Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
C aleb crouched in the backyard, his hand resting on the brim of his cap, waiting for Liam to wind up. The boy stood a few feet away, gripping the little foam baseball like a treasure, his face scrunched in concentration.
Teaching his son baseball filled Caleb with a sense of satisfaction unlike anything he’d ever felt. Tossing the ball back and forth, watching Liam’s face light up with every successful catch, stirred something deep inside him. It wasn’t just pride—it was a connection, a bond he hadn’t realized he craved until now.
For the first time in a long time, he felt truly grounded in this moment with his son laughing and playing in the golden afternoon light, with Taylor sitting on the deck watching them, nothing else mattered.
Being with Taylor and Liam filled Caleb with a sense of satisfaction he hadn’t known he was missing. It wasn’t just the warmth of their presence—it was something deeper, something he couldn’t quite put into words.
It felt like love. Like acceptance. Like home.
For the first time, he understood what it meant to be part of something real, something that mattered. This was how he wanted Liam to remember him: not as some distant figure who came and went but as the father who was always by his side.
He wanted to give his son unconditional love and teach him about life—not just the practical things like how to ride a horse or swing a bat, but the more profound lessons. How to be kind. How to stand tall when life got hard.
And most of all, how to love the people who mattered.
“All right, buddy,” Caleb called, grinning. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Liam giggled, his curls hanging in his eyes as he wound his arm back and threw the ball with all his might. It wobbled midair, nowhere near the target, but Caleb lunged to catch it anyway, letting out a dramatic, “Got it!”
Liam burst into laughter, throwing his hands in the air. “You’re supposed to miss!”
Caleb chuckled, tossing the ball lightly back to him. “Not when I’m this good. Try again, slugger.”
“What’s a slugger?” Liam asked, his small brow furrowed in curiosity.
“An outstanding baseball player,” Caleb replied with a grin. “One who hits the ball so hard, it goes flying.”
Liam’s face lit up. “I want to be a slugger!”
“You will be,” Caleb assured him, knowing Liam would learn more about the game as he got older, especially when he started school.
From the porch, Taylor leaned against the railing, her arms crossed, watching them. The sunlight caught the faint sheen in her hair, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. Her expression was tender and full of warmth, something Caleb couldn’t quite name but wanted to keep looking at forever.
She had that effect on him—always had.
They hadn’t slept together since that night at the hotel, and it was all he could think about. The memory of her in his arms, her lips against his, the way she’d melted into him haunted him, teased him, kept him awake at night.
He wanted her. Wanted to pull her into his arms right now, layer his mouth over hers, and show her just how much he needed her. The thought of it—her soft skin under his hands, her breath mingling with his in the golden light of the afternoon—made him hard.
But then he’d glance at Liam, all bright eyes and boundless energy, and the reality of the moment would pull him back.
Soon , he thought, clinging to the hope like a lifeline. Hopefully, very soon.
Because it wasn’t just about wanting Taylor physically—though the intensity of that want was undeniable. It was about needing her, needing them together as a family.
As Liam threw the ball again, Caleb caught her gaze, and the moment stretched between them. She tilted her head slightly, her smile widening as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. Without a word, she stepped down from the porch and walked toward him.
“Liam,” she said gently, “how about you take a water break? I think there’s lemonade in the fridge.”
Liam’s face lit up, and he dropped the ball, running toward the house without hesitation. “Lemonade!” he shouted as he disappeared inside.
Taylor stopped a few feet away from Caleb, her hands on her hips, her gaze teasing. “So, you’re that good, huh?”
“I might’ve exaggerated,” Caleb admitted, grinning.
She laughed softly, stepping closer. The sound had the world narrowing to just her. Before he could second-guess himself, he reached for her hand, tugging her gently toward him.
“You’re dangerous, you know that?” he murmured, his voice low.
Taylor raised an eyebrow, her lips curving. “Dangerous, how?”
“You make me forget what I was doing,” Caleb said, his tone teasing, but his gaze was serious, locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
His body coiled tightly with need, every muscle tensing as he fought the overwhelming urge to close the space between them. He could almost feel the memory of her satin skin under his hands, the way she fit against him, her warmth and softness curling around him like she belonged there.
It was all he could think about—how much he missed being with her, how much he craved that connection again. The memory of their time together, the way she had unraveled in his arms, consumed him, making it harder and harder to resist.
She hesitated for a moment as if debating whether to give in, then tilted her face toward his. Caleb didn’t waste a second. He leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a slow, unhurried kiss filled with promises he wasn’t ready to speak of yet but felt deep inside his heart.
Taylor’s hands slid up to his shoulders, her fingers brushing against the collar of his shirt. He pulled her closer, the warmth of her body anchoring him in a way he hadn’t felt in years.
A small voice interrupted them, full of indignation.
“Stop kissing my mommy!”
Caleb and Taylor broke apart, both turning to see Liam standing in the doorway, his little arms crossed and his face scrunched in disapproval.
Taylor laughed softly, brushing her hair back as she stepped away from Caleb. “Liam, come here,” she said, her voice warm but steady.
The boy stomped over, still glaring at Caleb as though he’d committed some unspeakable offense. Caleb crouched again, meeting Liam at eye level.
“Liam,” Taylor began, kneeling beside him, her tone more serious now. “There’s something really important we need to talk to you about.”
Liam looked between them, his frown softening slightly. “What?”
Taylor glanced at Caleb, and he nodded, swallowing hard before speaking.
“Liam,” Caleb said gently, “I’m your dad.”
The boy’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open. “You’re my daddy?”
Caleb nodded, his heart overflowing with love. “Yeah, buddy. I’m your dad.”
Liam stared at him for a moment, then turned to Taylor. “Is that true, Mommy?”
Taylor nodded, her hand brushing Liam’s curls. “It’s true, sweetheart. Caleb is your dad.”
Liam’s little brow furrowed, and he looked back at Caleb. “Where were you? Why weren’t you here before?”
The question hit Caleb like a punch, his breath catching. He glanced at Taylor, who gave him a small, encouraging nod. Turning back to Liam, Caleb took a deep breath.
“I wasn’t here because I didn’t know about you,” Caleb said carefully, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “If I’d known, I would’ve been here sooner. I promise.”
Liam tilted his head, studying him with a seriousness that made Caleb’s heart ache. “You didn’t know?”
“No,” Caleb said softly. “But now that I do, I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you, buddy. Always.”
Liam seemed to consider this momentarily before stepping forward and wrapping his tiny arms around Caleb’s neck. As Liam’s small arms came around his neck, Caleb felt a rush of emotions so powerful, it nearly brought him to his knees. His heart nearly exploded, his breath catching as the boy’s warmth seeped into him.
Love. Guilt. Joy.
It was all there, tangled and overwhelming him in a way he hadn’t expected. He closed his eyes, pressing his cheek against Liam’s curls, holding him as tightly as he dared. How could something so simple—this tiny gesture—break him open and rebuild him all at once?
“I’m glad you’re my daddy,” Liam whispered.
Caleb hugged him tightly, his eyes burning as he breathed in the little boy’s baby smell. “I’m glad I’m your daddy too,” he said, his voice thick.
Later that evening, after Liam had gone inside to play, Caleb remained in the backyard, staring at a piece of paper Liam had handed him before running off.
It was a drawing—a simple one, made with crayon and Liam’s clumsy handwriting. It showed three figures: a small boy, a long-haired woman, and a tall man wearing a hat .
Caleb stared at the picture, tears filling his eyes.
The child’s rudimentary drawing filled him with a mixture of joy and fear. He thought of Taylor, her strength and resilience, the way she made him feel like he could be more than the shadow of his past. He thought of Liam, the little boy who had accepted him so easily, so completely, even after everything.
Sitting outside alone, Caleb sighed deeply, the cool evening air brushing against his face. The stars stretched endlessly above him, a silent reminder of the weight he now carried.
Now that Liam knew the truth, everything felt different—heavier, but in a good way. His son deserved the best version of him, not the man who had run from love and responsibility all those years ago.
Caleb needed to be the kind of father Liam could look up to, someone who set the example of what it meant to be strong, kind, and steady. A man his son could admire, not just because they shared the same blood but because Caleb earned that admiration through his actions.
Determined, Caleb made a silent vow. He would be a great father. One day, when someone asked Liam who his dad was, he wanted to hear his son say, “That’s my father,” with pride shining in his eyes.
Caleb took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling over him. He wanted this—wanted them. But wanting wasn’t enough. He had to earn it.
Taylor had trusted him with telling Liam the truth, but she didn’t fully trust him yet. And she was right to be cautious. He’d hurt her before, and if he wasn’t careful, he could hurt her again.
But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t.
As he stared at the drawing, Caleb made a silent promise. He was determined to prove himself to Taylor, become the father Liam deserved, and build a life strong enough to withstand any storm.
Because this wasn’t just about him anymore. It was about them.
And Caleb was ready to fight for them.