Forever Theirs

Prologue Continued

Walking to my car I notice that there is a truck that is pulling up in my driveway. Waiting by my car I see that Liam is getting out of his truck. Standing still and waiting for him to walk up to me and let me know what he is doing at my house. Smiling while walking up to me Liam gives me a hug before taking a step back and asking me if I was ready to go. Looking at him confused I ask where he is going and what makes him think that I am going anywhere with him. He informed me that I will be doing a lot of walking, bending and other things and that I did not need to go by myself. After thinking about what he said I agreed with him and we walked to his truck and him helping me get into the front seat. Listening to the music while we are on our way to the mall I get a call from Noah Liam's twin brother and my other best friend. Laughing while looking at my phone I answer it to see what Noah needs while letting him know that the phone is on speaker and that his brother is in the car with me.

With a final check that the door was securely locked, I turned and made my way down the porch steps, the familiar weight of my keys and purse a comforting presence against my hip. The afternoon sun cast long shadows as I strolled towards my car, anticipating the errands I needed to run. Just as I reached my driver's side door, the low rumble of an approaching vehicle caught my attention. A dark truck was turning into my driveway, its tires crunching softly on the gravel.

Curiosity piqued, I paused by my car, watching as the truck came to a stop. The driver's side door opened, and Liam unfolded himself from the cab. A wave of surprise washed over me. What was he doing here? I stood still, waiting for him to close the distance between us, eager to hear his explanation. A warm smile spread across his face as he walked towards me, and he enveloped me in a brief, friendly hug. Stepping back, his eyes held a playful glint. "Ready to go?" he asked. Confusion creased my brow. "Go where?" I replied, tilting my head. "And what makes you think I'm going anywhere with you?" He chuckled softly. "Well," he began, his gaze sweeping over me, "you mentioned needing to tackle that long list of tasks today, right? Lots of walking, some heavy lifting probably, maybe even some awkward bending in those hard-to-reach places. I figured you shouldn't have to do all that on your own." His thoughtfulness caught me off guard. I considered his offer, the image of my daunting to-do list flashing through my mind. He had a point; an extra pair of hands would certainly make the day easier. A small smile touched my lips. "Okay," I conceded, nodding slowly. "I suppose that would be helpful." We walked over to his truck, and he considerately opened the passenger door for me, offering a hand as I climbed into the front seat. The comfortable leather and the familiar scent of his cologne filled the cab. As we pulled out of my driveway and onto the main road, the radio played a mellow tune, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Just as we merged onto the highway, my phone buzzed in my purse. Reaching for it, I saw Noah's name flashing on the screen. A laugh escaped me; of course, Liam's twin brother and my other steadfast best friend would call now. "Speak of the devil," I murmured, glancing at Liam. "It's Noah." "Put him on speaker," Liam suggested, a knowing smile playing on his lips. I answered the call, holding the phone between us. "Hey, Noah," I greeted him, a playful tone in my voice. "Just so you know, you're on speaker, and your brother is currently chauffeuring me around." A brief silence followed by Noah's exaggerated groan filled the truck. "Laughing, he inquired about our plans for the day, and I told him Liam would be joining me to pick up the furniture and other essentials I needed for the baby's room. After a pleasant conversation, we ended the call, and Liam announced our arrival at the mall. He assisted me out of the truck, and together we entered the mall, grabbing a basket in anticipation of any items I could bring home that day. We made our way to the baby section, where I began looking at breast pumps to find the one that suited me best. Next, I examined the various baby bottles, selecting the ones I preferred. Finally, I browsed the baby blankets, carefully choosing those that matched the theme I had lovingly created for the baby's room." Drifting through the aisles of the baby superstore, I scanned the neatly organized shelves, my eyes wide with anticipation. Each tiny garment, every plush toy, and all the essential nursery items sparked a wave of excitement for the little one who would soon fill our lives. Methodically, I added items to my overflowing shopping basket – soft blankets in pastel hues, a musical mobile with adorable animals, and stacks of gentle, unscented wipes. Liam trailed patiently behind, offering his opinion on a whimsical elephant nightlight and a particularly sturdy-looking stroller. The checkout line seemed endless, but the shared smiles and whispered conversations made the wait enjoyable. Once we had paid for our purchases, the weight of the bags was more noticeable than before. As we started our walk towards another store across the expansive parking lot, a familiar ache began to radiate through my feet and lower back. I had to stop, a small groan escaping my lips as I perched precariously on the edge of a nearby planter. Liam, ever attentive, instantly noticed my pause. His brow furrowed with concern as he gently guided me towards a row of luxurious massage chairs situated just outside the entrance of the next store. Without a word, he deposited some coins into the machine, and the chair sprang to life, its rhythmic kneading a welcome relief. "Stay here and relax," he said softly, his hand briefly resting on my shoulder. "I'll put these bags in the truck and be right back." With a reassuring smile, he turned and headed towards our vehicle, leaving me to sink into the comforting vibrations, a wave of gratitude washing over me for his thoughtfulness and care. Settling into the plush massage chair, a wave of relief washed over me as the rollers began to work their magic on my tired muscles. My phone buzzed, pulling me from my near-doze. It was a text from Noah: "Where are you?" A smile touched my lips as I quickly typed back, "In the massage chairs outside the baby store, waiting for Liam." As I sent the message, I leaned my head back against the soft leather, letting the rhythmic kneading ease the tension in my calves and lower back. The gentle hum of the massage chair created a peaceful cocoon, a welcome respite from the day's errands. A moment later, I heard my name called. Lifting my head, my eyes widened in surprise. Liam and Noah were walking towards me, engaged in what seemed like a deep conversation. A warmth spread through me seeing them together. The massage chair whirred to a stop, signaling the end of its cycle. I stood up, a renewed sense of energy flowing through me. Meeting them halfway, I wrapped Noah in a quick hug before turning towards the furniture store.

My steps quickened with anticipation as I made my way to the baby section, my eyes scanning the displays, eager to find the perfect rocking chair – the one that would cradle our little one in comfort and become a cherished part of our nursery, afterwards we headed back to my house. I had Liam and Noah put all of the items that were purchased into the baby room before coming back out to the kitchen where I was getting ready to start dinner. Noah takes the rice out of my hand and tells me to go lay down and relax. Walking into the living room I grab the remote before sitting down and turning on the television. Sometime later I am woken up by Liam with a bowl in his hands. Sitting up I grab the bowl from him and state thank you waiting for him and Noah to join me in the living room. While eating we watched the tv and talked about how our day was going, I informed them that Michael and I got a divorce and that I will end up taking care of the baby on my own. I also let them know that the studio was doing good and that I had just hired another photographer. After our shopping trip, we returned to the familiar comfort of my house. Directing Liam and Noah, I had them carefully place all the newly acquired baby items into the nursery, a room slowly transforming into a haven for our soon-to-arrive little one. Once the last box was set down, they rejoined me in the kitchen, where I was preparing to start dinner. As I reached for the bag of rice, Noah gently took it from my hand, his eyes filled with concern. He insisted I go and rest, a wave of exhaustion washing over me that I hadn't fully acknowledged until that moment.