A little boy in a perfect black tuxedo, bow tie straight, dark curls bouncing almost covering an eye, ran straight to her.
Williams, the piano prodigy, nine years old, eyes huge and shining, smiles the brightest. The happiest child Marie had seen. Din recognized him too.
He crashed into her legs, arms wrapping around her thighs, face buried in the black velvet.
Marie’s breath caught. She dropped to her knees, dress pooling around her, hands gentle on his shoulders.
“Liam” she whispered, planting kisses on his chubby cheeks, her eyes already moistened.
“I practiced for you, Mama.” He looked up, grinning widely. The word hit her like a punch.
Nathan would have called her that, if he were here, she took his hands in hers, soft and tender, then she planted a kiss on them.
Din stepped cl
