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I t had been a week since Liam’s birthday and Beckett had been back in Spain for a couple of days. He called every morning, afternoon, and night. It didn’t matter how long we were on the phone for, the call alone mattered, especially to Liam. He had been counting down the hours until the next video call.

“So, when is Dad back?” he asked as I stopped at the school gates.

“Soon, I hope. We just have to wait and see.” I kissed his forehead, waving him off as he sprinted through the double doors to meet Ashton who flashed me his gappy smile.

I had just got back in the car when my phone vibrated on the passenger seat. I already knew who it was as a smile crept upon my lips. I swiped open my phone, seeing his nickname light up the screen.

Good morning, cupcake.

How is my girl this morning?

I’m good. I just dropped Liam at school. He was asking about you.

Tell my boy I’ll be back soon. I miss you both x

We miss you too x

I’m looking forward to falling asleep next to you again. It sucks sleeping alone after being with you.

I have to admit, I’ve not slept too well since you’ve been gone.

Join the club, cupcake.

I have a question for you…

And what might that be?

My parents want to meet Liam when I’m back, are you good with that?

Yeah, I think it’s time he knew his grandparents. They can come to the house for dinner.

They’ll love that. I’ll let them know when I call them later :)

I have to go to a physical now. I will video call you and Liam tonight.

I’m looking forward to it.

I love you, cupcake x

“And then I scored a hat trick!” Liam buzzed, telling Beckett about his PE lesson. “Nobody could even get close to me! I was like you when you scored that hat trick against the Valencia Thunderhawks! My teacher said he could tell I was your son!”

“You told your teacher?” I asked from beside him as he nodded rapidly.

“Yeah! I told everyone. Some didn’t believe me but guess what? I didn’t care.” He seemed so proud to have Beck as his dad, and my heart fluttered at how happy he was. “Oh, Dad, guess what?!”

“What, mate?” Beckett laughed over the video, barely able to control the smile that split his lips.

“One of my teeth is wobbly! I know Ashton has lost more than me, but I’m catching up!” He used the tip of his tongue to wiggle his tooth.

“Wow! That won’t be long until it comes out, but I bet I’ll be back before then.”

“YES! I can’t wait for you to come home. How much longer?!” He squeezed my hand, waiting for Beckett’s answer.

“Sooner than you think. I should have been here another week, but it looks like I’ll be home in two sleeps. The team has already arranged the jet.”

“Two sleeps! Mum, did you hear that?! Dad is home in two sleeps!” He punched the air with happiness. “Wait, you get to go on a private jet? Wow!”

“I’ll take you on a jet one day, you and your mum. Now, don’t you have homework to do before bed?” Beckett asked, arching his brow in a way that made Liam laugh.

“Yeah, I do. I’ll leave you to talk to Mum. Bye Dad. Love you!” He handed me the phone as Beckett expressed his love back before Liam disappeared out of the room.

“How are you, cupcake?”

“I’m good. It feels weird without you here, though.” I blushed, twirling a stray curl around my finger.

“Tell me about it! I miss you, but only two more sleeps, and I’ll be back.”

“Yeah, I know. Not long.” I sighed, imagining being back in his arms.

He shifted in his spot, the muscles in his tattooed arm flexing as he settled into a comfortable position. I had to admit it was hard to tear my eyes away from him; there was something magnetic about his presence. His hair, dark and still somewhat damp from his shower, laid casually over his forehead, the strands catching the light and casting soft shadows across his brow.

“Nobody bothered you while I’ve been gone?” I knew exactly who he meant.

“If you mean Mike, then no. I’ve not heard from him, but I don’t think he realises you’re not here.” I didn’t know how true that was, but I didn’t care. Mike was a twat, and the thought of seeing him again made me sick with anger. “You don’t need to worry, though. He wouldn’t be so stupid to come around here again.”

“It’s Mike, though. That shithead can do anything if he wants to.” He rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by the thought of him.

“Hey, stop thinking about him. How are your physicals going?” I changed the subject, not wanting to end the call on a sour note.

“So, I’ll probably be out for the rest of the season, so they’ve said I can spend it back there with you and Liam as long as I keep up with my fitness and physio.”

“I’m sorry. I wish you were able to play. I know how much you love it.”

“Yeah, I love to play, but I also get to spend time back home with you and our boy. So, maybe at one time I would have been pissed off over it, but now I feel at peace with it, knowing I’ll get extra time with you both.”

“We’ll just have to make sure you keep up with what they need you to do so you’re ready for next season.” I smiled before stifling a yawn.

“You get some sleep, cupcake, and we’ll speak tomorrow, okay?”

“That sounds good. Usual time?” I asked.

“It might be a little later than normal. I have an intensive physio session. Will you be home all day after dropping Liam off?”

“Yeah, I have an order of cupcakes to make. It’s going to keep me busy all day.” I teased my lower lip between my teeth, hiding my smile but clearly not very well since he noticed straight away.

“What’s that smile for?” he questioned.

“The order is for your favourite cupcakes, actually—white chocolate and raspberry. The second the order came in I thought of you.”

“Make an extra one and save it for me,” he requested, knowing I would anyway, especially since he’d be back soon.

“Of course I will. I’ll make yours extra special.”

“Goodnight, cupcake. See you in two days.” He smiled, barely able to hide how ready he was to come back.

“See you in two days.” I replied, mirroring his happiness.

I hung up the phone and clutched it to my chest, thoughts of him coming home for the rest of the season replaying in my mind. I didn’t know what our future looked like but we’d work it out together.

We weren’t destined to be alone anymore.

And that night, with Beckett’s arrival fresh on my mind, I slept better than I had since he left.

After dropping Liam at school, I busied myself with the huge order I had received a couple of days ago. I was thankful for it to be honest. It kept me from counting the hours until Beckett came home.

I was loading the first batch into the oven as the clock hit nine when there was a knock at the door. I wiped my hands on the tea towel on the counter before hurrying to answer it. Pulling the door open, I was greeted by the biggest bouquet of sunflowers I’d ever seen.

“Delivery for Miss Ryton,” the young guy hidden behind the bouquet managed to say.

“That’s me, thank you.” I took the flowers from him with a surprised smile before kicking the door carefully shut.

I placed them on the table next to the door, retrieving the card to

read.

Cupcake, the first year I was away from you, it practically killed me. I felt as though I was missing half of me, missing the one true love of my life. I love you x

I smiled to myself, holding the card close to my heart. I moved the flowers to the middle of the kitchen table before admiring them and quickly typed a message to Beckett.

Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful x

I prepared the second batch of cupcakes for the oven as I tidied up behind myself to make it easier for the next dozen to go in.

I was in my zone until I was pulled out of it by another knock at the door. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Nine-thirty.

Walking out and opening the door, I was greeted by the same delivery guy with another bouquet of flowers.

“Another delivery, Miss Ryton.” He smiled through the pain that was clearly radiating through his arms from holding the vase.

“Thank you.” I took the second bouquet, quickly reading the card that was attached.

Em, the second year I was away from you was as awful as the first. It never got any easier, and I never knew I could miss someone as much as I missed you. I love you x

I couldn’t believe he had sent two bouquets in an hour. He was crazy, adorable, and downright cute.

But it didn’t stop there… Over the next three hours there was a knock on the door every thirty minutes, each bouquet with a different card.

10 a.m. - delivery three

My love, the third year away from you was one of the worst. The only way I could ease the loneliness that consumed me was to imagine your smile, the one you used to reserve for just me. I love you x

10:30 a.m. - delivery four

My emerald-eyed beauty, the fourth year sucked just as the last ones had. Every goal I scored was for you whether you knew it or not. You were my one and only thought while I was on that pitch. I love you x

11 a.m. - delivery five

My one and only, I thought that by the fifth year, I’d have learned to live without you, but I was wrong. It never got easier, the missing only got worse. I love you x

11:30 a.m. - delivery six

The mother of my child, after six years away I was more than sure that I’d never love anyone like I loved you again. I had given up hope of ever giving my heart to anyone else. I love you x

12 p.m. - delivery seven

To the only woman I’ve ever loved. The seventh year may have been one of the hardest. I spent every day wishing I never got on that plane. Wishing I could call you mine just one more time. I love you x

12:30 p.m. - delivery eight

The love of my life, my eighth year was just as torturous as the very first. Realising you weren’t watching me from the stands killed me. Knowing you’d never understand how much I loved you killed me. Knowing we’d never grow old together in that very house you bought killed me. I wish I never left. I wish I could turn back the time on those seven years, but I can’t and that kills me too. I love you x

I was in shock, utterly taken aback by the ongoing gesture. This man, whose presence had been absent for so long, had sent a radiant bouquet of sunflowers for each year we’d been apart. Unable to contain my emotions, tears trickled down my cheeks, a gentle stream of happiness and astonishment. The room was filled with the golden glow of sunflowers, each one a symbol of his unwavering love.

With effort, I composed myself, taking a deep breath to steady my hands as I carefully finished icing the last of the muffin order. Just as I placed the final swirl of icing, a soft knock echoed through the room, drawing my attention back to the door. Glancing at the clock I noticed it has been thirty minutes since the last delivery… Twelve-thirty.

This man has got to be kidding, right?

I hurried to the door, not at all ready for who I saw when I answered it.

Standing there with another bouquet and his suitcase was Beckett.

The love of my life.

“Beckett!” I managed as my mouth dropped open in shock. “You’re back!”

“Hey, cupcake.” He placed the flowers on the floor in the hall before closing the distance between us swiftly. “I’m home.”

“I can see that.” The shock must have been clear to him as he couldn’t hide his amusement.

“Cupcake, it has been almost nine years since we were apart. Getting injured was a blessing for me, although I didn’t know it at the time. It brought me back to you and our son. And I’ve come to realise that being in Spain isn’t going to work anymore.”

I had lost all ability to answer as I stood there unable to string a sentence together.

“Over the past few weeks I have been in talks with Sevilla Sols. I’ve expressed my interest to move to another club, and since I’m out for the rest of the season, they have agreed.” He smiled. “The club has made a pre-deal with another team, and I’ll officially sign for them when the transfer window opens in June.”

“Which team, Beck?” I whispered, pressing my fingers to my lips.

“Bluehaven United.” He beamed as he cupped my face in his hands. “I’m home, Em.”

“So, when you say you’re home, you mean?—”

“I’m home for good.” He rested his forehead against my own as I couldn’t hold back my emotions any longer. This man had rendered me speechless as he stood there with that boyish smile I loved so much. And that’s when it hit me as he inched his lips closer to mine. I didn’t need to be scared anymore. I could finally let my fears go.

“I love you, Beck,” I whispered against his lips as his smile widened.

“Say it again,” he demanded.

“I love you, Beckett Ashmore.” I breathed. “I never stopped loving you.”

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the words I had just spoken. Beckett's eyes, deep and tender, locked onto mine, searching as if he was trying to memorise every detail of this moment.

I felt the warmth of his skin as his hands continued cupping my neck, a comfort that steadied my racing thoughts. Slowly, he leaned in, his breath mingling with mine. Our lips met, tenderly at first, a gentle brush that sent a cascade of tingling sensations down my spine.

The kiss deepened, his embrace enveloping me, a cocoon of safety and love. His hand cradled the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair with a tenderness that made my heart swell. Time seemed to stand still, the only movement was the gentle rhythm of our breathing, synchronised and serene.

Pulling back just a little, our foreheads rested against one another’s. With closed eyes, we savoured the connection between us. In that moment, nothing else mattered. We were suspended in a perfect harmony, where the world faded away, leaving just the two of us and the unspoken promise of forever.

“You’re it for me, Em,” he murmured against my skin.

“I love you.”