Page 99 of Liam

"You're the perfect person."

"How would we …?"

"Meera offered to surrogate for us. So did Richard's sister."

"I don't have a sister I'm close to."

"Then we would only have one child who we'd love and spoil to bits."

Liam brushed his fingers across my lips. "Are we really talking about this?"

"Something to put on the back burner. We're still so new. I'm glad we talked about it, though. Now we know we're on the same page. That we want the same thing when it comes to kids."

"I love my noodles. Never thought I'd feel so comfortable caring for a family. The week I spent at Noah and Brody's brought out an unexpected paternal side in me. I enjoyed the routine with the kids. The time we spent together. Even caring for all the damned animals."

"You'd make a great dad."

Liam's smile was faint and shy. "You think so?"

"I know so. You have so much love to give."

"Noah always tells me that."

"Then I'm spot on. He knows you best."

"I want to explore that … I'd love to go away with you for a few days."

I smiled. "You sick of my room?"

"No, there's somewhere special I want to show you."

"I'd love to spend a few days somewhere special to you." I sighed. Enough time had passed, waiting. Any longer and I was risking an accident. "I need to get to the bathroom."

Liam leapt off the bed, came around to my side, and lifted me into my chair. Once in the bathroom, he transferred me onto the toilet and then left me alone.

I was there for a while. I was always there for a long time, but it felt longer because I knew Liam was in the bedroom waiting for me to finish. After what was probably twenty minutes, I was able to flush, spray a bit of air freshener, and call out for Liam. "Let's have a shower!"

Liam poked his head around the door. "You done?"

"Ready to get cleaned up for breakfast." I pointed at my shower bench. "Put a washcloth on the bit in the centre of the shower and then you can carry me over there and set me on it."

"How's your arm? You seem to be using it."

"Better. I was able to use the catheter you left out on my own."

"Progress." Liam lay a washcloth on my bench then retrieved me and deposited me on it. I adjusted the temperature of the water and he stepped in behind me in the shower.

I handed him the showerhead. "Can you soak me down? I don't want to overuse my arm."

"Absolutely." Liam took it and sprayed me everywhere, ending with my head. He handed me back the showerhead and then pumped some shampoo into his hand. I closed my eyes and moaned as his fingers caressed my scalp and he washed my hair. I hadn't felt this cared for in a long time.

I scowled and tried to clear the memory. Richard had been the last person to wash my hair for me. After the accident, he'd doted on me. Become almost smothering. I knew it was because he loved me, but he had made me feel like an invalid when I was trying to escape that designation.

Liam took the showerhead from me and rinsed my hair, ensuring he cleared the shampoo off my face and out of my ears. Richard and I had managed to mend our separation many months after he moved out. I'd apologized. Poured my heart, sorrow, and sincerity out at his feet.

He'd forgiven me.

I smiled as Liam squatted behind me and nibbled on my shoulder. He handed back the showerhead and I placed it in the holder on the wall. He grabbed my bar of soap and lathered up his hands, then placed it back on the ledge.

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