Chapter 2 - Liam & Reagans Story
There's a reason I never show up to Mason and Chloe's house empty-handed.
It's because if I do, Chloe gives me that look.
The disappointed mum look.
Which is impressive considering she's younger than me.
Tonight I brought dessert.
Not because I wanted to.
Because six-year-old Ava informed me last week that showing up without dessert was "rude."
I've never recovered.
"Uncle Liam!"
The front door flies open before I can even knock.
Ava launches herself at me with the enthusiasm only six-year-olds possess.
I barely have time to catch her before she's wrapped around me like a koala.
"Hello to you, too, menace."
She gasps.
"I'm not a menace."
"You taught your little brother how to hide crayons in the toaster."
"That was one time."
I raise an eyebrow.
She grins.
Definitely Mason's kid.
I step inside.
The house is loud.
Comfortably loud.
The kind of loud that comes from children, laughter and people who actually enjoy being together.
Something I never really had growing up.
Which is probably why I keep coming back.
Three-year-old Liam comes sprinting around the corner.
Immediately trips over his own feet.
Then gets back up and keeps running as if nothing happened.
"Unca Liam!"
There he is.
The kid is named after me.
Still weird.
Still emotional.
Still something I refuse to discuss.
When Chloe first told me they wanted to name him Liam, I laughed.
Thought they were joking.
Then I'd realised they weren't.
And suddenly I'd found the kitchen very dusty.
Mason still brings it up whenever he wants to annoy me.
The traitor.
Little Liam slams into my legs.
I scoop him up automatically.
"How's my favourite Liam?"
The kid beams.
"I'm Liam."
"Excellent observation."
He nods proudly.
Like he's achieved something.
I love this kid.
It's embarrassing.
Across the room, Mason is sitting on the couch with four-month-old Hazel asleep on his chest.
The sight almost makes me laugh.
Because ten years ago, if you'd told me Mason Kane would become this guy—
The guy is carrying a baby blanket over his shoulder.
The guy who knows where the baby wipes are.
The guy who willingly watches cartoons—
I'd have called you insane.
Mason catches me staring.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Whatever you're about to say."
I grin.
"Nothing."
"You're smiling."
"That's because this is hilarious."
Hazel stirs slightly against his chest.
Immediately, Mason's entire attention shifts to her.
I point dramatically.
"See?"
"Shut up."
I laugh.
And honestly?
I can't blame him.
The little girl has him completely wrapped around her tiny finger.
Same as the other two.
Same as Chloe.
Not that he'd ever admit it.
Dinner is chaos.
Ava talks enough for six people.
Little Liam drops his fork twice.
Hazel wakes up halfway through and demands attention immediately.
Chloe somehow manages all of it without losing her mind.
Mostly.
I stayed longer than I planned.
Like always.
Because leaving this house is harder than it should be.
It feels good here.
Warm.
Real.
Like the kind of future people are supposed to have.
Eventually, Chloe starts packing leftovers into containers.
I point immediately.
"I can cook."
She doesn't even look up.
"No, you can't."
"That's offensive."
"It's accurate."
Ava snorts into her drink.
Et tu, Brute?
Twenty minutes later, I'm standing at the front door with enough leftovers to survive a week.
Mason opens the door.
"You coming by Saturday?"
"Probably."
Ava appears instantly.
"You better."
I laugh.
"Yes, boss."
Satisfied, she disappears again.
Chloe hugs me goodbye.
Little Liam demands a high five.
Hazel sleeps through everything.
And then I'm walking toward my truck.
The rain has started again.
Not heavy.
Just enough to make the roads shine beneath the streetlights.
I toss the leftovers onto the passenger seat and start driving.
For the first time all night, I'm alone.
The radio hums quietly.
The roads are mostly empty.
And despite all my complaining, I'm smiling.
Because somehow those idiots became my family too.
The thought follows me all the way through town.
Past quiet streets.
Past closed shops.
Past dark houses.
Then something catches my eye.
Hazard lights.
Flashing in the distance.
I slow down automatically.
A car is pulled over on the side of the road.
Bonnet up.
Rain is falling steadily around it.
And standing beside it, a woman.
Alone.
Trying to do something under the bonnet.
I can already tell she has absolutely no idea what she's looking at.
A grin pulls at my mouth.
Well.
Looks like my night just got interesting.