Page 61 of Liam

I look over at Caiden, who is concentrating on his food. I make a promise, in this moment, to give him a life that I never had. I want him to have that. I will make it my fucking mission.

That is a promise.

Paisley

I look at the clock on the wall, and it’s nine o’clock. We just got finished eating a little while ago. “Caiden, ready to hit the showers and go to sleep?” I know he has to be exhausted; his eyes are drooping.

“Okay,” he says and stands up. Liam picks up his bags. Caiden grabs his Nintendo DS, holding it close to his body. Liam walks in front of us, and I stay close to Caiden’s side, hoping that I can comfort him even if it’s just a little bit.

Liam pushes open a bedroom door near ours. “You have your own bathroom,” I tell him, and Liam sets his bags on his bed. “On the table is a controller to the TV, you can relax before you sleep tonight.” I just want him to be happy and feel relaxed, and I think he needs some alone time to get his bearings and wrap his head around everything that’s happened. I don’t know what to do besides trying to make sure that he is comfortable. “We will be in the living room, yell if you need something.” I smile and touch the top of his head. He smiles slightly and looks down at the ground. He is too cute.

Liam takes my hand and we walk into the living room. I sit down on the couch, utterly exhausted, and Liam sits down beside me. He looks at the coffee table, staring into space, and I can tell that he is just as exhausted as I am. I lean over, laying my head against his shoulder. “I am so sorry, Liam,” I whisper, my nose stinging from unshed tears.

“I hate it, Baby, so fucking much.” He slides onto the floor then turns around and lays his face on my lap, his hands holding onto my hips.

I bend down and kiss the back of his head, my fingers stroking his hair. “I am so sorry, Baby, so sorry. I will help you with everything, through it all.”

He nods his head, which is still in my lap.

“I love you so fucking much, Baby,” he says, looking up at me.

I put my hands on either side of his face. “I love you too, my Liam.”

He smiles and pulls me down, hugging me. I lay my head on his shoulder and, for the first time in hours, I relax. It’s amazing that, from someone’s touch alone, I can feel such peace. A few minutes later he stands up, taking me with him, and we lie down on the couch.

I continue stroking Liam’s arm and his head. I can’t help but worry about him. I hate the fact that he had such a rough go of it, and now he’s learned that his brother has been living the life he used to live. He could have helped if he had known; he could have taken Caiden out of the situation sooner. That is enough to drive anyone crazy, and I know that it’s eating him up because he’s a very protective guy.

Thirty minutes later, I hear a door opening and I open my eyes. Caiden walks into the living room in his new pajamas looking so cute! I can’t get over how much he looks like Liam.

“You ready for bed, bud?” Liam asks, sitting up and pulling me with him.

Caiden looks around the room, his arms across his chest. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Want me to tuck you in?” Liam asks, scooting closer to the edge of the couch.

Caiden looks at Liam like he has grown two heads. “What’s that?”

My heart shatters right then and there. Liam leans back into the couch, and I can tell that he is just as shocked. It’s heartbreaking that he doesn’t even know what tucking someone in is. He has never had that and that’s so sad.

“I will show you,” Liam says, his voice rough with emotion. Liam walks over to him, putting his hand on the back of his head. Caiden’s hair is wet from the shower. I follow him, just watching. I lean against the doorframe, and Liam helps him onto the bed.

“Want me to read you a book?” Liam asks him. Caiden slowly nods his head. I can tell that he is totally reeling from everything going on. Liam takes out his phone and sits down on the bed with him.

Caiden scoots over and looks at Liam. Liam reads him a story, and Caiden never takes his eyes off Liam the whole time. I sit down in the doorway, and I just fall more and more in love with Liam. I am just getting a glimpse of what kind of father he could be, and I have a strong feeling he will become a dad to this little boy.

A few minutes later Liam finishes the story. Caiden’s eyes are closed. Liam slowly slides off the bed and pulls the covers up to Caiden’s neck. “Goodnight,” Liam whispers and I push myself to my feet.

Liam walks over to me, looking back one more time, and Caiden’s eyes are still closed. I walk out of the bedroom. Liam turns off the light and pulls the door halfway closed so the light from the hallway can give him some light.

Liam and I walk into our bedroom, two rooms down from his. Liam closes the door behind us, and I sit on the edge of the couch, exhausted.

Liam looks at me. “Tired, Baby?” he asks me.

“Exhausted,” I admit. I run my hands over my face. Sitting on the floor watching Liam and Caiden made me so sleepy I could have slept right there.

Liam walks into the bathroom and comes back, a minute later, with my makeup remover and some cotton balls. He sits down on the bed beside me then opens the bottle.

“You’re so sweet, Baby.” I kiss his cheek and he smiles, showing me that dimple.

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