“Was this your bedroom?” I ask.
“...Our bedroom. Nate slept there, and Damian on the other side. They were always sleeping facing the door to know first when my father would come… I had a bunk bed above Nathaniel’s. But I… rarely slept in it. Most of the time, I slept with Damian, or under Nate’s bed to hide from my father. He actually destroyed my bed at some point, not long before he…”
Before he died.
I remember the story I was told, many times over, it seems. Damian Black killed their father, Judah. Although it was a crime, it was to protect his younger brothers, as well as the whole pack and Silver City… Liam was so young back then. I feel bad, looking at that room. It should have been filled with fun childhood memories, but it’s just… dark and empty. The window is so small, and there’s barely any space for three boys to share.
“It’s funny,” chuckles Liam. “I haven’t seen this room in years, but it doesn’t feel like… it was once my bedroom. I recognize that ugly wall, though, and it still stinks of old wood.”
“Liam… Why did you want to come here?”
He sighs.
“My brother… just sold this place. They are going to tear it down, and build something new instead. To be honest, I didn’t even realize we had inherited it until a while ago. I think Damian didn’t want to think or talk about it at all. He let an agency manage it until all the people that lived in it left. He told me for the first time when he learned the last of the people living here had left, to ask Nate and I what we wanted to do… To be honest, all three of us wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I don’t even have memories of my mom in this house… so we agreed to sell it, and give our shares from the sale to a charity. So, I guess this is just me… checking I didn’t leave anything here.”
I know he doesn’t mean that literally. I can feel what he’s feeling inside, it’s like… a bittersweet mix of nostalgia, grief, and resentment. Liam probably has more bad memories than good ones in this place, but that doesn’t take away what it means to him. He still… slept in this room every night with his brothers. A part of his childhood is rooted in this place, even if it’s a painful one. Since he was younger, he probably needs this closure more than Nathaniel or Damian. Liam told me how they constantly protected him from seeing the worst of their situation, but it doesn’t mean he has no feelings left behind. I sigh faintly and put my chin on his shoulder, not adding anything else. I understand his need for closure.
Perhaps seeing this room, smaller than he imagined, is also the best way to say goodbye to that part of his life. Once this place is destroyed, it will be chapter closed.
After a few minutes, I hear him take a deep breath, and he nods.
“Alright… I’m okay. Let’s go now.”
I don’t discuss it, and follow him out, letting him close all the doors again behind us. I wish I could heal the scars and bad memories he kept from that part of his childhood, but that is not my part to play. I’m glad he’s honest with me about it, though, and able to find closure by himself.
We walk out of the residence and stop for a second in front of it, Liam staring at the third floor with a slight frown.
“You know, as a kid, I told myself I’d never have children. I was afraid I’d be as bad and terrifying as my father one day…”
“What made you change your mind?” I ask, curious.
“My brothers,” he chuckles. “After my dad died… Damian buried himself with work, and Nate had so many women. Then, all of a sudden, Nora and Elena appeared, and they both turned into amazing husbands and dads. When I see Damian with his kids, or Nate with his daughters, I’m crazy jealous these days.”
“Are you jealous of them or the kids?” I tease him.
He rolls his eyes and turns to me, wrapping me in his arms.
“I’m over my brother complex, okay? Plus, now I have this sexy witch girlfriend I want to have babies with…”
I blush uncontrollably hearing Liam talk about me having his babies… To be honest, if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be so sure about having children. I still don’t feel like becoming a mother yet, although I feel like it will happen in the future. I’m glad Liam is willing to wait, although he’s dying to become a dad himself. I put a quick kiss on his lips.
“You’re still cute when you talk like that about your big brothers,” I whisper playfully.
“You witch…” he sighs. “Come on, let’s go grab some food and then see the rest of the family.”
I nod happily, and we get back on the bike. I notice Liam doesn’t even look back once before driving away, but I say nothing, just holding on to him, and glancing toward the residence myself. I hope whatever is built here instead only hosts good memories from now on…
This time, Liam heads straight toward Nora and Damian’s neighborhood, much more lively and crowded. It’s Monday, after all, and at this time, kids are finishing school and some people are leaving work. He parks the bike in front of Nora’s children’s favorite donut shop, and we get in the queue behind a group of teenagers. They are a bit loud, but Liam has decided to be naughtier… He wraps an arm around me, and keeps kissing my temple, my cheek, and my hair so much that it embarasses me a little. But of course, the more I push him away, the naughtier he gets. His flirty hand travels lower, to my butt, and his kisses keep going. I’m glad we are a few steps away from the young ones because this is not appropriate at all in broad daylight!
“Stop it…”
“I’m hungry.”
“You’re being pervy right now! Even the teens in front of us are better behaved.”
“I don’t care. I’m a young adult and I want to be pervy with my girlfriend…”
“I’m going to burn your hand again.”
