On Christmas, I take Maddie to my aunt’s house, where my dad and stepmom are temporarily living. I’m devastated about the fire that destroyed my childhood home and them losing everything. Luckily, they’ll get an insurance check to help them start over and buy a new house or build one. My dad deserves to know the truth, but I can’t tell him. That would be opening a can of worms about the O’Learys, and this is one of those “the less he knows, the better” situations. It was hard enough to explain to him that Victoria and I split and the babies weren’t mine. He was so excited to become a grandpa, and having to witness the disappointment in his eyes nearly shattered me.
I think he was confused that I quickly jumped into a relationship with Maddie after, but he didn’t voice a concern, so I assumed there was no issue with me “moving on” so fast. He knows I’ll do whatever I want, but I’m grateful for his blessing either way. I want him to like Maddie and for us to be able to spend quality time together.
And if this is the last time I get with my dad, I want it to be special and memorable for him.
“Dad, I got you something,” I tell him as we sit in the living room with beers in our hands. Aunt Ruthie made hot apple cider, but then my uncle Matt came in carrying a six-pack.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he says, setting his beer down. We never exchange gifts, but I wanted to this time.
“I know, but I saw this, and it made me think of you,” I explain, handing over the small package Maddie wrapped. It’s also so he has one thing from me…just in case.
After giving me an incredulous look, he takes it. I drink my beer as he unwraps the paper, then smiles when he realizes what it is.
“This is a pretty nice lookin’ watch, Liam.” He takes it out and holds it under the light.
“Turn it around,” Maddie tells him, beaming.
My dad does as she says, then squints to read the engravement.
“My hero,” he reads aloud. My father’s hardly an emotional person, but he chokes up. “Wow, Liam.”
I stand and round the coffee table, then wrap my arms around him. “I mean it, old man. You stepped up and took care of me. I think about that every day. You’re my hero, always.”
My dad shifts and returns the hug, holding back tears in the process. “I love you, son.”
“Love you too.”
Aunt Ruthie serves everyone pie and turns on the fireplace.
“So, Maddie…” my stepmom begins. “You were Liam’s roommate before you two started dating, right?”
Maddie nods and takes a large bite of her dessert, I suspect to avoid having to talk about our relationship since they think it’s recent.
“How did things change from roommates to dating?” she asks. I know she’s not being judgy, but it’s uncomfortable.
“Well…” Maddie swallows her food, then smirks at me. “He finally came to his senses and saw what was right in front of him the whole time.”
Alright, that’s mostly true.
My dad chuckles, looking at his wife with pride. “Sounds like an Evans man.”
I smile and shrug. “I thought she was too good for me.”
“Oh, she is…” Aunt Ruthie teases. “Being in love is a good look on you, Liam.”
Reaching over, I grab Maddie’s hand and press a kiss on her knuckles. “It sure is.”
We end up watching A Christmas Story, and as Maddie snuggles into me, I look around and soak in my surroundings. This has been one of the best days I’ve had in a long time, one spent with family and the love of my life, eating, drinking, celebrating.
If I don’t come back, it’s not only going to affect Maddie but also everyone who loves me.
And that feeling is enough to gut me.
The next day, I’m back to training and reality.
“Come on, Liam, keep your shoulders tight,” Tyler scolds. I swing at him and miss, then he swoops his foot underneath my legs, and I fall flat on my back.
Motherfucker.
“Get up,” he demands, not giving me the chance to rest. “Your opponent gets you down, he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep you there. You fall, you bounce right the fuck up. You got me?” Tyler sounds pissed, and I’ve been off my game all day, but yesterday really brought everything into perspective for me. Realizing how much this one fight might change my life is wearing me down.
“You should’ve just let me fake my death months ago when I asked you to,” I chastise him.
“Or I could grab my gun and get the job done for real?” he mocks with a frustrating glare. “But then you know that means leaving me with Maddie, and we’ll probably grieve together and get pretty close. Then I’ll turn on my Southern charm, and well…I’ll let you use your imagination for the rest.”