''It's in a box in my closet; I never wanted Tom to know about it. Until I told him myself, I am honestly curious about his response for almost ten years old. Considering that this is a lot to absorb & take in at his age, ''responds Liam, not wanting to tell his little boy the devasting news of the little sister he lost the very same night along with his mom.
''Who else knows?'' asks Avery, curiously learning about the extra weight on his chest that her son has been carrying around the past year.
''Besides you, only Caleb & he only found out on the anniversary of Zoey's death. I felt if I told everyone that it would be real & out in the open so. It was just easier to say nothing at all' 'tells Liam.''I had no idea that you were dealing with all of this. Here I am thinking you were dealing with the loss of your best friend, but any parents worse nightmare loss your unborn baby girl ''says Avery. Not being able to relate to what her firstborn is dealing with, I mean, yes, she lost a daughter-in-law, but that's not the same thing. As losing your child, who is your blood, Liam never had a chance to see Lily born her first smile, her first crawl, first steps none of that, the more he thinks about losing Zoe it's an automatic reminder of losing his second-born child.
''Lily would be six months old if she were alive to this day, ''says Liam.
''I bet if she were alive that Lily would definitely be a daddy's girl for sure, considering that you could tell Thomas was a definite momma's boy & always had Zoey wrapped around his little finger the same way. I'm certain Lily would have been with you, ''says Avery. Trying to comfort Liam the best way that she possibly can due to the situation. To where it can't be joked about or brushed off lightly, or make all of the pain he is feeling go away & disappear.
''Can we change the subject to something besides Lily? Thinking about her makes me think & reflect on that night. Where my life blew up in flames & came crashing down right in front of my eyes ''tells Liam avoiding what he is feeling and wants to run away from his problems.''Why so you can do the same thing you did a year ago when it came to Zoey? Shutting everyone out? When all everyone was doing is trying to help you?'' questions Avery knowing that her son desperately needs help in so many ways mentally & physically with everything that he has been dealing with?
''What helping? Everyone asked me how I was doing after losing Zoey, which made me think about the fact. I lost my wife, so I wouldn't call that helping, more of an instant reminder of what I lost that night, momma ''yells Liam storming out of the inn. This makes Avery wonder why her son is always continuously stubborn in so many ways regarding his feelings on people Liam truly cares about. Or going after something he wants but is scared & terrified that something awful will happen with love since it already has happened before. His heart can't take more pain or loss than it already has in the last year. If he loses anymore, it will break him to where the thought of love will be too much for Liam to handle.
He then makes his way to his truck and makes a quick stop at their house to grab. A bag of stuff for both him and Thomas; this way, he can clear his head of everything recently. That has happened in the last few days, & packs each of them a few sets of clothes, pj's & everything else they both needed. Along with a backpack for Thomas with some coloring books, also a few books for him to read to keep himself entertained while on the car ride.
''Hey, bud ''says Liam as he sees his son come into the main office.
''Hi daddy, why did you leave after my play last night ?'' asks Thomas curiously & a little confused about what happened since that is very unlike him?
''Come on, I'll tell you on the way there, ''tells Liam as he might be smiling on the outside in front of his little boy but is furious & upset on the inside.
''Okay, as he climbs into the backseat of his dad's black truck, um daddy why are their two bags & my backpack for when we travel. on long rides Back here, daddy?'' questions Thomas on where they are headed since his daddy never mentioned that the two of them were taking a trip somewhere?
'' I thought it would be good for us to have a little father & son time, ''states Liam lying through his teeth on why they are really taking a road trip. Thomas looks out the window once they start driving and then sees the leaving Peppermint sign,'' how come we didn't say goodbye to grandma or grandpa. Plus I made a get well card for Hazel what if she leaves when we are gone and doesn't get it?'' questions Thomas asking so many questions all at once?
''We will call them later,I just wanted to get a headstart on the road before it starts getting dark, and I have something that I have been meaning to tell you buddy ''says Liam unsure how his little boy will react.
''What's that daddy?'' asks Thomas curiously wondering what it could be? Not knowing that what Liam is going to say will crush him? '' Well um this isn't gonna be easy to tell you buddy but a couple of months before the car accident we found out that your mom was pregnant ''tells Liam finally revealing the news that Zoey was pregnant.
''I was gonna be a big brother ''says Thomas shocked by the unexpected news that was said before his eyes.
Liam then nods '' you were going to have a baby sister her name was gonna be Lily she would be six months old if she were alive today ''says Liam.