Page 125 of Begin Again, Part 2

"I know," Lois nodded. "I can see that. Make it official soon, then."

Liam tensed up at her words. He was all for marriage. But once Eden was on board. He knew she was a long way from there.

"The engagement party is coming up soon," Lois reminded him. "You have to propose before then."

"Propose what?" Eden asked, her eyes wide with apprehension as she hovered near the stairs.

"Nothing," Liam said quickly. "Just a business proposal. Nothing for you to worry about. How's Brenda doing?"

"She's still blaming herself for everything, but I convinced her to have a small nap," she replied, narrowing her gaze at him.

Liam was so sure she'd push and prod, and they'd have it out in front of his parents. But, she surprised him when she turned to the kitchen to grab water from the fridge.

Her eyes still glued to Aiden, Lois gushed. "He's beautiful, Eden. You've made me the happiest grandma in Rock Castle."

Taken aback by his mother's high praise, a tongue-tied Eden blushed and wrung her hands in front of her, seemingly at a loss for words.

"The camera doesn't do him justice," Lois carried on, referring to the quick glimpses they'd caught of Aiden during the board meeting.

Liam found it hard to believe it was just yesterday. They'd gone through so much in just a day. He was more than ready to live an uneventful life.

"So what did the doctor say? What's wrong with my precious grandson?" Lois called over her shoulder as she made her way to the living room and shooed his sisters off the couch.

"Come, sit with me, Eden," she patted the empty spot beside her.

Eden dutifully crossed the room and sat down, smiling graciously at her. "Thank you."

"What happened? Why did you have to see a doctor?" she asked again.

"He had a severe allergic reaction," Eden filled her in on the incident at the aquarium before Liam could warn her not to share too many details about their ER visit.

His father, drifting in and out of sleep in the only armchair in the room, was instantly alert when he heard 'asphyxia' and 'wheezing'.

"How did that happen?" he asked as he sat up and crossed his legs, concern brimming in his eyes. He pushed his glasses in place to give Eden a good look.

"Someone gave him a chocolate," Liam said. "We suspect it had nuts."

The frown on Clarke's face deepened as he asked, "Did you find out who it was?"

Liam could always read his father like a book, and he knew his mind had jumped straight to the Ivanovs, so he did his best to ease his fears. "James confirmed it was an old lady."

"I don't like this." Clarke's face remained grim despite Liam's assurances. "It smells like a warning to me. You need to reach an agreement with Aleksei soon."

"I know. We're meeting tomorrow evening at the racetrack," said Liam.

"Whose bright idea was that?" Willow asked from the barstool at the kitchen island while paging through an InStyle magazine on her lap.

"Aleksei's, obviously," Liam replied. He hadn't set foot at the racetrack since he retired. Matthew and Julian had tried plenty of times to get him to watch a race or two. But he could never bring himself to go because he'd feared being there as a spectator would hurt like a bitch. But tomorrow night, whether he liked it or not, he'd have to face his fears.

"And you don't think there's something wrong with that plan?" Holly yanked him back to the room with her valid concerns.

Liam knew there was plenty wrong with the plan. ONE— it wasn't his. And two—it was Aleksei's. But what other choice did he have? If he wanted to settle his feud with the Ivanovs, he had to play by their rules, no matter how shitty or dirty they were.

"Take extra security with you," Clarke suggested, and it wasn't long before everyone had an idea or two about his safety.

Liam listened to them until he couldn't, and he was mildly relieved when Aiden stirred from sleep, giving him a much-needed break from all their worry. His sisters and father huddled around Lois, gushing about his gorgeous hair, rosy cheeks, and vivid eyes.

"What's that?" Liam asked, pointing at the tons of shopping bags in front of the fireplace.

---