“On what?” he quizzes.

“Their surname.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

I pick at my nails, the stillness in the room enveloping me. I move to sit on the cushion closest to him, not wanting to make this conversation any more distant and awkward than it needs to be. This is Liam and I here. We shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

“Is it selfish if I want them to be baby Ruinsky?” He takes my hand, squeezing it as he speaks.

“No, not selfish just… I guess it’s the done thing,” I say softly. “We could hyphenate, but Ainsley-Ruinsky is a bit of a mouthful.”

I knew deep down he would want the baby to have his name. It was one of the first thoughts I had when I told him I was pregnant, but hearing it stings a little.

“Sunshine, if you want the baby to be an Ainsley that’s fine, it’s just…” He trails off, biting his lip.

“Just what?” I push.

“I guess it’s just that you and Jack are both Ainsley. It’s stupid really, but I guess if the baby is Ainsley too then I feel like I’m not a part of the family.” When his dark eyes meet mine they are glazed over. My heart drops into my stomach at the sight.

“Liam.” I wish I could be even closer to him, wish I could give him comfort, and he must agree because he pulls me even closer until I am sat on his lap.

“I know it’s stupid, this baby is my family. Hell, you and Jack are part of my family too, but I guess I feel a little left out.” He tightens his arms around my waist as his hand settles on my bump before he continues. “The baby will live with you and I know I am going to miss out on a lot because of hockey. I just feel like a background character in all this.”

“You will never just be a background character, do you hear me? You’re their dad, Liam. You always will be no matter what. Even when you annoy me you will still be their father, nothing will take that away.” Shock laces my words at his revelation; it never crossed my mind that he would feel less than. I’m still a little bit mad that he told his team and mad that he is so attractive it hurts, but I know he cares about this baby. My hands come up to cradle his jaw to offer him some comfort. Liam is the more rational out of the two of us and it never occurred to me how hard this must be for him. Again, I know that’s selfish, that I have spent so long thinking about all the things changing in my life that his life has barely crossed my mind.