Chapter 41
Twelve days before Christmas, Liam hosted a holiday party and gave out fat bonuses to his closest team members. In that moment, he'd felt good. Alive, even. Then there were days when he helped Royael with a school project. They'd gone Secret Santa shopping for another kindergartner, and he'd feign shock when she'd stopped him at every other toy in the toy store. He'd already bought the entire store, based on cartoons commercials they'd watched over their less than a year of knowing each other.
Liam pulled into the driveway of Raven’s mother’s house. Charlene had taken Royael and Trinity for last-minute Santa Claus pictures. He'd inquired about Raven and was told that Damien was keeping an eye on her. Since Liam and Damien had started communicating, he'd learned Damien was a casting agent. He'd just gotten home from Los Angeles, so it had been easy offering to swing by so he could get sleep. Charlene had always been reluctant when Liam tried to help. Most times, she'd steer Liam toward helping Royael with something, not Raven.
Liam knocked on the door. Damien answered, donning a running suit and baggy circles under eyes.
“She's in the den watching TV.” Damien shook his hand. “Maybe you can get her to pick up her camera?”
Liam nodded. Damien cocked a thumb over his shoulder. “Thanks for coming by. I'm gonna hit the shower and then the sack for a few hours. Come knock on my door if you leave before I wake up.”
“All right.” Liam traveled down the hall and past an elaborate living room with a stone fireplace.
He took a deep breath before stepping into the den. Raven sat cross-legged on a cobalt couch, looking her usual gorgeous self. Black hair slicked in a ponytail, pink, pouted lips, jeans, and a one-liner shirt. The punchline held more emotion than her face, though, as she glanced over. Her cerulean eyes swept past him in disinterest and then back to The Rock and one of his action-packed movies.
“Hello, Raven.”
No answer.
“Did you take the prenatal vitamin today?”
She reached over for a glass of Sprite when he re-asked his question. She gave his jeans and vintage Armani shirt a filthy look. Not his usual work attire. Not at all. The shirt strained over bulging biceps. “Why aren’t you at work, Liam?”
Hazel eyes squinted at the tiny bubbles in the cup. “Is that water or soda?”
In response, Raven turned up the volume. Jaw tensed, Liam rose and left the room. Not two minutes later, he returned holding a glass of water. He opened the blinds to a sunshiny day, casting a glare on the screen, and sat next to her. “Did you take the pill?”
“You confiscated my drink.”
“Consider the fresh glass of water before you.”
“I took the damn thing.” She kept her eyes on the TV.
When they were little, she'd get mad and refuse to speak to him. Liam would shut up, wise enough not to conjure up her wrath. He tried now. But in ten minute intervals he asked, “How are you? Is everything okay? Are you in pain? How’s the baby?”
All of which she didn't respond to. The credits were finally rolling when she murmured, “I’m getting rid of it.”
He didn’t say anything for a while. She hadn’t expected the pregnancy. He wasn’t the type to argue or complain—except for that night he’d obliterated her heart. His voice cloaked her in shame as he consented. “I’m with you, whatever choice you make.”
He tried to take her hand, but she crossed her arms. She asked in a monotone, “Will you leave now?”
“I think Royael will be here soon. I'll wait in the living room. I won’t bother you any more today, my Raven.” Liam stood. “I love you.”
Picking up the remote, she pressed the power button. Though he towered within the arched doorframe, Raven didn't regard him, refusing to look his way or acknowledge his love. With the next movie preview on, Raven flipped channels, as if waiting for the door to close. Less than a minute later, he knelt between her legs.
“I promise that I’ll never leave you, Raven. I’m staying. You’re stuck with me, no matter how long it takes.” Heart bleeding, Liam searched Raven’s face for an expression. She looked right through him.
He walked out.
In a daze of anger, sadness, and pain, Liam sat in the living room, legs wide, elbows on knees, head in hands. How the fuck do I get through to her? The recent series of events continuously roared through his mind. Coupled with his family's treachery in the past, their love—or what was left of it—didn't stand a chance.
At that moment, he honestly just wanted his best friend back. Almost two hours later, the front door opened.
“Thank you, Royael, you're such a good niece to baby Trinity.” Charlene’s voice echoed down the hall.
Then Royael came into Liam's line of vision, toting a diaper bag which she dropped upon seeing her father.
“Daddy!” Royael flew into his arms. Charlene said she was going to change Trinity and would be back soon.
He stood in the living room as Royael showed him her photos. All the while, his thoughts were in the den with Raven. How can I get through to her? She’s so cold. He hated himself for not fighting harder while Raven was pregnant with Royael.
Now I’m back at square one again. His family had been snatched away from him. Elise had ruined what he’d had with Raven as a child. Jonathan called after seeing Raven’s totaled car on the front page of a gossip magazine—one that rivaled the Delacroix’s Scandalous publications—and needless to say, it included a controversial headline. During their detached conversation, Jonathan mentioned Elise finally confessed that Liam wasn’t his son. Maybe Jonathan had always had his doubts. That’s why Dad mostly kept me at an arm’s length. Their call ended cordially, but Liam wasn’t sure what that meant for their relationship.
Determined to reunite the only family he knew, Liam asked his daughter, “What does your mommy say about your new baby brother or sister?”
“Oh, she says a lot of stuff, Daddy.”
“Like what …?”
“Well, Mommy said the baby makes her sleepy.” Royael twirled a long pigtail as they walked.
“What else does she say?”
“Nothing.” Royael shrugged. “I want to spend the night with you! We gotta go shopping, Daddy. We have to make sure Santa—”
“Not today. I need you to go read a book to your mom. I’m sure Saint Nick knows exactly what you want.” He winked, smiling through the pain. “I promise that after Christmas, we’ll have all the time in the world.”