Begin Again novel Chapter 192

"We should talk about the custody agreement."

"I'll sign anything you want me to sign," Eden said as she threw on a sleepshirt and pulled back her hair in a ponytail.

"I don't want you to sign anything," Liam tugged her in his arms and held her. "I told George and his team to hold off on everything."

"Why?" She asked and squirmed out his grasp.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked and crossed his arms. "I was angry and not thinking straight."

"Where do you keep the toothpaste?"

He pointed at the top drawer on the cabinet under the sink, and he watched her feel around inside it with her hands, squinting the whole time.

"Why are you squinting?" He asked.

"I can't see very well without my glasses," she replied. "Things are a bit fuzzy."

Of course, Liam thought as he kissed her nose and pulled out the toothpaste. He spread it on her toothbrush and handed it to her.

"Thanks," she murmured and turned to the sink to brush her teeth.

Liam picked up his toothbrush and joined her in front of the mirror, surprised at how comfortable he felt around her.

It was the first time they were going through a bedtime ritual together, but it felt so natural and easy, and he realised then he desperately wanted to do this with her every day.

She rinsed her mouth and flossed for a minute or so before she turned to him.

"What?" He asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"It hurt me when you involved the attorneys, Liam." She admitted. "I just wanted us to talk, just the two of us, without involving anyone."

"I know, and I'm so sorry," Liam murmured as he pulled her close and kissed her hair. "I'd never want to take Aiden away from you, and I know I shouldn't have tried to force your hand. But Eden, I just want you both to move in with me. Is that so wrong?"

"Don't you think I'd like that for Aiden too?" Eden asked. "But you've just admitted you're still so angry with me, and I have to do the right thing for him. I can't expose my son to all this shouting and screaming. It's not healthy."

"Our son," Liam said softly.

"What?" Eden whipped up her head and squinted at him.

"Aiden's our son. Not yours. Not mine. But ours."

"Okay," she nodded. "But we have to do the right thing for our son."

"And we'll do it together," he insisted. "We'll do the right thing for Aiden together. I don't want to co-parent with you or have him for half the month. I want both of you here with me, all the time. I want us to be a family. Don't you want that?"

Eden peered at him for what felt like the longest time before she nodded her head at last. "I'd like that. I want that—"

Her words were barely out of her mouth when Liam swooped down on her and kissed her hard, leaving them both breathless and panting for air.

"What am I going to do without you for three weeks?" He asked when they drew apart.

"I don't know," she smiled. "Type up your own reports? Make your own damn coffee? Tie your own tie? Shine your own shoes?"

"You! I've never made you shine my shoes," he growled, nipping her bottom lip playfully. "And all that sass has to be gone when I come back."

"What sass?" Eden smiled innocently, and Liam had an uncontrollable urge to kiss her again.

And he did until she began to make the most tempting sounds, making him hard instantly.

"And you're coming with me on the next trip." He whispered as he held her face close to his.

"No," Eden shook her head. "Clara is the chief assistant. She'll go with you."

"I don't want Clara," he grumbled and kissed her again, a little harder and longer this time. "I want you. And that's an order."

"What about Aiden? I can't leave him alone."

"He'll come with us. Get his passport ready in the meantime," he announced as he scooped her up and carried her out of the bathroom.

She squealed like a little girl the whole time he carried her. "Put me down. I can walk, you know!"

"Like the thought of me carrying you doesn't make you happy?" He smirked.

"You!" She poked his cleft with her index finger. "No gold stars for you."

He sassed her right back. "I believe I've made enough money to buy my own."

Their son was still sleeping when they returned to the bedroom.

Liam picked him up to take him to the nursery.

"I'll sleep with him in one of the guestrooms," Eden offered.

"No," he shook his head and laid down the law. "Your place is with me."

He tucked Aiden in, turned off the light and led Eden back to their room.

Wordlessly they slipped under the covers and turned off the side lamps.

Liam stared at the ceiling, and Eden moved and fussed, trying to find a comfortable position.

After ten minutes of her endless tossing and turning, Liam drew her into his arms and held her, resting her head on his chest.

"Why can't you sleep?" He asked.