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I t was the day before Liam’s birthday, and he was more excited than I think I remembered being as a kid. I’d picked Liam up from school so Emily could get the bits done that she needed to.

“So, on a scale of one to ten, how excited are you, mate?”

“Beck, you have no idea how excited I am!” He paused for a second before continuing. “And this year will be even better.”

“Why’s that?” I questioned as we turned to walk the long road home.

“Because you’re spending it with us.” He looked up at me with those huge emerald eyes and the cutest smile I’d ever seen.

I was about to reply when he stopped suddenly, looking to his left. “Oh, no! I think it’s being sold.” His head hung a little, and it was clear he was upset as he saw construction workers going in and out of the front entrance of the building.

“What’s up, mate?”

“Mum wanted to buy that. She wanted to open her own bakery.” He sighed. “She was just trying to afford it all.”

“Wow. She never said that was something she wanted to do.” I was shocked. I knew she loved baking, and she was superb at it, but she never mentioned she wanted to open a shop of her own.

“Beckett, can I tell you something? But you have to promise to keep it a secret.” He turned to face me, his usual cheeky face was now deadly serious.

“You have my word.” I held out my pinky as he wrapped his around it, sealing my word with a promise.

“I think Mum put her dreams on hold because of me.”

“Oh, Liam, that’s not true. You’re your mum’s dream.” I crouched down in front of him, dropping to eye level. I knew how much Emily loved this boy. She would give up her life for him. “You bring her so much joy.”

“I want to do something special for her, Beckett. I want her to know she doesn’t need to throw her dreams away because of me.”

“Well, that’s not at all true, trust me.” I couldn’t help but smile as he shot me a confused look. “Does your mum have a vision board for her bakery?”

“She’s always on that printersty thing.”

“You mean Pinterest?” I laughed as did he, chuckling over his mistake.

“Yeah! That’s the one!” His smile turned into one of mischief as his brain worked exactly the same as mine. “Do you want me to show you it when we get home? It’s on the iPad.”

“Indeed, I do, and how about we save that number still in the window and make a quick call on the way home?”

“Wait! Why?”

“Because I’m going to offer double the asking price to see if we can get that location for her instead of whoever got there first.”

“You can do that?” he asked.

“Anything is possible, and I think between you and me, we can make her dream come true. What do you say? Will you be my partner in crime?” I held out my hand in a handshake.

“Put it there, partner!” He giggled as he slapped his much smaller hand in mine and shook it hard. He gasped with excitement. “I even know how she wants her logo.”

“Well then, we’re well underway.” I winked as I rose to full height.

He slipped his hand in mine as we both turned to face the run-down, incredibly old building in front of us. It had character, though, even I had to admit that. Maybe years ago I would have steered Emily to buy a newer building but after seeing what she did when it came to her house, I knew it would be perfect. Liam squeezed my hand tightly, and at that moment, I had to stop myself from telling him the truth about who I was. I wanted to scream it from every damn rooftop in Cheshire, but I couldn’t… Not yet.

“Right, your mum is running errands, so we have some free time to look at her Pinterest board, logo, and plans. You up for it?”

“I am, batman!” He high-fived me as I cocked my brow at the nickname he just gave me. “What? We’re like Batman and Robin, Woody and Buzz, Timone and Pumba, shall I go on?”

“No, I get it. Now, let’s go, Robin.” I threw him into the air before placing him on my shoulders as he let out an excitable squeal.

“Beckett! Be careful with your ankle,” he shouted from above me.

“I’m good. Don’t worry about me, little man.” And I was good… Better than good, actually.

I was bloody amazing.

Back at the house, Liam swiped Emily’s iPad and sprinted to his bedroom where we sat at his desk, overlooking the front of the house so we’d be able to see Em getting home.

“So, this is her logo. This is her board. See how it’s a secret one?” He leaned into me, whispering as if he was on a top secret mission. “Not anymore.” I couldn’t take my eyes off of the logo as I noticed it was exactly the same as the doodle she drew on my leg all those years ago minus the bee. She’d had this dream for so long, I couldn’t help but feelas though I was meant to play a part in it.

I snapped some photos with my phone, capturing everything I needed to show the team of experts I’d hire for the job before making the call that would give Emily her dream.

Liam watched me anxiously as I nodded and confirmed everything I was being asked.

“And what property was it, sir?” the agent asked.

“The one on Cannon Street. It looks as though it’s just been bought.” I confirmed the location, already knowing what his answer would be.

“Unfortunately, it has, but we do have other properties that might suit your needs better.” It was clear the man on the other end of the phone was still trying to sell me something else.

Well, something else wasn’t what we needed.

“With all due respect, that’s the building I’m interested in, and I am willing to pay double what the new owner paid. All I need is for you to speak with them and see if that’s something they’re willing to accept.”

“I can certainly speak with them, is it an all-cash offer or?” he asked.

“Cash. Would you be able to contact him now? I’m on a tight schedule.” I responded.

“Yes, of course. He’s pretty easy to get ahold of. Give me ten minutes maximum.”

I hung up the phone, seeing Liam looking up at me with hopeful eyes. “Well?”

“I think we’ll be just fine.”

And we were. The estate agent called to congratulate me on the owner agreeing to my offer. I continued to give him all my personal details and would await his call to confirm everything had been successful on his end. All I needed to do was sign on the dotted line.

“It looks like we just got your mum her very own bakery.” I assured, buzzing at helping Emily reach her dream.

Liam fisted the air with delight. “Mum is going to be so happy!”

“I bet she will be.” I ruffled his hair as he chuckled before continuing to ask me something else.

“Beckett… Why are you doing this for my mum?” Shit… He’d got me there.

“Because she deserves it. She’s an amazing woman, and if this makes her dreams come true and gives her another reason to smile, I’d do it a million more times.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go back to Spain.” His lips turned upside down in a heartbreaking frown.

“Me too, mate, me too.”

“I know I wasn’t the nicest kid to you in the beginning, and I’m sorry, but now I don’t want you to leave.” He wrapped his arms tightly around my neck, letting a little sob leave his body.

“Listen, I’ll come back to see you all the time, and maybe you and your mum can come watch me play over there too. What do you think?”

“I’d love that… But it’s still not the same.” He didn’t look at me. He kept his head buried in my shoulder.

“I know it’s not, and it sucks, but trust that everything will be just fine.”

He nodded against my shoulder as the few tears he shed soaked through the fabric of my T-shirt.

“Anyway, it’s your birthday tomorrow, and if I remember correctly, I may have gone a little overboard with your presents.”

“You have?!” His head snapped up, the tears practically gone. A smile replaced his frown.

“Maybe,” I teased as we heard Emily’s car pull up outside.

“Mum!” Liam jumped up, running around frantically.

“Liam, you go and stall her so I can put this back where you got it.” I paused at the door. “Where did you get it?”

“In her top drawer in her bedroom,” he said before darting down the stairs to greet Em at the door.

I slipped into Emily’s bedroom, seeing Liam had left her top drawer open, the space for the iPad easy enough to find. I was about to close the drawer when I saw something peeking out from underneath her jumper.

Was that my…

I lifted her jumper carefully, and that’s when I saw it—my football shirt from my final season at school. She had kept it all this time. My heart soared, knowing that her feelings never went away, knowing that she’d kept something of mine despite thinking I broke her heart. I returned it to its rightful place, making sure nothing looked disturbed.

I closed her door behind me, making my way downstairs to meet the pair of them in the kitchen. Liam secretly held up his thumb to me, letting me know she never guessed a thing. I nodded with a smile as Emily seemed none the wiser.

“So, my little champ, are you ready to turn eight?” she asked while she unpacked the food shopping.

“I’m so excited!” Liam spun on the stool before fixating his gaze on me. “Beckett, you should feel honoured that you’re invited tomorrow night. It’s usually just me and Mum.”

“I am incredibly honoured that the birthday boy wants to spend his special day with someone like me,” I joked, barely hiding my amusement. “Listen, I have some things I need to do, but I will pick you up tomorrow from school.” He knew exactly what I was going to do with my evening. I was going to spend it with my dad looking for contractors and designers to bring Emily’s vision to life.

“Let me walk you out.” Emily led me out towards the door, pausing the second we got there.

“You alright?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She let out a saddened sigh. “I had my eye on a place for a bakery, and they informed me someone had put in an all-cash offer.” She tutted with frustration.

“I’m sorry, cupcake.” It was so hard to keep quiet, but I had to, otherwise the surprise Liam and I had planned would be ruined.

“It’s alright. I guess it was a pipe dream, anyway. There was no way I could have afforded it all.”

“There’s nothing wrong with dreaming.” I placed my forehead against hers, breathing her in. “You taught me that, remember?”

“Mhm, I do.” And just like that, a smile replaced the disappointment that lingered.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I glanced over her shoulder, checking if we were still alone before kissing her softly. She rested her hand on my chest where my heart beat for her and only her.

“See you tomorrow.”

She leant against the doorframe, watching me walk away until I was out of view, and I knew that everything was going in the right direction.

It was nearing midnight when my dad and I finished searching for contractors to come and view the shop.

“I think you’ve got a good few to chat with, son.” He slapped his palm on my shoulder. “She’s going to love this.”

“Is it too much?” I began to worry, knowing how independent Emily had always been.

“No, it’s not. It shows that you care about her dreams just as much as she always cared about yours.” He stood from his chair. “You had incredible talent, but Emily was the one who got you to where you are today. The support she showed you daily was enough for you to believe in yourself. You no longer played for yourself but for her too, and I genuinely think even in Spain that you played as if she was watching, wanting to make her proud.”

“I did. I always want to make her proud, and being with her and Liam since being home has changed so much for me.” I sighed, my mind wandering to the thought of leaving. “Am I making the right decision, Dad?”

“Yes, you are. You need to do what’s best for you, and I think deep down you know you are.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“So, Liam’s birthday is tomorrow. Have you got everything wrapped and ready for him?” he asked, reaching into his pocket to dig out his wallet.

“Yeah, I’ve got everything done. Probably went over the top but fuck it.” I chuckled, knowing Liam would love every single present.

“Here, give him this from me, would ya?” He handed me two crisp fifty pound notes. “I missed them all just like you, and I know one hundred quid ain’t much but it’s just a little something.” He was welling up, and I knew how much he wanted to meet Liam properly.

“Cheers, Dad… Listen, once Liam knows everything I’ll take you over to Em’s. You and Mum. You can meet him properly and get to know him.” I relaxed back in the armchair. “He’s amazing, Dad. I can’t believe he’s my son.”

“I bet he’s a little trouble maker if he takes after you.” He belly laughed, knowing how much of a little shit I was at times.

“He’s a good boy. Emily did fantastic with him.” I sipped the whiskey my dad handed me, not that I was a big drinker, but it was something we did every now and then.

“She always was a good girl. I had high hopes you’d marry her one day.”

“He still can, you know.” Mum appeared at the door, wrapped up in her fluffy dressing gown she had gotten from Dad at Christmas.

“What are you doing up, love?” he asked as she perched on the sofa beside him.

“Well, I could hear you two nattering away and wanted to get involved.” She placed a small ring box on my knee. “This was your grandmother’s. Your grandfather spent a fortune on it back in the day, and she was so scared to damage it so she kept it hidden and safe. She gave it to me in hopes that one day I’d pass it down to you so you could propose to the love of your life with it.”

“Mum, what are you trying to say?” I took the box between my fingers as I carefully opened it to reveal an emerald cluster ring. It was an oval cut surrounded by diamonds.

“I’m saying that when the time is right, you can use this ring to propose to Emily. I can’t think of someone it’s more suited for.” She patted my knee as she softly nodded her head.

“And how do you know there’ll ever be a right time?” I questioned, not taking my eyes off the ring.

“Because I know you and Emily.” She grinned. “This injury brought you home, and as heartbreaking as that was, it brought you back to Emily and your son.”

“You’re right.” And I knew she bloody well was. She always was.

“Oh, and for the record, you’re making the right decision.” Hearing my parent’s support was all the confirmation I needed.

I sat beside Emily on the sofa as Liam tore open his presents, wrapping paper flying everywhere and anywhere.

“NO WAY! You got me new boots!” Liam admired them as he could barely wipe the smile off of his face. “Mum, can I try them out in the garden?” he begged, knowing those puppy dog eyes worked all too well.

“Alright, but only for thirty minutes. We’re having dinner soon.”

He was already out the door before he heard the last half of her sentence. He’d taken his new ball and boots and was in his element.

“I class that as a success, don’t you?” I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her onto my lap.

“I think you might just be right.” She tilted her head up to face me, her lips inches away from mine. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“For making his birthday special.” She quickly pecked my lips before her own turned up into a subtle smile.

“I plan on making every single one special from now on.”

That earned me another quick kiss. Her mouth on mine was something I could get used to.

“I’m going to check on our little birthday boy outside.” She dragged herself away from me, and I groaned in annoyance. “Oh, stop that, you act as though I’m sending you home.”

I grabbed her waist, spinning her back between my legs, my face level with her stomach. “Too right you’re not sending me home.” I gently kissed the sliver of bare skin that her top didn’t cover.

She let out a soft moan as my kisses decorated her stomach. Her fingers found my hair, and they raked slowly across my scalp. “Yeah, you’re most definitely staying tonight.” She wriggled out of my hold, already slipping on her trainers before I even had time to complain. “Join us?”

“Alright, I’ll get the plates and everything ready.”

“Okay.” My heart melted the second her lips split into a smile.

Emily pulled me up from the sofa, as I followed her through to the kitchen, catching a glimpse of Liam through the window.

“He seems incredibly happy with his new boots.” I chuckled.

“He does, doesn’t he?” She playfully blew me a kiss before disappearing out the back door.

Just as I had finished setting the kitchen table for the three of us, and pouring Emily a glass of wine, there was a knock at the door.

Bloody hell, that was early.

Reaching the door, there was another knock, this time louder than the first. I unlocked the door, pulling it open to reveal the last person I wanted to see on an evening like tonight—or any night, for that matter.

“Beckett?! What the fuck are you doing here?” Mike scoffed, a disgusted tone to his voice.

“I think the real question is, what the fuck are you doing here?” I kept my hand firmly on the door frame, stopping him from entering Emily’s house.

“I came to see Emily and Liam.” He held what seemed to be a present for Liam in his hand. “I came straight from the airport to see them.”

“You mean, to see my son and the woman I love?” I narrowed my eyes as my blood boiled. “I don’t think so.”

“You can’t keep me away from them. I’m more of a dad to Liam than you are.” He shoved past me with a smug look on that smarmy face of his.

“And whose fault is that?!” I slammed the door in a fury of rage, pictures rattling on their hangings on the wall. “Because it ain’t fucking mine!”

“Wow, I guess she told you then, huh?” He laughed. This prick laughed, and it took everything I had not to pummel my fist into his face.

“Yeah, funny enough. Since being home, we’ve spoken about everything, including the years you deprived us of!” I was livid. This man who once pretended to be our friend was only after what he could get and what he wanted— my family.

There was no way in hell he’d ever take what’s mine. He deserved nothing.

“You think Emily would ever truly love you again, Beckett? She’ll see you for who you are—the fame hungry arsehole you always were. I mean, you pissed off to Spain the second you could, not giving a shit about her then.”

“We would have been fine. I would have dropped everything the second she told me, but you didn’t give me that chance, did you?!” I spat, slamming my hand down on the table beside the door.

“You don’t deserve them. Liam is who he is because of me. I helped Emily raise him.” He smirked looking like the cat that got the cream.

“He’s who he is because of me , not you.” Emily’s voice was flat, but the anger hidden beneath her emotionless expression was clear.

She walked to where I stood, stopping in her tracks beside me. She linked her fingers with mine as she looked up at me with a supportive smile.

“You can’t be fucking serious!” Mike scoffed as he looked as though she’d slapped him silly.

“I’m deadly serious, Mike. You lied to me. You made me think that Beck turned his back on me and our child. Liam is mine and Beckett’s child, not yours like you told his parents.” She was seething as she squeezed my hand tighter.

“I also blocked your number on his phone,” his lips twisted into a sickening smile, as if he was proud of himself, “and do you know what? I’d do it all again.”

“You bastard.” She seethed, tightening her grip on my hand.

“Emily, you know he’s not right for you, and he’s not fit to be a father to Liam!” He shouted, his voice getting louder with each word.

“That’s enough!” I stepped towards him as he stepped back. “Raise your voice at her again, and I’ll end you. Don’t think I won’t.”

He chuckled sarcastically, and it rubbed me the wrong way. His gaze was locked on Em, and I hated it. Hated what was going through his mind when he looked at her. I checked over my shoulder to see Liam still playing keepy-uppy outside.

“How can you even show your face here after what you did?” Emily asked as calmly as possible.

“Because I don’t regret what I did. I don’t regret lying to you or Beckett. I don’t regret lying to get what I wanted, either. Granted, you weren’t as easy as I expected you to be. You were too hung up on this twat, but we were getting there.” He smiled a toothy grin, thinking Em would run into his arms like some sort of fucked up fairytale.

“And how’s that working out for ya?” I teased, fighting to hold back my laugh.

“Fuck you, Beckett! Do you think that boy will forgive you for not wanting him? Forgive you for lying to him since you’ve been home? Because I’m pretty damn sure you haven’t told him yet, have you?”

“It’s none of your business when we tell him. In fact, never speak my son’s name or Emily’s again.” My hand twitched as I fought back the urge to send him on his arse through the front door, but Emily, yet again, stopped me.

“You just had to come back, didn’t you? Worm your way back into Emily’s heart and let her believe that you truly care about her.”

“I don’t need to explain anything to you. My relationship with Emily has nothing to do with you and it never will.” I pulled her into my side, not wanting to let her go, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“You’ll ruin Liam. I just know you will. Emily is better off with me, and deep down, you always knew it.”

Emily scoffed from beside me, knowing how wrong Mike was, but he didn’t seem to care since he didn’t show any signs of bloody leaving.

“You can go now, Mike. I don’t wish to see you again nor do I want you around Liam.”

Before I knew what was happening, Mike had fisted my T-shirt, the anger in his eyes now apparent. He wanted to hurt me physically since his words did fuck all to me.

I knew I’d be able to put him on his arse, but I also knew a dick like this wasn’t worth losing my career and family over. I had to be sensible. I knew how his mind worked, how he’d twist things to paint me as the bad guy.

“I should end your career for good! See if you’ll be happy then when no team wants you with a career-ending injury,” he spat, the smell of hard liquor invading my nostrils. This dick got behind a wheel like that?!

“Leave my dad alone!” That’s when I froze completely, as did Emily, and Mike himself.

“Liam?!” Emily gasped. She spun to face our son who wasn’t upset or shocked like you’d expect. No, that boy was angry, and his furrowed brows confirmed that.

“Leave my dad alone, Mike!” He stepped closer to Em who looked as though all the air had been sucked from her lungs.

Mike dropped his arms to his side, turning to face my son who clearly wanted nothing to do with him.

“Liam, come on. Don’t be like that, mate.” Mike tried to coax Liam towards him, holding out his hand to him.

“I’m not your mate! You made my dad leave us… You made us think he didn’t want us. I hate you!” he spat with tears filling those big, emerald eyes. “You can go now,” he shouted, and I could not have been prouder of him.

“Liam…” Mike started but Emily made sure she was the one that cut him off.

“You heard Beckett’s son. You can go now.” Emily faced Mike. “I don’t ever want to see you around here again. Come around any of us, and I promise I’ll make your life hell. I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done to my family and me.”

“Emily… You don’t mean that… I was there for you when he wasn’t,” he stuttered, knowing it was too late to stop the shit flowing from his mouth mid-sentence.

“And we all know why he wasn’t, don’t we? Because of you and the countless lies you told. You broke me in ways I never expected. Not Beck, but you… And now he gets to put everything back together. Now, go.” She snapped the last two words as Liam and I looked on.

I couldn’t lie. I was scared to see Liam’s true reaction once Mike had gone, but at the same time, I was glad everything was out in the open. The question on my mind was how he knew. He couldn’t have heard us. He was outside the whole time. I kept my eye on him even when Emily had come inside to deal with Mike.

I needn’t have worried though as Liam slipped his hand in mine, squeezing it tightly. He took Em’s hand shortly after, making the three of us look like a united family. A family that wouldn’t be broken by someone as fucked up as Mike.

“You’re making a mistake, Emily. A massive mistake!”

“No, Mike, she’s not making a mistake. The only one making a mistake by being here is you.” I stepped closer to him as there was a certain look of shock on his face. “I don’t want to ever see you around Emily or our son again. You don’t talk to them, you don’t even mention their names, or breathe the same air as my family.” I gripped his shirt, keeping my cool as much as I was able since Liam was beside us. “They are nothing to you, and I swear if you come around here again, I’ll make you regret the day you crossed me, understand?”

“Beck,” he mumbled, trying to keep his composure.

I tightened my hold on his shirt, my eyes burning into his. “I said, do you understand?!”

“I understand.” He scoffed, but that’s all I needed to shove his arse out the door.

I closed the door behind me, composing myself before turning to face Em and Liam. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t anxious about what would happen next, because fuck, I had no clue how tonight would go. But one thing I was sure of was how happy I was that me being his dad was out in the open now and we could move forward.

Just the three of us.