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“You two decent?” A hand slams on the door. Before we can answer, Eli walks in. “We should all head up to the house before it really starts to rain, or Mom will throw a fit.” He inclines his head at the window. Storm clouds loom above the main house, making it look almost ghostly.
Specifically, it’s a cumulonimbus arcus formation. The kind that feels close to the ground, with a steel gray color. An arcus – a shelf like lower cloud that hangs the lowest, is at the front of the storm. And Eli’s right, it’s heading this way.
“How long did you say it was going to storm again?” Liam asks, resting his chin on my head as I stare out at the sky.
“An hour or two.” Like most summer storms, it will pass fairly quickly. It’s the result of a cold front mixed in with the humidity, and the unstable air pattern means it explodes then moves on.
“Okay then. I guess we walk later,” he says, his lip curling.
“I guess we will.”
* * *
LIAM
The rain starts as we’re all walking back into the house. I’m holding Sophie’s hand because right now it’s the only physical contact I can have with her. It’s not enough but I’ll get over it.
Once we’re inside, my mom corners Sophie, asking her about the weather and if she thinks people will be able to make it this evening, when her birthday party is due to begin. Sophie opens her phone, and she and mom sit down in the living room and Sophie talks her through the storm maps. I listen in because I’m nuts about this woman and her fascination for the weather fascinates me.
But then Holden comes along to ask for my help with setting up the chairs in the big ballroom where the party will be held if we can’t be outside, so I slink off with a promise that I’ll be back.
When everything’s finally set up I go back to the living room but Sophie isn’t there. My mom’s in the corner, picking up some empty glasses people must have left there earlier.
When she sees me in the doorway, her face splits into a smile.
“Darling, come in.” She moves her hand in a beckoning gesture.
“Where’s Sophie?” I ask her.
“She’s gone to help Deandra and Julia with some food. All the girls are in the kitchen, apart from me.” She smiles. “Your younger brothers need to learn how to clean up after themselves.”
I walk into the room and take the glasses from her. “You shouldn’t be cleaning up on your birthday,” I tell her.
“Apparently I’m not allowed to cook either.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do between now and when the party starts.”
“Sit down. Relax. Enjoy yourself.”
“I’m not very good at sitting still.”
“I know that feeling.” I get it from her. Always having to be on the move. Doing the next thing. Never taking time to smell the roses.
“Sit with me for a moment,” she suggests, sitting on the sofa and tapping the seat next to her. Part of me wants to take these glasses to the kitchen and see my girl, but this is my mom and she’s always happier when we’re with her.
“Okay.” I put the glasses down on the table and sit next to her. She takes my hand and squeezes it.
“Sophie is lovely,” she says softly. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“It’s still new, Mom,” I warn her.
“I know it is. But the way you look at her, darling, I never thought I’d live to see the day. Are you happy? Tell me you’re happy.”
I lift a brow. “I’m very happy.”
She lets out a contented sigh. “So am I. First Myles and now you. I’ve waited for you both to find contentment for so long.”
“Don’t go marrying me off yet,” I warn her.
“I don’t need to,” Mom says. “I think you’ll do that all by yourself. I know you, Liam. Better than all your brothers do. And I know you put on this happy face and make everybody feel good, but deep inside there’s been something missing for the longest time.”
