For Now and Always (Liam Payne)

Chapter 16

Liam was the first one awake the next morning. He had carried her to the bed after making love to her last night and then they made love again. They had fallen asleep, curled together like two spoons, holding each other all night.

He heard a knock at the door and it opened. The owner, Marie, he thought, brought in a tray covered with food. She set it on the counter and turned to sneak back out, when Liam said "Good Morning!"

Jumping back, in fright, she clutched a hand to her heart. "Oh, you scared me, Mr. Payne! I'm so sorry to wake you."

"I was awake. It's fine."

"Since you are awake, I'll invite you now. Christmas Lunch? At 2 O'clock?" she asked.

"Sure, Great. Not sure where else we could get food today. Can we stay another night? It seems silly to go to Paris now."

"Oi, Sir. We'd be happy to have you." She turned out of the cabin closing the door gently behind her.

Eva stirred, and rolled over to face Liam. He laid back down and brushed stray hairs off her face. "Merry Christmas, Evie. Breakfast is here."

Her eyes opened and she smiled at Liam. "Merry Christmas." She murmured, truly wishing to go back to sleep.

"Up! Time for food and presents!" Liam declared.

Shoot, Eva thought, I didn't bring his present. She reached over to grab Liam's t-shirt and pulled it over herself as she got out of bed. "Your present it at home, Liam. I didn't know..."

"I don't care! Here! Open!" he said as he pulled a light blue box out of his bag.

Eva saw the white ribbon and knew that it was a box for Tiffany's. Too large to be a ring. Too small to be a necklace. He handed her the box and she untied the ribbon. She removed the lid and saw the most beautiful bracelet, a complete circle of diamonds. "It's a tennis bracelet. The saleslady said you'd love it. Do you? Love it, I mean?"

Picking up the sparkling object, Eva first thought was yes. She did love it. She did want it. She would fight off the stubborn side of herself, shut up and be grateful. "I love it, Liam. Put it on me?" She held out the bracelet and her arm. He clasped it around her wrist and she held her arm up, watching it sparkle in the morning sun. Without thinking, she grabbed Liam, pushed him down and the bed and showed him just how happy she was.

....................................................

As they lounged in bed, picking at the remains of breakfast, Eva rolled onto her back, and again held up the bracelet up to watch it sparkle. "I take it you weren't lying, then, Love. You really do like it?" Liam said.

"Yes" she replied "I've never owned anything so beautiful"

"You don't have any jewelry?" Liam questioned.

"Well, I have my grandmother's, but it was nothing fancy. My mother doesn't think jewelry is a practical gift. Although, she did give me beautiful emerald earrings when I left high school."

"Your ears aren't pierced."

"I know!" Eva laughed. It was truly funny. Liam joined in.

"Okay, I need to know more about this mother of yours. Spill." Liam said.

"Where to start? I remember when I was young, people used to tell me that I would be lucky to grow up to look like her. She is very beautiful Striking. And she always looks perfect. My sister and her could be twins, I swear." Eva grabbed her phone and scrolled through her facebook to find just the right picture. "There." Eva handed Liam the phone.

The picture showed her entire family and there was no doubt that her mother and sister were beautiful. "You are prettier than them, you know that right? I mean they are both fit, but you are gorgeous."

"Well, that sure explains my lack of boyfriends growing up."

"No, seriously." Liam began. "They both look....well, mean. I don't know how else to say it. They don't look friendly. They have that "I'm hot and I know it" look. You, well, for one thing, your eyes. They are bigger and brighter than your mothers. The green in your eyes is extremely mesmerizing. That's why didn't walk away after you yelled at me at the club. I saw your eyes. Amazing!"

"I stayed because of yours." Eva confessed. "Lucky for you." Eva smiled.

Liam smiled back and then continued. "Also, your hair is prettier, curly. There's is just hair. I don't know. There is just something about you, you ARE gorgeous.  Men look at you when you walk by. I know you don't believe me, but I have had to give many, many men the "back off she's mine" face. Your smile is genuine. They have very carful, controlled smiles, like it hurts to smile? She kinds reminds me of the evil queen. Beautiful but scary."

"Well, she is the CFO of a several hospitals. She mean all day." Eva said.

"Really? Well, wow. That's kind of amazing! I see why she makes that face now. She really looks like if you made her mad, she'd let you have it!" Liam said. "But the point is, you look friendlier, open? It makes your far more beautiful. Can I ask you a weird question? Is your sister that way? Or your brother? Are they posh?"

Eva laughed. "Posh? Snotty? Yes, they both were super popular and stuck up. I mean, we grew up with the beach as our backyard. Lex and Andrew had their pick of friends and they only picked the best. Why?"

"That's why the other kids didn't talk to you. They took your shyness the wrong way. Assumed you didn't want friends. That's why that boy was so proud of himself. He thought he bagged a stuck up, too good for anyone, chick."

Eva thought about it for a while, wondering if all of her problems were her own fault. If she wasn't so dang afraid of things, maybe her life would have been different. Making friends here, in Europe, had been almost easy. She had Dylan, Emma and Marian. Three friends. She hadn't really thought about it before. Being with Dylan had made it easier to be open. More herself. Away from that family reputation, she had blossomed. Maybe her plan had worked. "Liam?" Eva said. "When did you get so wise?"

"No idea, Love. Most if the time I have no idea what's going on!" he laughed. "Race you to the shower?"

"You can go first." Eva said. "I'll wait."

"I was inviting you to join me, Evie. I'll wash your back, if you'll wash mine?"

Eva smiled, determined to be more open and less afraid. "It's a race? Okay. You got it. GO!" She yelled. She pushed Liam down and ran."I'm going to get you for that, Evangeline Stuart!" Liam yelled, scrambling to his feet.

"I'd like to see you try!" she giggled, taunting him from the bathroom.

Liam didn't think he'd ever want to shower so badly in his life.