Liam and I talked the whole way back to Memphis. We stopped in Hot Springs for lunch, but once we got back on the road, our conversation continued the whole way home.
We didn't talk about fashion, or sports, or any other surface level stuff. We talked about family, and forgiveness, and God. He told me he was proud of me for making the first step to reconnect with my family, and I told him I didn't think I deserved such a compliment because it was my fault that there was a disconnect in the first place.
"We all find ourselves in situations that need to be remedied, he said. "We all have times when we need to apologize or mend relationships. It's hard to take that step. We can talk ourselves into believing that we were the ones who were wronged—that we're the one who deserves the apology. But you know what? When it comes down to it, we're only on this earth for a brief moment—the Bible says we're just a vapor. Your parents aren't getting any younger, and if you had waited for them to hunt you down and make things right, it might have never happened."
"I know it wouldn't have," I said. "They wouldn't have even known how to find me."
"Exactly," he said.
"I still feel like I don't even know them. It's crazy that we had that whole conversation and they still don't even really know what my life's about."
"That's not crazy," he said. "Those things take time. At least you've made a start. At least they know what you look like, how you smell, where you live. At least you got a hug. It's not like you have to move back home and see them every day. But now you know they love you and they missed you. It's a good place to start."
We continued talking the whole way to Memphis, discussing how we could give our regrets to God and start fresh.
I thought I was attracted to Liam because he was a gorgeous specimen of a human being. I thought maybe it was because he was quick-witted and kind. But our conversation made me realize there was something supernaturally attractive about him. He was grounded on a firm foundation. He could not be shaken. He knew God and how to convey God's love for me, and it was the most attractive thing about him by far.
By the time we got to Memphis, I felt like a new person. We went to Liam's house and picked up Vera and Victor before heading to his Aunt Rose's. She was making dinner for a huge group including some of her own brothers and their kids—people I hadn't even met. We got there at 4pm, which meant we were extremely early for the festivities. We did that on purpose because Liam's cousins said they would be there and wanted to hang out with us for a while before the other extended family members arrived.
Owen and Darcy were there, along with Daniel and Courtney and young Ivy. Liam's parents, Jane and Gray, were there too, and so was Shelby. It already seemed like a huge gathering to me, but they explained that there would be about twenty or thirty more coming for dinner.
Wes usually tried to make it home for the holidays, but he couldn’t come this year, so he was the only Bishop grandchild who was missing. Everyone was lounging around the house comfortably when we came in. Some were sprawled out watching TV while others were gathered in different places around the living room or kitchen talking.
Owen and Darcy had brought their dog, so Victor and Vera had a friend to pal around with. Jesse and Rose had a huge, open yard, but a section of it was fenced, and we let Victor and Vera out with Henry so they could run around together.
"Did you lock the gate?" Owen asked as Liam and I came back inside and headed for the kitchen.
"I closed it," Liam said. "You have to actually lock it with the little lever," Owen said, standing up from his place at the table. "Henry knows how to nudge the handle if the lever's not locked."
"He can open the gate?" Liam asked, looking amazed.
Owen was already on his way out as he smiled and nodded.
"Sorry," Liam said.
"No biggie," Owen called as he closed the door.
"Can you imagine our dogs opening that gate?" Liam asked, looking at me.
I laughed as I pictured Victor with his short stubby legs standing up on his hind end to open a gate. Other people must have pictured it, too, because they laughed and made comments about how funny that would be.
"Whatcha got?" Rose asked, pointing at the jar Liam and I brought in.
He reached out and slid it toward his aunt. "Cookies," he said. "I think you might need some other ingredients."
"I've seen these," she said, picking up the jar and studying the layers. She looked at the tag before regarding Liam. "Where did you get this?"
"My mom," I said.
Nobody besides Liam's mother and father knew that we were going to see my parents that day, and I knew Liam wouldn't say any more than I wanted him to, so I figured it would be best to answer for him.
"How was that?" Jane asked. She was standing in the kitchen along with Rose, and they both smiled, waiting for me to answer. Shelby, and Ivy were in there too, but they were having a conversation of their own. Jane knew we had gone to Arkansas to see my parents, but she didn't know the whole situation. I had misled them when they were visiting California, and that's all they knew about it.
My heart started beating rapidly when the subject got brought up because I knew I couldn't let it go without stating the truth.
"It went good." Liam answered his mom's question because I hesitated, wondering how in the world I could set things straight.
"That was nice of her to send cookies," Jane said.
"You should have invited them to dinner," Rose added. She dug under the cabinet and came up with a huge bowl like she was planning on making the cookies right then. "Ivy, why don't you and Shelby come make these for us," she said, sliding the jar and bowl toward them before searching for a cookie sheet.
"They live in Arkansas," I explained to Rose, who knew nothing of our trip.
"Oh, I see."
"Did y'all go over there today?" Shelby asked, chiming in.
"Yes," I said. "We just got back a few minutes ago. It was the first time I saw my parents in almost ten years."
Literally everyone in the room turned to look at me when I said it—even Courtney who was sitting further away in the dining room glanced at me. She was a client who I also considered a friend, but I had never talked about personal stuff with her—or anybody for that matter—not before I met Liam.
I looked around at all of the faces staring back at me. They didn't seem judgmental, but they definitely looked surprised to hear me say such a thing. I swallowed, knowing it was too late to take it back now. My heart raced, and I could feel myself blushing. I definitely regretted saying anything.
And then, just like magic, Liam moved to stand behind me. He pulled me close, forcing me to rest against his chest, and wrapped his arms around me like a protective shield—like a force field. He supported me on all sides, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. He leaned down and kissed my cheek right there in front of everyone.
"She was amazing," he said to his family. "I can't imagine how hard it was, and she was a champ."
I turned to glance up at him and saw that he was smiling as he looked around the room.
"Taylor was the wild one in the family who wanted to move to London and follow her dream. They didn't understand it back then, so there were some years lost with the misunderstanding. Today was her first time back in a long time, and they were all really glad to see each other. It was a cool reunion. I'm glad I got to be there."
Everyone was regarding me with sweet sincere expressions that I didn't feel I deserved. I looked straight at Jane. "I led you to believe that I've been in touch with my family, and I'm sorry about that. I just didn't want you to think that I—"
"You don't need to be sorry," she said, cutting me off. She was only standing about five feet away, and she crossed that space to give me a hug. Liam was still holding me, so she ended up hugging us both. "I'm just happy for you that you worked things out, sweetheart."
I wanted to cry, but I held it back, studying Rose's striped socks for a distraction. I smiled at Jane after she let us go. "Thank you," I said. "It was a really good day. My brother was fourteen the last time I saw him, and now he's married with two kids."
"Oh, my word!" Jane said. "I bet that was overwhelming."
"It was, but—"
"But at least you didn't wait till he was an old grandpa," Ivy said, interrupting me and making us all laugh. I was thankful for the comic relief and really felt good about making light of the conversation from there on out.
Liam picked up a nearby rubber band and playfully shot it at his cousin. She couldn't defend herself or get him back because she was already busy with the cookies, so she made just a face at him that made us all laugh again.
I thought Liam might let me go after we had that conversation, but he didn't. He kept his arms wrapped around me like a mighty fortress, and I lavished in the feel of his protection. He loved me; I could feel it simply by how he held onto me.
We talked a little bit more about Arkansas, and I enjoyed making conversation about the state and about my family without feeling like I had anything to hide. They asked me questions about my job, and that led to other questions directed at other people about their jobs or school.
Liam told everyone the story about how Sweet Strain had fallen in love with my Basset Hound and ended up getting one as the band mascot. He was a funny person, and he told them the most comical parts of their day and dog search, which made us all crack up.
Shelby was a hair and makeup artist for a local news station, and she shared a few funny stories from her work as well, including one where an anchor got bit by a raccoon when they were doing a local wildlife segment. Liam did not let go of me the whole time, and for over an hour, we stood there laughing and talking with his family.
It was getting colder out, so finally, we went outside to get the dogs. We knew that we would have to put them in the garage since there were so many people coming over. Owen came with us, and he guided Henry to the garage without the use of a leash. Liam and I knew that wouldn't work for our thick-headed Basset Hounds on account of their tendency to catch a scent and take off into the woods.
There was a door leading from the garage into the house, and Owen went back inside before we did, so I found myself alone in the garage with Liam. I stooped to pet the dogs and promise them we would be back after dinner, and when I stood up, Liam was smiling at me. His gorgeous smile did me in just like it did every time I looked at him.
"There are like five motorcycles in here," I said, stating the obvious since what I really wanted to say was, please kiss the ever-living daylights out of me with your gorgeous mouth.
"I'd take you on a ride, but you'd get cold," he said.
I shrugged. "The only reason I would want to go on a ride is so I could hang onto you."
"You can do that without getting on a motorcycle," he said.
"I can?" I asked shyly, stepping toward him.
He nodded and lifted his arms as if showing me where to put my arms.
"Like this?" I asked stepping closer and tentatively wrapping my arms around his middle.
He nodded, and I came closer still.
"Tighter," he said. "You'll fall right off if you hang on loose like that."
I smiled at him. "I wouldn't want to fall off," I said, stepping even closer and holding onto him. I loved how he felt, and I loved that he was mine. "I love you," I said.
I didn't mean to say it, I was just thinking it, so it came out of my mouth. I had never said that to him before, and I got nervous and wished I could take it back the instant it came out of my mouth.
"You do?" he asked, grinning at me.
It was too late to deny it now, so I nodded even though I felt shy and embarrassed.
"That's good," he said. "Because I love you too."