Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
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.
33
Liv
One month later . . .
“I think we should move in together.”
I stop towel-drying my hair and stare at Noah in the mirror. “Move in together?” I ask stupidly, my mind struggling to wrap around the words he just flung out of the blue. I twist the towel around my hair on my head. “I’m not even wearing a bra, Noah.”