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I saw the car pull up outside from the kitchen window. I wiped my hands on a tea towel, barely able to keep still. The anticipation buzzed through me as I hurried to the door, already smiling. I couldn’t wait to see Liam’s face, to hear every detail tumble out of him all at once. I didn’t know the extent of what Beckett had in store for him today, but I knew it was most likely top class.

As I opened the door, Liam stormed in, his face twisted in anger—his cheeks flushed, his eyes narrowed and dark with frustration. His little hands were balled into fists, and his mouth was pulled tight into a hard line. It was a look I didn’t recognise, and I thought I’d seen them all.

“Hi, baby, how was your day?” I asked, hoping it would pull him out of the funky mood he seemed to be in.

“Fine.” He huffed, already storming up the stairs. His feet hit the steps with force, each one louder than the last, like he was trying to make the whole house feel his frustration.

I turned to face Beckett, who had just reached the door. He wore an expression I couldn’t work out, and I was truly at a loss for words at the pair of them.

“Why is he upset, Beckett?” I remained calm, but my eyes might have sang a different tune as Beckett stood there silent for a moment.

“I don’t know. We had an amazing day, and then when the team manager mentioned me playing for them, I turned him down and Liam’s mood changed.” He sighed.

“Right, so that doesn’t explain why he’s upset.”

“I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe he didn't like the business talk. The manager at Bluehaven kept pestering me about a team switch." I could tell Beckett was upset as well, and I had to admit I hated seeing him that way.

“Beckett, what you need to understand is that Liam is obviously getting comfortable around you. He’s wanting to do more together, and now he’s getting a reality check. He knows you’re getting closer to leaving. It’s hitting him hard.”

“What am I supposed to do, Em?” He sighed. “I can’t not go back, can I?”

“I didn’t ask you to stay years ago, and I won’t ask you now. You do what’s best for you.” I couldn’t say it with a smile because as each day crept closer, it was getting as hard for me as it was the first time. “I need to go and check on Liam. I’ll text you.”

“Em.”

“I’ll text you, Beckett.” I began to close the door when I paused for a second. “Thank you for today. Despite his upset now, I know Liam loved every second of being there.”

“He’s my son, Em, and even if he doesn’t know yet, I don’t want to upset him.” The angst on his face was clear, and I could tell he was practically counting down the hours until he had to leave and not in a good kind of way.

“I know you don’t. I understand, I truly do, I guess we just need to work around everything.”

“Yeah, I guess we do.” He breathed out. “Text me.”

“I will.”

No more words were said, he turned his back to me and walked away.

After closing the door, I made my way up to Liam’s bedroom. As I waited outside for a second, I noticed how silent he was inside. I tapped once before entering.

“Why are you hiding up here, little man?” I asked as I wandered over to him as he looked out of the window. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” He sighed heavily.

I followed his line of sight, and realised he was watching Beckett leave.

“Liam?” I whispered.

“Alright, I was watching him leave.”

“Why would you do that?” I asked, sitting down beside him on the ottoman under the window.

He scooted over onto my lap, his glassy eyes meeting mine.

“Because I need to get used to him leaving since he’ll be doing it soon for real.” A couple of tears trickled down his cheeks, and I hated seeing him this way.

“Oh, baby.” He rested his head on my shoulder as he snuggled into me. “We knew he’d have to leave. I’m sure he’ll be back to visit, don’t you worry.” I didn’t know how true that was, and as well as trying to convince Liam, I was also trying to convince myself.

“It’s fine. He’s just your friend, right?”

“Right,” I lied.

“So, what does it matter then?” He wrapped his arms around me as he spoke quieter this time.

“Liam…” I started, not knowing if now was the time to tell him or not.

“Where’s my favourite nephew?” Harry bellowed from the bottom of the stairs.

“Uncle Harry!” Liam jumped off of my lap and darted for the staircase, Beckett now at the back of his mind by the sound and looks of it.

I glanced out of the window before heading out of the room. I didn’t even know why I looked, he was long gone… Just like he was once before, and like he would be again.

“Em, you coming down?” Harry called.

“Yeah.”

I met Harry downstairs in the kitchen, who was already demolishing one of the cupcakes on the counter. Liam had one of his own and quickly pulled off the paper case so he could sink his teeth into the moist cake.

“Hey, save one of those for me, please.” I laughed.

“For you, Mummy?” Liam asked before shoving the cake as far in his mouth as possible.

“Yeah, who else?”

“So, rate the match out of ten.” Harry smiled, sitting Liam on the stool beside him.

“Ten! Most definitely a ten!” He turned to give his uncle his full attention. “I met the players and everything!” There was no doubt that he enjoyed every second of his day. It was just Beckett’s impending departure that robbed him of that last little bit.

“So, how come your face doesn’t show a ten then?” Harry asked.

“It does. See?” He plastered on a beaming smile, but it was clear it was fake.

“That’s better!” Harry leaned into Liam a little more as if to whisper a secret. “Are you ready for next weekend?”

Liam was staying over at Harry’s next weekend so I could enjoy a night out with Kayla. I hadn’t been out in so long and after everything that had happened recently, I needed it.

“I cannot wait! Are we still having a movie night?” Liam asked before shoving the last part of his cake into his mouth.

“You bet! We’ll order pizza and eat so many sweets and popcorn!” Harry loved having Liam around. He tended to have him stay over once a month to also give me a little time to myself. “How about we go for a kick about in the garden?”

“Don’t be long, though. I’m about to sort dinner,” I called after them.

I could practically hear the groans from the pair of them. Alright, I knew my cooking wasn’t the best there was, but my baking was top class.

I grabbed my phone, quickly typing out a message to Beckett before I pulled what I needed out of the fridge.

Liam had a wonderful time. He rated it 10/10.

I’m glad he did. It went downhill so quickly.

I know it did, but believe me, that boy had the best day, so thank you again.

Are you free next Saturday? I thought we could go out. Just the two of us.

I tapped my thumb on the side of my phone, wanting to say yes more than anything in the world. I mean, Kayla would have understood and Beckett was worth complicating everything for once again, but I couldn’t bring myself to say yes… I just couldn’t.

Thanks for the offer, but I can’t, I’m busy. Sorry.

No worries. I get that you have a life and can’t just drop everything for someone who left you all those years ago.

It’s not that… I genuinely already have plans.

Maybe before I leave then?

Maybe.

Before he leaves…

That was a thought I well and truly wanted to erase from my mind.