Sweet Child O Mine (Remake)

54. Needing Help

"C'mon, Liam!" Malcolm called. Liam nodded and got up. He patted both his kids on their heads. "You wait here, I'll be back," He said and then he left to go onto stage.

Alexa stared out at the stage. Cliff walked up to her. "Look, Cliffy," she said. "Wow, that a lot of people," Cliff said. "I know, and Daddy's playing in front of all them!" Alexa said. "Let go!" Cliff said. "No, Cliffy, daddy told us to wait," Alexa said. "C'mon! We be rockstar like daddy!" Cliff said. Alexa turned to see if Frances was looking. But she had her back turned to them and was talking to Isaac. "Alright, if Daddy and Grandpa can do it then so can we!" Alexa said. "Yeah! Like Bob Builder said, yes we can!" Cliff said. "No, dummy, Obama said that!" Alexa said taking a few steps onto the stage. "Who in te world is Obama?" Cliff asked before joining Alexa onto stage. 

The band was taking a break. Liam was sitting on the edge of the stage. His legs hung off and he was talking to Joey. Alexa and Cliff ran to him. "Daddy!" Alexa said. The crowd broke out in laughter and cheers. The crowd was more friendly than what you'd expect from a rock concert. Liam chuckled and stood up. He walked to the microphone and picked up his two kids. "Do you have anything to say?" He asked. "Hi!"Alexa and Cliff said in unison. The crowd broke out in 'aws' 'hi's' or laughs. "Good job, now go back to your mother," Liam said setting them down. 

Alexa and Cliff walked backstage. "That was fun," Alexa said.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

That night, Frances and Liam shared a room. They put Cliff and Alexa in one bed and they shared the other. Frances was cuddled up to Liam. Her hand on his chest and her head by his neck. Liam softly rubbed her hip as he searched for a show to watch. Eventually, he gave up and just went to MTV. 

Liam sighed. "I... I'm not okay, Frances," he said. Frances poked her head up. "What?" She asked. Liam sat up and so did Frances. "I know. I think I'm just being selfish. I have everything I could ever want. I love everything I have. But, I'm not happy," Liam said. "Liam, wh-why didn't you tell me before?" Frances asked. "You were dealing with so much. And... And I didn't want to hurt you," Liam said. "I don't want to hurt you." "Liam, baby," Frances said softly and she snuggled close to him. "I want to help you any way I can. Tell me how you're feeling," Frances said. "I... I don't know if I really want to go on," Liam said his voice cracking at the end as tears were brought to his eyes. "Liam no! You can't do that! Promise me you'll get help and never leave me like that!" Frances said. Liam nodded. "I promise," he said. 

Frances held Liam's close that night. Watching as his chest went up and down as he breathed. His lips slightly parted. His eyes were closed and had bags under them. He was pale. The more Frances thought about it. The more he seemed sickly and not well. 

She knew the death of Cliff, Leon, and Kathy was hard on him. She knew life was hard on him. She knew he wasn't well. She knew she wanted to help. But most of all, she knew the pain he felt with Axl. He was drifting farther from him. Axl just wanted to spend time with him. But Liam always refused. Liam didn't like going out anymore. Frances felt stupid for not noticing his change. But that changed seemed to happen all the time and not so sudden. So it wasn't like he just stopped wanting to go out. No. He slowly stopped going out. Frances knew she had to keep him protected at all costs. She knew what he needed to stay safe. She just had to persuade Liam to go.