Page 113 of Begin Again, Part 2

"I got more than that," he replied, eased back in his seat, and closed his eyes, relieved and strangely sad to realise today was truly his last meeting with his ex. He supposed both were normal feelings when a three-year relationship fraught with potential, but plagued by tension and unmet needs, finally came to a screeching end.

Half an hour later, when Liam finally returned to the penthouse, he was pleasantly surprised to find Eden chatting with Brenda in the kitchen. When he saw the bags earlier, he was sure she'd run straight to Forrest Creek, and he'd likely spend the night at her place.

"Mr Anderson, I hope you don't mind that I'm here," Brenda said as she began clearing their mugs and side plates.

"You're family, Brenda. Please make yourself at home." He smiled and assured her he didn't mind. Turning to Eden, he asked, "where's Kool-Aid?"

"Upstairs, sleeping," she replied.

Liam's gaze wandered to the clock in the living room. It wasn't even 6:00 PM yet.

"Is that normal?" he asked. "He seems to sleep a lot."

"It is," Eden said. "He's a growing boy."

"I'm a growing boy, too, and I need a nap," he announced as he crossed the room and picked her up. She screeched gleefully, pleading to be set down. But he didn't until they reached their bedroom, and he placed her on the bed.

"I missed you," he whispered as he brushed her hair away from her face and caressed her cheek.

"How much?" Eden demanded, running her hands on his back.

Liam brought his thumb and index finger together. "Just this much."

"That's not a lot at all. So I should spend a few days in Forrest Creek," she teased him and brought his face to meet hers in a long, gentle kiss.

"Don't you dare," he growled as he moved over her and began to undress her.

For the longest time, the only sounds in the room were the gentle squeak of the mattress and their excited gasps and moans as they moved in time with each other.

Much later, Liam was dozing off to sleep when Eden rolled onto her tummy and stared at him, her elbow digging into the mattress as she cradled her cheek in her palm. Frowning at him, she said, "It wasn't me."

"I know," he said, and tapped her nose.

"Good, I'm glad. I was so worried you'd think it was me." She sat up and pulled the sheets to her chest to cover herself.

"Is that why you decided to play detective?" Liam pushed them out of the way and ran his hands on her bare skin.

She arched her back at his touch, asking as she absently played with her hair. "How else was I supposed to prove my innocence?"

"It could have been dangerous," Liam said as he sat up and glared at her. "And I never asked you to prove your innocence because I never suspected you!"

"It's okay if you did. I won't blame you. I mean, any normal person would suspect me."

"Well, I guess I'm not normal, then," he snapped. "I don't like you snooping around and getting yourself into all kinds of trouble."

"Sienna helped me," Eden explained. "So there's no need to panic."

"I'm not panicking. But this Scoobydoo and the gang business ends here, Eden. When I tell you I'll handle something, I need you to trust me, okay?"

Liam sprung out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a leak. Eden was fast asleep, snoring peacefully, when he returned to the room. He sat on the edge of the bed awhile and watched her sleep, amazed that she could pass out as soon as her head hit the pillows when he struggled to get even three hours of sleep. He kissed her forehead, threw on his clothes, and stopped in the nursery to tuck Aiden in before making his way to his study.

Dave came in moments later with a fresh pot of coffee and an invitation from his parents. "Your father wants you home tomorrow for lunch. He said you must bring his daughter-in-law and grandson."

Liam made a face at him. "Tell him I'm busy."

"After the tabloids saga, I don't think you want to anger the old man."

"Fine," Liam relented and asked Dave to call Mrs Stone in. It was time to clean up his house.

---