Affection & Love

Chapter 22

Liam's P.O.V:

I stirred as the sunlight got brighter through the curtains. I slowly opened my eyes, still half asleep. I looked around and frowned when the surroundings were unfamiliar. I tried to stretch but couldn't as I felt someone's head on my shoulder. I looked down and found Sam. That's when yesterday's events came back to me.

I focused back on Sam as she snuggled to my side with her arm wrapped around me. Her hair was sprawled on my chest and she had a cute pout as her face was pressed against me. I slowly moved away the strands of hair from her face. She stirred and pressed herself more into me. I couldn't help but smile. She was cute.

She looked beautiful. Her hair sprawled, her cheeks flushed on my chest, her long eyelashes touching her cheeks. I could look at her for a long time and I would've,  if I wasn't worried for Jake.

I looked up and found him already awake and looking at us with a smile. I signaled him to be silent so Sam wouldn't wake up but it was in vain when she stirred.

She raised her head slowly, squinting her eyes and looking around cluelessly before looking at me. I was preparing myself for all the awkwardness, considering our position, but she took me by surprise when she acted calmly.

"Good morning." She said in her sleepy voice, sitting up in the bed as if this was normal. I got off my surprise and greeted her back. I looked away when she stretched and checked the time. It was half-past 8.

She greeted Jake and pulled him into her. He instantly snuggled into her chest.

"Did you sleep well, champ?" She ran her fingers through his hair as he nodded and I relaxed back on the headboard knowing he was fine.

"What would you like for breakfast?" She pulled back from him and tried to tame his curly bed hair.

Jake thought for a while and she waited patiently for his answer.

"Waffles?" He asked in a low voice, afraid that she might not like the idea.

"Waffles it is." She smiled at him.

My heart tugged looking at them. This should've been normal in Jake's life. This is what he's missing every day; motherly affection and warmth. No matter what people say, you can't compare or replace a mother's love with that of a father's. Even if the child has all the love from his family, they feel incomplete without a mother's love.

I wish I could give Jake the normal life of a 5-year-old kid. I failed again to keep him happy.

Their laughter pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked at them and smiled.

No, I'm not going to overthink and make things worse.

"You both freshen up and come down for breakfast. Feel free to use the clothes in the closet. You'll find extra supplies in the cupboard under the sink." She got up from the bed and was about to walk away when Jake stopped her.

"Are you leaving?" He asked, looking like a lost kid. She walked back to him and crouched.

"I'm just going to make breakfast for us. I'm not leaving you. In fact, we're going to spend the day together." She said.

"Really?" Excitement can be detected in his voice as he asked her.

"Really. Now, hurry up." She said as she kissed his forehead. She glanced at me and I nodded at her as a thanks, to which she smiled and left the room.

We got into the bathroom and brushed. I changed Jake into different clothes whereas I took a shower. Half an hour later, we were both ready for the day.