”
“About a year ago,” he says with a shrug. “Hannah and I wanted different things—and I didn’t want to find myself in a situation I couldn’t get out of, because I’d never want to be an absent father either.”
I shake my head but quickly nod instead, knowing Liam would be an amazing father if he ever found himself in that situation. But he’s done everything he can to avoid it.
“And you didn’t tell me because…?” I trail off.
Stepping closer, he reaches for my waist and pulls me flush against him. “Because my words wouldn’t be enough—not after what Stefan did to you. I’m not showing you this because I want anything with our sex life to change. I want you to know that we’re on the same page. So you know I will never take advantage of you, or your body.”
My mouth pops open. He’s right—this means much more to me than him simply telling me he had the procedure done. I don’t know if I would have been able to believe him, no matter how much I would have wanted to.
“I love you.” My hand caresses his jaw as I look up at him, holding eye contact. “I’m sorry I make it so hard sometimes—”
Liam immediately shakes his head. “Don’t do that.”
Rolling my eyes, I run my thumb over his lips. “Fine. Thenthank youfor being so patient, and understanding, especially when you didn’t always agree with my choices.”
He nods in acceptance of the new sentiment. “I’d wait ten lifetimes if that’s what you needed.”
