Page 125 of Back to Willow

Liam swoops him into his arms and carries him over to where the boxes are. I follow, and slowly, we start unpacking all the decorations and lights while Liam assembles the fake tree.

My boy is a goofball, and so is Liam. The both of them quickly get into this mood of picking and pranking each other. They continuously make me laugh with their antics, easily looking like two best friends who have known each other for a long time.

This…this is all I’ve ever wanted.

The dream I had of a happy family with my then-boyfriend. This is everything I planned on having until that horrendous night.

And it pains me to think that’ll be ripped away from me, with this sour feeling lurking from the depths of my heart, telling me it’s not meant to last.

“Mummy?” Dylan’s voice brings me back to the present.

“Yes, baby?”

“How does the tree look?”

I assess their work. It’s good—great even—but instead, I decide to tease them a little in hopes of pushing my thoughts to the back of my mind. I need to learn how to enjoy these moments.

“I don’t know…” I trail off with my middle finger tapping on my chin, frowning as I walk around the tree. “I think you’ve missed a few here.” I point to an area that is filled with decorations.

“I see what you’re doing,” Liam says with narrowed eyes.

“What is she doing?” Dylan asks, confused, before looking at me, horrified. “But, Mummy, there are decorations there!”

“You have to redo it, guys; it’s not good enough,” I taunt, and they both gasp, offended.

“That’s it, buddy.” Liam claps his hands, determination resonating in his voice. “She’s mocking our perfect work. She’s got to pay for this. May I?”

Dylan’s eyes glimmer with mischief, nodding eagerly. I look at Liam, bemused until it dawns on me. He’s rubbing his hands together while approaching me slowly, wicked eyes looking straight at me, and subconsciously, I start walking backwards just as he comes closer.

“Oh, no you won’t,” I warn, but he just smirks.

The nerve!

He launches his body forward to try and grab me. I squeal and barely dodge him, running away from both of them. Dylan and I giggle like crazy while Liam chases me around the living room.

He still hasn’t caught me on purpose. I can see in his expression that he’s doing this just to amuse us. It’s working, though.

“You’re supposed to help me catch her,” Liam scolds my boy. “She offended our beautiful work; whose side are you on?”

That’s enough to have Dylan run after me as well. They both reach me at the same time, Dylan latching onto my leg while Liam grabs my waist and drags the three of us to the couch.

Placing me gently there, he straddles my legs while Dylan climbs to the couch, settling on my side, and they lock a mischievous gaze. Their expressions are mirrored, and when they look back at me, it’s like watching the same person.

“Ready?” he asks Dylan but still smirks at me. “Set!” They both raise their hands and lean closer to me. “Go!”

The tickles come before my brain can register them. I squirm underneath both of them, laughing non-stop, but Liam’s weight prevents me from moving too much. They’re everywhere, my waist, neck, and armpits.

Their laughter mixes with mine, and soon, that’s all that can be heard throughout the house. The Christmas tree is long forgotten by now.

“Guys…” I pant in-between laughter. “I...can’t...breathe!”

They stop but keep on laughing, probably mocking me, and I can’t help but join in.

“You devils!”

My heart is racing, but not from anxiety or fear this time. It’s complete happiness. Unrestrained joy.

Creating these happy memories is healing my soul faster than I could ever think possible. And being able to engrave into my brain the wide smiles on their faces, or the blooming bond that is weaving them together.

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