I scrunch up my face, confused. “The little looks?”
She curls a brow at me, but Dad answers for her. “Son, ye look at her the same way I look at your Mam.”
I hadn't even realised. I love her more than anything—obviously—but I’d never realised anyone could actually see it. The way I look at her, the way I can't keep my eyes off her no matter what she's doing… Apparently, it's written all over me.
“She’s hot too, and clearly blind if she wants your ugly old ass instead of my perky one,” Ezra adds in. I elbow him, even if I know he's joking.
“So, you're okay with it?” I ask them, and I feel my chest tighten. Their approval matters more than ever thought it could. Even if they didn't, it wouldn't stop me from being with Willow. She's mine forever and always.
Mam smiles at me, and Dad lets out a soft chuckle. “She makes ye happy, Elijah,” she says, resting her hands on my shoulders. “She's family. We have missed that goofy grin of yours, and she's the reason it's back. So yeah, we’re more than happy for you.”
They pull me into a hug, the kind that makes you feel lighter. Their pride, their acceptance, their unconditional love—it hits me all at once, and I can't help grinning.
My brothers pile in, laughing and pushing with the occasional “fuck off”, and I just take it all in.
All that's missing is my son and Willow.
Chapter 48
Willow
Finding him wasn't hard. It never is when he's upset.
The football pitch is a mess. It's slick with rain, churned into thick mud that clings to my boots with every step. The cold wrapped around me like it had teeth, but I could barely focus on that. My attention was locked on him.
It's Christmas Eve, and we should be at Moiras. Instead, I’m out here because Rose couldn't keep her mouth shut.
She didn't even know about us; all she had was a suspicion, which, yes, I know, was true. We managed to confirm it, though, as soon as we returned home.
A small part of me is relieved that it isn't a secret anymore. No more sneaking around or pretending he doesn't really mean anything to me. River's reaction wasn't the best, not like I was expecting him to be jumping for joy about us, but we were supposed to tell him, not her.
I never wanted to wedge myself between them. Affecting their close relationship isn't what I wanted because I know how special it is, as I had it with my dad.
Although I was never expecting to fall in love with Elijah.
He slipped past every wall I put up so easily, and some part of me let him till I didn't want to fight it anymore.
River is kicking the ball into the net over and over again, each strike more aggressive than the last. Every so often, the ball snags in the net, and he yanks it free with more force than necessary before setting it back down and going again.
His hood is up, shadowing most of his face, but I don't need to see it to know exactly what mood he's in.
I come at him from the side.
“Go away, Willow.”
Alright, straight to the point.
I almost smile because if he thinks that's enough to get rid of me, he's clearly forgotten who he's dealing with.
“Mm, tempting,” I say lightly, shoving my hands into my coat pockets against the cold. “But no. I think I’ll stay.”
“Well, I don't want to talk to you.”
He doesn't even spare me a glance, just drags the ball back into place and lines up for another shot like I’m not here at all.
Charming.
“I’m not leaving until we talk.”
