Chapter 61 Liam Six Months Later…
Liam
Six Months Later…
It’s hard to believe there was a time before Anna came into our lives. Hearing her laughter bubble through the apartment while Finn helps her stir dinner on the stovetop reminds me of just how far we’ve come.
A year ago, I started picking up pieces I never thought would come back together. Then I met Anna, and the pieces stuck.
It was worth the fight to get here.
My eyes jump to the boxes crammed in the corner of our lounge room, waiting to be unpacked. Anna’s moving in and, to celebrate, we’ve invited the gang—Gemma, Max, April, and James—around for dinner.
I lean against the doorframe, watching Anna and Liam chat and giggle as they cook.
“So you’re gonna, like, be here all the time?” Finn asks.
“I am,” she confirms.
“Does that mean you’ll read to me?” he asks.
“I’d love to read to you, if that’s what you want.”
He nods fervently. “That’s what I want. Will you teach me to play piano?”
After that night on the rooftop, when Anna told me about her long-lost love, I decided to surprise her with a piano for Christmas.
She was ecstatic. Listening to her play has quickly become one of my favorite pastimes.
She’s bloody fantastic at it too. Finn often curls up on the bench with her, his hand splayed over hers while she plays, studying the keys.
My chest constricts as I watch them together, folding my arms over my chest.
“Of course I can, bud.” She pulls him in for a side hug. “I’m excited to spend more time together.”
“Me too.” He beams. “Hey, Anna?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think one day . . .” He stops to think, and I tilt my head, heartbeat kicking up as I wait. “Um. Do you think one day I could call you my mum?”
She releases her hold on the wooden spoon, turning to Finn and lowering herself so she’s eye level with him.
Gently, she pushes his hair back off his forehead.
“One day, if you decide, you can call me whatever you want to call me. I would never try to replace your ma. But I think, if you let me, I can love you like one. How does that sound?”
Don’t cry, Liam. Keep your shit together.
He kicks his foot back and forth. “I think I’d like to call you Mum one day.”
“Well, I think that would be the greatest honor of my life, Finn,” she says.
As if she can sense me, Anna peers over her shoulder and smiles. I should know better than to think I could creep up on her. Somehow, we always know when the other is nearby.
I just smile back. These two are my reason for breathing.
A lot’s happened since our reunion at the BBC Studios.
Anna rang in the new school year with a fresh class of Year 2s.
After she came forward with her statement against Roger, several other female staff followed suit, detailing their negative interactions with him.
The board was able to gather sufficient evidence to file charges against him and, from what I’ve heard, he won’t be setting foot anywhere near a school for a very, very long time.
Seeing as Anna is no longer teaching Finn, we decided to have a serious conversation with him explaining that we were going to be together. As a couple. Judging by the way he whooped and hollered, I think it’s safe to say he was excited by the idea.
Then I fucked Anna’s brains out.
Chiswick Park United extended my contract for another two years, and the sponsorships came pouring in after I went and confessed my love for Anna on live television.
Fragrances, clothing lines—you name it. Most importantly, I’ve become the face of Play It Forward, the foundation that hosted the charity gala shortly after I arrived in London.
Anna and Finn often join me on Saturday mornings, helping out at the training sessions and offering the kids a few pointers.
Finn’s made some great new mates in the process, and Yuki and Melody even tag along sometimes.
My phone beeps and I check my notifications, seeing an email from my therapist confirming tomorrow’s appointment.
I’m still going. I’ve stuck through it. And Anna’s been incredibly supportive.
At times, it’s been uncomfortable and difficult but, then again, if it were easy, everyone would do it.
I’ve relived memories I’d locked away in the hope they’d never resurface, and I can honestly say I’m doing better.
I still have a long way to go. I don’t think I’ll ever be healed—if there is such a thing—but I’ve come to terms with my past. And I know that the abuse I suffered at the hands of my father wasn’t my fault.
It’s not because I was a failure.
It’s not because I didn’t deserve to be loved.
My father was simply a sick man.
Stepping forward, I press my palm to Anna’s lower back, catching her chin between my fingers. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey,” she says, leaning in for a kiss.
“Ew!” Finn laughs, balling up a tea towel and dropping it on the counter. “Germs!”
We break the kiss, chuckling against each other’s lips. I give Anna’s arse a light swat. “Why don’t you let me take care of this.” I turn to Finn. “Finn, bud, you wanna go change for dinner?”
“Sure, Da!” He dashes from the kitchen, skidding around the corner to the hallway before disappearing into his room.
“Are you sure? I’m quite happy in the kitchen,” Anna asks, and I reach for the wooden spoon.
“I’m more than sure.” I start stirring. “Go relax before the others arrive.”
“Someone’s getting his dick sucked later.” She winks, leaving me to my task.
Christ, I love that woman.