AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can have some sort of chicken,” I say to Liam. “Surprise me.”
“Gotcha,” he responds.
Liam leaves, and I give Crew a bath using the teakwood and eucalyptus soap Liam has in the cabinet. It smells like him.
Crew jokes around in the bath and makes himself a beard of bubbles. I get him dressed in his new pajamas and ask him to wait on the bed so I can shower quickly.
“I like it here, Mommy,” he says, just as I’m about to close the bathroom door.
“Me too,” I say to my son.
I get undressed and remove my cast. Crew’s words resonate. Ever since Liam has come back into my life, things are changing at warp speed. A part of me is scared, but a part of me wants to take the plunge. I don’t know how we will work long term without Carter getting wind of our relationship, because we won’t be able to keep things under wraps forever, and that scares me.
I allow the warm water to soothe my tired body. Since I just blew out my hair and haven’t done anything to get it dirty, I opt to just wash my body.
When I get out, I put on the nightie sans bra and slip on my new jogging pants. Then I take the clip out of my hair and give it a shake.
“All ready?” I ask Crew.
“I love sleepovers,” he says.
We head out to Liam, and he’s also showered and wearing his new pajamas.
“Oh my.” I cover my mouth and try to stifle my laughter. “You look. . .”
“Don’t say it.” Liam points at me, smiling.
“Silly,” Crew says, giggling.
“Oh, you think I’m silly, do you?” Liam says, crouching down and tickling Crew.
Then Liam stands tall and starts flexing his muscles. “I’m a cool guy.”
“Silly.” Crew laughs, and he covers his mouth.
Liam picks him up and throws him over his shoulder.
“Okay fine, I’m a silly guy, and I’m proud of it.” Liam spins around, and Crew is laughing so hard.
My heart bursts because I’ve always wanted this for my son. A father figure. Feeling like he is a part of a family. Maybe having siblings one day. I just worry it’s a dream that will always only be within arm’s reach but never realized.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Liam
We’re watching the movie with Crew sitting between Skylar and me when he stands up and looks back at his mom.
“Oh, I don’t think we’re going to do that here,” Skylar says.
“Mommy, please,” Crew begs, pushing out his plump lower lip. I’ve had a great day with him today. I don’t know what type of responsibility is involved with raising a kid, but I want to learn. I want to be a part of his life. When I was teaching him some skating tricks, and he looked up at me with adoration in his eyes, I felt a warmth in the middle of my chest I’ve never felt before.
“Crew,” Skylar whines, but then she gives up and stands.
“Yay,” Crew cheers, and then he’s jumping up on the couch and singing a song.
“Crew, you can’t climb on Liam’s couches,” Skylar chides him.
“But we do it at home,” Crew insists, giving Skylar the cutest angry look I’ve ever seen.
