Liam opened the door wider, letting her body past through. Gray sat down on the still made bed, playing her hands. She was nervous for this, it was the moment of truth. The talk of all talks right now. Liam shut the door and sat on his bed facing her. Neither of them spoke, not sure how to even start.

“What happened the night of the bachelorette party,” she asked him. That was her biggest question right now.

“Nothing.” It came out as whisper from his mouth.

“Liam I know you are lying.” He ran his hand over his face looking pained and tired. Gray just sat there watching him. She didn’t want to push him into this too fast.

“You were quiet drunk that night. Extremely drunk, but in a happy place which was nice to see. It felt like you could finally let loose. I assume most of that was because of me, I know it has been difficult lately. When we left the bar, I sat in the back just trying to get back to the hotel without anymore problems. Actually I was trying to find a way to talk to you when you came bouncing over. You had this look on your face like you were determined to do something. Biting your lip and everything. As soon as you sat down next to me, it felt like my whole body could relax. You calmed me down and I didn’t even relax it.” The expression on his face didn’t change.

“What did I say to you,” Gray asked quietly. He rubbed his jaw, staring out the darken window before answering.

“You asked me why I hated you so much. I told you that it was a lie, and that still stands true, I could never possibly hate you. You wanted us to be normal. Which made me laugh, since we have never ever been normal since I have known you. I think we talked about that before too. You got tired and used my shoulder as your own personal pillow, you said you were showing me how not to be a dick. I apologize now for being a dick to you at any point, it was never my intention Gray. It was just so hard to act around you and not be able to call you mine. There was a battle of evils in my head.”

“So I cuddled with you? What else happened?” Gray wanted him to tell her even though she knew. She wanted to hear his side and how things went out, even though it wouldn’t matter at this point. She wanted every piece of him.

“You were in no shape to walk at that point. Harry and I were trying to decide on how to get your bum upstairs but it was just easier to pick you up and carry you. I forgot how dense a dead body was,” He joked making Gray smile. Liam got up and started pacing the room.

“Zayn gave me his jumper and I wrapped it around your waist so your underwear wouldn’t show. That was a very short dress Gray. I cannot believe Gloria let you wear that, I wanted to rip it off you the moment you walked into Mila’s room that night. I wondered if you did that on purpose to make me jealous, but that probably was your plan all along. I took you up to the room and put you down quietly. For a while I just sat there and stared at you. The smiles were back, lighting up your whole face. You can be trouble even when you are sleeping. Figured you didn’t want to sleep in that dress so I threw whatever clothes you had on your body and covered you up. I was just about out of the room, but I stopped. Told myself I could lay with you for a while, but then I had to leave.” Liam stopped, looking like he was fighting for words in his head. He turned facing the window and keeping his back to her.

“I shouldn’t have done it, I’m sorry. It was a complete invasion of your privacy but I couldn’t help myself. You fit into my arms so well, it’s kind of creepy. All I could do was just sit there and hold you while I cried my eyes out into your hair. My God I shouldn’t be telling you these things.” Gray got up and walked over to him. She could just barely make out the tears he had in his ears now.

“Liam please turn around,” she begged. He followed orders slowly. Gray pushed her body against his and kissed him with everything she had. She used so much force it took Liam by surprise. The energy running between them made her feel like she was on fire. That was what she had been missing for the last seven months. His hands pulled her closer, not able to get enough of her. Gray opened her mouth wider, giving him free access to it all. They turned into animals, not getting enough of each other. Liam picked up her body effortlessly and pushed her again the wall. Gray wrapped her legs around him not giving a care to what happens. She could feel like hands trying to untangle her dress but there was no luck.

“Hold on,” Gray said, pulling away from his mouth. Both were out of breath.

“What is this? A chastity dress,” he growled making Gray laugh. She unhooked her legs and jumped down.

“Mila’s grand plan, I think it comes undone back here.” She turned around, showing him with her fingers. He worked very slowly and gently at untying it all, making Gray go insane inside. Liam kissed the top of her shoulder while he untied the straps to the front of her dress. Gray turned around to look at him.

“You are the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me,” he whispered before kissing him again. They didn’t let go while Liam gently pulled down her dress leaving her in just her bra and panties. She prayed inside that they actually matched. Liam’s eyes drilled into hers. Both of them were shaking with excitement and nerves.

“I’ve got to sit down, not at all fair with what you are wearing right now,” he groaned, falling on the bed but pulling her hips with him. He was directly at eye level with her stomach.

“Whatever boy. You answered the door in just pants, very low pants to be exact. That wasn’t fair,” she came back with. Liam kissed her lightly on her stomach making her shiver.

“I didn’t expect you to be at the other side.”

“To be honest, me either. I had no plans to come see you tonight until the end,” she told him honestly. It was the truth. After walking back into the room after her and Louis’ heart to heart did she really think about it. They were all right, even though she didn’t plan on telling him. Gray was scared and relying on the negative of it all. Of course there was a possibility of them not being together, but she needed to try. She knew if she didn’t it would eat her alive more then another breakup.

“What made you change your mind?”

“Knowing that I couldn’t live my life without you,” she whispered. Liam pulled her body down so she was straddling his lap.

“I can’t live my life without you either,” he whispered in her ear. Both of them sat there, holding each other without saying anything else.

----

“You know I owe Louis two hundred dollars now?” Both of them were cuddled in bed under the covers together. It felt so weird, yet so right to Gray. Coming here four days ago she was ready to say goodbye fully to him. It only took her three crying episodes, two drunken nights and one slow dance for her to realize how stupid she was being. Liam and her belonged together.

“Two hundred! What did you do,” Liam laughed behind her. His body was pushed up against her and his arms protectively around her. Gray absentmindedly rubbed his arms and smiled.

“Made a drunken bet with him that I wouldn’t end up sleeping with you.” She heard Liam groan behind her.

“You are a fool.” Gray turned around in his tight arms to look at him.

“Possibly. But I think my drunken self knew it would happen, she is a smart one.”

“What about your sober self? What did she think,” he asked her.

“She was going to say goodbye and moved to Milwaukee.” His eyes got big.

“What in the hell is in Milwaukee!”

“A job, a good job. And it was a place for me to run away from it all.” It was true, she was running away. There were only so many times she could see things in her room that reminded him or her, or her mom’s pitiful glances at Gray.

“I’m not sure what to say about that,” he told her. Gray softly ran her fingers across his chest. It felt like it was just yesterday when they were saying goodbye to each other. They ran down his arm, only to end at the bracelet on his wrist.

“I see you still have this.” Liam looked down at her fingers and smiled.

“Haven’t taken it off once. I still have yours too, at my mum’s place.” Gray felt sad inside, she felt like it was time to wear it again.

“Well that blows,” she said making Liam laugh into her hair.

“It all depends on what we are now, besides you are going to have to work for it back,” he told her. Gray took a second to think about it.

“We are friends, taking this crazy mess once step at a time.” Liam immediately broke away from her, she could sense that sometime was wrong.

“Gray, I may be very cruel in the next ninety seconds and I’m very sorry. You need to figure your shit out. I’m practically throwing myself on top of you right now and you refuse to say we are together again. Friends? Really? We have never been the ‘friend zone’ and we will never get there either. Please love, I beg you to stop being so scared and just say it,” Liam hissed. Gray felt taken back. What do you say to that. She knew he had a point but never thought he would voice it. He sighed, crawling back over to her and kissed her forehead.

“Why are you so scared?”

“I keep telling myself at some point you are going to leave me again and we will be right back. Miserable, upset and not able to work it out anymore,” she wept. His bare chest became a puddle to her crying.

“Look at me Gray.” She looked up at his beautiful face, seeing her own tears in his eyes.

“I swear on everything I know, I will never ever leave you again no matter what happens. Even if that means I have to leave the guys just to keep you and me safe. I will always protect us over anything. You are the love of my life and I refuse to not be with you anymore,” Liam choked out. Gray reached up, brushing the tears off his face.

“I really do love you,” she whispered out. Liam gave her a small smile, pulling her as close as he could.

“I love you too Gray, always. Just go with it baby, you know I’ll never leave you again.”

----

Gray woke up in the dead of the morning wondering where she was. A pair of strong arms was holding her in close, making her feel hot. She needed air. Gray looked up to see Liam’s sleeping face above her. He looked warn out completely. It stabbed her in the heart a little. She dragged this out for far too long, as because she was scared. It was the dumbest thing she could have ever of done. All of her friends and family had to put up with her sorry butt all because she couldn’t make a decision. She knew she had to find a way to make it up to them all.

“Oh my god it’s 6 in the freaking morning,” she shouted, scaring Liam right out of a dead sleep. Gray jumped out of bed, trying to get her dress back on with all those straps.

“Where are you going,” Liam coughed, not fully awake yet. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

“I have to get back to my room. There is no way in HELL I am giving Louis that much money.” She fumbled with the stupid straps trying to find a way to tie them all into place.

“Worst freaking dress ever!” Liam got out of bed and walked over to his suitcase.

“Just wear these,” he suggested throwing her a pair of his boxer shorts and a sweatshirt. Gray ripped over her dress again and gratefully put his clothes on. It made her giddy just doing it. She was in his clothes again, one of her favorite things in the world. His sweatshirt smelled just like him making her dizzy.

“I gotta go love,” she whispered, kissing him on the mouth. Liam wrapped his arms around her, not letting her go just yet.

“Don’t tell anyone,” he declared to her. Gray looked at him with a puzzled face.

“A taunt never heard. Think of it protecting you and me,” he smiled. Gray laughed and kissed him one more time before gathering her things and heading out. She quietly opened the door hoping it wouldn’t wake anyone else in their room.

“See you at breakfast,” she whispered at him.

“Love you.” Liam kissed her once last time before she quietly walked down the hallway and into the awaiting elevator.

----

There was a definitely pep in her step. It felt right, all of this felt right. She finally knew inside and out that she was supposed to be with Liam no matter what happened. It made her happy just thinking about how her family was going to react to this. She sensed some swearing, cheering and maybe a slap on her head. Gray got back to her room feeling wide awake; there was no point in sleeping now. She took a shower and got dressed waiting until the moment she could head down stairs. She pulled out her phone already smiling about the thought of texting him.

Me: I’m already bored and wishing I wouldn’t have left. Can we eat yet?

Her phone chimed back right away. Of course he was awake too.

Liam: I heard some of the guys in the hallway already, I’ll meet you there.

Gray threw a pair of running shorts and a sweatshirt on and get ready to head down.

“Knock, knock you up sweetie,” she heard her mom on the other side of the door. Gray quickly ran over and opened it up.

“Hi mom,” Gray beamed, giving Gloria a hug.

“I’m going to take it your house call went well,” she joked. Gray nodded and blushed.

“Well, I came here to talk to you about it but I don’t think that is needed anymore. As long as you are okay. You are okay right Gray?” Gloria knew she liked to cover things up and not always tell people the exact truth. She had to make sure Gray was okay this time; there was no way she was bringing her back home if Gray was going to fall apart.

“I am. We talked, we are good right now. One day at a time. There is no need to rush or freak out,” Gray answered her. Gloria smiled again. Thank God!

“Well head down to breakfast with me. Your sisters went a bit ago and I need to make sure they are still alive.” They headed down in the elevator making small talk about the plans to leave tomorrow. It put fear in Gray, she wouldn’t deny that. Liam and the boys were headed back to England while she was headed home. It would have to be worked out at some point later that day.

Gray and her mom walked into the breakfast area to see everyone else had beat them there. She found Liam immediately, sitting by the boys and giving her a small curious smile. She returned his and headed to the food. Coffee was a must. She needed her coffee. Gray grabbed a cup along with another Danish and a banana before heading to sit with her sisters and mom on the opposite side of the room.

“Can we go swimming later,” Gillian asked Gray. She had been promising them a trip to the pool for the whole trip.

“Sure can, maybe you can talk those boys into joining,” Gray joked. She knew they would cave into them easily. Gray started in on her Danish, enjoying every bite when her phone went off. A collective chime around the room went after hers, showing all the boys, her mom, Mila and others had a message. Weird, very weird. Everyone pulled their phones off to see the same message from Louis. It had no subject line but some sort of video attached. Gray pushed ‘play’ and gasped. That little shit. It was a gritty video, but you could clearly see Gray leaving Liam’s room this morning in his clothes and then kissing at the end. It was only ten seconds of film, but she knew it was going to cause a stir.

“GRAY LYDIA CAMERON,” Mila wailed from the other side of the room. She stood up fast, marching over to Gray and pulling her arm to make her follow.

“Wait my coffee,” Gray laughed, grabbing the cup while Mila continued to march on with her. They rounded the corner and into the fitness room before Mila finally stopped and looked at her.

“Oh my god! Thank god!” she cheered wrapping Gray into a hug. Both of them jumped up and down together laughing. Gray was pretty sure Mila had just lost her mind.

“Okay, tell me what happened. Tell me NOW!” She said down on the exercise bike looking at Gray with huge eyes.

“We talked and sadly fell asleep next to each other. It was good,” Gray responded, keeping her answers pretty secretive.

“And what else, what happened,” Mila pushed on.

“We decided to take one day at a time. Slowly.” Mila threw her hands up in the air and groaned.

“You two are going to put me in an early grave.”

“Please, you will do that alone being married. We are just testing the waters again Mila. Geesh, you act like we should be married right now too,” she joked.

“Not a bad idea, I should call the pastor back.” Gray held her hands up in defense.

“No, not even funny. Look I appreciate everything you have done and the boys but from now on it’s just me and him, no more funny business from you all,” Gray dictated to her. She needed to make sure Mila got it through her big thick head.

“I still think you are nuts. You are madly in love, stop acting like it isn’t true. And stop being so safe!” It immediately gave Gray an idea. She smiled just thinking about it. She could be not safe easily.

“I’ll be back,” she announced to Mila asked she walked out of the fitness room.

“Gray? Gray where are you going? Are you running?!” Gray ignored her, Mila could wait and see for herself.

The elevator dinged open and she raced down to her room throwing up the door. Louis wanted his money, so she was going to give him his money. She quickly wrote out a check for one hundred dollars to the ‘Great Louis Tomlinson’ before hurrying back out. The excitement rose in her body. They all wanted a show and their wish was her command. Gray took the stairs to at a time, flying down them at record time. She walked into the breakfast knowing every single set of eyes were on her. Gray walked up to the boys’ table slamming the check in front of Louis.

“I do believe I owe you this,” she smiled before walking over to Liam. He smiled at her curious on what she was doing. Gray bent down right next to him, pulling his mouth on hers. A collective gasp went through the room. She could felt him smile against her lips. Liam’s hand reached around her neck, keeping her face close to his.

“Okay, okay we get your point,” Louis yelled to them laughing. Gray let go of him, kissing his lips one last time before standing upright again. She smirked at all the guys at the table knowing they were impressed.

“I’m going to go enjoy my Danish now, good bye kids.” She walked back to her table and blushed looking at her mom.

“Don’t even say it,” Gray told her. She wanted peace to enjoy her delicious food. Back at the boys’ table, they all stared at him.

“What just happened,” Harry asked, feeling astonished. Liam didn’t say anything else; he just gave them a very goofy, smitten looking smile.

----

“Throw me higher Gray,” Grace giggled as Gray whipped her through the air and into the empty pool. They were the only two down there at the time. Gillian wanted to stay with Gloria and they didn’t asked anyone else. Grace liked to have her sister alone.

“Gray, why do you always break up from Liam,” Grace asked, coming up from the water. Gray sighed, her sister thought way too much about her relationship. It shouldn’t have been a six year olds problem.

“Sometimes it takes adults a long time to feel happy with certain things,” she explained to her.

“Why?”

“We think too much. Lots of things happen when you think too much.” Wasn’t that the truth.

“You should stop thinking. I like Liam he needs to stay around,” Grace declared to her. Things were so easy for a kid.

“I’m going to try that chicky,” Gray smiled on her.

“CANNON BALL!” A huge slide erupted from the water covering Gray completely. She looked like a wet rat. Liam popped out of the water only to start laughing when he saw Gray’s wet body.

“You are so dead,” she deadpanned taking a step toward him. He took a step back every time she got closer. Soon they were at the end of the deep side with Liam pushed up again the wall.

“Oh love, you think you are so swift,” he mocked to her. Gray rolled her eyes, he had no experience in her ninja like moves. Liam’s eyes twinkled, just waiting for her to get closer before he could strike again. She moved closer to him, giving Liam a clear shot to her legs. He grabbed them both, tipping her body over and dunking her. Gray came up coughing and laughing at the same time.

“You are the biggest ass I have ever known.” Liam wrapped his arms around her, supporting her weight while she coughed the water out.

“You love my ass,” he moaned at her. Little raindrops were grouped together on his eyelashes. It made Gray’s heart flutter.

“I love you,” she whispered back. Liam gave her a gentle kiss, causing his mouth to taste the chlorine.

“You making a visit to my room tonight?” Gray shook her head; she was hoping he’d ask. It was their last night together before going back home.

“Good.” Liam’s arms loosen enough for Gray to quickly move and push his head underwater. He came up squirting water out of his mouth at her. Gray took off, ready to start an epic battle war.

----

“You still smell like chlorine,” Liam muttered. They were in his bed sitting in silence again. Dinner was amazing. Mila and Curtis left late that night for their honeymoon so it was nice to get everyone together for one last hurrah. It felt weird to not having Mila around, she would be gone til the middle of September for the school year to start again. Until then, Gray was a one woman group. The boys were leaving tomorrow morning Gray and her family were headed out around the same time.

“Hey I showered,” she spat back. Liam sniffed her hair again; it smelled like a mixture of strawberries and pool water.

“I have been thinking,” he started before trailing off. Gray knew this conversation was coming, they needed to plan out when they would see each other again.

“About?”

“You coming out to England again. My birthday is coming up you know. You could spend a week in Wolverhampton and see the sights,” he offered. Gray decided to play with him a bit.

“Is there that much to see there?”

“Not really no, but I still think you should come.” His eyes pleaded with her.

“It’s going to cost you jailbait,” she smiled at him.

“Oh yea? Like what?” Gray moved, sitting on top of his flat stomach with her legs on each side of his hips. Liam instantly moved, pushing his hips into hers.

“Lots of kisses, maybe a present or two. Some loving in your bed, and dinner. You must bring me out to dinner,” Gray joked. She kissed him, letting her hair fall and be a curtain around them. Liam quickly flipped them both over causing him to be on top. His hands held her head in place, keeping the unruly hair away.

“That’s it? Sounds quite easy to me,” he murmured leaving a trail of kisses along her collarbone. Gray moaned, he was killing her right now.

“Guess you are going to see me there then.”

“You are making this this far too easy,” he told her, moving his hips into her again.

“I like easy, less thinking.”

“My mum is going to be overjoyed; I called her this morning to fill her in with it all. She told me she was fixing up the spare bedroom, pretty sure that is not necessary.” Gray stopped him.

“Just shut up and kiss me jailbait.” Liam did was he was told, not even caring about her coming home. They spent those last hours together, being one.

----

“You all ready,” Gloria announced in the doorway of Gray’s room. It was time to go, back to Stafton and patiently wait the next three weeks until she could go see him again. It was a lot better than seven months that was for sure.

“Yup.” Gray rolled her bags into the hallway where the guys were. They headed down to the lobby to say goodbye and pack up the car.

“You sure you are going to be okay?” Gloria asked for the third time this morning. Even though Gray filled her in on the plans, she was still certain that Gray was going to have a breakdown at any moment.

“Yes mom, I promise I’m fine. I feel really good about this all right now.” The elevator dinged open to the lobby and everyone filled out. All of the guys were standing off to the side looking bland.

“Cheer up boys, you should be able to see me in three weeks,” Gray laughed.

“Sure, like Liam will share,” Harry muttered. He looked so sad. Gray had a hard time remembering how close they all were. Of course her love was always Liam, but she loved those boys too.

“He doesn’t have a choice; we will meet up for dinner or clubbing again. I know you like to catch my falling butt,” she smirked, giving him a tight hug. Gray went down the line giving them all a hug before she was once again in front of Liam. The memories of Australia came floating back to her. They were in the same boat again, but at least in different circumstances. She never wanted to experience anything like that again.

“Let’s carry these bags out lads, give these kids some breathing room,” Zayn ordered to them all. The group left with the girls and Liam and Gray were alone.

“Don’t cry love,” Liam whispered, looking down at her. He caught her, the tears started so easily these days.

“Happy tears, I promise,” she croaked out. Liam gave her a quick kiss before pulling her into a tight hug. Gray grabbed him back like he was the last thing on Earth. God she loved him so much.

“I will see you in three weeks. Time will go by fast,” Liam declared to her. She nodded her head, knowing it was true. Three weeks would be short, time would fly like it normally did.

“Promise not to bail on me,” she stammered out. Liam laughed at her.

“You are stuck with me for life Gram,” he winked at her. Team Gram was back in action. They linked hands together and walked out into the parking lot.

“I love you,” he whispered down to her one last time.

“Love you too jailbait.” The girls were already in the van, ready to hit the road. Gray climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.

“Let’s roll,” Gloria announced. Liam quickly threw his body in through the window and passionately kissed her again. Gray put her hand under his baggy sweatshirt squeezing his side. Liam jumped, almost hitting his hand on the door frame.

“You are a butt,” he muttered to her. Gloria put the van in reverse and started pulling always. The boys stood there watching them move farther and farther behind. Gray lifted her hand, giving them a small wave before they were off. As soon as they were out of her window, she immediately felt sad. Now it seemed like forever until she saw him again, and forever was a long time.

“Three weeks baby, only three weeks,” Gloria told her. Gray smiled and went back to looking out the window. Three weeks, twenty one days, and 30,000 minutes to go.

Notes

Title Creds: "I hope you dance" by Lee Ann Womack.

Well my friends, we have only one chapter to go. BUT there WILL be a sequel!! :) Dun. Dun. Dun.