Page 105 of Addicted

“Oh my god.” Liam kept blinking as he felt their relationship shift right before him.

“Liam.” Owen swallowed, and Liam could see his fear and trepidation. “Is this going somewhere that you’re not comfortable with?”

“Owen…” Liam took a few seconds to breathe and think but he didn’t even need that because how could henotwant this for Owen? Owen’s happiness was his happiness; he constantly hoped that Owen would get Michael back and it was happening which thrilled Liam beyond words. Things had always moved at light speed between him and Owen so why stop now? Having Michael around wasn’t an extra thing that would bother Liam, it was something that made Owen - and them - complete. Tears sprang to Liam’s eyes as he realized that Michael would give him something he thought he’d lost forever. “You know that I’ve always wanted a family again.”

Owen hugged Liam so fast that his neck snapped back. “We will be a family. The happiest family. I promise. We’ll have backyard barbecues and game nights and Christmas mornings and whatever else you want. It will be amazing.”

Liam laughed into Owen’s shoulder, hugging him back just as tightly, feeling lucky. “Every day is amazing now that I’m with you. I never thought I could be happy again. Thank you for showing me that I could.”

Owen was nervous. He’d been pacing for the last half hour, wringing his hands as he checked over the snacks that he’d laid out on the living room coffee table, including several boxes of Fruit Roll-Ups. Flushed and jittery, he darted right, heading into the kitchen to once again make sure the fridge was still full of Michael’s favorite juice and soda but Liam stopped him, placing an arm on his bicep.

“Stop. You’re going to wear a track in the floor.”

Owen ran a hand through his hair, breathing in deeply and looking up at the ceiling. “I can’t help it. I want to make sure everything is perfect.”

“It is. You’re here and that’s all Mikey wants. Not the food. Not the drinks. You.” Liam gently tugged on Owen’s arm, leading him to the couch and pointing at it until he sat down. Joining him, Liam rubbed his palm in soothing circles between Owen’s shoulder blades. “Try to relax.”

For Owen that was probably easier said than done but he leaned into Liam’s touch.

“I’m glad you convinced me to keep Michael’s room the way it was. I was this close to making it into a study for you.” Owen pinched his index finger and thumb until there was a millimeter of space between them.

“That’s because I always knew he’d come back to you. I just wasn’t sure how long it would take.” Liam smiled as some of the tension left Owen’s body, causing his shoulders to drop. But they shot right back up as the doorbell rang and Owen froze like a deer in headlights.

Liam put his hands on Owen’s cheeks, giving him a quick kiss.

“Come on, Dad, let’s show Mikey his new home.”

Owen thawed, springing into action. In two steps he was at the door, flinging it open, and Michael jumped into his arms with a squeal.

“Dad! Dad! Dad!” The last one was muffled as Owen sank to his knees and held Michael tightly, running hands over his head, pulling away to look at him, giving him a wet kiss on the cheek, then holding him again, unable to even speak. It was a beautiful thing to see and Liam realized that not only was Owen crying, but tears were misting his vision, and Gloria’s.

Moving behind them, Liam closed the door and held out his hand to Gloria, who was watching father and son with a palm on her chest, clearly moved and delighted by the reunion.

“Hello, I’m Liam.”

She turned to him with a genuine smile, wiped the corners of her eyes, and took his hand.

“Gloria. Owen told me all about you. You used to live next door to him, correct?” Her voice was soft and slightly warbled with emotion. She was beautiful, with stark white hair pulled up in a bun, and deep laugh lines in the corners of her lips and eyes, which were the same shape and color as Sharon’s. Her pale pink blouse and matching skirt were neatly pressed and she wore a stunning white coat over it which Liam knew Ollie would fawn over. But her energy was what drew Liam in the most; it was kind, maternal, and generous. Liam never had a grandmother but he imagined that Gloria was a perfect one. Everything she’d done for Owen and Michael already proved that.

“I did when I was a kid. But we lost touch and ran into each other again at The Pointe.” Despite her demeanor, Liam was worried she might judge, especially with the age difference, but she put her other hand over Liam’s and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you for taking care of Owen during this time. He didn’t deserve what my daughter did to him. It makes me happy to know that he’s found someone to share his life with.”

Liam didn’t know what to say to that; he could only blink away more tears.

“Dad, Dad, stop crying! It’s okay!” Mikey’s voice drew their attention and they turned to find him awkwardly patting Owen on the back as he sobbed into Mikey’s shirt, murmuring about how much he missed him. Liam hadn’t seen Mikey in years and he’d filled out and grown. His head already reached Liam’s shoulder. Even though he and Owen shared no genes he still looked like a miniature version of his father, with close-cropped golden hair and bright blue eyes, and Liam swore he had Owen’s nose.

“Liam!” Mikey exclaimed, holding out an arm since Owen was still clinging to him like a barnacle, and Liam joined them, kneeling beside Owen and hugging them both.

“It’s good to see you again, Mikey.” He sniffed, kissing his cheek while rubbing Owen’s shoulder.

“Liam you’re like a grown-up now!” Mikey craned his neck back, looking him over.

“I guess I am,” Liam laughed.

“Are you my extra dad now?” His eyes were full of excitement and Liam didn’t realize how much Mikey’s acceptance truly meant to him until his vision went blurry again.

“I…” Liam didn’t know what to say but he tried to put his feelings into the hug until Mikey squawked.

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