It was Halloween. James was dressed in his Robin costume happily. Liam wore his own Batman costume as well. Melissa chose to break the superhero cycle and dress a performer. Honestly she didn’t like wearing costumes, but she didn’t want to ruin the fun for James.
“I’m not sure who is more excited.” Melissa commented. “At some points it seems to be James because he gets to walk around as Robin and then you do something and I think it’s you.” She looked at Liam as they walked in on of the many neighborhoods where residents were handing out candy.
“You should be excited too. Candy is you favorite food. What are you supposed to be anyways?” Liam countered with a cheeky smile.
Melissa pointed to the hands free microphone, “Obviously I am a performer.” She pointed out in her best ‘duh’. She even rolled her eyes as if she was annoyed. Liam chuckled and they continued on.
“Look Superman!” James exclaimed pointing to a man who was handing out candy.
“It’s a meeting of the super heroes.” Liam joked. “Let’s go talk to him.” James nodded excitedly. As he ran off with Liam he stopped to look back at Melissa.
“You can’t come Mummy ‘cause you not hero.” He decided before turning away. Liam stuck his tongue out at her playfully. Melissa folded her arms with a huff and watched them. When they came back more candy was added to James’s orange pumpkin bucket.
“Yay! You’ve gotten us more candy.” Melissa clapped excitedly peering over into the bucket. James held onto is tightly and hid behind Liam.
“My candy Mummy.” He pouted. Liam fought his laughter at Melissa disappointed expression.
“I don’t understand it. I carry him for nine months. I have birth him. I take care of him for nearly three years and you’re his favorite after only eight weeks.”
Liam shrugged, “It’s the special connection. You have to be cool to have it.” She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. Liam smiled offering her a hug. She shook her head turning away from him. “Come on you know want to.” Melissa was stubborn. Liam squinted his eyes before grabbing her around the waist in a bear hug and lifting her off the ground.
She squealed in surprise, “Liam what are you doing?” Melissa demanded in a voice mixed with surprise and fear. Liam swung her over his shoulder and began to walk forward.
“Daddy strong like me.” James flexed his muscles. Liam nodded in agreement as Melissa hit him repeatedly on his back demanding to be put down. “Don’t fight Mummy.”
“Yeah, don’t fight.” Liam chastised in a not-so-serious voice.
Melissa held up her head to look at her son, “Tell Daddy to put me down James.” She pleaded, but he shook his head. “Don’t you love me?”
“Umm…” James paused as he thought over his answer. Melissa gave a hurt filled laugh. Liam laughed as well in surprise finally setting her on her feet.
“You know what. After these next two houses you can have him.” Melissa told Liam. When James ran to her attempting to hug her she playfully pushed him away. “No, nuh uh, you don’t love me.” She wiggled her head with attitude. James folded his arms and frowned. Liam kneeled down so that they were at the same level.
“You have to apologize buddy.” He advised trying to be helpful. James was stubborn. “Come on. Apologize to your mum.” Liam stepped behind his son taking his hands and walking him over to Melissa. She looked down at her son expectantly.
“I sorry,” James apologized in a small voice. Melissa gave him a small smile and bent down to hug him.

The odd family was finished trick-or-treating. As they made their way back to the cars Melissa held James’s left hand and Liam held his right.
“How long will the party last?” She asked Liam.
He shrugged, “I’m not sure. Why don’t you come with us?” He suggested suddenly. The idea had only occurred to him.
Melissa hesitated, “I don’t know. Won’t it be awkward enough with you bringing James?”
He shrugged once again, “Come on you have nothing better to do. It’ll be fun.” Liam pulled out the puppy dog face. “James don’t you want her to come with us?”
James nodded, “Come with us mummy.” He used the puppy dog face as well. It was nearly strategic.
Melissa threw her hands up in defeat, “Well when you make that face how can I refuse?” She agreed causing Liam and James to cheer. James chose to ride Liam. As Melissa followed behind in her own car she nervously chewed on the inside of her cheeks. Liam may have acted nonchalant, but she knew this would be weird. She didn’t know any of his new friends and the only thing they knew about her was that she was the girl with the child that’s supposed to be his.
When they arrived at the location of the party, Melissa cut her engine and got of her car slowly. She was debating changing her mind at any given moment. However, Liam ushered her forward with an excited smile. Melissa grabbed ahold of James’s hand and followed him. When they entered the party there was too many people to notice. Liam weaved through the crowd pulling Melissa and James along with him. He stopped in front of a tall brown haired boy dressed as James Bond.
“Hey Li you made it!” The boy greeted Liam excitedly.
“Hey Lou; hello Eleanor.” He greeted the girl dressed as one of Bond’s female companions. Liam looked behind him where James and Melissa stood silently. “This is Melissa and you’ve met James. Melissa this is Louis and Eleanor.”
“Hello,” Louis smiled and greeted the suspicious girl loudly. He looked at James, “Liam I thought you said James was here? All I see Robin.”
James giggled, “I’m here.” Louis looked around in confusion.
“Who said that?” he demanded. Eleanor and Melissa smiled as James tugged on Louis’s sleeve.
“I’m right here.” He spoke looking up at the lad with determination.
Louis gasped, “Oh my gosh it is you!”
“He has an excellent disguise.” Eleanor added. James laughed. He enjoyed the attention.
“James!” Harry greeted the toddler as loudly as Louis had. Harry high fived James before turning to look at Melissa. “You must be Melissa. I’m Harry.” He gave her a cheeky smile.
“Classy Haz,” Liam commented shaking his head as his friend shamelessly flirted with his ex-girlfriend. Liam pulled Melissa away to introduce her to Niall, Zayn, Perrie, Lou, and Tom before Harry found them again and continued his obvious flirting. Since Melissa seemed to be enjoying herself Liam excused himself ad found Niall. “Harry is definitely the flirt of our lot.” He decided taking in the scene.
Niall nodded, “He could probably teach a class on it. Where’s James?” Liam nodded towards Louis who was currently having a battle with James. “He looks a lot like you mate.”
“That’s what Danielle says.” Liam noted in a low voice.
“Do you not see it?” Niall looked at him curiously.
Liam shook his head, “That’s not it.”
“What is it?” Niall inquired. He could feel the turn that their general conversation had taken.
“Nothing important,” Liam assured him looking across the room at Melissa and Harry. The curly haired boy leaned forward to whisper in the brunette’s ear. The smile on her face widened as she laughed. Harry smiled confidently clearly enjoying her reaction. Liam looked away quickly. Something about the scene bothered him. He just wasn’t sure what it was.

The party ended and everyone went home. Liam walked with Melissa to the car carrying James. At some point Lou found him and Lux in a sugar induced coma. No one confessed to giving them candy, but they all had an idea of who it was. After he buckled James into his safety seat he turned to Melissa.
“I’m glad you came.” He informed her with a friendly smile.
Melissa shivered, “I enjoyed myself. Your friends are nice.” She commented still shivering from the drop in temperature. Liam absentmindedly rubbing her forearms trying to help her warm up.
“Yeah they are nice to be around. It seems like you and Harry got on well.” He chuckled slightly trying his best to stay casual.
Melissa laughed lightly, “He’s nice as well and very flirtatious.” Liam nodded in agreement. “I think this may have been James’s best Halloween. Thanks a lot Liam.”
“For what?” he looked at her curiously.
“For being involved. At first I didn’t think it was a good idea, but it’s clear that he needs you in his life. I can’t teach him everything.” She gave him a small smile looking up.
“It’s not a problem Mel.” Liam smiled as well looking down at hr. Once again they made eye contact unaware of their face gradually moving closer together. When their lips met their initial reaction was to push further into the kiss until Melissa suddenly pulled away with a start.
“Oh my gosh!” She gasped shaking her head with speed. “I cannot believe I did that. I am so sorry Liam. I have to go.” She didn’t give him a chance to speak. In a hurry Melissa got in her car and pulled away. Liam was left standing dumbfounded. Not only had he kissed Melissa, he was disappointed when she stopped it.
In a confused daze he drove home. When he opened the door to his flat Danielle was there. She smiled at him expectantly.
“How was the party?” She asked pecking his lips with a quick kiss. She had not too long gotten home as well.
“It was memorable.” Liam forced a smile onto his lips. He tried his hardest to completely emerge himself into the conversation with Danielle. She told him about her performance and he nodded along, but he his head wasn’t in it. Instead his brain kept replaying the kiss he shared with Melissa. Her lips were softer than he remembered. She still smelled of warm vanilla. Even the way she titled her head hadn’t changed.
Liam smiled to himself as Danielle continued to talk. It would be a lie if he said the kiss wasn’t wrong. He knew it was wrong as soon as it happened, but that wasn’t the part that bothered him the most. What truly bothered Liam was the fact that he regretted nothing. He didn’t regret going trick-or-treating with Melissa and James. He didn’t regret inviting her to the party. And he definitely did not regret kissing her. He missed her. He missed having Melissa in his life.

Notes

So we finally have some Liam and Melissa action! It looks like they're both experiencing a little jealous. Hmm... I wonder what will happen next. Should Liam leave Danielle for Melissa or should they both forget about this kiss?