Page 107 of Anteros' Return

“Well, I bet the tooth fairy will leave something at our house, too.” Mum whispered, only adding to Liam’s excitement.

“Everything is set for next week.” Harry appeared from around the corner. “Furniture and all that is being delivered tomorrow.”

“And the sign is going up the night before, right?” I asked, wanting to leave that until the last minute.

“Yeah, it’s in the back and ready to go.”

“Hey, uncle Harry?” Liam started.

“Yes, little man, what’s up?” he responded, eager to know what wonderful thing would come out of his mouth this time.

“Is it weird that your bestest friend is dating your sister?” His brow furrowed, clearly curious.

“It was, and it took me a hot minute to realise they were meant to be together, but now, I don’t mind. They're better when they’re together.” Harry patted my back with one swift clap.

“If I had a sister, I’d never let my friend date her. No way on earth.” He scoffed.

The four of us erupted with laughter as Liam looked confused as to why we were amused.

“I don’t think your dad would let that happen either, mate.” Harry chuckled.

“Too right, I wouldn’t. Besides, we might have another boy if we have another child so we won’t have to worry, will we?”A warmth bloomed in my chest, and I couldn’t stop the thoughts of seeing Emily pregnant this time from playing repeatedly in my mind.

“Very valid point there, son.” Dad smiled as he wandered off with Liam and Mum.

“So, do you really think Em is going to love it or will she kill me?” I turned to Harry, genuinely debating between the two.

“I think she’ll love it. She might want to kill you for spending so much bloody money. She would have done it on a budget.”

“There is no budget when it comes to her. It has to be perfect. It’s her dream, and it’s time she stopped putting it off for everyone else,” I pointed out. She always put what she wanted to do on a back burner and that stopped now.

“You’re a good guy, Beck, a really fucking solid one, and I’m thankful my sister has someone like you. Someone to show her just how precious she is.” Wow. He wouldn’t have said that weeks ago.

“Cheers, man. I’ll show her every day of my life.” I glanced around at Emily’s place, knowing that in less than a week she’d be standing where we were now. “I’ve also set up the grand opening too. The local papers will be attending, so she’ll have plenty of publicity.”

“You’re posting it all over your socials too, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll shout it from the rooftops. Whatever we have to do for my girl.”

“You know, your love is quite sickening,” he teased, pretending to throw up.

“Don’t act all jealous just because you’re single and have been for years,” I joked.

“I don’t like to tie myself down. I mean, look at me.” He held out his arms for me to admire him, making it hard to keep my laughter to a minimum.

“Handsome bastard, aren’t ya?” I rolled my eyes while he burst out laughing.

“You ain’t wrong, Beck.” He winked, clicking his tongue. “Nah, but seriously, I’ve never seen my sister this happy since you left, so thank you.”

“I love her. I always have.”

“I know. Even when I warned you off her, you didn’t bloody listen anyway.” He scoffed.

“I’ve never been one for listening.” I laughed.

“No, that’s true.”

If I would have listened, I wouldn’t have had the most beautiful boy with the love of my life, so I guess there were perks to it.

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