Page 93 of From Us, Forever

Something about that statement hurt my heart. If Auntie M were here, this probably would’ve been her kid. This could’ve been her family.

“Yes, baby,” he told her in a soft tone, and his eyes met mine. “It’s good to see you again, Evy. I’m sorry, you know.” His eyes glassed the tiniest bit. “For what happened. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“That’s all right, Liam. You don’t owe me anything, and I turned out fine anyway.” I offered a smile, gesturing to the kid. “Is she yours?” I asked, swallowing.

“Yes.” He carefully eased her down on her feet. “Her name is Marie,” he said, softly looking at me.

Shock coursed through me. “Wh… What?”

“Her mother is not in the picture; it was a mistake, but I don’t see it that way. My Marie is a gift.” A warm look swept over his face as he looked at her. “I loved her, I really did—I still do to some level. I was going to ask her to marry me and make her mine forever, and when I found out she was gone, I just…I lost it.”

Emotion gripped my heart as I crouched down. “Marie, you say?” I whispered, my eyes dragging over her innocent brown eyes and her cute button nose. “Hi, Marie.” I held out my hand. “I’m Evy.”

She took a cautious step forward before her small hand shook mine. “Hi, Evy,” she said in a melodic tone. “You’re pretty.”

A single tear escaped the corner of my eye. “She’s precious.” I glanced at Liam before I brought my eyes back to her. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart.”

A flush bloomed her cheeks pink. “Thanks,” she mumbled, burying her face on her father’s knees.

“Thank you for honoring her name.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that.” He sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “I don’t know where she’s buried. I tried to find it, find you, but it was already too late. I just... I need to know, Evy. I want to see her. Will you tell me?” His eyes glinted with pain.

“Of course.” I squeezed his hand. “She loved you too, you know. She would want you to move on and be happy.”

A smile curved his lips as he nodded.

Minutes after exchanging numbers and giving him the cemetery address, Tyler arrived carrying an adorable little one with sun-kissed skin, wide brown eyes, and curly hair.

Tyler eyed the newcomers warily, but I waved it off that I was fine and turned back to Liam.

“Please keep in touch, Liam. I would love to see her again.” I smiled down at Marie, bidding them both goodbye as I slid into the car.

On the car ride home, Tyler’s niece, Macy, and I became quick friends.

I even requested that she spend the evening with me, much to Tyler’s dismay.

But he reluctantly agreed and I had so much fun with that little girl, baking cookies and watchingBeauty and the Beastthe entire evening.

She was running on a sugar high by the time Tyler took her home.

All this being around kids was itching an ache in me to have my own.

On a whim, I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Jay.

Evy- I want to have babies.

Not a minute passed before my phone pings with a flurry of texts.

Biting my lips, I cozied further into my bed while Strawberry snored beside me. She was allowed to sleep on our bed today because Jay wasn’t here, and she took full advantage of it.

Jay- Woman, you can’t text me shit like that.

Jay- Not when I’m in a room full of people a million miles away from you.

I rolled my eyes as I typed.

Evy- Not a million, a few thousand.

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