Page 82 of Anteros' Return

“Let me walk you out.” Emily led me out towards the door, pausing the second we got there.

“You alright?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She let out a saddened sigh. “I had my eye on a place for a bakery, and they informed me someone had put in an all-cash offer.” She tutted with frustration.

“I’m sorry, cupcake.” It was so hard to keep quiet, but I had to, otherwise the surprise Liam and I had planned would be ruined.

“It’s alright. I guess it was a pipe dream, anyway. There was no way I could have afforded it all.”

“There’s nothing wrong with dreaming.” I placed my forehead against hers, breathing her in. “You taught me that, remember?”

“Mhm, I do.” And just like that, a smile replaced the disappointment that lingered.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I glanced over her shoulder, checking if we were still alone before kissing her softly. She rested her hand on my chest where my heart beat for her and only her.

“See you tomorrow.”

She leant against the doorframe, watching me walk away until I was out of view, and I knew that everything was going in the right direction.

It was nearing midnight when my dad and I finished searching for contractors to come and view the shop.

“I think you’ve got a good few to chat with, son.” He slapped his palm on my shoulder. “She’s going to love this.”

“Is it too much?” I began to worry, knowing how independent Emily had always been.

“No, it’s not. It shows that you care about her dreams just as much as she always cared about yours.” He stood from his chair. “You had incredible talent, but Emily was the one who got you to where you are today. The support she showed you daily was enough for you to believe in yourself. You no longer played for yourself but for her too, and I genuinely think even in Spain that you played as if she was watching, wanting to make her proud.”

“I did. I always want to make her proud, and being with her and Liam since being home has changed so much for me.” I sighed, my mind wandering to the thought of leaving. “Am I making the right decision, Dad?”

“Yes, you are. You need to do what’s best for you, and I think deep down you know you are.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“So, Liam’s birthday is tomorrow. Have you got everything wrapped and ready for him?” he asked, reaching into his pocket to dig out his wallet.

“Yeah, I’ve got everything done. Probably went over the top but fuck it.” I chuckled, knowing Liam would love every single present.

“Here, give him this from me, would ya?” He handed me two crisp fifty pound notes. “I missed them all just like you,and I know one hundred quid ain’t much but it’s just a little something.” He was welling up, and I knew how much he wanted to meet Liam properly.

“Cheers, Dad… Listen, once Liam knows everything I’ll take you over to Em’s. You and Mum. You can meet him properly and get to know him.” I relaxed back in the armchair. “He’s amazing, Dad. I can’t believe he’s my son.”

“I bet he’s a little trouble maker if he takes after you.” He belly laughed, knowing how much of a little shit I was at times.

“He’s a good boy. Emily did fantastic with him.” I sipped the whiskey my dad handed me, not that I was a big drinker, but it was something we did every now and then.

“She always was a good girl. I had high hopes you’d marry her one day.”

“He still can, you know.” Mum appeared at the door, wrapped up in her fluffy dressing gown she had gotten from Dad at Christmas.

“What are you doing up, love?” he asked as she perched on the sofa beside him.

“Well, I could hear you two nattering away and wanted to get involved.” She placed a small ring box on my knee. “This was your grandmother’s. Your grandfather spent a fortune on it back in the day, and she was so scared to damage it so she kept it hidden and safe. She gave it to me in hopes that one day I’d pass it down to you so you could propose to the love of your life with it.”

“Mum, what are you trying to say?” I took the box between my fingers as I carefully opened it to reveal an emerald cluster ring. It was an oval cut surrounded by diamonds.

“I’m saying that when the time is right, you can use this ring to propose to Emily. I can’t think of someone it’s more suited for.” She patted my knee as she softly nodded her head.

“And how do you know there’ll ever be a right time?” I questioned, not taking my eyes off the ring.

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