Liam stands and takes me into his arms. He kisses me with tears spilling between the two of us. He holds my face and looks at his mother who rests peacefully. “She said yes, Mom.”

Liam’s dad enters a few seconds later and walks to the end of the bed. “Dad, I’d like to tell you that Natalie and I are getting married and she’s having our baby. I told Mom as well.”

His father smiles and his lip quivers. He looks at his wife and my chest aches. You can see how badly he wants to share this moment. I extract myself from Liam’s arms and walk to his father. He opens his arms and I embrace him.

“I’m so happy, but so sad at the same time,” he murmurs. “She would’ve loved you.”

I nod understanding exactly what he means. When I held Aarabelle for the first time when we thought Aaron was dead, I wasn’t sure if smiling was okay. I remember feeling the utter despair of being without him in that moment but also elation that she was here. His happiness is clouded by his agony. The thing about grief is it comes in many forms and there’s no right or wrong way.

“I’m sure I would’ve loved her as well. But her memory will be cherished. I promise our child will know the woman she was and how much she would’ve loved them.” I vow this and I will live up to that. She was clearly loved and a wonderful woman.

We spend the next few hours in Shannon’s room talking to her and telling her stories about Liam and Aarabelle. Aidan smiles and laughs when I tell him about Liam’s diaper issues. He tells me stories about Liam as a kid and how he was always into some kind of trouble.

“The worst was when he got into sticking things up his nose,” he chuckles and Liam groans.

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah . . . anything he could find. Shannon always wondered when he sneezed what might come out. He was always talking my Kristine into doing something too. She would get stuck and Liam would pretend he knew nothing.” Aidan gets lost in his memories. “I remember one time coming home from work and Shannon was baking a cake for a neighbor. She loved to do things for the other women on the block. She was always helping someone and bringing them food . . . anyway, she was busy, and Liam and Kristine were supposed to stay in the yard. Liam told Krissy that Shannon said it was okay for her to go to their friend’s house. I came home and asked her where Kristine was and she panicked. Liam of course claimed Krissy said she didn’t care that she wasn’t allowed to go . . .”

I look at Liam, who for the first time since we arrived has a little life in his eyes. He smiles and shakes his head. “I think you exaggerate that, Dad. I was a good boy.”

He gives one throaty cough-laugh. “I think you’re mistaken, son. You were always doing something to get your sister in trouble.”

“And she always believed me.”

“She loved you,” he murmurs. “Now I’ll lose both my girls.” Aidan looks at his wife and sighs.

“I know the pain you’re feeling. It won’t ever go away. But one day it won’t hurt so bad.” I take his hand in mine. “It won’t be so hard to breathe. It won’t feel like the world is crushing you. One day that will come and it just gets a little easier each day.” I give him the small amount of hope I have. “I know right now that seems like a lie, but I’ve walked in your shoes.”

“Thank you, Natalie. My son is very lucky.” His other hand covers mine. “I had a great love with Shannon. I always prayed my children would find something like I was blessed to have. I only wish she could see that Liam has.”

“I wish she could too,” I reply.

“This is home.” Liam extends his hand forward, and I walk through the door. After spending a few more hours at the hospital, Aidan demanded I get some rest and care for the baby he already loves.

We offered to stay in a hotel, but he would hear nothing of it, and since he refuses to leave her side so there’s no point in us giving him space. The house is just as I imagined based on what Liam described. It’s an old, brick house with cute, white awnings. The front door is old oak and inside is immaculate. Everything is clean and homey. This is the home you want to spend Sunday dinners at.

“It’s exactly like I pictured.”

“What does that mean?” he grins.

“Just it’s a home. I grew up on a farm in Arkansas, so I’m sure you have this idea of what it looks like. I always pictured you living on a quaint street with green lawns and plastic on the couches.” I laugh and then Liam lifts me into his arms. “Put me down.”

“Off your feet. I’ll show you around.”

“I can walk, Liam.”

He leans closer and presses his lips against me. “Let me take care of you. I need to hold you.”

I understand his need to care for something. When your world is falling apart, sometimes you need something to hold on to. He needs to feel grounded and in control of one aspect of his life.

“You make it really hard to say no.”

“I’m counting on that.”

I lightly slap his chest and he begins the tour. We find our way through the house. I admire how beautiful her taste is. She’s classic with a touch of modern. The kitchen was recently redone, and you can tell that’s the heart of the home. Everything is labeled and in its place. It’s exactly the type of home where you’d expect Martha Stewart to come out at any moment.

Liam climbs the stairs laughing about how he’s having flashbacks of basic training carrying a log. He gets another slap for that.

“This is my room.” He opens the door, and I refrain from busting out laughing. It’s covered in old posters and photos.

“Wow, this is something else,” I say as he still refuses to put me down.

“Zip it.”

“Is this Yasmine Bleeth? Like from Baywatch?” I can’t stop the hysterical giggles that follow.

“She was hot,” he defends and puts me on my feet.

“Will I find old Playboys under your mattress?” I mock him and lift the side up. Before I can get it high enough to see, his hands come around the front of me.

“I’d rather look at my fiancée.”

“Liam,” I chide. “We’re at your parents’ house.”

“They already told you I don’t follow rules well. Besides,” his gruff voice drops as his mouth glides across my ear. “You’re already pregnant. I think they know.”

His tongue runs the rim of my ear and I shiver. “I’ve missed you,” I say as my hand reaches up and wraps around his neck. I hold him against me as I feel his erection press against my ass.

“I need you, Lee. I need you so fucking bad. Are we allowed?”

I nod as his hand comes around my front and presses gently against my stomach. He slowly moves his fingers up and groans as he takes my breast in his hand. “So much better . . .” I trail off as he touches me.

Liam spins me and then lifts my shirt off. He stares at me as his eyes worship me. I decide to take the lead on this. I reach behind me and remove my bra. My breasts fall heavy as his pupils dilate.

I unbutton my jeans and slide them down. He licks his lips as I hook my fingers into my black lace underwear. I begin to slide them lower but decide I need to toy with him a little. I step closer, and his eyes close and his head falls back as I cup his dick. “I think you’re overdressed, my future husband.”