Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

The majority of our guests arrived last night, they’ll be staying at the villa with us for a couple days.
Geoff and Liam are making breakfast for everyone. I’m not feeling great this morning, but I make my way out to greet everyone.
Louis is chasing Ella around the house. She toddles over to Niall for safety.
“No golf yet, Niall?” I ask.
He picks Ella up. “Nah, Ella and I are going tomorrow. I even got her a special club, just her size.”
Ella says her version of “Uncle”, then squeezes Niall’s nose. He tickles her in turn, causing a fit of giggles. As I pass Harry, on my way back to get ready, he gently grabs my arm. “Are you alright, Lizzie?” He asks me quietly.
I smile. “I’m fine.”
“You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”
I pat his arm. “Nothing’s wrong, H.”

Once everything is setup for the party, Liam insists on getting Ella dressed. I have strict instructions to wait in the living room with everyone else.
When Liam and Ella make their appearance, I am overwhelmed by the cuteness. Liam is wearing a Batman shirt, Ella has on a black and gold tutu. Her shirt has the Batman logo, and says “Daddy’s Sidekick”.
After they pose for pictures, I approach them. “Adorable. You two are quite the dynamic duo.”
Liam grins, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I think it’s more like the terrific trio.”
I smile. “What’s four people called?”
“A quartet? Why?”
“Just curious.”
Picking up Ella, I say. “Let’s get this party started, birthday girl.”

We all head outside, where there is plenty of food, drinks, and games. Everything to keep the kids and adults happy.
More guests arrive, including Caroline. I’m so excited to see her, it’s been far too long.
Rosa insists on doing most of the work, allowing Liam and I to visit with everyone and enjoy the party.
Ella is the perfect little hostess, toddling around, greeting everyone.

We’ve set up an area for the kids to watch movies on the outdoor tv. Ella tells Liam. “El El.”
“You want to watch Cinderellie, Love?” He starts the movie for her, then sits on the ground with the other kids. Ella climbs into his lap.
Liam waves me over. “Join us, Babe. It’s your favorite movie.”
I sit beside him, he takes my hand and winks. Ella looks down at our hands, adding her little hand on top.
“Look, Ella, it’s Gus Gus.” Liam points out.
Ella puts her little fists on top of her head, making mouse ears.
Liam pulls out his phone. He takes a selfie of the three of us. Posting it with the caption. “Watching Cinderella with the birthday girl. Now you know where Ella gets her name.”

Before we do Ella’s cake, Liam says he has a present for her. He nods to Niall, who grabs his guitar. Liam sits down, with Ella in his lap. I move to stand in front of them.
I had no idea that Liam had written a song for Ella. My hand is over my heart as I watch my handsome, talented husband singing the sweetest words to our daughter. She sits perfectly still, entranced by her daddy’s voice. The love between them, so obvious.
My heart leaps in my chest. These two have proved to me that love has no limits.
Liam reaches out his hand to me. I join them, standing beside Liam, our hands entwined while he finishes the song.
As everyone applauds, I lean down, whispering in Liam’s ear. “That was beautiful, Baby.”
He kisses me, as Ella gives her Daddy a big hug.
We all sing Happy Birthday to Ella, before enjoying her cake. Of course little Miss Ella’s piece ends up all over her.
“Will you help me clean her up, Liam?”
“Of course, Love.”

Once we have Ella cleaned up, I tell Liam we have a surprise for him. Asking him to keep his eyes closed for a few minutes.
Ella and I change into our special t shirts. We stand directly in front of him, holding hands. “You can open your eyes now.” I say.
Liam opens them, taking a second for the messages on the shirts to register with him. An adorable, happy grin emerging.
My shirts says. “Pink or Blue, Either will do, Mummy’s expecting #2”. Ella’s shirt says. “Big Sister”.
He stands up, putting his hand on my belly. “Oh, Beautiful, I’m so happy. You’re happy, right?”
I grin. “I’m so excited. I took the test about a week ago, but I wanted to wait till today to tell you.”
“It’s a perfect day. He picks up Ella. “You excited to be a big sister?” She giggles and blows him a kiss.
“Are you feeling alright?” He asks.
“It’s been hard to hide the morning sickness from you, but I’m fine.”
He gently rubs my belly. “How far along?”
I grin. “Six weeks. Remember that night, before the concert, when we got a little overzealous backstage?”
He grins, his eyes light up with a fond recollection. “Yes. That’s when?”
“I’m pretty sure.”
He laughs. “Well that will be a great story for him or her when they’re older.”
“At least we don’t conceive our children under boring circumstances. “ I add.
Liam pulls me in close. “I’m so happy, Beautiful. Should we tell everyone?”
“That was the plan. Oh, I almost forgot, I got a shirt for you too.”
I hand it to him, his eyes going wide as he reads it. “I’ll wear it, but you’re gonna explain to my mum what it means.”
I laugh as he puts on the shirt. It says “D.I.L.F” across the front.
“It’s kind of tight, Love.”
Getting on my tiptoes, I give him a kiss. “I know, I like it that way.”

The three of us hold hands, returning to the party. Liam gets everyone’s attention.
“Thank you all for coming today, to celebrate our little blessing, Ella’s first birthday. She is truly all the best parts of me and Liz, together in one amazing little girl. And as you’ve probably already been able to tell from our shirts, we are expecting a second blessing.
Everyone applauds, making their way to us, for hugs and congratulations.
I stand back, watching Liam light up as he talks about our new little blessing. Then I hear a quiet voice in my ear. “Congrats, Lizzie.”
I turn around, Harry gives me a hug. “That explains why you weren’t feeling well earlier.”
I grin. “Yes.”
“I’m very happy for you both.”
“Thanks, H.”
He looks in Liam’s direction, when he sees that Liam isn’t looking, he gives me a kiss on the forehead. He smiles, then moves on.

That evening, after we put a very tired birthday girl to bed, Liam and I take a walk.
We walk hand in hand to the gazebo. Antonio has the hundreds of twinkle lights turned on.
Liam gets down on one knee, talking to my belly. I run my fingers through his hair as he tells the baby how much he loves him or her, about their incredible big sister, and their beautiful mum.
He stands up, picking me up, spinning me around, then setting me back down gently. “Whenever I think my life is perfect, that I couldn’t be more happy...well something even more amazing happens. I love you, Beautiful, and I love our family. Everything that has ever happened to me, has lead me to you and our incredible life. I can’t ever imagine my life without you, Liz. You are more than I ever dreamt possible.”
He pauses to wipe the tears rolling down my cheeks.
“I mean it, Love. Do you have any idea how incredible you are?” He lifts my chin to meet his eyes. “You are an amazing mum, you are my best friend, my beautiful wife, and my perfect lover. Sweet, passionate”...Looking me up and down. “Fit as hell. You fulfill everyone of my desires. I don’t want you to ever doubt how important you are to me. I love you, Beautiful. More and more, everyday.”
As he wipes away more tears, I tease. “Good thing I wore the waterproof mascara today.”
He laughs. “Oh, I forgot your great sense of humor.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, we share a long kiss. “Liam, you are every one of my dreams come true, plus so much more than I could ever have imagined. I love our daughter, and our baby. And I love their daddy, with all my heart, and then some.”
We stay in the gazebo for awhile. Silent, holding each other. Sometimes there are just no words.

Later that evening, alone in our bedroom, we make love, slowly and sweetly. After, Liam lays with his head near my belly, singing softly.
I watch him, feeling a level of love I didn’t know existed. At this exact moment, as happy as we are, I know this is only the beginning for us. Still so many more pages left in our fairytale love story.
Liam looks up at me, his fingers lightly tracing over my belly.
“I love you, Handsome.”
He smiles. “I love you more, Beautiful.”

**That’s it for “Strong”, but it’s not the end of Liam and Liz’s story. Let me know if you’d like me to make it a trilogy? : )**

Notes