New Beginnings ✅

19. The Ghost of Dean

"Mama" Liam knocks loudly on my bedroom door causing me to groan as I cover my ears with my pillow. Winter break was kicking my ass. Having Liam home was nice but I was beyond the point of exhaustion. "Mom" he knocks again, even louder. I sigh as I finally sit up and make my way towards the door, pulling it open to find my son dressed in snow pants, a hat, and mittens.

"Buddy what are you doing?" I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I look down at him.

"It snowed" he replies as if this should be obvious. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion before leaving the doorway and rushing over to the window. I pull back the curtains and I'm immediately blinded by the reflection of the sun off the freshly fallen snow. "Told you" Liam says smugly. I turn to face him and cross my arms over his chest.

"Keep up the attitude and you'll spend your day in the house" I threaten. "Maybe you can go outside when Josh gets here" I reason. It was Christmas Eve and I still had plenty to do tonight before the holiday tomorrow.

"Fine" he grumbles at the exact moment the doorbell rings. His eyes light up as he takes off down the hallway towards the front door. I run after him.

"Stop" I shout causing him to stop in his tracks and turn around to me. "What have I told you about answering the door when you don't know who's there" I quirk an inquisitive eyebrow at him and he sighs.

"To not to" he says with a pout making me chuckle as I nod and make my way towards the door.

"Exactly" I nod. "Because even if you think you know who's at the door you could still be" I begin as I pull open the door, expecting my boyfriend to be on the other side only to find the last person I expected to see. "Wrong" I finish my sentence as I stare at my mother in law.

"Grandma" Liam exclaims as he runs towards Diana. A smile tugs at the woman's lips as she kneels down in front of her grandson, scooping him up in her arms.

"Hello sweetheart" she smiles, kissing his cheek before releasing him from their hug. "Are you going outside?" she laughs as she takes in my son's appearance.

"When Josh gets here" he replies causing Diana to flick her gaze to me accusingly.

"Liam honey why don't you go wait for Josh in your room. I'll be sure to send him in there as soon as he gets here" I assure him. He looks between me and his grandma and sighs.

"Fine" he groans before stomping off to his bedroom. I straighten up and give my mother in law a polite smile.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't expecting you" I admit nervously. She laughs as she makes her way towards the couch, moving one of Liam's many trucks from the seat before sitting down.

"That was the point" she replies as I take a seat across from her. "We need to talk about tomorrow" she says causing me to grow even more nervous than I was just a few seconds ago.

"Okay" I drag out. "I suppose you're being specific to my boyfriend's attendance" I add expectantly.

"Well yes" she nods. "I understand that Mia thought it was within her rights to extend an invitation to him but I'm here to politely decline it" she says pointedly. I nod in understanding while my rage bubbles up inside me.

"Okay" I nod. "Well" I breathe out, "I believe there is another conversation that you and I need to have" I add causing her to raise an eyebrow at me in intrigue. "My relationship with Josh isn't a fling. It has potential to grow into a long term commitment. I know that makes you uncomforta-."

"You do realize this is his house" she interjects. I pause, looking around the space that I shared with her son but that now belongs solely to me.