PM to join [The Broken Casket] Here We Go Again (Hadyn)

[Orion Michaels]

62nd of Winter, 513 AV
The Broken Casket
22th Bell

If ever there was a moment to relax, it was now. No work, no children, no frustrations. All that Hadyn and Orion had been concerned with are the stories they had and the drinks in their hands. For the first time in some time, they were relaxed. At least Orion was.

If someone had asked him, the squire wouldn't have been able to tell them how long he'd been there, for the booze had been flowing freely, and as that booze disappeared and the mugs stacked up, tongues began to loosen, and two people that were so very guarded around one another could lower their walls, for one night at least.

"I can't believe you didn't slap me, seriously," said the inebriated squire, leaning forward to place his elbows on the table. Blue eyes, clouded by alcohol, focused on the brunette sitting across from him. "I've deserved it a time or two, haven't I?"

The Broken Casket was bustling, as most places of relaxation seemed to be this winter. Everyone wanted to forget about the horrible weather and actually enjoy themselves, rather than sit bundled up in their rooms. Orion couldn't disagree with that call, as the dorms were far from well heated. With everyone all cozy in the tavern and the fire running warm, the moods of patrons being lifted the company they kept.

"So what's good, Miss Skellig? I imagine you're going insane in that apartment. When are you getting back to work, and what are you going to do with Liam when you get to that point?" He wondered if she planned to get a nanny like he had. It was bloody expensive, but there was no other way he could have continued his training and kept (trying) to raise Emily. The squire quietly cursed himself for not being able to do more for both Emily and Liam, but knew that if and when he became a knight, the Order would help him out. He would have to approach the subject with Hadyn when they weren't trying to enjoy themselves, but he wondered if she would accept that level of aid when the time came.

”Another round!” Orion shouted at a barmaid as she passed, shooting Hadyn a grin as he waved at the worker. ”It’s like old times, even if it isn’t at all, huh? To a night of pretending, free of worry. Next round is on you, though.” The squire took and finished off his mug before slamming it down on the table with a chuckle. It felt good to let go. "The majority of those I know are too stuffy to sit down and enjoy a drink. Thanks for coming out, Hadyn."

It had to be tough to leave their son in the hands of someone else, but the nanny that Orion was already paying seemed all to happy to help the two foolish parents out. Anything to change things up from only dealing with Emily was a welcome reprieve, even if she still had to deal with the little brat. The drink had kept them both placated thus far, and Orion was more than happy with that fact.

[Hadyn Skellig]

So here they were. Drinking. A lot. It really hadn't taken much to convince the woman to abandon motherly responsibility and flee the claustrophobic walls of her apartment for an evening at the bar. She wasn't sure what that said about her priorities but she wasn't stopping to ponder it. This was probably the first time since she'd discovered the pregnancy that she'd been out actually enjoying herself. And it would appear she was trying to make up for lost time.

Hadyn lost count of the number of mugs they'd been through. She relished the delightful feeling of inebriation settling in her body, a pleasant haze smoothing the rough edges of the Casket. A smile was plastered stupidly on her face as she and her companion swapped stories and basked in the alcohol and momentary freedom. There was no telling when either of them would be able to enjoy this kind of night again.

"I should've," she agreed, brown eyes catching his blue with a grin. They sat opposite each other, mindless of the other patrons passing in and out. The table was probably better suited for four but given the number of empty mugs decorating surface the space was well used by the pair. Crossing one leg other the other the woman leaned back against the chair, cradling the mug of nearly vanished beer against her thigh. Tilting her head she thought about his follow up statement before nodding. "You have no idea how many times I wanted to drop all pretenses n' deck you. Right across the face. I think somewhere deep down I wanted to see you cry like a little girl. Probably would've made me feel better."

Hadyn smiled warmly, whether it was from the thought of Orion crying or the lost opportunity was unclear. Toying with the end of her braid the woman took a moment to glance around, having nearly forgotten they were in public. It felt odd and uneasy at first, leaving Liam with Emily's nanny. The brunette felt comfortable in Orion's choice of caretakers but this would be the first night away from the newborn. Guilt followed her all the way to the Casket and was promptly washed away with the first, second and third drink. Now all that was left was a mild curiosity how the nanny was getting on with the two children. Returning her attention back to the squire (for it seemed he was speaking again), Hadyn gave a casual shrug.

"I think I've rearranged the place a good seven or eight times by now. I'm re-reading my market lists for want of somethin' to do. Liam keeps be busy enough but... I can't tell you happy I'll be to get back to the shop." The woman paused with a thoughtful smile. "Honestly, I don't know how these wealthy women do it. Lyin' in for a season before the birth and after then sittin' around stitchin'. I'd probably kill someone. Good thing I'm not rich."

She shot Orion a wink before taking a drink. His second question was far more difficult to answer. Obviously Liam couldn't come with her to the forge. But she wasn't overly fond of leaving him for long periods with a stranger. With the mug lingering near her lips Hadyn took a second swig from it before lowering it to answer.

"Suppose I'll do what you've done. Get m'self a nanny. I don't want t'sound all womanly about it but... I don't want to leave him." The woman frowned, disliking the way her response came out. The left corner of her mouth pulled to the side, lips pressed together as her brown furrowed with thought. "I don't know. I've got some thirty days to figure it out."

Orion set to procuring them even more booze. Brown eyes watched him, narrowed as she pondered his order. Surely he must have opportunities to enjoy himself. Admittedly he was busier than Hadyn between the rigors of squiredome and his daughter. But he could always stop in for a drink or twelve if he really wanted to. Several times this evening his invitation to go out piqued the weaponsmith's curiosity, though she dare not mention it for fear of him rescinding the offer. But she could easily look past the oddity of his invite once the beer started flowing. She raised her nearly drained mug to him.

"It's been good," she agreed, brushing an errant strand of hair from her eyes. "Seems almost too good. Not to put a jinx on it," she rapped her knuckles on the tabletop to be sure, "but I think this is the most relaxed I've been since Liam came into the world. Thank you for requestin' my presence." Hadyn paused to let a simpering smile grow on her lips before canting her head, a sly expression written plainly on her face. "Though I must wonder. Orion Michaels resortin' to drinkin' with his child's mother. Where're the other ladies of ill-repute you're so infamous for cavorting with?"

The smile did not fade as their drinks arrived, Hadyn setting payment down for the barmaid with a polite nod. The teasing and quick wit so nearly absent from their interactions lately returned with a vengeance this night. Despite all they'd put each other through they could at least take solace that it wasn't all yelling and bitterness any more. Perhaps that meant they were full circle. Perhaps they could move forward now and raise Liam without the mess that preceded his birth. Hadyn wasn't naive enough to believe that completely. But this was a good sign. Suddenly the brunette seemed to perk up.

"Speakin' of your reputation," she paused for effect, taking a slow sip from her mug. "It seems a friend of yours is spillin' secrets on your behalf."

Now why did she say that? She'd decided early on she wouldn't bother with his personal life. But with the fiery alcohol raging in her blood the woman couldn't help but open her mouth. Swallowing the second wash down Hadyn watched Orion - aware that she'd have to tell him. Perhaps he'd be too happy with the progression of the evening he wouldn't get too angry.

[Orion Michaels]

”Who are you kidding, Hadyn?” He grinned, slamming his hand down on the table. ”The only reason you didn’t slap me is that you were worried that I might have liked it. I could see the wheels turning in your head. ‘What kind of crazy stuff is this Michaels fella into?’”

The tip of his tongue darted from his mouth, the squire quickly catching it with his teeth as he squinted his eyes, thinking about her next works. He almost chewed on it for a moment before it retreated back into his mouth, as though moving his tongue about was going to get it going and help make the words come forth. ”I’ll have you couldn’t make me cry like a little girl just by slapping me. It would take at least two. No more than five, though. My face is too beautiful for that kind of abuse.”

He wasn’t surprised that she was going stir-crazy. It would be expected of anyone who made their work with tough labor as a smithy did. Even he, with his cushy life as a doctor, had gone crazy when there were long periods of time between serious injuries. ”I thought that chair was in a different place the last time I was there,” he remarked, nodding in mock thoughtfulness.

”Though I can’t imagine it takes all that terribly long to redecorate. Need to get you a bunch of things you don’t need so you can really enjoy the rich woman life. Not from my pocket, mind you. We already said no gifts, and I broke that one big time with Liam.” Orion bit his body lip and raised his eyebrows as he teased the brunette woman. It was strange how things could be so different but so the same. It was coming up on a full year since their fated meeting in The Rearing Stallion. That had been one of the last stress free encounters they’d had until this season. So there they were, drinking and laughing again, just like then. It briefly reminded the squire of what had got them into bed together in the first place: Mostly booze, but certainly good company played its part.

Thoughts of those times were fleeting as she somewhat abashedly admitted she was fearful of separating with Liam. The booze running through his veins screamed at him, and so he acted. The squired reached –more like sprawled- across the table, pushing mugs aside as he did, all in an attempt to put his hand on Hadyn’s. He’d not drunk nearly as heavy as he had that night since the last season when Hadyn saved him from himself. He couldn’t remember that now, however, and so in his mind this was the first time he’d pushed down more than half a dozen mugs in recent memory.

”Hey now,” he shouted, his brow furrowing as he sternly reprimanded her through slurred words. ”Dooo not be ashamed to miss that boy. He is handsome and smart and strong and oh my gods this table is so comfortable mind if I stay here?” Orion rested his face against the wood and continued to speak to Hadyn as if things were completely natural. ”Why can’t I enjoy a drink with a beautiful woman? This table doesn’t judge me for it. Those people staring at me don’t’ judge me for it. Why do you have to judge me?”

The barmaid gave Orion a quizzical look, as she dropped off the drinks, but as long as he didn’t get violent and they kept paying, she didn’t really care what he did. She collected her payment, gave the duo a curt nod, and was on her way. Orion grinned wide and lifted a hand to wave at her as she left, only shifting his attention back to Hadyn when she mentioned some possible gossip on him.

”Izzat so?” He lifted his head and rested his chin uncomfortably against the wooden table, distant blue eyes rotating up to look at the weaponsmith. ”What did I do this time?” He gave a half smirk as his head teetered back and forth to the faint sound of music from across the tavern.

[Hadyn Skellig]

There was something endearing about the man, though she'd never ever admit it to his face. Something that made conversation easier and him more charming. Obviously sober Hadyn would rationalize the alcohol played a huge part in that assessment. But inebriated Hadyn saw only Orion and she smiled (albeit awkwardly) when he sprawled himself forward to place a hand over hers. She didn't make to turn her palm and enclose their fingers - that would be a bit much. But she offered him visual appreciation for his extended concern in the form of a smile. But he was interested in her gossip. Biting her lower lip for a moment as she considered the best way to phrase it the brunette looked away from his piercing blue gaze.

"A... friend heard from a friend," she stumbled over the words, though it could easily be attributed to the booze, "mentioned you... Ah. Orion, you've never shared anythin' personal with me. And I don't... I just don't think it's right for me t'know this without you knowin' I know."

Hadyn looked at him then, brown eyes slightly wider as she tried to impart sincerity. For two people who shared the same opinion on history and matters of the heart it just seemed wrong for her to be aware of this painful memory. If he didn't tell her she really didn't feel as though she ought to know.

"I heard you were married. An' y'must've lost her. An' I'm so sorry. It's a horrible thing to lose someone like that - however y'lost her an' I just can't say how bad I feel knowin' this when it was your story to tell whenever you wanted me to know but now I know and I..."

Hadyn looked down at her newly arrived mug. Consternation was written plainly on her face, the frustration of knowing this news almost more uncomfortable than the actual news itself. The words tumbled out as she drew her hand away from his, feeling somehow guilty. Admittedly a lot of her feelings were tied in the with drunkness saturating her thoughts and movements but it was heavy. Daring to look him in the eye the woman frowned.

"I know your past is important to you. I wish I hadn't heard this." To avoid his gaze the brunette took a big long pull from the mug, setting it back on her thigh when she finished. Now that her hand was detached from his she felt a little safer. If she'd been in his position she'd be furious. Again she bit her bottom lip, dark eyes venturing to meet his again as regret manifested itself plainly on her face.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion’s eyes narrowed at her description of who’d told her whatever this mystery gossip was. She was usually considerably more direct with him, so for her to beat around the bush was somewhat bothersome, or would have been if he weren’t so drunk. All he could do was stare into all eight of those gorgeous brown eyes.

The squire blinked a few times, trying to focus himself and listen to the words that Hadyn was sharing with him. ”So let me get this shtraight! Someone told someone something about something who then told you that that someone told you something about something about me to which you are now sharing with me that someone told someone something who told you something about something about me. And you want to share that something that someone told you with me because I don’t share somethings about me.” Silence fell for a moment as he paused to try and work his way through what he’d just said. After a tick or two Orion nodded, deciding it was as clear as can be, lifting himself up and rolling over on his back so he could still drink while listening to the weaponsmith speak.

He started to drink, content with the delicious alcohol until she continued on about him having been married. Choking and spitting, the squire sat up abruptly, shocked by this news. ”I was married?!” His exclamation drew more wayward glances towards the two drunks, but to this fact Orion was indeed oblivious. ”Who told you that rubbish?” A hearty laugh erupted from the squire as he pulled his legs fully onto the table so he was sitting squarely upon it. He’d never once been married. He was lacking any sort of marking from Cheva, neither of unity or of separation. Whoever was telling her that was pulling her leg. At least Orion thought that until it sat in who she must have been talking about.

His laughter subsided quickly, a once jovial expression turning more pained and confused. Who would have brought up Lyla? ”No, you’re mistaken, Hadyn. We never did get married. That was the plan, though. Some wicked man took it upon himself to have her and kill her before then, though.” He remained seated, back facing his drinking companion. ”Never did get to say I was sorry…”

Silence fell between them, squire and weaponsmith. Long had it been since Orion really thought on the moments of that horrible day in his existence. Words he could never take back, a million apologies that would sit on his tongue and in his mind until he returned to the cycle himself. ”So I have to ask,” he said finally, breaking the silence, ”just who your little gossip is? Not many outside the Rearing Stallion’s staff know that tale.” Both he and the lost had worked there, and it was there which their relationship had blossomed. Out of compassion for the lost, they rarely spoke of it, so it was quite surprising to hear it come up. ”Suppose you don’t have to tell me, but it bothers me more that someone’s blabbing about me than you knowing. Nothing wrong with the Liam’s mother knowing a bit about his father.”

He offered her a warm smile, or would have if he'd been facing her. He didn't turn from where he sat, instead fighting off memories of years past as he tried to listen to her reply.

[Hadyn Skellig]

The brown eyed brunette blinked through Orion's convoluted understanding of her statement, a frown on her face as she tried to decipher all the "someones" and "somethings". She was pretty certain he had it right but her brain was slow to process and with a twitch of her lips the woman watched Orion roll himself over to take a drink.

"Uhh," she nodded too slowly, not really sure she followed his logic. But his reaction to her admission of knowledge had her jerking back in the chair as he sat up suddenly. Obviously Shiress had incorrect information for it seemed the squire was equally surprised by the news. The man was sitting squarely on the table, his back to the weaponsmith. If she was sober she'd make some comment about wet trousers but it escaped her before she could voice it. But Orion was speaking again.

Although she couldn't see his face the tone changed abruptly. There was someone. So it wasn't exactly a blatant lie. It was a misunderstanding of information. For some reason that made Hadyn feel better. But the squire's good mood had turned morose as he began relaying bits of history the woman was sure she'd never hear from him. It was a tragic story even with the haze of booze to smooth the edges. Hadyn dropped her gaze to the mug in her hand. He'd lost someone he'd intended to marry. Not just to death but murder it seemed.

The brunette raised her head when he asked who'd told her. She could sympathize with his desire to find out. Both Orion and Hadyn kept their secrets close and a leak in the boat meant someone had a loose tongue. The weaponsmith grimaced, wholly opposed to the notion of gossip if only because it led to awkward situations like this. So-and-so told so-and-so who told me and now I told you. It was stupid roundabout.

"I'm sure it was honest mistake," she replied sullenly. Talking to Orion's back was not working for her. Standing (with great effort) the woman rounded the table, a hand tracing the edge of the wood to keep her upright. Finally making it to the seat the squire abandoned for the table Hadyn paused before seating herself, taking a drink from her mug before she spoke.

"Shiress heard it from a friend of yours," she informed him, brown eyes stared at him as she tried to assess his mood. He was right in front of her, inebriated expression bearing traces of distress. The chair touched the back of her legs but she wasn't ready to sit just yet. With another twitch of her lips, nose scrunching as she mulled over what to say the brunette set her mug down beside the squire.

"It wasn't my business t'know any of that. Should've been you tellin' me. But she didn't mean any harm by it." Standing was becoming more challenging by the tick, the room slowly rotating. Hadyn set both hands on either side of the squire's drawn up legs to remain stable. Closer to him she was able to detect pain in those bright blue eyes. Memories and pain. With a sigh she lifted one arm to set a hand on his neck, fingers flush along his skin as she furrowed her brow, voice quiet. "Y'have my condolences for what happened to her. An' you."

When it came to matters of comfort and sympathy Hadyn Skellig was likely at the near bottom of most people's list. She was brusque, thick headed and private. So when it came to situations like this one, where the unfortunate must be addressed the woman wasn't a shining example of a bleeding heart. But she was genuine in her words and expression. She could empathize in some ways more than others with Orion's secretive past. And she was sincerely contrite for both bringing up the memories and the grief in his eyes.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion’s gaze flicked over to Hadyn as she moved to the other side of the table, claiming the seat that was once his. For a moment he’d forgotten what they were even talking about, until Hadyn spoke. Orion guffawed at her suggestion that it had been a mistake. ”Which part of it? The blathering about my past or the info that was passed?” Regardless of whether the actual content was all a misunderstanding, it wasn’t as though someone accidentally took information they got and tripped and threw it up all over someone else.

Orion’s jaw tightened when she revealed the name of her mole. ”Who the fuck else would it be?” Their history was lined, dotted, stitched, soling consisting of drama and nothing else. Every time their paths crossed, there was something. Blood, tears, slavers, mistakes. Why not add gossip to the list? Even in his drunken state, his face contorted and twisted in frustration which was not so very well contained. ”Didn’t mean any harm by it? I wonder what she did mean, then. Maybe I’ll ask next time I’m saving her sorry ass from something.” He reached down and grabbed the mug Hadyn had just set down, claiming it as his own in a series of angry gulps, after which he slammed the mug back on the table, ready to continue complaining.

When his blue eyes settled on hers, however, his featured softened, hazy vision able to detect the genuine concern and …was it worry? He couldn’t tell, but an apology for something out of her control only solidified the idea in his head. ”Bah, don’t worry about it. I can’t imagine you were begging her to tell you whatever she could find out.” Orion leaned forward slightly towards the weaponsmith, trying to show his own candidness with his expressions and body language, but ended up with his forehead resting on Hadyn’s. It wasn’t his intention, he’d simply meant to get closer, but once gravity and momentum had their say it was much easier to just stay where he ended up. It was certainly more comfortable.

”We’re supposed to be here having a good time,” he said, unbothered by their proximity, ”so no more sob stories, unless you’re going share some of your own, we can talk about anything else.” His voice trailed off, an almost implied ‘but her’ lingering at the end of his sentence. Without moving from his comfy new position, Orion’s left hand shot out to his side, testing several mugs for any remaining alcohol, but the only remaining drink they had between the two of them sat close to where Hadyn sat originally. ”Are they shorting us on drinks?” Orion muttered to himself, though Hadyn would find herself privy to his mutterings thanks to their closeness. ”Petching vagiks I’m paying good money for this.” At a handful of copper a drink, it was hardly what one would call good money, but the squire and the weaponsmith were certainly doing their part for the Broken Casket that night.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan came into the bustling Broken Casket late into the evening. He had finally told everyone that in the next thirty something days he would be leaving for Zeltiva. For many it was a cause of celebration, one of their own deciding to take off into the world and start a new smith. Ethan wasn’t sure if he was going to start a new shop or return back home after a few seasons. In truth he was conflicted about it just as much as his feelings over Hadyn. Hadyn made him feel like he was going crazy, just as much as he was happy, and her boy Liam made this decision even tougher to go through. Ethan wanted to learn, and yes Syliras was perhaps one of the best places for blacksmithing in the world, Ros didn’t have large manuscripts or journals of pre-valterrian smiths. The knowledge that was lost from that time was unthinkable, and yet the survivors picked up there belongs and carved out another existence. To Ethan, he wanted to discover one more thing of the before time, bring back to live just one more idea and allow it to live in Syliras. So Ethan thought he would go to Zeltiva to their famous university. He had several topics that he wanted to study already. One was pre-valterrian architecture, it was said that with the use of magic and manpower amazing structures were built. Additionally, Ethan wanted to look down lost metals or lost metal techniques, that way he would be able to claim to be a master smith like Ros. Of course, he wanted to look into ancient weapons as well, and see if he could learn how to craft them. If he could and send the knowledge to Hadyn, she would also become a master smith in her own right. Hadyn, even as Ethan thought of her now, he began to realize how after his talk with Orion had changed him. Normally, he would have thought that giving her the knowledge on lost weapons would entitle him to be loved by her. Instead now he merely thought of it as a gift to a friend with the payoff being his friend being successful. It was so different for him, he had been working on a belt buckle as the forge when he thought of Liam’s small clothes pin. Liam couldn’t tell him that he loved him, nor could he tell him that he did a good job. Yet Ethan had shaped it with love and care to give to Hadyn and her boy, and it made him happy to give them that present. In the end, Ethan had kept visiting Hadyn’s apartment to take care of the boy for a few bells while Hadyn made the most of her time and slept. A young apprentice slapped Ethan on the shoulder and handled him an ale. All the blacksmith’s around him raised their glasses and wished Ethan a safe trip. It would be good and Ethan decided to order a share of spice potatoes for himself, as the ale slid down his throat in the excitement of the group.

[Hadyn Skellig]

The weaponsmith's eyes closed reflexively as Orion's forehead made contact with her own. It was unexpected but both were deep enough in their drinks that it didn't matter. He was speaking to her though the woman had to struggle to process his words. Why was this so comfortable? Hadyn smiled dumbly as he declared the only sob stories ought to come from her or none at all.

"Ain't no sobbin' on the behalf on my story," she replied slowly, raising a shoulder in a ponderous shrug. Hadyn wasn't bothered by Orion's clear irritation regarding Shiress. As far as the drunk brunette could tell the girl was simply trying to help. In her experience most folks had a difficult time with the closed off manner both the squire and weaponsmith conducted issues of their private lives. It wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to do good while in fact making the problem worse. But deep down Hadyn was secretly glad it wasn't her past that had brought to anyone's attention.

Pulling away from the blue eyed squire enough to look to over her shoulder at a passing barmaid, Hadyn jerked her chin up to catch the girl's gaze. When she was able to make her way to the pair the brunette stared at her for an inebriated moment before speaking.

"We're in need of... strong booze. No more of this piss water, y'hear? I want shots an' I want them strong." The girl blinked before looking at Orion on the table. With an unimpressed smile she canted her head and darted away. Hadyn nodded as well in an authoritative way before looking at the man once more.

"Bought time we drink the good stuff, hm?" the brunette nodded again smartly, expression mockingly serious. "I say, Michaels. All this time an' we've never gotten properly smashed. I mean, except for that time... way back then," she raised her hand as if shooing that memory off before setting it back on the table. "Can't believe I missed you all these years. Now look where it's gotten us. Drunk in the Casket with a baby... the gods do enjoy a good joke, don't they?"

[Orion Michaels]

"You shure, Hadyn? It's been at pnear a season since I almost cried, right? I've got a quota to fill." He managed a cheesy smile, reaching out to give her a playful shove on her shoulder. "No juicy tidbitsh? You've got shomthing on me, after all? Or do I have to find a gosship of my own?"

As he absentmindedly muttered, the squire almost forgot Hadyn's presence before him. She made a rather comfortable leaning post, and for a moment, that's all she was. Orion was none too pleased when she decided to move, even if it were to order more drinks - drinks which he did not need.

Eyes narrowing, Orion's new and unenviable task was to remain where he was, not falling forward, and not sitting up. He'd been quite content where he was, and there he intended to stay. Swaying back and forth, the squire concentrated, engaging every muscle he could find to prevent any movement. Vaguely, he was aware of the call for new drinks, shots that would certainly end poorly.

Slowly, his balance began to wane, and his head began to move forward and to the left as the intoxication took him. "Y'know, I was wondering that myself. I worked in the place, cooking in the back, and I shpent a good chunk of my time scouring the place when I wasn't working. And I..And I.." The squire stopped mid sentence, focus lost. His gaze fell upon the floor that was slowly growing closer to his face as he continued to cant to one side.

"I was upset about something," he declared, frowning. "But I don't remember what. When are those shots getting here?" His face contorted into a scowl, but quickly found its way back to neutral when a barmaid walked by, breaking his concentration once more. ”Oh yeah. Baby. Liam. It would have been shomthing if we’d met earlier, that’s for shure. The real crazy thing is that I didn’t learn my lesshon with Emily. I wouldn’t trade Liam for anything, but he’s only here because his dad is an idiot.”