Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!-Chapter 438: Messy and Imperfect

Liam’s POV

Ella and I left the city before sunrise, the road still quiet, the sky slowly blushing awake. We needed to be back by lunchtime, but neither of us complained about the early drive. Some journeys deserved to be taken slowly, even if time insisted otherwise.

It had been two months since Raymond and Nancy received their sentences. Two months since the weight that had pressed on all of us for so long finally loosened its grip. I didn’t pretend to understand where their souls were now, but I hoped that wherever they were, they had found the peace they never allowed themselves in life. Holding onto anger felt pointless now. We had chosen to move forward.

"Do you think she’ll like these?" Ella asked softly, cradling the flowers on her lap as if they were something fragile and sacred. "Only a few calla lilies bloomed in time."

I glanced at her, then at the flowers she had picked at dawn from her garden, still fresh with morning dew. "They’re perfect, hon," I said, reaching over to rest my hand on her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze before returning my attention to the road. "She won’t just like them. She’ll love them."

Ella smiled—one of those quiet, content smiles that always made my chest feel warm. She turned to the window just as I made a right turn, the scenery shifting from concrete and noise to open fields and trees swaying lazily in the breeze.

"Are we there yet?" she asked.

I laughed under my breath. Three hours on the road, and this was already the fourth time she’d asked.

"Yes," I said, amused. "We’re here."

Her eyes widened as the house came into view. "Wow! This place is huge!" She rolled down the window immediately, letting the countryside air rush in. "Ahh... fresh air!"

I smirked, watching her lean out slightly, her fingers brushing against the flowering bushes lining the driveway as we waited for the gate to open.

She looked so free in that moment—lighter than she had been in months, preparing for our wedding—and I realized that this was what healing looked like. Not forgetting the past, but choosing not to be owned by it.

The gate finally slid open, and I drove in, pulling the car to a stop. Before I could even turn off the engine, Ella was already out of the car, flowers in hand, practically bouncing with excitement.

I shook my head with a soft laugh as I stepped out after her, locking the car behind me. Watching her walk ahead, full of warmth and hope, I knew—without a doubt—that this was the life we were building now.

One filled with forgiveness, quiet joy, and the courage to begin again, where the future felt nothing but bright.

"You’re finally here!"

The familiar voice made me turn, and the moment I saw her, I couldn’t help but smile.

"Violet! Your house is so beautiful!" Ella exclaimed before I could even say a word. She stepped forward eagerly and held out the bouquet she’d been carrying so carefully. "These are for you. I picked them fresh this morning from my garden. I hope you like them."

"Are you kidding me?" Mom said, her eyes lighting up as she accepted the flowers—a few calla lilies, carnations, roses, and daisies, still vibrant and fragrant. "I absolutely love them." Without hesitation, she looped her arm through Ella’s and beamed. "Come on, let’s go inside."

I cleared my throat dramatically. "Hey—what about me? Have you forgotten already? I’m your son, you know."

Both of them laughed.

"You already know your way around," Mom teased over her shoulder as she dragged my fiancée toward the house. "Just follow us. I only have a few hours with Ella, so I’m making the most of it."

I shook my head, amused, before grabbing the things we’d brought and following them inside. By the time I caught up, they were already settled on the back porch, sunlight spilling over the wooden floor and the quiet countryside stretching endlessly beyond the fence.

"So," Mom said thoughtfully, gesturing around, "what do you think? How long will it take to renovate the garden?"

I raised a brow. "Did you seriously abduct my fiancée just to get a free consultation?" I said, feigning disbelief. "I can’t believe you, Mother."

Ella laughed. "Not exactly. I volunteered. You know how much I love turning empty spaces into gardens."

I smiled at her. "I’m just kidding. Of course, I want Mom’s place to be as beautiful as your garden." Then I reached into my bag and pulled out a carefully wrapped envelope. "Here. This is our wedding invitation—Ella made it herself. You can keep it. I know you like collecting little keepsakes like this."

Mom accepted it with both hands, studying it closely. "Are these... real flowers?" she asked, gently brushing her fingers over the delicate details.

"Yes," Ella said, her voice warm with pride. "I preserved them so they’d last for years. Even our wedding souvenirs are handmade. Vicky and Georgia helped me. We wanted everything to feel personal, especially since we’re keeping the wedding small."

Mom smiled as she continued to look at the invitation, then sighed softly. "How is Vicky? I miss her. I heard she and Oliver got married. She didn’t invite me." Her smile faded just a little. "I hope one day she forgives me enough to visit me here."

My chest tightened. Vicky had always been the heart of our family—the daughter Mom never gave birth to but loved fiercely. Even when things were strained, Mom had always treated Vicky differently, more gently. Reagan and I never minded. She was our little princess, married or not.

"Oh, don’t worry," Ella said gently. "She didn’t tell us either. She invited no one. They just asked us over for dinner one night and announced they were already married. They basically eloped."

Ella chuckled. "And because of that, Benjamin immediately put pressure on Liam and me. He wants a traditional wedding—one where the whole family is involved. Honestly, that’s what we want too, right, hon?"

I wrapped an arm around Ella’s shoulders and smiled. "Right. We want everyone there. Which is why..." I turned to Mom, meeting her eyes. "You and Dad will both be by my side while I wait for Ella at the altar."

Mom froze.

I knew what she was thinking. She’d already told us the moment we told her we’re engaged, she wouldn’t come—too much history, too much shame. Not anger, just wounds she hadn’t fully forgiven herself for.

She opened her mouth to object, but I spoke first. "Mom, I’ve already talked to Dad and Nick. They’re actually happy about it." I smiled softly. "And next week, I’ll send you the address of the boutique where your dress will be made."

"But—" she began.

"No buts," Ella cut in gently but firmly. "You’re Liam’s mother. You don’t get to miss your own son’s wedding." She smiled. "And I want you to meet my family, too. I’ve already scheduled you and my parents at the same boutique. Please come. For us."

Mom looked at us for a long moment, emotion flickering in her eyes. Then she smiled—a real, genuine smile and nodded. "Alright," she said softly. "I’ll come to your wedding. Perhaps, it’s time."

Relief and happiness washed over me.

Our family was complicated. Messy. Imperfect.

But standing there, under the warm sun, with forgiveness finally taking root, I realized something important.

Life didn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.

And on our wedding day, I knew, it would feel just about complete.

******

Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

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