Chapter Twelve
ELLA
I t’s official.
I miss Liam.
I asked to “talk later,” and… it’s later. Days later. And now I want to talk to him. It’s almost like the universe agreed that we needed some time apart too, because despite us living in the same building, I haven’t run into him once.
Even Macie has been asking for him, which makes me miss him even more.
How did I think I could ever move on from him after seeing him in Boston? The more time I spend with him, the more apparent it becomes that I never got over him. I just shoved the feelings away.
And now they’re back full force.
It’s all I can think about as I pull up to my parents’ house to pick up Macie after work. Getting out of the car and walking up the driveway, I decide that maybe I’ll call him tonight. Put an end to this self-imposed Liam-free existence. I’m so lost in my thoughts as I walk up the front steps to the porch that I don’t even hear Harvey as he approaches.
“Ella!” he calls, trying to get my attention, and fuck, does he get it. A little yelp leaves me as I jump about a foot in the air, clutching my hand to my chest.
I turn and face the asshole.
“What the fuck, Harvey?” I ask, my heart pounding from the jump scare. It seems that since Harvey confronted me on my date with Liam, he’s officially worn past my usual people-pleasing verbal filter. Looking around, I don’t see a car or anything to indicate that he drove here. “Where did you even come from? Were you waiting for me?”
“When are you going to be done playing me, Ella?” Harvey snaps, his tone exasperated. I can’t help but scoff. Me? Play him? What a fucking joke. “I’ve let you have your time alone, to figure things out, but it’s time to stop playing around with other guys like some kind of slut. Macie needs a father, and you know that it’s me.”
Am I… Have I passed out and am having hallucinogenic dreams? Because that is the only explanation for the bullshit that is coming out of his mouth right now. Since breaking up, it’s been obvious he’s a little off, but now I realize he belongs in a full-blown mental hospital.
“It’s been four years, Harvey. You’re crazy.” I shake my head, taking a step back at his furious expression. “Macie has a dad, and it sure as hell isn’t you. Stay the fuck away from us, Harvey. I mean it.”
He was obviously losing it four years ago when he tried to convince me we were engaged after my accident, using my head injury in an attempt to straight-up gaslight me. Now though? Trying to say he’s Macie’s dad? This is some white straightjacket stuff.
Ollie barks inside the house, alerting my family to our presence, and the sound of the front door opening behind me fills me with a sense of relief.
“Is everything okay out here?” Dad asks. His usual light and teasing tone is gone, and in its place is one full of menace.
Harvey’s face instantly transforms from furious to a smarmy smile. “Of course, Mr. Parsons. Ella and I were just having a word.”
Yeah, okay. A word. I have two words for this asshole, four letters, second word—“off.”
I shoot Dad a grateful look over my shoulder. “It’s fine Dad, I’ll be right in.” Turning my gaze back to Harvey, I level him with a glare. “Harvey was just leaving.”
“All right. I’ll be right inside if you need me.” He gives Harvey a pointed glare, and though the door clicks shut behind us, I have no illusions that Dad isn’t waiting right behind the door in case I need him.
As soon as the door shuts, Harvey is closing the distance between us, a sneer on his face as he grabs my arm.
“Make no mistake,” he whispers harshly in my ear, “I may be leaving now, but we’re far from over. Your brothers may be done with me, but you never will be. You belong with me, Ella. The sooner you realize that, the better. I won’t hesitate to destroy everything to get what I want.”
His words have my gut sinking as he releases me and backs away.
“Everything, Ella,” he calls when he reaches the end of the driveway.
“Fucking lunatic,” I mutter, only turning to go inside when he’s disappeared around the corner. Seriously, where did he even come from? What the hell is he doing in town so much? He lives in Burlington, it doesn’t make sense for him to be down here.
As predicted, my dad is standing right inside the door when I enter the house, Ollie sitting next to him, wagging his tail at me.
“What did he want?” Dad’s voice is weary as I bend down to pet my dog.
“I don’t even know,” I tell him, scratching behind Ollie’s ears. “He’s going on about some nonsense, convinced that Macie is his.”
I don’t tell him about his threats or harsh words. It won’t do any good to worry him over nothing.
Dad snorts. “If Macie was his, we’d already be in the exorcism stage of her development, head spinning and everything.”
Before I can answer, little footsteps have me turning. “Mommy! I missed you!”
Macie’s arms latch around my neck like a koala. I stand, hugging her tight and breathing in her little toddler scent.
“I missed you too, baby girl. Did you have a good day with PopPop and MeeMee?”
“So much fun!” Macie gives the cheesiest grin as she steps back. “We colored and played!”
“I’m so glad. Let’s get going, okay? Should we take Ollie home tonight?”
“Yeah!”
“Are you sure you shouldn’t just stay here?” Dad asks, his brow furrowed. “I don’t like that he was here.”
“It’s fine, Dad.” I wave him off. “Macie and I wanted to hang out with a friend, anyway.”
“If you’re sure…” he says in an uncharacteristically gruff tone. “I’ll be telling your brothers about this, though.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.”
After saying goodbye to my parents and loading Macie and Ollie in the car, I sit in the driver's seat, staring at my phone. Seeing Harvey put me on edge, and I really don’t want to go home yet. I know I said I’d wait until tonight, but I really don’t want to anymore. Pulling up my text thread with Liam, I shoot him a quick message.
Me: You working today? Do you feel like getting ice cream with your favorite dog and toddler?
Liam: What about my favorite vet tech? Or my favorite neighbor? Or… my favorite woman in general?
His words fill my stomach with butterflies, making me near giddy. This is the Liam I connected with all those years ago. Smiling like a love-sick idiot, I type out my response.
Me: Hmm. That seems like a lot of people for an ice cream date.
Liam: Huh. You’re right. I guess I’ll just have to ask my favorite sexy-as-hell brunette. Hold on.
Liam: Hey, you wanna go get ice cream with a dog and a toddler? I just got off work.
Chuckling and shaking my head, my fingers fly across the keyboard.
Me: I don’t know, I have to check my schedule.
Me: Okay, yeah. Sounds good. Meet you at Freezey-Cone’s in fifteen?
Liam: Can’t wait *kissy emoji*
Smiling to myself, I back out of my parents’ driveway and head toward the ice cream shop by the park. Liam is already waiting for us when we pull up, and Ollie barks once in excitement while Macie calls out, “Liam! Liam!”
Liam opens my door for me, pressing a kiss to my cheek as I hop out of the car.
“Hello there, gorgeous,” he murmurs in my ear before backing away and raising a brow at my clothing. “Nice scrubs.”
I look down at my bright pink scrubs covered in little guinea pigs.
“Thanks,” I smirk. “Macie picked them out.”
The corner of his mouth quirks up. “And she has excellent taste.” Then he looks at me with a little more hesitancy. “Do you want me to grab Ollie… or Macie?”
His uncertainness pulls at my heartstrings, and I know it’s more than a matter of who I need help with. He’s asking what kind of role he can take in her life. The answer is simple.
“Macie,” I say with confidence. He said he wants to be a part of Macie’s life, and it’s time I start letting him.
Grinning, he opens the back door to Macie chanting, “Lee-um! Lee-um! Lee-um!” and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger smile on his face than when he reaches over and unbuckles her from her car seat.
“Hey, squirt!” He lifts her out of the seat and brings her to his chest, where she wraps her arms around his neck and squishes her cheek to his. “Wow, you give good hugs!”
“Mommy calls me a koe-ahla.” She pulls back and nods seriously at him.
“That seems like an accurate assessment. Do you want to walk?” she agrees as I go around to the passenger seat of the car to let out Ollie, who has been whining since we parked and spotted Liam. The four of us walk up to the little to-go window and place our order for some soft serve ice cream cones, wrapping Macie’s in extra napkins.
From there, we walk across the street to the park, Macie holding my hand and Ollie’s leash in Liam’s grip. Macie is chattering about her day with my parents, and Liam is following along seamlessly, saying “oh,” and “ah,” in all the right places. It warms my heart to see them interact with each other, as well as little mannerisms that should have been impossible for Macie to pick up without ever having met him. Like how they both wrinkle their noses when trying to think of something, or the exact same little dance they do when the cold of the ice cream sends a shiver through their bodies.
When we finally reach the playground, all of us are done with our ice creams and I pull out some wet wipes from my purse to clean up Macie’s sticky face before she plays.
Liam and I settle on a bench, Ollie standing guard next to us.
“She’s so…” He looks at her wistfully, his eyes shining. “How is she so amazing?”
Guilt churns in my stomach. I know it’s not my fault that I couldn’t find him after the accident, but I hate that he’s missed the first almost three years of her life.
“I hate that you’ve missed so much time with her. I told you I tried to find you after the accident… before I even knew I was pregnant. When I asked around, nobody could tell me about an EMT named Liam. I harassed the hospital so much that they sent me an unofficial cease and desist. I went to the hotel we stayed at to see if I could get the last name from your reservation. I scoured the internet… I couldn’t find you anywhere. ”
“Oh, Ella.” He turns toward me, regret lining his features as he lifts a hand to cup my cheek, turning my face toward him. “I am so sorry you had to go through that. The position at UVM… It was my first night, and volunteer based. I only knew two other EMTs. I promise, from the bottom of my heart, that I’ll be here, in yours’ and Macie’s lives for as long as you’ll let me.”
Then he lowers his lips to mine, stealing a kiss that leaves me breathless. A kiss full of longing and promise, and I know that he really means every word he just said. Pulling back, I look up into his eyes. “Can I… can I tell her myself? About you? I want her to hear it from me.”
The intensity of Liam’s expression softens. “Of course, Ell. Whatever you need.”
* * *
“So, Macie, what do you think of Liam?” I ask as I tuck her blankets all around her later that night. Ollie, ever the protector, hops up on her bed, settling down near her feet.
Macie gives me a confused look. “You mean my daddy?”
A shocked laugh leaves me as I tuck a brown curl behind her ear. “Why didn’t you say you knew he was your daddy?”
She leans in close and whispers. “I thought it was a secret.”
A smile pulls at my lips as I shake my head. “How did you know?”
Macie shrugs as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “We both like donuts and ice cream, and our eyes are da same colors!”
“Wow, that was some good detective work, Macie girl.” I smile, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “What do you think of him?”
“He’s so nice, and he fixed my owie.” She nods seriously, like this is all the information required to form an opinion.
“You’re right, he did.”
“What do you think of him, Mommy?” She looks up at me, blinking her big eyes.
“I also think he’s very kind.” I give Ollie a pet on the head. “And smart, and strong. Just like you.” She smiles as I ruffle her hair, stand, and walk to the door. “Goodnight, baby girl. I love you.”
“I love you, Mommy,” she murmurs sleepily, snuggling into a stuffed penguin on her bed.
A few hours later, after decompressing with a book and a snack, I head to my room and start to get ready for bed. I can still feel that kiss that Liam gave me at the park all the way to my toes.
As I pull out a soft, oversized shirt from my dresser, I send him a text.
Me: Asked Macie what she thought of you. She straight up looked me in the eyes and said “You mean my daddy?” When I asked her how she knew, she looked at me like I was dumb and cited the fact that you both love chocolate donuts and ice cream, plus the fact that your eyes are the same.
Liam: OMG I can’t stop laughing. That’s amazing.
A snort leaves me, and I shake my head, pulling on my pajamas. It’s so surreal, him knowing that he’s her dad. Not only knowing, but staying and trying to be a part of her life.
Me: Right? Still giggling over here.
Me: Hey, what are you doing tomorrow? Would you want to come with me after work to pick up Macie from my parents house?
Liam: I have a 7am-4pm shift tomorrow but I’m free after. We can meet at your apartment after work and head over.
Smiling to myself, I get under my covers, ready to turn off the lights before my phone lights up with another text.
Liam: By the way, I’m in quite the predicament, and I blame you.
Me: Oh? Do tell.
Liam: Ever since I saw you in those pink guinea pig scrubs earlier, I’ve been hard.
Reading his words has heat swirling in my belly and I bite my lip as I remember mere nights ago when the two of us were a sweaty mess in this bed. Is he trying to start a sexting thing right now? Because I’m so here for it.
I’m still going to tease him a little bit, though.
Me: You have a thing for guinea pigs?
Liam: I have a thing for YOU.
Me: Even in pink guinea pig scrubs?
Liam: Fuck, Ell. You could be wearing a paper bag with cartoon dicks drawn all over it and I’d still think you’re the sexiest woman on this planet.
My heart pounds in my chest as my hand skates over my belly. Time to dive into the deep end.
Me: And if I was naked?
Liam: Obviously much better than a paper bag with dicks on it. And the things I would do to you…
Me: Hmm. Like what? Be specific, Liam.
Liam: Are you asking me what I’d do to you if you were naked?
Me: I thought that was obvious
Liam: Well then… OBVIOUSLY I’d start with my mouth on your perfect pussy, licking and sucking and nibbling that little spot that makes you scream my name
My fingers dip into my underwear as I circle my clit, my other hand furiously typing out a response.
Me: Are you still hard?
Liam: As a rock.
Me: Can I see?
Almost immediately, a picture comes through. Liam’s laying on his bed, his sweatpants pulled down just enough for his hard cock to pop out. In the picture, his hand is wrapped around it, squeezing a bead of precum out of the tip.
“Oh fuck,” I whimper to myself, slipping two fingers inside of me, pretending it’s the perfect cock on my phone screen.
Liam: Are you touching yourself, gorgeous?
Instead of answering, I snap a picture of my hand in my underwear and send it to him.
Liam: Fucking hell, Ell. Are you trying to kill me?
Me: Depends. What would you do next?
The three bubbles that indicate his typing go on and off for a minute, like he’s starting and stopping. My fingers in my pussy don’t stop moving though, now curling upward to hit my g-spot.
Liam: First, I’d flip you over onto your stomach, and then I’d lift your hips so I can sink into your fucking perfect pussy. Then, I’d fuck you so hard, you see stars. You’re not allowed to cum until I say so though, and if you do, I’ll spank your cute little ass. My fingers would grip your hips so hard you’d have little bruises, and you’d beg me for more. When, and only when I decide you’re allowed to cum, can you fall over the edge.
Holy shit.
Our first night together, I got a peek at Liam’s more dominant side, but fuck, is that hot. Never thought I’d be into spanking, but reading it from Liam does something to me.
Reading and re-reading his message, my thumb presses on my clit while I fuck myself on my own fingers, until I’m right at the edge.
Me: Can I please cum?
Liam: What a good girl. Yes, you can.
With those words, I press harder on my clit, and stifle my cry as I shatter, my hips bucking desperately as I ride out my orgasm. Once I catch my breath and check my phone, I see another text from Liam.
Liam: That wasn’t too much, was it?
Me: That was fucking perfect.
He sends a picture of his cock in his hand again, this time covered with his own release. Shit, that’s hot.
Me: Next time that’s going in my mouth.
Liam: Promise?
After washing my hands and changing my underwear, I slide back into bed, typing one last message to Liam.
Me: Of course. Goodnight, Liam.
Liam: Goodnight, gorgeous.