Chapter 32 #2
She laughs, resting back on her hands. “I remember you coming home covered in mud. You had been building forts out in the woods, trying to keep up with your brothers.”
“We’d jump in the creek at the back of the eastern portion,” I say, pointing toward the helipad. “By the time we reached the grass, I think we were covered with dirt from more than a mile.”
“Did you have a good childhood, Noah?”
Our eyes stare into each other’s, and I was unaware until now that she had thoughts that didn’t match her sunnier disposition. I suddenly see her in a new light—good or bad—more human. I reach over and rub her back. “The best, Mom.”
“Good.”
The wiggle worm on my lap taps his feet against my chest. “Dada dadadada.”
The heat of my mom’s stare draws my attention back to her. She knows.
Her hand wraps around my wrist, stilling me. “Noah.” It’s not a question nor a command, but it sends my heart thundering in my chest. I don’t say a word, but I swear she can hear my heart pounding.
My mind freezes. Instead of filling in the blanks, I let her get whatever it is off her chest. “Noah,” she whispers as if my name is all she can say.
Her gaze darts over my shoulder at the others, but I can’t read what she’s thinking when it returns to me.
She takes a deep breath with her hand on her chest, and when she releases it, she says, “This is your child.”
“Mom,” I start, my hand covering hers that’s holding on to me like I’m going to fall from a cliff if she doesn’t. Max rolls into the grass and decides to make a run for it across the lawn. And by run, I mean he toddles and is not getting anywhere fast. “I can explain.”
Her eyelids fall, and she sucks in a deep breath. “Noah . . .”
I still can’t read her mind or how she’s feeling. Is she in shock? “It’s okay, Mom. This is a good thing. I’m good. He’s good.”
When her eyes fly open again, tears fall down her cheeks. She drops her head into her hands. I rush to comfort her while still keeping an eye on Max. “It’s okay, Mom. I promise.”
Raising her chin, she laughs through the tears. “Of course, he’s a good thing. Oh, Noah.” She throws her arms around me, hugging me tighter than I think she ever has. “What a blessing.”
My dad and the others rush over. “What’s going on? Is your mom okay?”
Liv scoops Max into her arms and plants him on her hip. Keeping distance from us, she watches as the whole crew comes over to make sure my mom’s alright. My girl may not be afraid of dating a reformed playboy, but she protects her son.
My mom bawls her eyes out on my shoulder as I try to comfort her at the same time. “She’s okay.” I don’t want everyone else to worry. Looking at Liv, I add, “She’s happy.”
“They’re happy tears,” my mom says, pushing up and rushing to Liv. As my mom cups Liv’s face, I can hear her saying, “Thank you. What a gift you’ve given us.”
The stoicism Liv’s held on to for what I believe is years to safeguard Max crumbles under my mom’s instant acceptance.
Liv breaks down in tears, dropping her head on my mom’s shoulder.
Tuesday quickly takes Max and starts playing with him.
She’s so good with kids, but I know she’s allowing everyone time to figure out what’s going on to keep him from getting scared.
Lark laughs behind me. “I won that bet.”
Harbor chuckles, and then I hear a smack on the lips. “I don’t know how you knew.” Resolved in his defeat, he adds, “You win. I lose. We get salad on our pizza next time.”
“It’s not salad, it’s arugula, and it’s healthy for us.”
“It doesn’t belong on pizza.”
“It does next time because I won.”
I shake my head because these are the kinds of quarrels I dream of having with Liv one day—entertaining and fun.
Harbor’s hand comes down on my shoulder, and he says, “Congrats, you competitive little fucker.”
Chuckling, I turn, pretending to sucker punch him. He flinches, and that’s all I need to know. I still rule this roost. But then we embrace, the tone turning sincere. It’s a momentous occasion. “You made me an uncle, kid.”
“Guilty as charged.”
Loch says, “What the fuck is going on?”
Harbor shoulders him and then pulls him back. “The short version is that you’re an uncle, and Max, right over there playing with your wife, is your nephew.”
“What?” Loch asks. “I’m going to need the long version.”
They start walking toward Max and Tuesday, and I hear Harbor reply, “I’ll fill you in.”
I start for my girlfriend, whose eyes are filled with tears, love, and so much emotion that she can’t hold it in and is crying again.
Lark beats me to her, embracing her like a sister.
There’s a lot to be said for an only child to be welcomed and supported by such a large family.
But this is what we do. One by one, they each go to her and then to me, bringing us all together as a family.
I’m drawn in by the moment, my soul captivated by hers, needing to be with her.
My whole being is filled with the love I have for her and Max as I hold her in my arms. I kiss where she was hit earlier by the cup, glad there’s no bruising and then on that scar on her eyebrow, proud of her for surviving.
It’s then, with her head on my shoulder, that I know even though I’m not the first guy Liv’s fallen for, I will be the last. I vow right then and there that I will be everything she ever needs.
My dad is already holding Max when he comes to us. “Did you forget to tell me something, son?”
“Oh my God.” Marina throws her arms out. “Is anyone going to fill the rest of us in?”
Harbor cups the side of his mouth, and replies, “Noah has a kid who looks just like me. Lucky fellow.”
At least Liv thinks that’s funny. My mom shrugs. “I’m sorry, Noah. If it makes you feel better, I have confused the two of you in baby photos before.”
“No,” I tease with a grin, “that doesn’t make me feel better.”
“What?” Marina’s eyes shoot to mine. “When?”
Liv wipes under her eyes after a roll of laughter. “It’s true. Noah is Maxwell’s father.”
“Huh?” Sliding her sunglasses to her head, she looks more confused than before. “How? You guys just started dating.”
I say, “We actually connected a few years back and—”
“I don’t remember you dating anyone back then.”
My brow heavies. “Okay, we don’t need to get into the dirty details—”
“Ohhh,” my sister hums. “It was a one-night stand.”
Loch says, “The kid is right there. Max can hear you.”
When Marina comes closer, I lower my voice. “He was not planned, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Oh.” This time, I see her cringe. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay,” Liv says, stopping her from having to explain. “I appreciate the honesty. I hope you understand that although we weren’t dating when we met in the Hamptons, we were drawn to each other. I like to think that destiny played a hand in bringing us back together.”
Marina happily sighs. “I love that. You know what else I love?” She smiles and throws her arms around both of us. “I’m an aunt.” She laughs and then runs over to Max. Sitting next to him in the grass, I can hear her introducing herself. “We’re going to have the best time ever, little man.”
If I would have known having a girlfriend was so good, I would have done this years ago. And being a dad is pretty fucking spectacular.
I kiss Liv, wiping away a stray tear that escaped. “So . . .”
She smiles. “So . . .”
“How do you feel?”
“I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. Max and I are so fortunate to have you and your family in our lives.” Caressing my face, she looks into my eyes. I’ve never seen her happier than she is right here. I want to give this to her, always. “How are you?”
“I’m . . .” I think, needing more than a few seconds to encapsulate these emotions. “Their response and reception, like you said, couldn’t have gone better.” We both look at everyone that matters to me enjoying our son’s company. We’re truly in this together.
The laughter that floated in the breeze and the joy that lingered all afternoon follows us long after we leave.
In the back of the SUV, with a couple hours behind us and a few more ahead, Liv angles her shoulder under my arm, resting against me while facing Max in his car seat.
Holding his hand, she says, “He’s the best parts of us.
” She glances up at me as if I would argue that fact.
Today was a lot to take in. I’m still riding the high that we’re a family. Not just my siblings and parents but Liv, Max, and me. We’re a little unit that will always have each other’s back and best interest at heart. “He is.” I kiss the top of her head, holding her to me. “Today was a good day.”
She nods against me, her eyes dipping closed. It doesn’t take long until she’s under a spell of sleep. I look out the window and then back at her and Max sleeping beside me in the back of this SUV. I hope he knows that I’ll always take care of them.
I settle in, my body relaxed after the long day. I don’t mind the quiet in the back seat, being left with my thoughts and the peaceful sight of my family around me.
I’m discovering there’s a new form of bliss.
This is it.