Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(62)

I don’t want him to do this out of some sense of obligation because we’re having a baby. There’s not a doubt that I love him and want to be his wife, but I know in grief you can do things impulsively. I want to marry him when he’s sure that this is what he’s ready for.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything. I love you, Natalie. I love you more than I can ever tell you. I want to hold you, wipe your tears, kiss you, console you, watch you smile, make love to you every day and every night. I know I don’t have a ring—”

“Yes,” I say before he can say another word. “Yes, I want to be your wife. I don’t need a ring . . . I just need you.”

Liam stands and takes me into his arms. He kisses me with tears spilling between the two of us. He holds my face and looks at his mother who rests peacefully. “She said yes, Mom.”

Liam’s dad enters a few seconds later and walks to the end of the bed. “Dad, I’d like to tell you that Natalie and I are getting married and she’s having our baby. I told Mom as well.”

His father smiles and his lip quivers. He looks at his wife and my chest aches. You can see how badly he wants to share this moment. I extract myself from Liam’s arms and walk to his father. He opens his arms and I embrace him.

“I’m so happy, but so sad at the same time,” he murmurs. “She would’ve loved you.”


I nod understanding exactly what he means. When I held Aarabelle for the first time when we thought Aaron was dead, I wasn’t sure if smiling was okay. I remember feeling the utter despair of being without him in that moment but also elation that she was here. His happiness is clouded by his agony. The thing about grief is it comes in many forms and there’s no right or wrong way.

“I’m sure I would’ve loved her as well. But her memory will be cherished. I promise our child will know the woman she was and how much she would’ve loved them.” I vow this and I will live up to that. She was clearly loved and a wonderful woman.

We spend the next few hours in Shannon’s room talking to her and telling her stories about Liam and Aarabelle. Aidan smiles and laughs when I tell him about Liam’s diaper issues. He tells me stories about Liam as a kid and how he was always into some kind of trouble.

“The worst was when he got into sticking things up his nose,” he chuckles and Liam groans.

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah . . . anything he could find. Shannon always wondered when he sneezed what might come out. He was always talking my Kristine into doing something too. She would get stuck and Liam would pretend he knew nothing.” Aidan gets lost in his memories. “I remember one time coming home from work and Shannon was baking a cake for a neighbor. She loved to do things for the other women on the block. She was always helping someone and bringing them food . . . anyway, she was busy, and Liam and Kristine were supposed to stay in the yard. Liam told Krissy that Shannon said it was okay for her to go to their friend’s house. I came home and asked her where Kristine was and she panicked. Liam of course claimed Krissy said she didn’t care that she wasn’t allowed to go . . .”

I look at Liam, who for the first time since we arrived has a little life in his eyes. He smiles and shakes his head. “I think you exaggerate that, Dad. I was a good boy.”

He gives one throaty cough-laugh. “I think you’re mistaken, son. You were always doing something to get your sister in trouble.”

“And she always believed me.”

“She loved you,” he murmurs. “Now I’ll lose both my girls.” Aidan looks at his wife and sighs.

“I know the pain you’re feeling. It won’t ever go away. But one day it won’t hurt so bad.” I take his hand in mine. “It won’t be so hard to breathe. It won’t feel like the world is crushing you. One day that will come and it just gets a little easier each day.” I give him the small amount of hope I have. “I know right now that seems like a lie, but I’ve walked in your shoes.”

“Thank you, Natalie. My son is very lucky.” His other hand covers mine. “I had a great love with Shannon. I always prayed my children would find something like I was blessed to have. I only wish she could see that Liam has.”

“I wish she could too,” I reply.



“This is home.” Liam extends his hand forward, and I walk through the door. After spending a few more hours at the hospital, Aidan demanded I get some rest and care for the baby he already loves.

We offered to stay in a hotel, but he would hear nothing of it, and since he refuses to leave her side so there’s no point in us giving him space. The house is just as I imagined based on what Liam described. It’s an old, brick house with cute, white awnings. The front door is old oak and inside is immaculate. Everything is clean and homey. This is the home you want to spend Sunday dinners at.

“It’s exactly like I pictured.”

“What does that mean?” he grins.

“Just it’s a home. I grew up on a farm in Arkansas, so I’m sure you have this idea of what it looks like. I always pictured you living on a quaint street with green lawns and plastic on the couches.” I laugh and then Liam lifts me into his arms. “Put me down.”

“Off your feet. I’ll show you around.”

“I can walk, Liam.”