Page 106 of Addicted

“You’re gonna suffocate me!”

With laughter, Liam pulled back, encouraging Owen to do so as well.

“I have my boy back!” Owen wiped his face but it was immediately wet again. Even though his eyes were red and swollen and his nose was running he’d never looked more beautiful to Liam, for his smile was bright enough to power the sun.

Liam’s heart felt so full he thought it was going to burst. It was amazing how their lives had turned around. They’d both gone from lonely despair to hopefully healing and they’d done it together, their love for each other lifting them up, giving them strength, and now they were truly going to have everything. Owen would get the life with Michael that he always wanted and, although Liam would never have his parents back, he knew they’d be cheering him on as he began his new life, one that had a child to care for, a partner that was his soulmate, and the brilliant future of his dreams.

Epilogue

LIAM

“Hi,Mom.Hi,Dad.I’m sorry it took me so long to come here.”

Liam looked around the cemetery, taking in the other people who were also visiting their loved ones, studying how they knelt on the cold ground, how they bowed their heads, what flowers and balloons they offered. He was glad Owen had suggested the poinsettia, for its red leaves were bright against the dreary backdrop and he’d placed it evenly between his parents’ gravestones, vowing that he’d come back more often. Glancing over his shoulder, he stared at Owen, who was hanging back several yards away, handing Michael a Fruit Roll-Up. When he noticed Liam’s gaze he gave him an encouraging nod and Liam took in a deep breath, watching it puff out of him into the freezing air. Pulling his coat tighter around him, he turned back to his parents.

“I want to let you know that I’m happy. It took me a long time to get here and I made so many mistakes, did things I know you wouldn’t be proud of. But things are better now.I’mbetter now. I’m out of rehab. I have friends. I’m applying to college again and I’m hoping to start classes this summer. I’m going to be a lawyer.“ He laughed. “I bet you never saw that coming. Or maybe you did. If you’re watching I’m sure you saw what happened with Aunt Diane and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to realize what she was doing but Laurence is being disbarred, they’re both looking at jail time, and Ms. Chauhan - who I think you’d really like - is helping me get back some of your money. Money that I’m going to use for my education, for my life. Because I’m going to live now. For both of you. In honor of you.

“Marci said something to me months ago, about how you wouldn’t want me grieving forever and it hit me hard. Because it’s true. You know, it was silly but I didn’t want to get help because I thought they’d make me forget you. Like I can ever forget you? And I always thought it was so trite and stupid when people said things likethey’ll live on forever in your heartbut that’s true too. You’ll both stay with me. All the time. In the beginning, the grief was like waves drowning me and I was constantly being pulled under, unable to swim. I had to learn how to tread water. Sometimes the waves are strong and I have to paddle hard but there are a lot of days where they’re calm and, with Owen’s support, I can just float.”

Liam blushed, the heat in his face a sharp contrast to the cold ground that was slowly freezing his legs. “I don’t know how to talk to you about Owen. I think Mom knew I had a crush on him. But it’s more than that. He’s done so much for me, cares about me so deeply.He saved me. He was the lifeguard who pulled me from the grief I was drowning in. He’s the one who told me I could float. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I love him.”

Reaching out, Liam traced the wordsBeloved Wife and Motheron his mom’s headstone.

“And there aren’t enough words to describe how much I miss you.” A tear streaked down his cheek, quickly followed by others. He was doing so well, didn’t think he was going to break down, but it snuck up on him. Seeing their names etched into the cold gray stone, feeling it under his fingers, brought their deaths home in a new way and Liam didn’t stuff the grief down or hold it back, he released it, crying for a few moments until a hand slid into his as Owen knelt beside him.

“You okay, Angel?”

“Y-Yeah,” Liam wiped his eyes, giving Owen a tremulous smile. In return, Owen kissed his temple, letting his lips linger before turning to the gravestones, a serious expression on his face.

“Lilly. Logan. I know I’ve said this to you several times in my mind but I want to promise you again here, out loud, that I’m going to give your son everything. I’m going to love him the way he deserves. I’m going to treat him like a prince. I am going to care for him in a way that honors you both. Do you know why I call him Angel? Because he came to me at the lowest point of my life and brought light back into it again. He gave me hope, happiness, and love.”

“Owen…” Liam hoped his mom and dad were listening in.

“And even though he’s not a dictionary,” Owen squeezed Liam’s hand, grinning cheekily. “He’s given my life meaning too.”

Liam wanted to groan but the sentiment was too sweet so he leaned his head against Owen’s shoulder instead, sending the joy and contentment in his heart up and out, to the heavens, so his parents could feel it too.

OWEN

“Guess who just got engaged?”Marci shouted as she strode through the front door of the condo, Isaiah in tow. Holding up her left hand, she flashed a shiny emerald ring, the same color as her eyes, and everyone at Owen and Liam’s Christmas Eve get-together erupted into shouts and congratulations.

“Dudes!” Dylan ran over, hugging Marci and fistbumping Isaiah. “Duuuuuuudes!”

“Are you going to have your wedding at The Pointe?” Emma asked, second in line for hugs and well wishes.

“Of course!” Marci exclaimed. She looked positively radiant, her cheeks red, her smile wide and beaming, and she was wearing a stunning sparkly dress the color of a fern that shimmered whenever she moved, matching her countenance.

“Who’ll be your maitre d’?” Owen joked, giving Isaiah a handshake and Marci a quick embrace.

“I have no idea.” She laughed, the rest of the room joining her.

“You’re getting married? Yay!” Michael hopped off the couch, where he’d been trouncing Finn in video games, and ran over to Marci, giving her his own hug.

“Thank you, nugget!” She squeezed him back with a dopey smile. Owen had brought Michael to The Pointe several times and the staff had welcomed him with open arms, making him their official mascot. There had been a lot of worry on his part about introducing Michael to them because for the first six months he’d worked there it had been too painful to mention his son; however, everyone had immediately fawned over him.

While Liam had brought color into Owen’s black-and-white world, getting Michael back had given it saturation. Everything was brighter, happier, and Owen had never felt more complete. He’d been struggling in the years before the divorce but now he was free, true to himself, and able to raise his son with someone who loved and supported him. He was incredibly lucky that his life had turned out this way and he would spend the rest of it in appreciation, giving back to everyone who helped him and making sure Liam and Michael had everything they ever wanted.

“Oh my god! For real?” Liam darted out of the kitchen, embracing Marci, and the two of them swung back and forth in the hug, their happiness apparent. “I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!” He pulled away and reached for her hand. “Lemme see the ring!” Taking in a gasp of air, Liam put his hand on his chest. “It’sgorgeous. Well done, Isaiah!“ Liam hugged him too then turned back to Marci. “We should have a toast!”

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