Page 92 of Begin Again, Part 2

Liam pointed at the top drawer of the cabinet under the sink, and he watched her feel around inside with her hands, squinting the whole time.

"Why are you squinting?" he asked.

"I can't see well without my glasses," she replied. "Things are a bit fuzzy."

Of course, Liam thought as he kissed her nose and pulled out the toothpaste. He spread it on her toothbrush and handed it to her.

"Thanks," she said, and turned to the sink to brush her teeth.

Liam picked up his toothbrush and joined her in front of the mirror, surprised at how comfortable he felt around her. It was the first time they went through a bedtime ritual together, but it felt natural and easy. He realised then he wanted to do this with her every day.

Eden turned to him as she rinsed her mouth and flossed.

"What?" Liam asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"It hurt me when you involved the lawyers," she admitted. "I just wanted us to talk, just the two of us, without involving anyone."

"I know, and I'm so sorry," he said as he pulled her close and kissed her hair. "I don't want to take Aiden away from you, and I know I shouldn't have tried to force your hand. But Eden, I just wanted you to move in with me. Is that so wrong?"

"Don't you think I'd like that for Aiden?" Eden asked. "But you've just admitted you're still so angry with me, and I have to do the right thing for him. I can't expose my son to all this shouting and screaming. It's not healthy."

"Our son," Liam said softly.

"What?" Eden whipped up her head and blinked at him.

"Aiden's our son. Not yours. Not mine. But ours."

"Right!" She nodded. "But we have to do the right thing for our son."

"And we'll do it together," he insisted. "We'll do the right thing for Aiden together. I don't want to co-parent with you or have him for half the month. I want both of you here with me, all the time. I want us to be a family. Don't you want that?"

Eden peered at him for the longest time before she bobbed her head. "I'd like that. I want that—"

Her words were barely out of her lips when Liam swooped down on her and kissed her hard, leaving them both breathless and panting for air.

"What am I going to do without you for three weeks?" he asked when they drew apart.

"I don't know." She laughed. "Type up your own reports? Make your own damn coffee? Tie your own tie? Shine your own shoes?"

"You! I've never made you shine my shoes," he growled, nipping her lower lip playfully. "And all that sass has to be gone when I come back."

"What sass?" Eden smiled innocently, and Liam had an uncontrollable urge to kiss her again. And he did until she began to make the most tempting sounds, making him hard instantly.

"You're coming with me on the next trip," he whispered as he held her face close.

"No," Eden shook her head. "Clara is the chief assistant. She'll go with you."

"I don't want Clara," Liam grumbled and kissed her again, harder and longer this time. "I want you. And that's an order."

"What about Aiden? I can't leave him alone."

"He'll come with us. Get his passport ready in the meantime," he announced as he scooped her up. She squealed like a little girl when he carried her out of the bathroom. "Put me down. I can walk, you know!"

"Like the thought of me carrying you doesn't make you happy?" Liam smirked.

"You!" Eden poked his cleft with her index finger. "No gold stars for you."

He sassed her right back. "I believe I've made enough money to buy my own."

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