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I t had been three weeks since the wedding and our night alone. Despite Liam always being there, Beckett managed to stay over at ours more than we expected. Luckily, Liam was none the wiser. Beckett either left before Liam woke up or was out of the house before he came home from school. I hated sneaking around and lying to Liam, but it was what we needed for now.

“Em, what about this?” Beckett called from halfway across the shop. He was holding up the away kit for Bluehaven United.

“He’ll love it!” I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face as he placed it over his arm and headed toward the football boots.

I stood back and watched as he debated between studs and astro boots. I never knew a decision over footwear could take so long.

“So, what are you going with?” I asked, relaxing on the seat beside where he stood.

“Both.” He grinned, his face lighting up as he decided on treating Liam to two pairs.

“Beckett, you don’t need to?—”

“Em, I missed the past seven birthdays, and although he doesn’t know I’m his dad yet, I want to make up for the years I lost.” There was no way I could argue or complain about that, and to be honest, I wouldn’t dream of it.

He picked up a branded football as a mischievous smile played on his lips.

“Don’t even think about it.” I warned, but there was no point. He was already halfway through effortlessly tapping it into the basket I was holding. “He already has more footballs than I can count.”

“Goal!” he joked, and I couldn’t help but smile. “You know you can never have enough.”

No matter how well known his name was around the world, I loved that Beckett still acted as he did all those years ago.

“Hey, Em?” he asked from beside me as we wandered to the checkout.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think he’ll be happy?” he asked, and I wasn’t sure if he was referring to the presents or something else.

“With what?” I stopped in my tracks, turning to look at him, instantly seeing his once joyful face now a picture of worry.

“The fact that I’m his dad.” And there it was, the question that had obviously been playing on repeat in the back of his mind.

“I can honestly say, hand on my heart, that he’ll be over the moon to know you’re his dad.” His eyes dropped to where I placed my hand on his forearm.

“What if he hates me for not being around?”

“Beck, listen to me. That boy will know the truth at some point. He’ll know exactly why you weren’t around, and exactly who fed you lies.” I sighed, thinking back to all the mistruths Mike told and how he deprived my son of his father.

“You’d tell him about Mike?” His mouth fell open ever so slightly as his eyes darted to mine to see if I was serious.

“Why wouldn’t I? That man ruined years of our lives while he played saint to us all. Liam deserves to know that the reason he missed out on having his dad around was because of Mike and nobody else.” I clenched my jaw, and my teeth clamped shut.

“But I could have come back, couldn’t I? I could have seen for myself that you didn’t move on. I could have?—”

“The past is the past. And you know I always believe everything happens for a reason, no matter how hard that reason might be to swallow.” He rested his forehead against mine in the middle of the sports shop, clearly not caring who was around or watching. “Just enjoy your time with Liam. Live in the now and not in the past. Can you do that for me, please?”

“I can do that.” His lips turned up the smallest bit at the corners, and I watched as the weight he carried on his shoulders lifted. He planted a quick, gentle kiss on my lips. I could barely hide my smile afterwards.

“What’s that smile for?” he asked, arching his brow.

“That was the first time you’ve kissed me in public.” I blushed, wondering if he felt as giddy as I did.

“The first of many.” He pressed his lips against mine once more before leading me to where the tills were.

After checking out, Beckett dragged me around countless shops, but for someone who adored shopping, this was on another level. He truly was like a kid in a sweet shop, picking up and buying anything he thought Liam would like, and if he didn’t know, he’d look to me for approval.

“Now, time for me to treat you to lunch.” He said as he put the final shopping bag in the boot of the car.

“Why don’t I buy lunch today?” I offered, but by the look on his face, it was clear that was a solid no.

“You already know my answer to that, Em, so don’t try it.” He draped his arm over my shoulders as he pulled me protectively into him. “Any requests?”

“Surprise me.”

And he did.

We stepped inside what was a family run Italian restaurant as we finally sheltered from the chilly Manchester air. The warm, inviting glow beckoned us inside as the incredible scent of garlic and fresh basil filled our senses the second we crossed the threshold.

It was small and intimate with rustic wooden tables and chairs, each adorned with a simple red and white checkered tablecloth. Family photos decorated the walls as they were illuminated by warm lighting, each snapshot telling a different story.

“Table for two?” The waiter asked as he held out his hands to take our coats.

“Please.” Beckett handed them over before we were shown to our table.

“Here are your menus. Can I get you a drink while you decide?” Our waiter had a thick Italian accent and must have been no older than twenty.

“Water for me, please. What about you, Em?” Beckett asked as he held my cold hand in his, trying to warm it up.

“I’ll have a Sanpellegrino limonata, please.”

“ Grazie .” He left the two of us alone as he hurried off to retrieve our drinks.

“So, do you think I got Liam enough for his birthday?” Beckett questioned, already knowing deep down he probably got too much.

“He would have been happy with one present, Beckett. But honestly, you did amazing, and he will be on cloud nine.”

“I can’t wait to see him score goals in those new boots!” His whole face lit up, as his eyes danced with the kind of happiness that was infectious. “I know I won’t be here, cupcake, but I will get back as much as I can. I promise.”

“I’ve had so many empty promises over the years, Beck. And if you want me to be honest, I’m scared this will be another one.” I sighed, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

“Em, this isn’t an empty promise. Not to you or to Liam. I will make it work. No matter what it takes, I’ll do it.” The sincerity in his voice cemented his words for me. There was no denying that it would be hard, saying goodbye yet again to the man I’d loved since I was a teen. “Emily, I need you to trust me, and I know I don’t deserve that, but I will do anything and everything to gain it back.”

“I’m used to heartbreak. But Liam isn’t and he can’t lose you, Beckett. He just can’t.”

“He won’t lose me and neither will you. I will fight for you over and over, until my dying breath, if that’s what it takes.” His thumb brushed over my knuckles. A second later, the waiter interrupted us by bringing our drinks.

“Are you ready to order?” He plucked his pad from his pocket and waited eagerly.

“Can I have the fettucini alfredo, please?” I handed him my menu as he turned to Beckett, who ordered the same.

He stood there for a moment, looking at Beckett with his head cocked to the side.

“Forgive me, but are you Beckett Ashmore? You play number nine for Sevilla Sols, right?”

“That’s me.” Beckett smiled as did the waiter.

“You scored the winning goal against one of my favourite teams, the Valencia Thunderhawks. I was devastated, but the goal was magnificent. A real banger!”A wide grin crept across his lips, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“Thanks, that means a lot! It was a great game. They’re a fantastic team.” Beckett was so humble and polite as he signed the pad the waiter held out to him.

“ Grazie, grazie !” He shook Beckett’s hand before hurrying off to the kitchen to put our order in.

“So, what’s the plan for Liam’s birthday?” Gone was professional Beckett and back was the one I knew and adored so much.

“Well, I’m baking his favourite cake, and we usually order from the diner since it’s his favourite place, but I guess this year we’ll be ordering for three instead of two.”

“Thanks for including me. It means more to me than you know.”

“I’d never keep you away.” And that was the truth. “If you want to come straight over after school, you can do presents with him and then just spend the evening together.”

“And what about when our son has gone to bed? Do we get to spend the rest of the evening together?”

“Yes, we do.” I blushed, and despite the dim lighting, he saw it.

“I might have to head back to Spain for a quick physical to see how I’m doing after Liam’s birthday. It’ll only be a couple of days, though. I reckon I’ll be out for the rest of the season.”

“Alright.” His news hit me like a steam train. He was heading back already, and who knew if those days would turn into weeks or even longer. I was happy for him. He loved playing and being injured broke his heart more than he let on. I would support him just as I always did. I wouldn’t show him my heart was breaking at the thought yet again.

“Em, I’ll be back after a couple of days.” He assured me before kissing the back of my hand. “I’ll be counting the hours until I get to be with you and Liam again.”

“As will we.”