Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

49 RYAN I volunteered to take the kids to the park while Lily goes off to handle an emergency at the hospital. It seems the nanny is on leave today because I did not see her when I showed up at the house, nor did she come with us to the park. I am left alone to handle the kids with my security details. Dressed in a grey T-shirt and black pants complimented with a baseball cap, I watched the boys race around with a water gun, shooting bubbles at each other. More often than not, I found myself smiling just by watching them play around, however, my joy escalated when Noah called me dad. "Dad! Please, could you get me some water?" he urgently called out to me, his voice carrying a hint of desperation. Scanning the surroundings, I made a quick visual sweep to ensure that Jake wasn't lurking nearby. Satisfied that Jake was nowhere in sight, I deduced that Noah was indeed calling out to me. A wide grin spread across my face as I gracefully stepped oChapter ff the colorful picnic mat that we had laid out under the shade of a sprawling oak tree. I made my way over to Noah and in my hand, I held a sturdy bottle of water. With a deft twist, I uncorked the bottle and extended it towards him. Noah eagerly seized the bottle, his fingers wrapping around it and with eager gulps, he savored the refreshing taste, drinking to his heart's content until his thirst was thoroughly quenched. With a contented sigh, he returned the partially empty bottle to my outstretched hand, a grateful smile lighting up his face. Returning to our cozy picnic spot, I found Liam trailing closely behind. As I settled back onto the soft blanket, Liam mirrored my actions, nestling beside me. With a gentle rustle, he rummaged through the picnic basket beside us, his small hand emerging, clutching a plate of fruit salad and a spoon. Silently, Liam ate his food, his attention divided between his meal and the I playful behavior of his brothers. Retrieving another spoon from the basket, I cleared my throat softly to capture his focus. "Would you mind if I shared the plate with you? I inquired gently. He cast a fleeting glance in my direction before turning his gaze back to the plate, shaking his head in response. Taking his gesture as permission. I dipped the spoon into the assortment of sliced fruits and milk, carefully transferring a portion onto my own spoon. "Are you still upset with me for being away for so long?" I asked, the words escaping my lips with apprehension. Liam glanced at me once more, his expression unreadable. "Why?" he asked, his voice soft yet filled with curiosity, A pang of guilt tugged at my heart as I searched for a suitable explanation, a justification for my prolonged absence. Yet, no excuse seemed adequate to justify the time I had missed with him and his brothers. I was preoccupied with other matters, I admitted quietly, "But in doing so, I lost precious moments with you and your brothers. I missed out on witnessing your growth, and for that, I am truly sorry. Frowning slightly, Liam returned his gaze to his plate, his brow furrowed in thought. "I'm not angry with you," he began, his voice soft. "Mum said it wasn't your fault for being away for such a long time. She said you would have been here if you could." A surge of relief washed over me at his words. "If you're not angry with me, then why do you seem distant?" I inquired gently, my heart yearning for a deeper understanding of his feelings. "It's like you hardly acknowledge my presence in the room." Liam hesitated for a moment, his fingers tracing patterns on the edge of his plate. "I don't know what to say to you," he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a mumble. "That's why I stay quiet most of the time." At least we are making progress I reached out and gently pulled Liam towards me, guiding him to settle on my thigh. "Liam, you can share anything with me, I reassured him, my voice tender yet earnest. "I love hearing about your day at school, your favorite animal, your preferred foods, your friends, your adventures during holidays-everything. Liam. Your voice matters to me, and I want to hear it all Suddenly, a radiant smile illuminated Liam's face, mirroring the warmth in my own heart.. I reached into the picnic basket and retrieved a bottle of water, eagerly taking a gulp to quench my suddenly parched throat. 113 AM Chapter 49 "Does this mean you and mommy are going to get married?" Liam's unexpected question caught me off guard, causing me to choke on the water. Clearing my throat to dislodge the misplaced sip, I redirected my gaze to my son. "Why do you ask?" "All my friends at school who have daddies, they all live together with their mummies because they're married," Liam explained between mouthfuls of fruit. "You only come around on weekends, so I was wondering if you and Mum are going to get married so we can all live together." My heart sank at his words, realizing this was a conversation best had with Lily. "Do you want us to get married?" I deflected, sidestepping his direct question He shrugged nonchalantly. I just want a complete family," he mumbled, his words punctuated by another bite of fruit. "But I don't mind if you want to be like Uncle Jake to Mum." Confusion clouded my thoughts. "What do you mean, Liam?" I pressed, attempting to understand his cryptic statement. "It means you can come over every day and take care of us and Mum," he mumbled absentmindedly, his attention now drawn to a group of children playing nearby. "I'm going to love you all even more than Uncle Jake does," I countered quietly, more to reassure myself than anything else. Liam seemed to have lost interest in our conversation, promptly covering his plastic plate and returning it to the basket before darting off to rejoin his brothers in their play. By the time we arrived home, exhaustion had claimed the boys, their small bodies succumbing to the blissful embrace of sleep. I scooped up Noah in my arms, while the two security personnel who had accompanied us to the park carried Liam and Ethan. Entering the living room, I found Lily seated, engrossed in a magazine. She rose to her feet at the sight of us. "They're all asleep?" she inquired, her gaze drifting to Liam with a hint of amusement. "Even Liam?" She chuckled softly at her own question. I suppose he's just a kid after all I carried Noah to his room, gently laying him on his bed and carefully removing his shoes before tenderly tucking him in. Returning to the living room, I overheard Lily instructing the maids to begin preparing dinner. "Are you going to wake them up?" I inquired, sinking into the sofa as Lily nodded in response. They've been out all day, sweating and interacting with other kids. They'll need showers, and once they're clean, they'll be wide awake and hungry, Lily explained, her tone practical and efficient, Her words sparked a realization within me. "Liam opened up to me today," I shared with a smile, noticing her expression mirror my OWIL "Really? What did he say?" Lily asked eagerly. Just the thought of o me dad conversation alone gives me peace of mind. I summarized my conversation with Liarn to her, "and Noah called Her smile

stretched even wider. "I am glad the kids are warming up to you Ryan. I have been praying earnestly for this." I waited till dinner was ready, and helped Lily and the nanny bath the kids before leaving. I guess one can say my day went perfectly well, or at least it did until I received a call from my father. "You will not tell me who to get married to." I snapped at him. Who the does he think he is intervening in my personal life like that. "You will not bring disgrace to a reputation that I have worked so hard to build." He snapped. "getting a woman pregnant and refusing to do the right thing is an act I will not condone." Poking my tongue into my cheek, I tried to breathe through the anger and frustration bubbling in me right now. "And what do you think I have been doing this my adulthood?" I snapped at him, "I have been living my life, trying to do everything that will benefit the family and the company, and honestly, I am done doing that!" "what is wrong with you son?!" he rebuked, "are you really not going to take responsibility for your actions?" he cursed at me. "do I need 2/8 11:43 AM D Chapter 40 to remind you that the board needs that baby?" "Taking responsibility is exactly what I am doing now." I argued. "and as for babies, I already have heirs that I am going to introduce to the press soon." He fell silent for a moment. "what is that even supposed to mean?" "It means Lily had three sons for me, and I am going to do right by them."