27. Together, We Rise
Chapter 27
Together, We Rise
Liam
“ W ell, look what the cat dragged in!” Grams scolds as she drops a plate of sandwiches in front of me. Her stern accent hits harder when she’s annoyed. “The man of the house who’s never home anymore.”
I can’t help but smile at her dramatics. She’s standing there with her hands on her hips, all five-foot-three of her radiating indignation, but I catch the twinkle in her eyes that betrays her amusement. Her silver hair is spiked in its usual style, making her look like the coolest grandma ever—which she absolutely is.
“Come on, Grams. I was home for dinner just last week.” I protest, though guilt does twinge in my chest. She’s right. I haven’t been around as much lately, spending most of my time at Hannah’s helping with repairs or just being with her and Cam.
“ Just last week,” she says, sliding into the chair across from me. “You live here boy and I never see you anymore.” She picks up her own sandwich, eyeing me over it. “Not that I blame you. Hannah is a good woman. But would it kill you to bring them here more often?”
I take a bite of my sandwich to buy time, savoring the familiar taste of her homemade bread. No matter how old I get, nothing quite compares to Grams’s cooking.
“You’re right.” I finally admit. “I should bring them around more.”
Her expression softens. “I miss having a child in this house. All my boys are grown now.” She waves her hand at the kitchen around us, the heart of the home where she raised seven rowdy boys mostly on her own after Mom died. “This place needs the sound of young feet again. And Hannah—” She pauses, choosing her words carefully. “That girl has always belonged here. Even before, when you were teenagers. She was family then, and she’s family now.”
Warmth blooms in my chest at her words. Grams has always had a way of cutting straight to the heart of things. “I’ll talk to her about doing more family dinners here.” I promise. “Maybe we can make it a regular thing a couple nights a week?”
“Good.” She nods decisively. “And tell her I want to teach her how to make proper German potato salad. That store-bought stuff she brought last time?” She shudders dramatically. “An abomination.”
I laugh, remembering Hannah’s mortified expression when Grams had first tasted the potato salad she’d contributed to our last family dinner. “I’ll pass along the message.”
The screen door slams, announcing Mac’s arrival before he appears in the doorway, a handful of mail in his grip. His dark hair is windswept, and there’s a smudge of grease on his cheek, evidence he’s been working on his race car again.
“Mail call.” He announces, tossing the stack onto the table in front of me. “You might want to check out that top one, bro.”
Something in his tone makes me look closer at the envelope he’s indicating. My heart skips when I see the county courthouse return address. With slightly trembling fingers, I tear it open, pulling out the official-looking document inside.
The world seems to stop as I read the words. It’s the court order approving Cam’s name change, along with a copy of his updated birth certificate. There it is in black and white—Cameron James Mutter. Father—Liam Alexander Mutter.
“Liam?” Grams’s voice seems to come from very far away. “What is it?”
I have to blink several times before I can focus on her concerned face. “It’s… it’s Cam’s new birth certificate.” I manage, my voice rough with emotion. “The court approved his name change. He’s officially a Mutter now.”
“Oh, sweet Jesus!” Grams is out of her chair in an instant, coming around to wrap her arms around my shoulders. I lean into her embrace, not ashamed of the tears that spring to my eyes. Her small hand strokes my hair like she used to do when I was little. “Of course he is officially a Mutter. He has always been a Mutter in his heart? Now the paper just matches what we already knew.”
She’s right, of course. Cam has been my son since the moment I first saw him, even before I knew for certain he was mine. But seeing it there in official black and white, knowing that no one can ever take this away from us… It fills something in my soul I didn’t even realize was empty.
Mac claps me on the shoulder. “Congratulations, big brother. Though I gotta say, poor kid being stuck with our last name.” His teasing grin takes any sting out of the words. “At least he’s got Hannah’s looks to make up for it.”
“Watch it, young man.” Grams scolds, but she’s smiling too. “The Mutter name is a proud one.”
“Speaking of…” I carefully fold the document and tuck it into my shirt pocket, right over my heart. “I should go tell Hannah. She’s off today, working on the house.”
“Go, go.” Grams waves me toward the door. “But remember what I said about dinner!”
“I won’t forget.” I promise, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Love you, Grams.”
“I love you too, now get out of here before you explode from excitement.”
Her laughter follows me out the door, along with Mac’s shouting. “Tell Hannah I said hi!”
As I open the front door, my hand drifts to my chest where I can feel the edge of the document through my shirt pocket. My son. Officially, legally, irrevocably my son. No one can ever take that away from us now.
Cameron James Mutter. It has a nice ring to it.
I start down the road and right for Hannah’s house, my heart full to bursting. I can’t wait to see her face when I show her. Can’t wait to tell Cam when he gets home from school. This calls for a celebration—maybe I’ll go by the store and pick up stuff for Cam’s favorite dinner. Or maybe…
The possibilities spin through my mind as I cross the boundary of Hannah’s driveway. Whatever we do, we’ll do it together. As a family.
My family.
I take the porch steps two at a time, barely containing my grin as I rap my knuckles against the wooden door. The sound of footsteps approaches from inside, followed by Hannah’s voice calling out. “Coming!”
When she opens the door, my breath catches. She’s dressed in old jeans and one of my t-shirts that she stole, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, with a smudge of paint on her cheek. She’s never looked more beautiful.
“Liam?” Her brow furrows in confusion. “What are you doing here? I thought you had work.”
“I did. Do.” I can barely string words together, too eager to share the news. “But this couldn’t wait.”
I pull the letter from my pocket with trembling fingers, holding it out to her. She takes it hesitantly, unfolding the official-looking document. Her eyes scan the text, widening as comprehension dawns.
“Oh my God.” Her voice catches. “Is this—”
“Check your mail.” I urge, gesturing toward her mailbox. “You should have gotten one too.”
She practically flies down the porch steps, yanking open the mailbox. Sure enough, there’s an identical envelope waiting inside. Tears well in her eyes as she reads her copy, one hand pressed to her mouth.
“It’s official,” she whispers, looking up at me with shining eyes. “He’s really yours now. Legally.”
“ Ours .” I correct, closing the distance between us in two long strides. “He’s ours .”
I cup her face in my hands, thumbs brushing away the tears that spill down her cheeks. The love I feel for this woman overwhelms me—this strong, incredible woman who’s fought so hard for our son, who’s rebuilding her life piece by piece.
She rises up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that steals my breath. What starts soft and sweet quickly turns heated as a lifetime of emotion surge between us. My hands slide into her hair, tugging the elastic free so I can tangle my fingers in the silky strands.
Hannah moans into my mouth, her body melting against mine. The sound shoots straight to my groin, making my jeans uncomfortably tight. When her hands slip under my shirt to rake her nails down my abs, I growl.
“Inside.” I manage between kisses. “Now.”
We stumble through the front door, barely breaking apart long enough to kick it closed behind us. Hannah’s hands are already working on my belt as I back her toward the living room. The need to touch her, taste her, claim her burns through my veins like wildfire.
“Wait,” she gasps as I start to take control. Before I can process what’s happening, she drops to her knees in front of me. My breath catches at the sight. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to—”
“I want to.” Her eyes meet mine as she finishes unfastening my jeans, tugging them down along with my boxers. “I want to taste you.”
Fuck . Just her words have my cock throbbing. When she wraps her small hand around my length, stroking slowly, my head falls back with a groan. The first touch of her tongue against my tip nearly brings me to my knees.
She takes her time, alternating between kitten licks and long strokes of her tongue before finally wrapping her lips around me. The wet heat of her mouth is heaven as she slowly takes me deeper and deeper. My hands find their way into her hair, not guiding, just needing something to hold onto as pleasure courses through me.
“ Christ , Hannah.” The sight of my cock disappearing between her perfect lips while she looks up at me with those big blue eyes is almost too much. “You feel so fucking good.”
She hums in response, the vibrations making my hips jerk. One of her hands cups my balls while the other strokes what she can’t fit in her mouth. The dual sensation has my thighs trembling as I fight to hold back my release.
When she hollows her cheeks and takes me even deeper, I know I’m done for. “Sweetheart, stop. I’m gonna cum.”
She pulls back just enough to speak, her breath hot against my sensitive flesh. “That’s kind of the point.”
“No.” I gently tug her hair, making her look at me. “Want to cum inside you. Want to feel you.”
Understanding dawns in her eyes, followed by a flash of heat that makes my cock twitch. I help her to her feet, immediately claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. The taste of myself on her tongue is erotic as hell.
My hands find the hem of her shirt—my shirt—dragging it up and over her head. The sight of her bare breasts makes my mouth water. When did she stop wearing a bra? I waste no time bending to capture one peaked nipple between my lips, delighting in her sharp gasp.
“Liam, please.” Her hands clutch my shoulders as I lavish attention on first one breast then the other.
I walk her backward until her knees hit the couch, then ease her down onto the cushions. She lifts her hips so I can tug off her paint-stained jeans, leaving her completely bare before me. The sight of her spread out on the couch, skin flushed and eyes dark with desire, steals my breath.
Kneeling between her thighs, I can’t resist running my fingers through her slick folds. She’s so wet already, her body eagerly accepting my finger as I push inside. The way she arches into my touch, seeking more, is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
I reach into my back pocket with my free hand, tossing her a condom. “Put it on me while I make you feel good.”
Her hands shake slightly as she tears open the foil packet, but before she can roll it on, she hesitates.
I still my movements immediately, concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She bites her lip, looking almost shy. “I’m on birth control. We don’t… we don’t need it.”
My brain short-circuits at her words. The thought of being inside her with nothing between us, of feeling every inch of her wrapped around me, makes my cock throb painfully.
“You sure?” I have to ask, even though it kills me. “You really want that?”
“Yes.” She tosses the condom aside, reaching for me. “Want to feel all of you.”
Fuck . This woman is going to be the death of me.
I withdraw my fingers from her heat, using her own wetness to slick my length before positioning myself at her entrance. Our eyes lock as I slowly push inside, both of us groaning at the sensation. The feel of her bare pussy gripping me is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
“ Jesus fucking Christ .” I have to stop once I’m fully seated, overwhelmed by how perfect she feels. “You feel incredible.”
She wraps her legs around my waist, drawing me even deeper. “Move. Please.”
I withdraw slowly, watching where our bodies join as I sink back in. The sight of my bare cock disappearing into her perfect pussy nearly makes me cum on the spot. When I lift my gaze to her face, the love and trust shining in her eyes steals my breath.
This isn’t just sex. This is a connection I’ve never felt with anyone else. This is where I belong—where I was always meant to be. This is coming home.
I maintain a maddeningly slow pace, savoring every inch of her. She writhes beneath me, nails digging into my shoulders as she begs for more. But I want to draw this out. I want to memorize every sound, every expression, every flutter of her pussy around me.
“Liam, please.” She rolls her hips, trying to force me to move faster. “Need more. Harder.”
Instead of giving in to her demands, I withdraw completely. Before she can protest, I drop to my knees on the floor, hooking her legs over my shoulders.
“Going to make you cum on my tongue first.” I tell her, my voice rough with desire. “Then I’m going to fuck you properly.”
She starts to say something, but it turns into a cry of pleasure as I lick a long stripe through her folds. She tastes like heaven—sweet and tangy and addictive. I alternate between broad strokes of my tongue and focused attention on her clit, drinking in her gasps and moans.
When I feel her thighs start to tremble, I slide two fingers inside her, curling them to hit that spot that makes her scream my name. The combination of my fingers and tongue quickly pushes her over the edge, her back arching as she comes with my name on her lips.
Before she can fully come down, I surge up and slam back into her. Her oversensitive pussy clenches around me as I finally give her what she wants—hard, deep strokes that have the couch creaking beneath us.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck .” She clutches at my shoulders, meeting each thrust. “So good. Don’t stop.”
“Never.” I capture her mouth in a messy kiss, grinding deep. “Never letting you go.”
I can feel my release building, pressure coiling tight in my gut. The thought of cumming inside her, marking her mine in the most primal way, has me growing even harder.
“Close.” I warn her, my rhythm growing erratic. “Where do you want it?”
“Inside.” She locks her ankles behind my back, holding me deep. “Want to feel you come in me.”
Her words do my in. I bury myself as deep as possible as my orgasm crashes over me, flooding her with my release. The feel of her pussy fluttering around me tells me she’s following right behind.
We lay tangled together afterward, trading lazy kisses as our breathing slowly returns to normal. I can feel my cum leaking out of her, marking her thighs, and the possessive part of me growls in satisfaction. She’s mine. Finally, completely mine.
“I love you,” I murmur against her lips, unable to contain the words.
Her smile is radiant. “I love you too. So much.”
We stay like that for a long while, just holding each other, basking in the afterglow. Eventually though, reality intrudes.
“What time does Cam get home from school?” I ask, not wanting to move but knowing we can’t let him find us like this.
“A little after three.” She traces random patterns on my chest. I check the time, relieved to see we have a little over an hour remaining. “He’s going to be so excited when we tell him about the name change being official.”
“Yeah?” I can’t help my hopeful tone.
“Of course.” She props herself up on an elbow to look at me properly. “Liam, that boy adores you. He’s so proud to be your son. Being able to share your name officially? It’s all he’s talked about since we submitted the paperwork.”
My heart swells with love for both of them. After everything we’ve been through, all the years lost, we’re finally a real family. The sight of Hannah’s bright smile, the knowledge that our son is happy and thriving, the feel of her bare skin against mine—it’s everything I never knew I needed.
“Thank you,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“For what?”
“For giving me a second chance. For letting me be part of your lives. For trusting me with your heart.”
She cups my face in her hands, eyes serious. “Thank you for coming back to us. For fighting for us. For being the kind of man who deserves that trust.”
I capture her lips in another kiss, pouring all my love and gratitude into it. When we finally break apart, her eyes are shining with happy tears.
“You need to head back to work,” she says reluctantly.
I groan, burying my face in her neck. “Do I have to?”
Her laugh vibrates through me. “Yes. But...” She trails off suggestively.
I lift my head to look at her. “But?”
“But maybe you could join me in the shower first?”
A wicked grin spreads across my face as I scoop her up in my arms, making her squeal. “Have I mentioned how much I love the way you think?”
Her answering laugh echoes through the house as I carry her upstairs. We may have wasted years apart, but I plan to spend the rest of our lives making up for lost time.
And judging by the way she’s already kissing down my neck as we stumble into the bathroom, Hannah feels exactly the same way.
Life is pretty damn perfect. Finally.