#Chapter 72: The Morning After

Aria’s POV At some point in the evening, I must have drifted off, because when I blinked my eyes open, the sun crept through the curtains and the sound of Joe’s laughter echoed up from downstairs. Glancing left to right, I realized that I was alone in the massive king bed, but the spots on either side of me were still warm. I’d overslept, but not terribly so. After a big stretch to help wake myself up, I crawled out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Once done, as I stepped out into the hallway, I inhaled the scent of pancakes. Since when did Liam know how to cook? Unless he hired a housekeeper? Downstairs, I found Joe watching cartoons in the living room. He was stretched out comfortably across the couch, lying on his stomach, with his legs bent up into the air, kicking. He appeared entirely at home, as if he had lived here all his life. “Morning, Mom,” Joe said. “Morning, Joe.” I walked over to him and, bending down, kissed the top of his head. “Aria? You up?” Liam ca