Tangled Hearts: Part 2

AN: THIS CARRIES ON A FEW WEEKS AFTER JAMIE GOT ADOPTED.

It has been a few weeks since Jamie officially became my son. Where he used to get in trouble and get into fights, he now gets gold stars and perfect grades. It just shows how much Maia and Michael really affected him.

While I’m sitting in the living room watching The Princess Bride, I hear a pair of footsteps coming up behind me. Miles is going to try and scare me again; he has tried nearly every day and not succeeded since he’s not as subtle as he thinks.

Small hands shove my shoulders from behind the comfy couch in Liam’s—I mean, our house.

“Boo!” I get up from the couch, looking into his excited eyes, waiting to see if I scared him. Just by seeing the look on my face, he knows he failed again.

“Sorry buddy. You’ll have to be more quiet than that.” He looks sad at the floor and nods, but not as sad as the last time.

“Can I have a cookie?” Ha asks very nicely. I say yes because I feel bad. As I’m walking through the kitchen, I see a figure burst out from behind the counter.

“FREEZE!” I hear a deep, menacing voice yell.

“AAGAGHHH!” I scream out my lungs and run back, almost running straight into the wall, tripping over one of Jamie’s books on the floor.

I hear laughter from Miles and the familiar laugh from my boyfriend.

Damn, they got me good!

“This was all a trick?!” I yell out. I hear another laugh from behind me and see Jamie holding up what I know is Liam’s phone landscape. This will be a video they show at my funeral.

“Yeah, and we got you good!” Liam says coming round and high-giving Miles. Jamie is pretty much rolling on the floor.

“I hate all of you.” I say with a frown, trying to hide my smile. Liam comes up to me wearing his black jumper and navy jeans; I swear he only has one outfit.

He takes me in his arms, holding me against him. I fight the urge to cuddle in with him; I’m not giving in yet.

Liam replies to my comment. “No, you don’t.” He’s right. I don’t; I love all of them so much. But god, do they get under my skin sometimes?

I huff and try to pull back, but that makes Liam pull me back twice as hard. I can feel his abs through his jumper. I hide my smile as I feel his thumbs rub up and down my hips and back.

We somehow fit together perfectly.

I look over to the kitchen and see the jar of cookies open with two little mouths stuffing as much as they can in beside the kitchen surface before they get caught. I think I see Miles putting two in his pocket for later. I don’t say anything since I know that there is one for each of them. It’s sweet that they have each other to share.

They are sweet now, but I’m terrified of the next stage, puberty. That will hit me like the iceberg against the Titanic.

I wish they could stay like this. I sigh and whisper my thoughts to Liam, who hums in agreement and kisses the top of my head. He has to bend down since I’m so short on him, but he hasn’t complained.

I move out of Liam’s grasp gently and reach down, remembering the book I almost slipped on. It is Jamie’s English book. I lift it up to put it in his bag when a piece of paper falls out. I see it addressed to me.

Little minx.

“Jamie, what is this?” Jamie pauses mid-mouthful, seeing my disapproving stare. A deep chuckle beside me leaves Liam.

“Oh no. Mama bears out!” I stare at my so-called boyfriend in annoyance.

What is this mood he is in?

I reach out and touch his forehead while standing on my toes. “Are you feeling okay?” All he does is smile wider and lean into my touch, taking my palm in his hand and kissing it.

“I’m perfectly fine.” I’m not convinced. Maybe I need to have him checked. I mean, he is a beast, so maybe the vets would be more suitable.

I roll my eyes and head over to Miles, who is now cowering away from Jamie. Miles stands in front of him, protecting him. I would be happy at the sight, but not now since I have to ask Jamie about the letter.

“Why is this letter from the school in your bag and not given to me?” I look down at it, and it is dated three days ago. I read more and noticed it was a parent-teacher meeting.

“A parent-teacher meeting is to take place tomorrow, and you didn’t tell me?” I turn to Liam and see his expression in utter confusion. After no reaction from the beast, I turn back to Jamie.

Every term in school, they do this. To let the parents in and tell them everything from the child’s schoolwork to their attitude.

Liam speaks from behind me.

“Miles, did you get a letter as well?” I see Miles nod slowly, now backing up to stand next to Jamie. Both of their hands were holding each other.

Liam must not have gotten the memo either. I hear his footsteps before a hand touches my back, and once my gaze is off the boys, they immediately sprint out of the room, running into their toy room opposite the living room down the hall. Scooby must think they are playing a game of tag, so he barks, and I see him running from the living room, following after them.

I take a seat on the stool at the counter and put my head resting on my right hand, staring at the form in front of me. “Why didn’t they tell us?”

“Do you remember when you were their age? I don’t know about you, but I would always hide my letter from my parents because I was afraid of what the teachers would say.” He comes up behind me, rubbing my shoulders.

“I just wish he told me, that’s all.” I feel sleepy and notice the clock saying it’s almost ten. How did we let the boys stay up this late?

“We should get the boys to bed.” I say as I stand up that I hear a meow from the windowsill and see Barney stare down at his bowl on the floor, then back at me.

Liam kisses my cheek and whispers in my left ear. “You take care of Barney, and I’ll see to the boys.” Then he exits the room. I head over and give Barney a kiss and cuddle. We never have much quality time since I’m running around after everyone else, including Scooby, who might as well be my third son.

“You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” I mumble into his fur as I lift him up and pace over to where his box of food is. He turns his fierce yellow-shaded eyes and just stares at me. Why does he always look like I offend him every time I give him a compliment? Just his resting bitch face, I guess.

I plop him down on the floor, get the box, and put some food into the bowl. I get his water bowl and head over to the sink.

As I am pressing the tap for water, I see movement from outside, making the automatic light turn on. It’s a very rough but beautiful cat. I’ve never seen it before; it’s black and white all over and looks very put-together.

The cat is just sitting under the blossom tree in the garden, staring into the window, or more specifically, Barney.

“Here you go, buddy.” I put the water down. “I think you have a secret admirer; she’s very pretty.” Again, he looks at me as if he wants to say something rude back.

I do feel bad about the other cat; I swear, I’ve seen it wondering around, but I always thought that was Barney; maybe it was this one I mistook him for.

I let my intrusive thoughts win and went out to put some of the food down in another one of Barney’s bowls and head out into the garden. I am not so far from the house that if this cat tries to attack me, I can run back in quickly.

“You look hungry. I know people aren’t meant to feed stray animals, and I know you’ll keep coming back often, but here’s a bit for tonight.” I say and put it down in front of her. Him?

The stray walks more into the light, and I see no collar and no sense that it grooms itself. It looks as if they have spent most of their lives living off scraps.

I turn back, but hear a faint meow. I know it isn’t barneys; the black and white cat stares up at me with a sweeter look than before. I think that meow means thank you. I smile back and head back into the house to lock up for the night.

Once that’s done, the whole house is quiet. Usually I’d be worried, but considering I’m even more tired now than earlier, I couldn’t care less.

I open the door to our bedroom that Liam and I have and see something on each of the two pillows.

I get closer, using the moonlight as my light, and notice there is a single cookie resting on top of each one. My heart cries at the sight. So sweet, I might explode. I knew that Miles did this.

“I was wondering when you would come up.” I hear Liam exit our shared bathroom wearing just a towel. Damp from his shower, his hair all over the place, his stomach on full display with his tattoos all over. I need to go to church for my sinful thoughts.

Liam heads over to his bedside table on the right. On his way past me, he brushes his hand on my hip. He checks his phone, then looks down at the cookies. A small hint of a proud smile graces his lips. “What are they like?” He says it in a quiet tone.

I head over to his wardrobe and get one of his shirts to sleep in. I shrug off my clothes and put them over my head, the end of his plain black shirt ending just above my knees. Liam has made me more comfortable in my skin; however, there is still a bit of discomfort. However, the second he sees that look on my face when I look in the mirror, he reassures me that my body is beautiful and kisses my stomach over the T-shirt or under.

I ask him a question as I pull back the covers and wait for him to join me on his side. “You didn’t put them up to it?”

“I was in the shower and heard some shuffling around, but I assumed it was you getting ready for bed. I didn’t realise it was them until I saw the cookies.”

I take a bite of the chocolate chip cookies, shutting my eyes for a brief moment, and moan through the deliciousness. I realise now that was a mistake because, as soon as I open my eyes, Liam has that territorial look in his eyes. I’m in trouble.

He lunges on the bed with his towel still tight around his torso, taking my throat in his big right hand and kissing me with so much passion and hunger. He pulls back, and I hold back a groan while he marches to the door, shutting it, then flipping the lock. Since when did this room have a lock?

He is back on me in a heartbeat, joining me under the covers, his hands all over my body and mine wrapped in his smooth, wavy, dark hair. I tug a bit on his hair and hear him moan into the kiss. I’ll take note that he likes that. He then takes the path down my throat, gently kissing every spot he can find. Like he is mapping it to memory.

Gone is my beautiful, heartwarming boyfriend. Replaced by the possessive, gentle beast I love. We have not done anything further than kissing yet, and although I’m afraid, I am also very happy. I’ve never done anything like this with a boy, let alone a man like Liam.

He senses a change in my demeanour and raises his head enough that I see his swollen lips, and no doubt he sees the same in mine. He gives me an Eskimo kiss and kisses all over my face, calming my worry.

“I’ve never done this before.” I stare up at him, whispering in a room so big that it now feels claustrophobic. He takes my face in one hand, while the other is under my head. I continue to voice my thoughts; he should know everything and know what I’m feeling. I’m done hiding.

“I’m just a bit scared.” Liam just looks at me tenderly, slightly lifting his shirt just above my underwear, and rubs my waist and stomach. He feels me shiver from the contact.

“I’ve got you, baby; you’re safe with me. I mean, say stop, and we’ll stop. If you’re not ready, then I will wait until you are. There’s no rush. Just you and me; I’m in this for the long game.” That was all he needed to say before I brought him back down to my lips and took a confident step in removing his towel as he removed my shirt.

He whispers sweet nothings in my ears, reassuring me and making me feel beautiful and safe. I say the last two words before he brings the covers over us, the only light in the room from the windows reflecting a full moon.

“I’m ready.” With a smile so bright from both of us, we resumed where we left off. I’ve never felt so at peace as right now, when he shows me how much he cares and loves me.

I’ve never felt so safe right here with Liam and the two sleeping boys down the hall with the pets downstairs.

This is where I belong.

*******************

I hope you like the first chapter of Part 2. Let me know what you think!