Page 144 of Liam

“God, I missed you,” she murmurs, saying out loud the single thought that’s plagued me most of the day. I saw her last night, kissed her goodbye just outside her door. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours, and until the shock of Dad’s date, it felt like I was drowning under the weight of longing.

“I missed you, too,” I tell her. It doesn’t feel like enough, but what more can I say? That I missed the light in her eyes when she looks at me, the crease in her nose when she scrunches it just the tiniest bit. I missed her smile, the way the corners pinch down slightly. I missed her voice, her laugh, even her cute littlescowl. But, mostly, I missed how I feel with her presence beside me.

“I just have to finish helping clean up, then we can go.” I open the front door and wait for her to step in first. When she does, I break out a smile.

Orange ribbon today.

“Mini Roman!” Logan greets Addie with a tight hug, and she returns it with a quiet giggle.

“That’s not Mini Roman,” Lincoln says, broom still in hand. “That’s Baby Baker!”

“Aww,” Lucy coos, elbow deep in the sink. “Baby Baker!”

I physically peel Logan’s arms from around Addie and push him away. “Okay, that’s enough of that,” I mumble, linking my fingers with Addie’s and bringing her close. Logan chuckles as he walks away. Though I don’t really know what’s funny.

Lucas and Leo greet Addie with smiles and a short wave.

Lachy’s too busy finding a new song to play. He chooses “Sweet Caroline,” and Leo and Lucas immediately start bopping their heads and whistling the intro. Then Logan and Lucy start humming the lyrics. When the chorus starts, the singing gets louder, and just before the infamous “Sweet Caroline” line hits, Lachlan mutes the speakers and shouts, “Sweet Addie-line!”

He unmutes it in time for everyone to shout, “Buh! Buh! Buh!”

Addie busts out a laugh. “How many names am I going to have?”

“Eleventy-three once we’re done with you!” Leo shouts over the music.

The songs continues to play, and the next time “Sweet Caroline” is sung, everyone shouts, “Sweet Addie-line!”

Lincoln even uses the broom handle as a microphone.

Addie stands in one spot, smiling wide, watching my insane family as they put on a performance, just for her. She hasn’t stopped giggling, and I haven’t stopped watching her, and I push away the questions trying to force their way into my mind. Trying to ruin my moment.Give me this, I almost beg.Just one moment where I can live in the here and now and not worry about what the future might bring.

The songs ends, and Lucy dries her hands on a dishcloth, shouting, “Again!”

Lachlan plays the song again, then laughs as he’s swept into Lucy’s arms. She forces him to dance with her, while my other brothers continue to sing/yell.

I feel Dad’s presence behind me, and I turn to him, my smile matching his when he takes in the sight in front of him. All his kids, together, healthy, happy, safe.

I don’t think you can ask for more in this life.

I grasp Addie’s hand tighter, bring her closer again.

“Sweet Addie-line! Buh! Buh! Buh!”

“Oh shoot,” Logan says, spotting Dad watching us. He turns the volume down, but not off completely.

I step aside so Dad and Alyssa can enter the kitchen. “Hi, Addie,” Dad says, his gaze dropping to our joined hands. He grins from ear to ear and claps my shoulder, almost like anAtta boy. “Addie,” he says, motioning to Alyssa. “This is my… my… my, uh…”

“Girlfriend?” Logan offers.

“Ladyfriend?” Leo suggests.

“Specialfriend?” Lucas this time.

Dad sighs. “This ismyAlyssa.”

Lucy squeals, rushing toward Alyssa and hugging her. “You’rehisAlyssa,” she cries, and Alyssa cries, too, and they hold each other through their tears, and Addie looks up at me, questioning.

I squeeze her hand once. “I’ll explain later.”

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