Give me love like this

I awake excited to finally spend the whole day with my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. I saw my Mimi and Papi yesterday and had an amazing dinner. Today we were hanging out with the whole family. We planned to hike to the Tijuca National Park, they had jeep tours for my grandparents, and hiking for everyone else. I've been to Rio a few times so I've seen plenty of other things like Christo Redentor and Morro Da Urca. I was super excited to eat at Cervantes, they have amazing sandwiches with fresh pineapple.

We spent the whole day in the sun discovering the outdoors. It's cooler higher up, the open roof jeep tour was breathtaking, we saw a beautiful waterfall, and we had a fantastic picnic under the large canopy trees, it was like a rainforest. An urban rainforest. We only have one cousin, but he's older and attending med school a few hours away so we didn't get to see him, but we did facetime him this morning, I wish we could stay in contact better. Thankfully his English is good, my Portuguese isn't top notch, like at all.

“So this Liam man, he's here?” I hear my Mimi talk behind me as we're making our way from Cervantes back to the hotel.

“Um, yes Mimi, he's here. I'm suppose to go to a party with him tonight, but I don't know if I want to go.” I say as I slow down to her pace, yesterday was fantastic but I just don't want to get all wrapped up into everything again and wish my life away.

“You should go.” She says with a smile.

“But I came on this vacation to spend time with you, and Papi.”

“Well, we're not going anywhere. You have dinner with us and then you go. It's an easy choice.” She acts like its nothing.

“Well it's complicated Mimi. He lives in London.” I shrug and slow down just a little bit so she can catch up.

“Who cares. Look at me. We're in Rio. I'm from Colorado. Your Papi is from Rio. We lived in Chicago. We made it work. We fell in love. All you need is love, everything will work. Your Papi and I have been married for close to 50 years, and we've made it work. Two different countries, God doesn't have boundries for love, either should you. Follow your heart. Make it work Codi, make it work.” She smiles at me as I stop on the sidewalk and just watch people walk past. She's right, just make it work, when you step back, that's all love is. Two people, making it work.

After a full day of hiking, talking, eating, and eating we were making our way back to the hotel. Maggie and Michael were coming to the party with me, as per Liam's request. I think he wanted to get Maggie drunk again, just to listen to her spout off. Alcohol for her literally was truth serum.

I slip into a deep purple one shoulder tight dress with strappy gold sandals, I usually wouldn't wear them with this dress, but they're a little bit dressier then usual flip flops so they'll have to work, and they're all I have. I wasn't going to buy all new stuff for a party that I won't know anyone at but the guys and my family. I don't feel like I need to overly impress anyone.

I text Liam to tell him that I'm ready and within a few minutes a knock appears at my door. I open it to reveal an amazing looking Liam, in dark jeans, and just a plain white tee, hair quaffed, and bright white trainers. He's dressed so simple, but he just looks perfect. And wearing that devilish grin.

“Hi.” I smile at him when our eyes finally meet.

“You look fantastic. You ready?” He reaches out for my hand as we meet Maggie and Michael in the hallway, I'm guessing that Liam stopped at their room first. Maggie is wearing a flowing hi-low pink dress, with the same sandals that I have on, we bought them together last year when she came to visit me in California. We giggle because we didn't even plan on wearing them at the same time or even bringing them at all to this trip.

We can hear the music blasting before we even make it to the roof top doors. Apparently this party is already in full swing. Once we open the doors I know it's in full swing, people are laughing, yelling, dancing, and from what I can see drinking like crazy.

Liam leaves my side and makes his way to the bar, he comes back with two drinks and gives them to Maggie and Michael, then leaves again to get drinks for him and I. I graciously accept, apparently needing a little liquid courage to get through the night, my first drink is quickly gone when I decide to pace myself and not have another one for a while when Liam offers to get me another one.

We find our way to where Niall and Harry are, they're with a Brazilian performer who is extremely touchy feely and you can tell is flirting with them. Liam and I laugh she's obviously trying very hard to get attention. It's working, but its not my style. We sit down on a bench and Liam puts his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes for a second, just breathing him in.

“So have you guys hooked up yet?' I hear Harry ask.

I open my eyes wide and lift my head up.

“What?” I ask, I've only just met him and he's asking if we've hooked up. Quite rude if you ask me. Liam comes to my aid quickly.

“Not that it's any of your business mate, but no we haven't.” He gives Harry a strong look and Harry drops the conversation. I'm thankful, I'm not open to talk openly about my sex life with strangers, even if he's not a stranger to Liam. He can tell them all about it later, as long as I'm not there.

“Sorry.” Harry shrugs as he gets up and walks back to the bar.

I look around for Maggie and Michael, and I see them chatting with Louis.

“Sorry about that love. As you might know, we don't really have filters around each other. He means well.” Liam pulls me in for a side hug.

“It's fine. Not the worst I've heard, I do hang out with teenagers all day. But Liam?” I ask, suddenly shy. “Are you upset we haven't done anything more than kissing? I mean we only knew each other a week in Aruba and that's just not long enough for me.” I ask, suddenly thankful for the dark skies and hoping he can't see my face turn a shade of red I'm sure.

“What?” I can see the confusion on his face. “Not at all. We're not officially a couple, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable.” He explains. I'm grateful for that.

“Nothing mate!” Liam shouts back so Niall can hear, but you can tell he doesn't believe Liam, he gets a huge grin on his face and makes an extremely obvious wink to both of us. I can't help but laugh.

I feel someone tugging on my arm as I turn around I see Maggie.

“Come dance with us!” She pleads.

I try to grab Liam's hand but he refuses, saying he doesn't dance in public unless he's had a lot more to drink. I laugh but join in with my sister. We haven't danced together in ages, it's too much fun to dance to Latin music, their beats are perfect for moving.

After a while of dancing, my legs are becoming weak and I look around for Liam. I can see him chatting with Paul and Zayn. Zayn sees me looking at them and he nudges Liam to look in my direction. I grin at him and make my way over to the guys. As I make my way over I can immediately tell that Liam is drunk. I must have either been gone for a while or he just downed a bunch of drinks.

“Heeeeeyyyyyyy Coddddddiiiii.” Yep, drunk.

“Hi Liam. What have you been doing?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Not much, just chatting with my friends. Did you know Zayn doesn't really like you?” He sounds like Maggie does when she's drunk.

I look to Zayn who's obviously embarrassed by what Liam has just said.

“I didn't say I didn't like her!” He's angry. “I said I don't know her well enough to get an opinion on her. And no offense Codi, but I just can't trust anyone off the street right away.” He explains looking at me.

“It's okay Zayn, I understand your reservations. Maybe one day we can be friends.” I say hopefully as Zayn flashes a smile at me.

“Off the streets? I've known Codi for over an year! I was the reason she was gone for so long, well Sophia was the reason.” Liam rambles. Drunk Liam really reminds me of drunk Maggie.

“Liam, zip it.” I say as I pretend my mouth is a zipper and move my fingers over it to “close it”.

“Yeah, I think Perrie would like you.” Zayn returns the conversation to me. He smiles again at the mention of Perrie. “I'd better go see what Harry and Niall are doing. Take care guys.” Zayn walks away towards the bar where they're located.

After more talking to Paul and laughing at Liam, I realize I'm exhausted.

“Liam, babe.” I say trying to get his attention.

“Yeah?” He snaps his head back towards me.

“I'm going to go back to my room, it's getting late and I've had a really long day.” I say honestly. I'm really tired.

“No, please stay! We're just starting to have fuuuunnnnn.” He exclaims as he throws his arms in the air and his drink spills out the top.

“I'm sorry Liam, but I'm just tired. You stay, have fun. Call my room or text me when you leave.” I start to get up as Liam tries his best attempt of puppy dog eyes and sticking his bottom lip out. I can't help but laugh. “It's going to be okay, you have fun, I'll get enough sleep for the both of us.”

I give him a hug as he gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. I walk towards the door and take the elevator to my room. Maggie and Michael have already gone back to their room about an hour ago.

I carefully strip my dress and shoes off as I grab a pair of pajamas and practically skip to the bathroom to brush my teeth, wash my face, and pee and crawl into bed.

I'm awoken from sleep by a pounding at the door. I look to my left at the clock, its a little after 4 am. I've been in bed for less then two hours. I don't take kindly to being woken up.

“Who in the hell is at my door?” I quietly walk to the door and look through the peephole, it's Liam. And his security detail.

“Codi! I want to see you, open up!” I can hear him, and then I hear his security team trying to make him go back to his room. As I thought, Liam refuses.

“I want to see Codi!” He yells at them. Oh great.

I carefully open the door so he doesn't fall in.

“Liam, what are you doing, I was sleeping.” I whisper, trying not to disturb the other guests this early in the morning.

“Hi beautiful.” He slurs his words. “I just wanted to see you.” He smiles as he makes his way into my room. He takes off his shoes, shirt, and pants before flopping on my bed and crawling under the covers. Before I even make it to the bed to ask him what he's doing, he's passed out.

I look back at his security team who have giant smiles on their faces.

“Well, we'll let you care for him now.” One says as he shuts the door.

So I guess I'm on my own. I walk back to the bed and try to push Liam over so I can get in. He's taking up quite a bit of the bed. Once I get enough room I cover myself up and roll to my side.

I feel Liam get closer to my side as he drops his arm over my waist and drawls me in.

“Mmm, you smell amazing Codi.” I'm assuming he meant to whisper that into my ear, he didn't really succeed.

“Go to sleep Liam, it's late.” Is all I say, I probably sound like a mom, but that seems to be what he needs as of right now.

I'm awoken again by Liam. It's now 6:30 in the morning. I can hear him talking in his sleep.

“Codi, please don't leave me! I love you. I love you Codi.” He mutters as he rolls over to his other side.

Liam loves me? I heard him right, he said he loves me.

I don't think I can fall asleep now.

Notes

Sorry for such the long break! Busy weekend, and I just got home after being stuck in the car with my two younger brothers for the last 3 hours. I should get a medal. :)