Ava rolled her eyes. “Not me, Mom. I’m far too busy with work.”
“Never say never.”
Ava laughed. “Don’t hold your breath.”
Cami smiled affectionately. “I want you to have what your father and I have. I want that for all my children.”
“Four out of five is pretty good. Soon, you’ll be bouncing grandkids on your knee, and you’ll be too busy to worry about me.” Ava nudged me. “Get on that, would you? Help a girl out.”
I felt the color drain from my face, and Ava looked horrified.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I mean, maybe you can’t or—” she dropped her head into her hands “—oh God, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “It’s just…”
“Just?” Cami prompted.
I had no idea why I spoke up. “I know Liam wants children. I’m worried about having another baby,” I admitted.
“Because of Lucy?” Cami asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“Then you can be a family of three.”
“Is that fair to your son?”
She paused. “I don’t think my son fell in love with you for your uterus, Paige. He fell in love with your heart. Your spirit. Your mind. He would love Lucy as his own.” She pursed her lips. “Do you recall meeting Van and his wife Liv on the weekend?”
“Yes. They had a lovely family.”
She smiled. “Not one of those children is Van’s biological offspring. He met Liv when Sammy was five and adopted her when they got married. They adopted Reed and Mila together. You would never know that. He loves them fiercely.” She patted my hand. “Family isn’t only about blood. It’s about love.”
She sipped her tea, letting me digest her words. “Five children or one child. You’re still a family. Don’t let your fears of a what-if that might never happen stop you from being happy. If my son tells you he is content with only Lucy, you should believe him.”
“I don’t want him to regret me. Regret us.”
Cami laughed. “The only thing he would regret is losing you. I know Liam. I know his heart. He is much like Aiden. Like all my family. When they love, it is with an abiding passion and strength that will change your life. Never doubt that.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m glad you did. Maybe knowing about Van will help you.”
“It does, I think.”
“Good.”
The door opened, and Liam walked in.
“There you are.”
I laughed. “You knew I was here.”
He looked at his watch. “It’s a dress. One dress. You’ve been gone over an hour.”
Cami stood. “We were having tea.” She laid a hand on his arm and leaned up to kiss his cheek. He bent to make it easier for her to reach. “Stop being so impatient.”
“I don’t get her alone enough.”
She patted his arm and met my gaze. “Told you,” it said.
“Sit down and have tea, then you can take her home. I’ll try to stop your father from coming for a visit later.”
Liam sat beside me with a groan. “If he knows she’s here, he’ll invent an excuse.”
Cami handed him a mug. “Then I guess I’ll have to keep him busy.”
I laughed at the uncomfortable look on his and Ava’s faces. Cami might be quite relaxed about her kids’ sex lives, but they had no desire to know about their parents’ activities. Cami was well aware of that fact, and she met my eyes with a wide grin. I winked at her, and she chuckled.
Liam cleared his throat. “Did you find something to wear?”
“Yes,” I responded. “It’s so lovely,” I gushed. “I’ve never worn anything so beautiful.”
“My mom is pretty amazing,” he said, sounding proud.
“Your whole family is.”
He leaned close, his mouth brushing my earlobe. “They’re yours now too—if you want them.”
I met his eyes. Warm, open, and filled with love.
I squeezed his hand in response, unable to talk. He affected me so deeply, I couldn’t find the words. I had never felt this way about a man. Liam filled me with emotion with his honesty and lack of guile. Something he had obviously inherited from his mother. She was a straight shooter.
He seemed to realize I was overwhelmed and turned to his mother, asking a question about the weekend. I sipped my tea, listening to them chat, wondering if there would come a day I would feel as if I fit in. As if I were part of this wonderful family.
A huge part of me yearned for it.
I needed the rest of me to catch up.
Liam
Paige was quiet as we walked toward the house. She seemed a little withdrawn, and I wondered if today had been too much. I knew Sunday with my family had overwhelmed her. Then talking about her past and ex. Her confession today about having another baby surprised me, but I supposed it was only natural. After she’d left with Ava, I had a hard time concentrating on the garden plan. I had to admit I was somewhat disappointed. I had always wanted a large family like my own. But if Paige didn’t want that, I knew I owed it to her to make sure I would be happy with only the three of us. No matter how I looked at it, I came to the same conclusion. I would rather have Paige and Lucy than someone else and babies. I never expected to fall in love so quickly. I always thought I would meet someone, date, and eventually fall for them. But with Paige, it was hard and fast. She dominated my thoughts in the day. Slipped into my dreams at night if I wasn’t with her. My desire for her was constant. And I knew, without a doubt, my feelings would only grow stronger.