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I tapped on Liam’s door as he called me inside. I felt as nervous as the first time I saw him after finding out he was my son.

“Hey, mate, your mum said you want to talk to me?” I closed the door behind me as he scooched over on the beanbag.

“Yeah, will you sit with me?” He patted the small, empty spot beside him.

“Course.” I lowered myself down and sat with him, his eyes focused on me.

I saw the photo he was holding. It was the same one that had been my phone background for years. “Liam, I?—”

“Did you really not know about me?” he asked, interrupting me. His large, emerald eyes glistened with tears he must have cried with Em.

“I didn’t, and I wish I did, but I believed something I shouldn’t have. Your mum and I both did. Looking back, I should have known something wasn’t right.”

“Why did Mike lie to Mum about you not wanting me?”

“I don’t know, mate. I genuinely don’t know what he gained by not telling me about you.” Mike took advantage of Emily at her most vulnerable time, from that phone call to present day. Emily was young and pregnant. She thought she could trust someone who was nothing but a snake.“ But just know that if I knew about you I would have dropped every single thing in my life, and I would have come back.”

“Dropped football?” he gasped, his eyes searching mine for an answer.

“Yes.” It was simple. I would have dropped everything, even if Emily moaned at me for doing so, which I knew she would have.

“We missed lots of time, Dad.” He whispered, taking me by surprise. My emotions were a whirlwind, hearing him call me Dad made my heart burst with pure love. A kind of love I had never experienced before, and one that I wanted to feel on a daily basis. I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing him call me Dad. I had always thought Em and I would have a family, and now that we did, I was never letting them go. “I can call you Dad, right?”

“Of course you can. You can call me whatever you want to. Whatever you’re comfortable with.” I wrapped my arm around him as he snuggled into my side.

“You’re my dad. I want to call you Dad.” He smiled, the remainder of his tears soaking into my T-shirt.

“I’m sorry we lied to you about me being a family friend. We thought it was for the best, but you have to know I wanted to tell you so many times.”

“I know you did.” He chuckled, before looking up at me with a mischievous face. “You love my mummy, don’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Well, I’m eight now. And I don’t really know what love is, but I can tell you love Mummy, and do you want to know a secret?” He whispered those last seven words.

“Go on then, spill.”

“Mummy loves you too.” His face lit up as he spoke, clearly over the moon at the fact his mum and dad still loved one another.

“How do you know? Because I know she didn’t tell you.”

“I just know. She’s never looked at anyone like she looks at you… She has hearts in her eyes, and they twinkle when she sees you.”

“I never noticed that. I guess I know what to look out for now.” I relaxed back into the uncomfortable beanbag.

“I’m happy you’re my dad.” He jumped onto my lap, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck.

“Me too, mate, me too. Now, shall we go and join your mum? Maybe dinner is here.”

“Yes! I’m starving!” His face lit up brighter than the stars in the night sky as he jumped up to his feet.

“Well, it’s a good job we ordered so much food then.”

“Hey, Dad?” He tugged at my hand, trying to pull me up with all his strength. “When do I get to meet your mum and dad? Do they want to meet me?”

“Whenever your mum says it is a good time to, but yes, they cannot wait to meet you.” I reached into my pocket, handing him the one hundred pounds my dad had given me to give to Liam. “Actually, this is from your grandad for your birthday.”

His eyes widened with delight as he held the two fifty pound notes in his hand. “I’ve never had this much money before.”

“Do you know what you’re going to spend it on?”

“Not yet, except one thing.” He stuffed the notes into his piggy bank in the shape of a football. “I want to be the first person to buy something from Mummy’s bakery. I want to be her first customer.”

My heart swelled with pride at how wonderful this kid was. I literally had no words, I just nodded with a smile.

“Come on, dinner time!” He didn’t let go of my hand as he hurried down the stairs, the aroma from the diner’s food wafting in our direction.

“Hey, you two.” Em had already plated up dinner as she placed it on the settings on the table. She looked up at me with a smile, her eyes silently questioning if everything was okay until she spotted Liam’s hand in mine and she already knew.

Liam let go of my hand and flopped himself down onto his seat as I reached Emily who had that familiar blush to her cheeks, the one she only ever had around me. I leaned against the counter, wanting to touch her, hold her, and kiss her, but Liam being around made that pretty hard. She mouthed the word ‘later’ to me, and for now, I’d take that. But only for now.

“You know what I’d really like for my next birthday?” Liam asked with a giggle as he stuffed a chip into his mouth.

“Hit us with it,” I answered, wondering what more this kid could possibly want that he had to ask for it a year in advance.

“A brother or sister.”

Emily almost choked as I could barely contain my smile.

“How about you just eat your dinner before it gets cold?” Emily tutted as we joined Liam at the table.

Nothing else was said about a sibling, Mike, or the fact that I was Liam’s dad while we ate. But it was one of the first times I knew that every decision I was making was the right one.

After dinner, Liam blew out the candles on his cake, but not before Emily asked him to make a wish.

“My wish has already come true.” Liam looked up at me over his cake before blowing out the eight candles, and I knew at that very moment that having his dad around was all he ever wanted.

“You go and get ready for bed, birthday boy. I’ll be up to tuck you in once I’ve cleared away down here,” Em said as she loaded the cake plates into the dishwasher.

“Actually, I want Dad to tuck me in.” He had already darted up the stairs before either of us could answer. “I love you, Mum!” he shouted from the top of the stairs, making Em smile at how adorable he was.

“Is that alright with you?” I asked, not wanting to overstep on Emily’s usual routine with him.

“He’s your son, Beck. You never have to ask me if things are alright, especially if he’s asked for you.” She shut the dishwasher, leaving the gap between us bigger than I liked.

Of course, I closed it.

“I’d never want to step on your toes, cupcake, especially since it’s been you and him for so long.” I pushed her against the counter as her lips parted slightly.

“You don’t ever have to worry about stepping on my toes.”

I lowered my head, our foreheads now touching as I brought my lips a mere inch from hers. “I’m here for the long haul, Em. I’m not walking away from you again.” I didn’t know how much she believed that, but I knew with time she would.

“Do you really mean that, Beck?” she whispered against my mouth.

“With my life. You and Liam are it for me. There is nothing else that is more important than you both.” I smiled as I kissed her, tasting the sweetest mixture of vanilla icing and her. “I used to think I missed being here, at home… But I soon realised that it wasn’t here that I was missing, it was you .”

“No one ever came close to me, is that it?”

“There was no one else, Em. There has only ever been you.” I tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear as she nuzzled her cheek into my palm. “I had a dream once and that was football, but the second I met you, I knew my dreams had changed. I knew that what you and I would have would be bigger than anything else.” I pecked her lips again when tears welled in her eyes. I could only hope they were happy tears. “I’ll go and tuck Liam in, and then you’re all mine.”

She nodded, her forehead still touching mine as her eyes met mine. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom.” She trailed her fingertips down my cheek as the pad of her thumb brushed across my lower lip.

Pulling myself away from her at that moment was bloody torture. She knew what she was doing as I saw that mischievous glint in her eye.

I left her to finish what she needed to do while I checked on our son. Tonight had been crazy, a fucking whirlwind, but after everything, it was so damn worth it. Liam knew his dad. He knew that I didn’t walk away from them because I didn’t care. He knew that I didn’t know, and if I did, I would have been on a plane faster than I could have blinked.

“You in bed, little man?” I asked as I entered his room.

“I am. I brushed my teeth too. See!” He flashed his teeth at me, showing off those dainty pearly whites.

“Wow, you’re dazzling me with those, mate.” I chuckled as I tucked the covers around him. “I wanted to ask you something, actually.”

“Shoot.” He snuggled down into the mattress, getting himself comfortable.

“What would you think if I wasn’t playing for Sevilla Sols anymore?” I asked as his face wrinkled, pondering the question.

He gasped. “Why? Don’t you want to play there anymore?”

“I was thinking, that’s all. I have more important things to worry about now.” I brushed the hair off his face, watching as he realised I was talking about him and Em.

“You mean me and Mummy, right?”

“I do.” I showed him the screensaver on my phone. A picture of us three from tonight lit up the screen. “You two are the only team I need.”

“Do you really love my mum, Dad?” he asked, and I had never been more sure of an answer.

“I’ve loved her since the moment I met her.” His face lit up, and I could see genuine happiness written across his face. “And even while I was away, I never stopped.”

“So, why didn’t you come back?”

“I should have, but I was told something, and I didn’t want to ruin her life. I thought she was happy, but I was wrong.” I sighed.

“Yeah, you were, but she’s happier when you’re around. She smiles more.”

“That’s good to know, mate. Good to know.” I kissed his head as he turned to face the window, his eyes already closing. “Goodnight, little man. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning, Dad,” he muttered as I watched him drift off in record time.

On my way out, I noticed a picture of him and Emily on the wall. It was from his first birthday. His smile lit up the room as Emily sang to him. That picture could speak a thousand words, and I could hear every single one just by admiring it.

I gently closed the door behind me and quietly made my way down the dimly lit hallway to Em's room. As soon as I stepped inside, an uncontrollable smile spread across my face. There she was, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her figure illuminated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Two slices of cake sat temptingly beside her. Her expression was warm and inviting, like a beacon in the night. She wore not much else but a smile, and it took me a moment to register what else adorned her body… My Sevilla Sols shirt. The sight alone sent my body into overdrive.

The rich, deep burgundy lace of her panties peeked out from beneath the hem of the shirt, drawing my gaze like a magnet. I couldn't look away; she was a vision that held me captive. Holy shit... This woman was going to be the death of me.

"I never knew you had my shirt," I managed to breathe out, my voice barely a whisper as I took a sharp breath. The sight of her wearing it was enough to push me to the edge, teetering on the brink of losing all composure.

“Let’s just say it was a recent purchase.” She smirked, stretching her legs out across the sheets, her back now resting against the headboard.

I hadn’t even registered my feet moving until I was at the end of the bed, looking down at her. With every subtle move, causing my shirt to ride up ever so slightly.

“You seem a little distracted, Ashmore,” she teased, letting her legs fall open just enough to make me want to bury myself between them.

“You could say that again.” I smirked before dropping to my knees on the edge of the bed, gripping her thighs. I pushed her legs open just enough. “Were these for my benefit?” I trailed my fingertips across the lace that just about covered her pussy.

“They might be.” She moaned as I teased her clit through the lace.

“Good. Remind me to buy you them in every fucking colour.” My fingers dipped beneath the lace, feeling how wet her pussy already was.

I dropped to my knees for her, the only person I’d ever kneel for. But that’s the hold she had on me. She was able to bring me to my knees without so much of a word.

Slipping my fingers beneath the waistband of her thong, I slowly lowered them down her legs, not taking my eyes off of hers. She cupped either side of my neck, the pad of her thumb teasing my lower lip.

“You look pretty damn good on your knees, Ashmore,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing the perfect shade of pink. I couldn’t hide my smile.

Rising to my feet, I pushed her carefully onto the bed. I rested her legs on my shoulders, pushing her knees to her chest as I pressed my lips against hers. The soft little moans that left her were the sweetest sounds I had ever heard. She was like a drug to me, one I’d easily take forever.

“Tell me what you want, Em. Tell me exactly what you want.” I teased her clit, circling it expertly, waiting to hear those words I longed to hear.

“I want you, Beckett,” she whispered, my lips a mere inch from hers.

“Not quite good enough. Give me more,” I demanded.

“I want to ride you, Beck… Please.” Her voice was a whimper as she waited patiently for me to give her what she wanted, what she needed. “Please.”

“Who am I to say no to my girl?” I smirked, keeping my eyes firmly locked on hers.

I flipped her over so she straddled me. Her hair fell around us like a veil, locking us in our own world. She slowly lowered herself onto my cock, inch by inch, letting out the sweetest fucking moan.

I gripped the back of her thighs as she laced her fingers with mine beside my head. She swivelled her hips in slow movements, making me groan with need. My eyes were glued to her as she brought her lips to mine, pulling my lower lip between her teeth.

“You feel so fucking good, Em.” I breathed, gripping her hips. My fingers dug into her skin as she rode my cock, slowly sending me over the edge as her rhythm never faltered.

“I’m close, Beck. So close.” She moaned.

“I know, I can feel it.” I rasped. “Come for me.”

Those three words were her undoing as well as mine. She clawed at my shoulders as she arched her back, losing herself in me.

“Good girl. Just like that, Em. Fuck!” I praised her as she took everything I had to give her.

Her moans alternated with whimpers and filled the air around us. We were so in tune with one another, coming undone at the same time.

“Have I told you how incredible you are?” I asked, gently kissing her lips as she brought them down to mine.

“Not today.” She giggled, her breasts pressed against my chest.

The second she removed her body from mine, the cold consumed me and I hated it. Making swift, rapid movements, I scooped her into my arms before she could get far enough and hurried beneath the covers with her, her squeals of delight making me smile.

“Someone’s eager to get to bed.” She smiled, her fingers brushing the hair off of my forehead.

“Just eager to be close to you.”

Emily wriggled into a comfortable position, her arse pressing against my cock. “That’s better. Now I’m comfy,” she murmured with a lighthearted giggle, her voice a playful mix of mischief and contentment as I draped my arm over her waist with a warm, protective squeeze.

As I closed my eyes, I revelled in the feeling of our embrace, something I wasn’t planning to give up for the world. This was my place, right here next to her. Every tender caress of her nails as they trailed slowly and deliberately up and down my forearm sent shivers of pleasure through me. I buried my face in the softness of her neck, breathing her in.

“I missed this,” I whispered against her skin, knowing that I could never tell her enough. “I don’t think there was a day or night in Spain where I didn’t think of you. I wanted to jump on that plane so many times and win you back from the man that might’ve loved you.”

“Is that why you never did? You didn’t want to ruin my happiness?” Her voice trembled a little as she pulled the covers up around her chin.

“Yes,” I replied softly, the confession weighted with regret. “No matter how much the thought of you being with someone else killed me, I just wanted you to be happy.”

“I missed you so much more than I showed anyone. I may have been strong and composed for Liam and for anyone else to see, but as soon as I closed that door at night I broke down, knowing that I’d never be as happy as I once was with you.” She managed to inhale through her shuddering breath. “I used to imagine you with someone else, and it killed me inside. Thinking how you would have had what we did with someone else.”

“Oh, cupcake.” My heart shattered at hearing how she felt all those years. I gently turned her to face me, and in her glassy, vulnerable eyes, I found my sole refuge. “There has never been anyone else, Em. It was always, and forever will be, you.”

“Really?” she whispered as a single tear trickled down her cheek. I cupped the delicate curve of her neck, tracing her lower lip with the pad of my thumb. “Really. You’re it for me. You always have been.”

“I just get scared, Beckett.”

Warranted reaction. “Why are you scared, Em?”

“Because in a few days you’re heading back to Spain and…” Her voice faltered, her eyes reflecting the storm of words left unsaid.

“And I will be back. That is my promise to you.” I kissed the tip of her nose before slowly moving down to her lips, tasting the saltiness of her tears mixed with the same vanilla icing from earlier. “I don’t plan on breaking any promises to you or Liam. You have my word, and I hope you’ll trust it.”

“I trust you.” Her eyes searched mine intently, and in that quiet moment, I knew she trusted my words and that was everything I needed.

I ran my fingers through her hair as I watched her drift off to sleep. Her breathing had calmed as her chest gently rose and fell. I could have laid with her like this for hours, not sleeping, but simply admiring the woman in my arms. Years may have passed but this woman was still the only woman in the world to me. Her beauty captured me like nothing else. She took my breath away with every glance, every tender smile, and every kiss. I knew no matter how many years would pass, she would always captivate my heart. I’d always be hers.

“I love you, Emily Ryton,” I whispered, breaking the silence as a gentle smile graced her lips. I wasn’t sure if she heard me or if she was dreaming of something wonderful, but I didn’t care, all I ever wanted was to see her smile.