it isn't intentional, she tries to reason - yet his words still leave her heart twisting painfully. their friends had wanted to be parents - and she could still recall the joy on hannah's face when she'd told them she was pregnant. winnie had cried ; so happy for the other woman who fell into the role so naturally she made it all look easy. knowing there were such big shoes left behind to fill was terrifying - especially when she knew both she and liam were both taking shots in the dark.
the excited babbling and desire for confirmation comes from the boy almost immediately, and under other circumstances, winnie might actually find it amusing. instead, she's shooting a nasty look at liam over the top of the boys head before forcing that happy smile back into place. crouching down to help james remove his backpack, she hums softly, "mhm - and uncle liam told me he would read you as many bedtime stories as you wanted tonight if you ate all your vegetables on your plate at dinner." if she was being wrapped into something she'd not agreed to, so would he.