It will be me who shows him how to treat the people you love and I will love him so hard that hopefully he forgets his birth father ever existed. He may not share my DNA but he owns a big part of my heart.

“You promise you’re not going to leave?” His little pinkie comes between us showing me again that he is still just a child.

Without a second’s hesitation I link my finger with his. I haven’t made a pinkie promise in a very long time but I’m sure they are as legally binding now as they were when I was young.

“The only time I’m going anywhere is when I have to go for work but I will always come back to you guys. It’s the easiest promise I’ve ever made.” I swear to him.

“I love you, Liam.” Hearing him say that again for the first time since the hockey game melts my heart in my chest. I thought it was a heat of the moment thing with the adrenalin of the game, but I guess he really meant it, or at least he means it now.

“I love you too Jack, so much.” I love this kid deep in my bones, a love I never thought I would get to experience until I found out I would be a parent, but I guess I’m a parent already.

Jack knows he is my family now and I’m hoping Ellis is coming over to my side after the past few weeks. She knows that I want her to be mine and I know she wants me too, but I’m going to show up every time until the two of them know there is no chance of me leaving them.

I’m going to be the man that stays, the man that gets the honour of becoming a part of this family unit.

Ellis, Jack, baby girl and me.

It sounds perfect.

Chapter Twenty-Five

July

Ellis

Screaming. There’s a baby screaming.

Where is it?

I can hear it but I can’t see where it is. I have to get through that big wooden door to help the baby.

Screaming. I’m yelling out, but the sound is drowned out by the poor baby.

It needs help, let me help.

I try to get out of bed but I can’t move. My wrists are bound together at the headboard and my feet are weighed down, strapped to the bed. The more I try to fight against them the tighter they bind.

Screaming. As soon as I’m free, I’ll help it.

Why is nobody helping me?

The baby needs help.

I need help.

The louder I shout the tighter the binds fasten.

Screaming.

I call out for Liam, begging him to help. He doesn’t come. The wooden door shakes on its hinges mocking me with how easily it should open.

Everything stops.