Page 13 of Love ’em or Liam

“Pick the ones you like or are most comfortable, and we’ll buy you new stuff when we get home. What about Keller’s things?”

“I mean, they bought him a lot of things over the years, but most of what they got him is in the garage. Guns and two different ATVs, lots of sporting equipment, that kind of thing.

“So basically all the stuff that he’s clearly not into at all,” Liam says.

How has he managed to know that about my son when they’ve only ever spent time together over a computer screen during video chats? “All of his favorite things are in his room. His puzzles, models, and building blocks. Winnie will know what to pack.”

“Knock-knock,” Brenda singsongs from the doorway.

“I’m guessing that happens frequently?” Liam says quietly. “The popping in without calling first?”

I just nod, then turn to face my mother-in-law. As usual, she’s dressed in a pantsuit ala Hilary Clinton circa 2016. I told her that once, and I thought her head might explode. In any case, today’s is peach. I hate peach; the color, the smell. She’s probably why, considering she uses some fancy lotion and powder from France, I think, and it’s all peach scented.

“Hello, Brenda,” I say. Then I motion to Liam, who’s now standing very close to me. The front of his body brushing against my behind. “You remember Liam.”

At the mention of his name, he leans down and brushes a kiss against my neck.

And that’s when Butch walks in. Unlike his wife, Butch likes to dress like a wealthy cowboy. Starched jeans, pointed boots in any kind of leather you can imagine. He must have sixty pairs. The button-down shirt and a belt buckle that would make Texas proud.

“What have we here?” he asks as he steps inside.

Liam pats me on the hip as he steps around me. He walks straight up to Colt’s parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, so nice to see you again. It’s been a while.”

“It has been a very long while,” Brenda says, emphasizing the ‘very.’

“Liam was on active duty until just the last two years,” I say. They can belittle me all they want, but I’ll be damned if they discredit all of the sacrifices Liam has made.

“What is going on here?” Butch asks, clearly done with the charade of niceties.

Liam grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “I finally convinced her to marry me. I’ve been asking for years, haven’t I, baby?”

I smile up at him. “You sure have.”

“Well, you’ll have to get an annulment. She is a Bishop,” Brenda says.

“Actually, now I’m a Gregory,” I say. “And so is Keller, Liam’s filed a petition in Texas to legally adopt him.”

“Texas, why on Earth would he file there?” Butch asks.

“Because that’s where I live, sir,” Liam says. “Where my family will live with me.”

“Now see here, son,” Butch hits that last word hard. “We always did like you, Liam. We knew you were a good influence on our boy. But this,” he wags his finger between Liam and me. “This is a goddamn mistake. You don’t know what you’re doing. I’m sure she’s fed you so many lies, you don’t know which way is up. Trust us, we know how she can be.”

Panic claws at my throat with Butch’s words. What if they convince Liam and he does annul our union? What will I do then? Flee the country, if possible.

“I’d remind you that you’re in the presence of a lady, two if you count your wife,” Liam says. “There’s no need to use vulgarities.”

Brenda steps forward. “You don’t know how fragile and unstable she is. She needs us around to support her and Keller. She’s just not up for raising a kid on her own. Especially with the medication,” she whispers that last word like it’s offensive, “she takes.”

“Brenda, we’ve been over this. I take anxiety medication and something for my ADHD. It’s not like I’m addicted to pain pills,” I snap.

Brenda’s eyes flash with anger, and she steps forward.

This time, Liam moves my body so I’m behind his.

“I’m here now, she’s my wife, mine to care for. She won’t need you anymore. But as far as I can tell, she has done better raising Keller alone these past few years than she was able to when Colt was alive. Because she had to take care of him too.”

“If you think you’re going to marry Wren just to get your hands on Colt’s money, you’re sorely mistaken! Keller’s money is in a trust, and you’ll never be able to touch it. And since Wren married you, she won’t be getting anything from us anymore either,” Brenda says.