Labor Day Weekend. The unofficial end of summer that had Neptune Bay brimming with joy and laughs, and while most years I would've already packed memories of a relaxing summer away as my focus shifted to hockey, this year was different. Yes, training camp had already started, and was going well as the team acclimated to being back while training up the rookies, but there was more on my plate this year.

Family. Responsibilities. Bowen.

It was my first time in town for the holiday weekend in years, and since I'd arrived in town just after dinner on Friday, it'd been non-stop fun in the sun. My parents, Bowen, and I had gone to the town bonfire the first night, which had started with marshmallows roasting on a giant fire and ended with me carrying my exhausted nephew back to the house as he slept against my shoulder. Saturday had been a full-on beach day, with sandcastle building, a canoe adventure, and enough splashing in the waves to wear out even me as the sun bore down on us.

The days passed quickly and soon enough, it was Sunday, and my family and I had ventured down to the hotdog stand for lunch, having decided to end the festivities in a traditional way. Because in just a few short hours, Bowen and I would be leaving.

But before we did, there was one thing I needed to do, and I needed to do it alone.

So, once I'd cleaned up the ketchup that had gotten all over Bowen's face and hands after we'd all finished, I looked over at my parents and said, "Would you mind taking him back to the house for an hour or so?" I asked, digging my hands into my pockets. "There's something I want to do before leaving. Someone I want to see."

My voice didn't give away anything, but it was likely my mom saw something in my eyes that told her all she needed to. "Of course," she replied, offering her hand to her grandson, who took it willingly. "We can take a look and make sure we didn't miss anything while packing." Her gaze fell to Bowen. "You wouldn't want to forget a toy, would you?"

As he shook his head in response, I gave my mom and dad a quick nod in thanks. "I shouldn't be too long."

"Take all the time you need, son," my dad said, likely also having picked up on where I was headed, and he clapped me on the shoulder as the three of them walked away.

I then ventured the other way, down along the beach, mustering up a wave or a quick hello as I passed familiar faces. I passed Wilma's, the larger beach houses that were brimming with tourists, and then the marina. The soft ocean breeze was a welcome feeling as the gravel and sand beneath my feet turned to grass and I turned into the town cemetery, weaving through the gravestones on instinct until I stopped and stood in front of the one that held my brother's name.

Letting out a shaky breath, I could feel my shoulders tense as I fought to find the right words.

"Hey, brother."

The prolonged silence that followed was painful, knowing there'd be no response, but feeling as though I had a lot to get off my chest. And Liam was the only one I wanted to talk to.

"It's been a summer like no other, man, and even though we've been getting by, it's still evident you and Thea aren't around. You aren't a part of the beach visits or the family dinners, but there are small moments when I forget that the unbelievable happened and think you're still around. About to turn the corner and join in; and maybe that's because you're both watching over us, which I hope you are."

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and the words kept coming. "I hope you can see that mom and dad are coping, despite still missing you every day. I hope you can see the times that Bowen remembers the two of you. All the times you played together, went on adventures, and built memories he'll carry with him for the rest of his life. I hope you can see that I'm trying my darndest to care for him. I love that little guy, and even though I still don't know what you were thinking when you named me as his guardian, I hope I'm making you proud."

"And, man—" I shook my head, actually letting loose a laugh as I looked up at the sky. "—I wish you were here to see me fall in love. After all the shit I gave you when you fell for Thea, all the teasing about settling down and being whipped, I was kind of waiting for the day you returned the favor. And considering it ended up being Sloane Montgomery who wrapped me up in knots, I just know—with how obvious I was with my crush on her back in school—you would've had a laugh about me finally taking a shot." I released a sigh. "Let's just hope that I haven't totally screwed it up."

After expelling all the thoughts I'd been keeping tucked inside my mind, I must've stood there for a good while longer, just reliving the years of memories I had with my brother. From skating as kids to running off to bonfires as teenagers, from his bachelor party to the day his son was born. There was so much there to hold on to, and I would, forever. I just wished that there was more time. More memories.

But life didn't work like that.

It was only when I heard other voices begin to grow louder, making it clear I was no longer the sole person in the graveyard, that I figured it was finally time to go.

During the walk back to the house—my house, which still felt strange to comprehend—I had a mix of emotions rushing through me. There were nerves, since I knew things were about to take a turn, but there was also excitement because I had confidence things would work themselves out. They might be hard at times, because there was no way I expected stepping into the shoes of a single parent full-time would be easy, but I would adjust.

I would figure out how to balance hockey and taking care of Bowen. The two most important things in the world to me.

"Uncle Ryan!" I heard as I walked up the driveway a few minutes later, seeing my nephew hop up from where he played with Scout in the front yard. "Is it time to leave now?"

My parents were watching from the front step, and when I turned to them, they both gave me an encouraging nod. "Yeah, bud. I guess it is," I replied, the corners of my mouth turning upwards as he cheered. "But first, I'm going to need you to hit the bathroom, because we don't want to be stopping half an hour into the drive."

"Okay, I'll be fast," he said, before rushing quickly back into the house, and because Scout followed that boy wherever he went, my dog disappeared as well.

With my car already packed to the brim with boxes of Bowen's clothes and toys, and his bike secured to the back, there wasn't much to do but wait for them to return. Then we'd hit the road.

First though, I had to say goodbye.

My parents came over to where I stood and my dad clapped me on the shoulder. "You okay, son?"

Knowing he wasn't just asking about the drive back to Boston or the move with Bowen, but about my visit with Liam, a soft smile pulled at my lips and I nodded. "I am," I said, at ease now that I've gotten a lot off my chest. "And thanks." I looked between him and my mom. "Both of you. For all the help with Bowen this summer, and for being supportive of me heading back to the city."

"Of course," my mom replied, reaching up to pat my cheek gently. "It's where you belong, at least while you're still playing hockey. After that, we may try to convince you that this place has all you'll ever need."

"I'm sure you will," I chuckled, wrapping her up in a hug. "Though hopefully that's not for a few more years."

"I should hope not." She grinned, pulling back. "You're a competitor, and you better have those goalie skills sharp for when we come watch the first game of the season in a few weeks."

"They will be."

"While we're on the topic though... are we going to be the only ones making the trip to Boston to see that game?" My mom lifted a brow. "I don't mean to be a noisy mom, but I couldn't help but notice you avoided a certain store along the beach this weekend. Are you really going to leave things unresolved with Sloane? Wondering what if?"

"I'm amazed it took you this long to comment on things," I mused, to which I saw my dad try and fail to hide a smirk. "But just so you know, I haven't been avoiding her. I'm giving her space."

"Well, you could've fooled me."

There wasn't time for me to respond—to tell my mom I had no plans to leave Neptune Bay without laying my feelings out bare for Sloane—because an eager six-year-old came bursting through the front door with slightly damp hands, Scout right behind him.

"Can we leave now?" he whined impatiently, practically skipping my way, and I couldn't help but agree.

I opened the passenger's side door of my car, letting Scout hop in before opening the one behind it to buckle Bowen into his car seat. Once they were both situated, I shut both doors and turned back to my parents.

"You sure you're both okay looking after the place while I'm away?" I asked, nodding towards the house.

"We've got things covered here," my dad replied, giving me a one-armed hug. "Just worry about driving safe, and let us know once you're settled."

"Will do," I assured them. "Love you guys."

"Love you, too" they both echoed.

Rounding the front of the car, I slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine and turning the radio dial to a country station. As I adjusted my mirrors, I could see my parents had stepped back onto the lawn and were waving goodbye—a farewell I returned.

Then, looking over my shoulder, I asked Bowen, "You ready, buddy?" To which he nodded excitedly. "Good," I continued, putting the car into drive, "but we have one stop to make first."

I told y'all, I am feeling super productive right now and hoping to finish this story up in the next week or two! Just ONE MORE CHAPTER (+ an epilogue) and we're done *gasp*

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