In a daze, her attention was drawn away from the man in her house by the two little storms tumbling back inside.
“Liam!” Cary and Ted, still clothed in their outdoor gear, rushed at Liam, spreading snow and water everywhere on the floor. The boys launched themselves into his arms, and Catriona fought the tears at the sight of man and kids doubled over in laughter. Chewy quickly followed, yapping excitedly at his former owner.
As if he was reading her mind, Liam kept a tight grip on them both and carried them to the entrance before putting their dripping boots on the carpet and kneeling to help them undress.
Cary was chattering away, asking questions faster than Liam could answer while Ted just waited, one hand on Chewy’s head and another clutching at Liam’s sweater.
Part of her feared seeing Liam again would trigger an adverse reaction from Cary about everything that had happened. The child psychologist they’d consulted had told her that kids were more resilient than adults gave them credit for, and she needed to give those two kids time to digest the events, their trauma, and their past lives as well.
At this moment, Cary looked like a boy, happy to see a friend, filling his ears with everything that had happened since he’d arrived. Liam smiled and laughed, allowing himself to be dragged through the house while making sure to include Ted in the conversation and petting Chewy, who was sticking to him like glue.
Standing alone in the middle of the living room, Catriona shook herself and returned to the kitchen. It was clear Liam wouldn’t leave without them having that talk, and the boys were too happy to see him for her to kick him out, so she started dinner.
Distracted, she opted for a simple pasta dish with a salad, one meal the boys were fond of, and didn’t require the use of all her brain cells.
When they finally returned, Cary hadn’t slowed down.
“Cary, Ted, go wash your hands. Dinner will be ready in a minute.”
Both boys bolted out of the room, and Catriona didn’t know what to say to the man now alone with her.
Liam went to the sink and washed his hands before turning to her. “I’m sorry for imposing on you. Do you need help?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m not making anything complicated.”
The awkwardness was short-lived when Cary came back with his little brother and the joyful chatter returned.
Catriona was grateful Liam steered the conversation to positive news and discussions.
Ted even got a few words in about his new room and the silly things Chewy had done since Liam last saw him.
Said dog wasn’t being left out, begging for scraps between Cary and Ted, and even Liam, who gave him pieces of bread.
Catriona remained silent, only smiling fondly at her boys, and carefully avoiding Liam’s mercury gaze, not ready yet for what he might have to say to her, while remembering his kiss.
Before she could do anything about it, Cary begged her to let Liam stay for the evening and watch the movie with them. Ted looked at him with soulful hope that finished melting her.
In a whirlwind, the boys kept Liam on his toes the moment they shoveled the last forkful of food into their mouths. They wanted to keep all his attention for themselves a little longer, but Liam was adamant about doing the dishes, so Catriona didn’t risk getting her hands wet. The boys even helped, Cary drying the plates and Ted wiping the table.
It was so tempting to be bewitched by this vision of what life could be.
Liam followed their newfound nighttime routine mixed with the excitement of having Liam around. After their bath, they played board games. Catriona made popcorn, and they watched their car movie, but the boys didn’t last long and fell asleep like logs between Catriona and Liam, drained from all that had happened.
With an endearing smile, Liam scooped Cary in his arms, and Catriona did the same with Ted and tucked them both in their beds. The house had three bedrooms, but the boys had asked to share a bedroom, and Catriona understood why. Between the application to adopt the boys and the house, they still feared it was temporary, and relied on the only permanence they knew—each other. She suspected they would require seeing the finalized paperwork as soon as it went through. Chewy padded into the room and circled a few times before hopping onto Ted’s bed and sprawled comfortably onto the mattress with a yawn.
Catriona kissed both her boys, making sure they were settled before turning the lights off and heading back to the living room, acutely aware of Liam remaining close.
“Would you like something to eat? Or drink?”
Liam rubbed his stomach. “I take another bite and my stomach will burst. I don’t think I should’ve followed Cary’s lead. If you’re not careful, he’ll eat you out of house and home.”
His accurate description of Cary becoming a teenager made her laugh. “I’ll make sure to get a well-paid job, I never want him to go hungry again.”
When she let herself fall back on the sofa again, Liam followed suit, and Catriona was brought out of fantasyland and the questions raised by Liam’s sudden appearance. However, it was the man who spoke first.
“I didn’t think you’d change careers so suddenly.”
“You’re referring to me deciding not to a become a nun?” She swallowed hard. “It didn’t make sense anymore. When I decided to start the adoption process with Cary and Ted, everything became so clear.”
