33. Liam
Emma is nestled in my arms on the couch, her head resting on my chest. The soft glow of the evening light filters through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue over her face. I can’t help but stare at her, marveling at how beautiful she is. Her hair, a cascade of reddish-brown waves, tickles my arm. I brush a stray lock behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her soft skin.
I feel incredibly lucky. My mind drifts to a future where we have a little one running around. I imagine stepping out with our son or daughter, while Emma waits for us in the yard, her face glowing with a bright smile. The thought brings a smile to my lips.
“What’s making you smile like that?” Emma asks, looking up at me with a curious expression.
I gently caress her cheek. “I was just dreaming about our future. You, me, and our son or daughter.”
She chuckles softly. “Which one do you want?”
“A daughter,” I say without hesitation.
Her eyebrows arch playfully. “A daughter? Why?”
I grin. “So I can spoil her rotten and be proud of her. Plus, I think she’d look just like you.”
Emma narrows her eyes at me in mock offense. “And what’s wrong with having a miniature version of you?”
“Nothing,” I laugh. “But I’ve always pictured having a little girl. Someone I can protect and cherish.”
“Well, I want a son,” she declares, poking me in the chest. “A little boy who’s just like you.”
We argue jokingly, the playful banter filling the room with laughter. “Okay, okay,” I finally concede, pulling her closer. “I’ll be happy no matter what. Boy or girl, as long as they’re ours.”
She smiles and kisses me gently. “Agreed.”
Our lips meet in a tender kiss, the warmth of her body melting into mine. I hold her tightly, savoring the moment. When we pull apart, she rests her head back on my chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles on my arm.
“I want our relationship to be real now,” I say quietly, my voice filled with determination.
Emma looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “What do you think everyone will do when they find out we’ve been fake dating all this time?”
I chuckle, thinking about it. “Well, they’ll probably be shocked. Damon might try to kill me when he finds out I got you pregnant while we were supposedly fake dating.”
She laughs softly, shaking her head. “The dating might have been fake, but our feelings were real.”
I nod, leaning down to kiss her again. “You’re right. Our feelings were real, and they still are.”
We cuddle closer, talking about the baby and how our families will react. Emma’s fingers intertwine with mine as she rests her head on my shoulder. We laugh about the probable shock and excitement that will follow the announcement.
“I used to be so skeptical about having a family,” I admit, my voice dropping to a more serious tone. “Growing up, I had so many fears. I was afraid of becoming like my parents, of failing at being a husband and father.”
Emma holds me tighter, her warmth seeping into me. “It’s not your fault, Liam. You’re not your parents. You’re a wonderful man, and you’ll be an amazing father.”
Her words are like a balm to my soul. I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. “Thank you, Emma. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she whispers, her lips brushing against mine.
We start to kiss more passionately, our need for each other overwhelming. Her hands slide up to my neck, pulling me closer. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own.
I gently lower her onto the couch, our bodies pressed together. My hand trails down her side, feeling the curve of her waist. She moans softly, her fingers tangling in my hair. Our kisses grow deeper, more urgent, as we lose ourselves in the moment.
Emma pulls back slightly, her eyes dark with desire. “Liam, I love you,” she breathes.
“I love you too, Emma,” I reply, my voice husky with emotion. ‘I want to be perfect for you.”
“No.” She mumbles against my lips.
“What?”
Emma wiggles out from under me and rolls off the couch.
She stands there, just some meters away and looks me in the eyes. “I don’t want you to be perfect, Liam.” She cocks her head to the side, her cheeks flushed a bit. “I want you to be you. A bossy, confident partner with a surprisingly sweet side. A dad who is going to love his child to pieces under every condition and never leave her behind. And a man who makes me go wild with lust whenever I set eyes on him. That’s who you are, Liam, and I want all of you.”
I close my eyes to hold back the stinging behind my eyes. I’m so happy, my emotions boiling over. “Emma?”
“Yes, Liam.”
“I can’t put what I feel into words right now.”
She smiles, her eyes brightening. “Good. Then show me.”
I watch her slowly peel back the night gown off her shoulders. It falls off to reveal her gorgeous body in white lace bra and panties that rips the breath out of my throat.
I jump up and kiss her. When we stop to catch some air, she takes my hand and drag it down her body to the lacy edge of her panties.
“Go ahead, take it off.” She nibbles on her bottom lip and raise one shapely leg up.
I look into her eyes to see them glowing with lust. Who’d have thought I’d find my perfect partner in this town and in this manner? I look into her eyes again and stare down to where my hand rests. I can feel heat blowing up every vein inside my body.
“It’s naughty Emma today, isn’t it?”
“Oh, you don’t know,” she shakes her head. “I’ve had to battle through the week taking multiple cold showers every time I wake up from dreams of you doing this to me. I miss this, and I intend to make up for lost time massively.”
“Oh, really?” I chuckle, gently palming her ass cheeks as she leans into me, rubbing her breasts against my chest. “How do you intend to make up for it?”
She puts a finger on her chin. “Firstly, I’m so impatient now, so I want you to fuck me hard first, and then later, I’ll take the sweet, slow lovemaking for second and third rounds.”
“Hmmm.” Her words send a tremor that spreads through my groin.
“Now strip and get to work.”
I obey her sharp command, raising my hands to start unbuttoning my shirt. She doesn’t help me, instead she sits on the couch and spreads her legs. Her lips spread in a wicked smile as one hand travels up, cupping her breast and squeezing. The other pushes her panties aside and she runs a finger over her dripping core.
Damn it. I freeze, unable to speak, unable to move, barely able to breathe. Another finger joins the first, slipping in, pumping faster until she lets out a soft moan and closes her eyes, head dropping back against the back of the couch.
“Emma?” The soft whisper of her name is all I can manage.
She grins, biting down on her lip and shaking her head to flip away tendrils of hair covering her eyes. “Come get me, Liam.”
That plea set me back in motion. I rip off my shirt, sending buttons scattering across the floor, hooking fingers into my pants and pulling it down along with my boxer briefs. My cock pops out, fully ready for her and she licks her lips as she pulls her own panties down.
“I need you inside me right now, Liam.”
I grab her legs, lifting them over my shoulder as I place her onto my cock. She wiggles down on me, and I watch myself disappear between slick warm folds. We both gasp at the sensation. It’s been just about a little over a week since I was inside of her.
I missed it. I missed her. Her body is wrapped tight around me, like it is made for me. Perfectly sheathing me as her walls pulsed as I pull out slowly and then move back in.
“I fucking love you inside me, Liam. Faster, Liam. Take me.”
Her words are mixed with moans and the sounds of both drives me crazy. I give her what she wants, pounding into her hard, fast and furious. Sounds rip from her—sobs, whines, groans, moans, shrieks. She wriggles and thrashes until I pause to listen to her, worried that I am hurting her. But then she begs me to go faster, telling me that she loves my cock and wants it even harder. I push as hard as I can go until our orgasms crash over us, sending both of us onto the couch, yelling and throbbing as we ride the waves.
“I love you, Emma Cole,” I mumble against her lips.
“I love you, too, Liam. I think I fell in love with you after that first night in New York.”
I smirk as the night plays back in my mind. “I’m sorry for that night, Emma.”
“Actually, I’m not,” she gasps. “You were an asshole. But I needed to meet that asshole so I can finally fall head over heels in love.”
“Just so you know, I didn’t want you to leave that day. And that has never, I mean never happened to me before. I think that scared me actually, and after that, I couldn’t find real interest in another woman no matter how much I tried.”
“Good.” She grins. “Now I’m glad to know I ruined you just as much as you did to me.”
“I think I had much more to lose. It wasn’t like you had men lining up outside your door?”
“What did you say?” Her eyes go wide. “I was the star girl of this town. Of course I had men lined up. Most of them gentlemen.”
“Well, they better stay off your door now.” I cup her cheeks. “Or most of them might go home regretting they ever liking you.”
“Same goes for the ladies sniffing around you.”
I laugh and she grits her teeth and grunts, lazily throwing a tight fist in the air. “I carry a mean punch you know?”
“No one’s getting me off your side sweetheart.”
“Good.” She nods. “And you should know you really don’t have a choice in the matter. I gave you to chance to leave, and you didn’t, so now you’re stuck till death do us part.”
“Till death do us part.” I echo, closing my lips over hers again.
We kiss, our bodies moving in sync. The world around us ceases to exist. It’s just us, wrapped in our love and passion. The fears and doubts that once haunted me fade away, replaced by a certainty that I’ve never felt before.
“So, will you marry me, Emma? To keep me by your side forever?”
She pauses, and I almost regret popping the question now. There’s no ring, no grandiose preparation. It’s just me and her with our hearts and our lust right now, and I wonder if I may be wrong. She’s probably dreamed of a grand proposal, and she’s deserving of one.
Then a bright smile breaks on her lips as she nods. “I will marry you, Liam Miller. I want you for husband, and I’m claiming you.”
We’re going to make this work. We’re going to build a life together, one filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a little chaos. But it’s a future I’m no longer afraid of, because I know that with Emma by my side, anything is possible.
“Now it’s time for the sweet and slow round.”
She nods and murmurs her readiness against my lips, and our kisses grow more intense. I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is where I’m meant to be. Here, with Emma, in our own little world. And for the first time in a long time, I feel truly, completely happy.
The late afternoon sun slants through the car window, painting golden streaks across Emma's face. I can't help but steal glances at her, the woman who has become my everything. Our hands are intertwined, a silent promise that mirrors the one in my heart. Today is the day. Today, we'll tell Dad.
A familiar beat-up pickup truck trundles past, and I instinctively wave, catching the driver's surprised grin.
“You're waving to everyone today,” Emma teases, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I chuckle, squeezing her hand. “I can't help it. I feel like I need to share how happy I am.”
She smiles back at me, a soft, knowing smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “I know what you mean.”
Excitement bubbles in my chest, threatening to spill over. It feels like everything has finally clicked into place. We are getting married, starting a family, and for the first time, I don't feel like I'm facing life alone. I have Emma, a partner, a confidant, the other half of my whole damn world.
Pulling into the driveway, the sight of Dad's old Ford truck parked beneath the oak tree brings a wide grin to my face. The scent of grilling meat wafts from the back porch, a sure sign Dad is working his weekend magic on the barbecue. He isn't expecting us, but the surprise will be worth it.
Emma squeezes my hand as I park. Taking a deep breath, I open the car door, stealing one last glance at my beautiful fiancé. Her eyes hold a mix of nervousness and excitement that mirrors my own.
“Ready?” I ask, offering her a smile.
“Ready,” she echoes, taking my hand again. We walk towards the house, an unspoken pact hanging in the air.
The back porch buzzes with activity. Dad, clad in his usual grease-stained work shirt, is flipping burgers while the radio blares a classic rock tune. He looks up as I enter, his grin widening as he sees us.
“Hey, you! From the smile on your face, I can guess it’s all solved?” There is a genuine warmth in his voice, and I feel a knot of apprehension in my stomach loosen.
“Hey, Dad,” I greet, pulling Emma in with a hug. “I brought company!”
“Well, isn't that a pleasant surprise?” He pulls back, his gaze flitting between us. “So, what's going on? Spit it out. You two look like you swallowed a mouthful of ants.”
Emma chews her lip, her usual bravado seeming to falter slightly. I take the lead, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Okay, Dad, here goes. Emma's…” I pause, taking a deep breath. “She's agreed to be my wife.”
The silence that follows is deafening. Dad's smile remains, but his eyes widen in surprise. The spatula clatters to the ground with a metallic clang, breaking the tense silence.
“You’re getting married?” he echoes, his voice a mix of shock and amusement. “Well, you two certainly know how to surprise a man!”
Joy floods through me. Emma's shoulders visibly relax too, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Dad,” I begin, a grin tugging at my own mouth, “that's not all. We're getting married soon, too. I want her so much I can’t risk someone whisking her away.”
The shock seems to finally wear off. A booming laugh erupts from Dad, the sound echoing through the backyard. He claps me on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of me.
“Finally realized it, huh? About time someone knocked some sense into you, boy!” He throws his arm around Emma, pulling her into a hug. “Congratulations, you two! I couldn't be happier!”
The weight of the past few weeks lifts off my shoulders. We spend the rest of the evening making dinner together, filled with laughter and joyful chaos. Dad regales us with childhood stories, mostly at my expense, while Emma listens with amusement. The kitchen buzzes with an energy I haven't felt there in years.
We spend the next hour making dinner together, the three of us moving around the kitchen like a well-oiled machine. Dad keeps teasing me, making jokes about how he never thought I’d settle down, much less become a dad.
“You know, I always thought you’d be the eternal bachelor,” he says with a wink, handing me a bowl of salad to toss.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, Emma changed all that. I can’t imagine my life without her now.”
Emma smiles at me from across the kitchen, her eyes filled with love. “And I can’t imagine mine without you.”
After dinner, we decide to FaceTime Damon and June. The moment June sees me on the screen, her face breaks into a joyous grin.
“Hey, you two!” June exclaims, her eyes twinkling. “It’s so good to see you.”
“We’ve got some news,” I say, barely able to contain my excitement.
Emma takes my hand and smiles at the screen. “I’m pregnant.”
There’s a moment of stunned silence, and then June and Damon start talking all at once, their faces a mix of surprise.
“And we’re getting married,” I add, feeling a swell of pride.
“That’s amazing!” June finally says, her voice filled with genuine happiness. “Congratulations!”
Damon laughs, shaking his head. “Well, it’s about time, isn’t it?”
Before long, the ladies are laughing and crying in equal measure, a whirlwind of congratulations and well-wishes washing over us. We spend the next half hour chatting, laughing, and making plans.
The excitement is contagious, and I can see the genuine happiness in their eyes. It feels like everything is finally falling into place.
As the call ends, I pull Emma close, my heart overflowing. This is it. This is the family I've always dreamed of, a messy, chaotic, and utterly perfect picture of love.
We are in this together, facing whatever comes next, hand in hand.