The Love Story Between Sophie Thompson And Niall Horan

Chapter 123 Liam 29th Birthday and Justin Liam's 3rd Birthday

August 28th, 2022

Maya's Point of View

Today we're still visiting Liam's family in Wolverhampton. Tomorrow is a special day—it's Liam's 29th birthday and our second-born son Justin's 3rd birthday. The house is lively with everyone gathered together, and there's an unmistakable feeling of joy in the air.

Upstairs, in Liam's old bedroom, our newly one-year-old daughter Grace is taking her first nap of the day in a pack-and-play. She just turned one last month, on July 22nd, 2022. Through the baby monitor resting on the coffee table, I can see her sleeping soundly, cuddling her stuffed elephant, Ellie, as her little chest rises and falls in peaceful rhythm.

Downstairs, we're all gathered in the cozy living room. Liam's parents, Karen and Geoff, sit on the couch, their eyes sparkling as they watch our boys play. Nicola and Ruth, Liam's sisters, are perched nearby, laughing softly at something Ruth just said. Liam and I are nestled together on the other end of the couch. In the middle of the room, Bear and Justin are engrossed in building a tower out of blocks, their shared giggles filling the space.

"Bear, not that one!" Justin protests, snatching a block from his older brother's hand. His little face is scrunched up in determination.

Bear, ever the patient older sibling, shrugs and grins. "Okay, fine, you can have it. But this tower's gonna fall without it!"

Karen chuckles softly, leaning forward. "You two are like a little construction team," she says warmly. "Geoff, remember when Liam and Nicola used to argue over blocks like that?"

Geoff lets out a hearty laugh. "Oh, I do. Nicola always wanted to build castles, and Liam just wanted to knock them down."

Nicola rolls her eyes but smiles. "Sounds about right," she teases, nudging her brother.

Liam grins, throwing his arm over my shoulder. "What can I say? I was an agent of chaos."

I laugh, resting my hand on his knee. "Not much has changed," I tease him. "But you've mellowed out a bit, at least around the kids."

He leans in closer, pretending to whisper conspiratorially. "Don't tell them that. I've got a reputation to maintain."

Justin looks up from his block tower, his brow furrowed. "Daddy, what's a reputation?"

Everyone laughs, and Liam tilts his head in mock seriousness. "It's... when people think you're super cool. Like me."

Bear snorts, shaking his head. "Daddy, you're not that cool. Justin's cooler 'cause he's almost three!"

"That's true!" Justin exclaims, puffing his chest out proudly.

Geoff leans back in his chair, laughing so hard his shoulders shake. "Well, Liam, it seems you've been dethroned."

As the laughter dies down, Ruth points to the baby monitor. "Grace is so peaceful when she sleeps. I can't believe she's already one. Time's flying."

I nod, glancing at the screen. "I know. It feels like just yesterday she was this tiny newborn. Now she's starting to toddle around and has such a personality already."

Karen smiles wistfully. "She's such a sweetheart. And Bear and Justin are the best big brothers she could ask for."

"Except when they try to steal Ellie," Liam adds, winking at me.

I shake my head, smiling. "Well, they learned their lesson. No one messes with Ellie. She's Grace's best friend."

The conversation drifts to memories of when Liam and his sisters were children, filled with laughter and nostalgic stories. Bear and Justin finish their block tower, and Bear carefully places the last piece on top, beaming with pride.