Begin Again novel Chapter 179

"We came to keep you company. You're welcome!" Julian announced as he waved the two beer cases in front of him.

A second later, Matthew sprung out of the shadows and held up a pizza box. "Surprise!"

Liam was more annoyed than surprised. He didn't want company, but he ushered them inside anyway. "Please, make yourselves at home."

It was their first visit since he bought the penthouse, so they insisted on a tour of the place, both whistling as they took in the state of the art open plan kitchen and dining area leading into the living room.

Besides the guest rooms and bathrooms, there wasn't much else to see downstairs, so they drifted upstairs to check out the rest of the house.

Before Liam could even stop him, Julian was already inside the nursery, a startled look in his eyes as he turned to him and asked. "What's going on? Is this why you skipped work? To build Aiden a nursery?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"So, was Eden impressed? Was she blown away by your handiness?" Matthew smirked.

Liam slumped in the rocking chair and grunted under his breath. "She hasn't seen it yet."

"Are you planning to show it to her?" Julian asked.

"When I come back from my trip, I suppose," he shrugged.

"You still haven't made up, have you?" Matthew rubbed his chin, a contemplative look in his eye. "Liam, it's been days already since Fashion Week and the shit with Laura. Why haven't you begged for mercy like I told you to?"

"It's complicated," Liam grunted.

As complicated as it was, though, he went ahead and brought his cousins up to speed on the circus that was now his life–from finding out he's a father to his latest skirmish with Eden at his attorneys' offices.

Both brothers were stunned out of their wits at his revelations.

"Jesus Christ, Liam!" Julian was the first to get over his shock. He reached for a beer from one of the six-packs on the floor, popped it open and swallowed it down. "There's no helping you! How the hell do you unleash your fucking attorneys on her?"

Matthew was just as unimpressed with him. He fumed and spurted out his outrage. "After all the shit you put her through, you still decide to fight her for Aiden? If Eden doesn't forgive you for this bullshit, I won't blame her at all. You've pushed her too far this time."

"What about me? Hasn't she pushed me too far?" Liam growled. "Don't I have a right to be mad? Which part of she kept Aiden from me for two years did you both not hear? I missed out on so much of his life. I'm not in a single one of my son's memories. The way I see it, I have way more reason to be angry than she does."

Liam shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He knew getting through to Eden would be harder than climbing Mount Everest. But he'd pushed her over the cliff, so he'd have to take that plunge himself to bring her back.

"Well, don't worry, dude, leave it to me," Matthew smiled. "You and Eden will be talking in no time."

Liam grunted inaudibly under his breath, his attention on the crib once again as he absently picked up his tools.

Like he was afraid they would, his cousins insisted on helping him.

Ten beer cans later, when they finally left him alone, the crib was fully assembled, and all it needed now was the hypoallergenic foam mattress Liam had ordered online a couple of days ago. The store had promised it would be delivered in a day or two. He was still waiting.

He took a photo of the nursery and sent it to Eden, convinced it would spark a reaction from her. But when none came after waiting at least fifteen minutes, Liam's irritation levels had crept up so high he was sorely tempted to rush to Forrest Creek.

But he'd learned from his mistakes.

A little patience would go a long way.