13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Rhys

I had lied. Well, a bit. My ass was sore from the plug and I would have loved to stay in that comfortable bed with him, enveloped in his arms. But we promised.

And I intended to keep that promise.

“I just put Edgar down for his nap,” Mina explained when we met her, her mum, John Junior, Liane, and Molly in the kitchen.

Liam hadn’t mentioned John Senior yet, and I would definitely not ask. Nope.

“Are you ready to decorate the cookies with us, Rhys?” Liane, the cheeky five-year-old asked me from her perch on a chair.

“More than ready.”

“Good.” She handed me a plate of heavenly smelling Christmas foxes, circles, and…

“I made seal cookies for you,” she said proudly.

“Oh, that’s so lovely of you! Thanks, Liane.”

“Mum said you were a seal.” It had been John Junior, the quiet boy with dark curls, who had spoken.

“I’m a Selkie. I have seal skin, yes.”

“Wow!” Molly gaped at me. “So you are a good swimmer?”

I couldn’t stop my chuckle. “You could say that, yes.”

I hadn’t put on my other skin in years but I knew the moment I let it come, I would feel at home in the sea. Maybe, if Liam wanted to see it one day…

“I bet Rhys is a very pretty seal.”

Liane giggled. “Of course you think that. He is your boyfriend.” And she was off about a boy from preschool who apparently was her boyfriend.

“Liam, the kids picked the bats and the other half of the foxes for you,” Mina explained and handed him a plate.

I had the best time. The kids and women were impressed with my skills and soon shoved more cookies onto my plate.

“I had no idea you were so amazing at this,” Liam said with a proud smile on his face. His bats and foxes had nothing of my sleek lines and symmetrical designs, but I adored watching him fiddle with the icing and the multicolored sprinkles. Liam’s rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes made my stomach flutter.

You’re so far gone for that man, Rhys.

“Me neither. It’s been years since I last decorated cookies. But it’s a bit like biking, I suppose.”

He snorted and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I don’t know. I’m a passable biker but this fiddly stuff?”

“Mr Bell, I’m surprised,” I teased. “I’ve seen the stitch work on the kilts you make. This is not so different from sewing, is it?”

“Maybe. I am just not a baker.” His hand slipped around my waist, pulling me closer. His lips pressed to my cheek once more.

Liam’s mum sighed. “Goodness, you boys are adorable. Reminds me of your… Did you say hello to him yet?”

“Not yet, no. I didn’t want to leave Rhys alone.”

“Don’t worry we’re not going to eat him, I promise.” Mina chuckled as she put the already dried cookies into a tin.

Liam choked but managed to pass it off as a cough.

Nope. That’s your job, Daddy.

“Why don’t you introduce Rhys? I’m sure he’d want to meet him.” Jenny gave him a sad smile.

What am I missing?

“Would you come with me for a moment? There is someone I want you to meet,” he asked me.

“Sure, lead the way.”

Liam took me to a room on the ground floor. It was quiet except for the telly anda cosy little space. A frail man sat in a winged armchair, staring at the flickering screen.

Liam bent and kissed the man’s stubbly cheek. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hello.” The man regarded him for a moment, but no recognition dawned upon his face.

“It’s Liam.”

“Oh, yes. Is Jenny coming soon?” he asked, scrutinising his son’s face again as if it rang a distant bell. Then he looked back at the screen.

“She is. Very soon,” Liam said in a small voice.

“Good. I like that film.”

I reached out and took his hand, squeezing his fingers to tell him that I was here.

“Hello, Mr Bell,” I greeted him.

“Oh, hello. Who are you?” The old man cocked his head, and I saw that he must have looked a lot like Liam when he’d been young.

“I’m your son’s boyfriend,” I explained.

“My son?” His eyes fell on Liam, and suddenly a light went on in them. “Oh yes, of course. How nice.” He looked back at the television. “I hope Jenny will be here soon.”

“Merry Christmas, Dad,” Liam muttered.

“Merry Christmas, Mr Bell. Come on,” I told his son.