Till Death us do part...(Liam Payne) Book 3 of Evie/Liam

Part 29

 They were at The Stuart house early the next morning. All of them were exhausted, but they couldn't sleep until decisions were made. Lex, Andrew, Eva and their mom drove into town to talk to the funeral director. Liam crawled into Eva's bed and fell asleep.

They wouldn't let either girl see their father until he was "ready" which really freaked Eva out. What did that mean? She shuttered at the thought. Gwen wanted everything done as soon as possible. It was decided that they could receive visitors on Saturday and Sunday. The funeral would be Monday. The funeral home would deal with all of the arrangements. Luckily, Eva's mother and father had prearranged their funeral years ago, making everything so much easier. He had included every detail down to the songs at the funeral and where he wanted the luncheon held. Gwen had brought a suit and cufflinks for Davidson to wear. She became hysterical when she realized she had forgotten socks. "Mom. It's okay. Andrew said he'll run them back up. It's okay." Eva tried to comfort her mother.

Gwen leaned forward in her chair and touched Eva's face. "I'm sorry I've ruined your wedding, Evangeline. I'm truly sorry."

"It's not your fault, mom. Things happen. I'm not angry." Eva patted her mother's knee. Gwen had never been a hugger.

"Unless you have anymore questions for me, I have everything I need." said the funeral director and he shook Andrew's hand.

"Okay, girls" Andrew said. "The lawyers want to see us right after the funeral. I know he left me the house and before I go in there and except it, I want to make sure you are okay with it? It's where you grew up. Mom is staying. Lex, I'm sure you are staying, but Eva? What do you want done?"

"I don't really care, Andrew. It's just house. Paint my room black and keep chickens in for all I care, really."

"Okay. You always have such a way with words, Eve, you weirdo." He gave her a playful shove. "Oh, and one more thing. Lex, when they ask you if you want your trust fund now, say no. It needs more time to mature. If you take it now, you will be missing millions. Eva, you are fine. It would have been yours in less than a year.  Understand? They are going to use fancy Lawyer words. Just, trust me, okay?" Andrew pulled them both in for a hug. "We will be fine. Mom is a basket case, but we will be fine."

Once Eva made it back to the house and her bedroom, she was completely beyond tired. She pulled off her jeans and shirt and crawled into bed with Liam. "You are on my side." Eva said, pushing him over. She laid down, felt Liam grab her and pull her into him and then she fell dead asleep.

Hours later, Andrew stuck his head in her door. "Wake up. It's almost dinner and mom wants everyone to eat together. In the dining room."

"In the what?" Eva asked. "Do we still have one? I haven't seen it in years."

"Yep. Apparently she didn't have it removed during the last remodel. Who knew?" Andrew laughed.

He left the room and she poked Liam. "Wake up, Li"

"I don't want to." He pulled her closer and rubbed his face on her hair.

"We need to. We haven't showered in over 24 hours. And we are expected at dinner."

"Shower? I might like a shower. Am I allowed to shower with you?I've never stayed an entire night here. Can we use the outdoor shower?" Liam sounded excited.

"Uh, no on the outdoor shower. It's October. It's pretty cold out. And are you sure you never spent an entire night here?" Eva asked.

"Positive. I took you right home after you yelled at your mom when we got back together. You didn't want to spend another night here, remember?"

"Uh. Okay, well, I guess that means you've never even seen the entire house? Wow. Well, today you get to see the dinning room! It's a magical place we weren't sure even existed but we had heard rumors about people eating in there off of plates!" she giggled.

"You are ridiculous." he said, kissing the side of her head. "But I think we should get ready. I really do want a shower." He stood up and went over to his suitcase. "Which door is the bathroom?"

"Oh, none of them. That is my closet and that door goes to Andrew's room." Liam gave her an odd look. "Yes. It's weird, but when we first moved in her, after my grandfather died, their was no door, just big archways? This is the nursery, all four bedrooms were open to each other and there was a door right at the top of the stairs? Where you turn left to come this way? It was walled off and there was a door. That way, the parents never had to see the children. That hallway back there connects to Lex's room and she is connected to the spareroom. I brought you up the back stairs, remember?"

Liam looked around. "Christ, that is so weird."

"You haven't seen anything yet. This house is full of secrets." she winked. "The bathroom is in the hallway. Grab your stuff and come on."

Once they were ready, Eva took him down to the dinning room. They sat in the hardback chairs and waited to see what would happen. "Hey,Liam?" she whispered. "Is it Friday?"

He laughed at her and whispered back, "Yes."

"What was my charm for today?"

"Don't do this to yourself." Liam pleaded.

"I want to know!"

He sighed. "It was a heart. Just a plain heart."

"Why?"

"Why are you torturing yourself?" Liam asked. She just looked at him, waiting. He sighed again and he said, "It was my heart and I was giving to you for safe keeping. Okay?" He looked away from her.

Eva touched his face and made him look at her. He had tears in his eyes. "That is beautiful, Liam." He nodded. "This is sick, but I am glad you are just as sad as me." She leaned in and kissed him. "Thank you for being here."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Liam smiled and gave her another kiss.

Just then, her mother walked in, carrying a tray of food. Chicken, she thought? Behind her came Andrew with a bowl of corn and behind him, Cindy had mashed potatoes. Eva was shocked. "Where is your sister?" her mother asked.

Lex came running in, pulling Niall. "Right here. Sorry. Holy crap. Is that food? Who made it?"

"Cindy." her mother said. And then she smiled. It was amazing. She let everyone fill their plates before she began her real agenda."Okay, let's just get everything out in the open. Andrew and Cindy will be moving in at the start of next year. I've already began the process of moving out of the master and into the mother in law suite. Nothing else should change. Lex finishes school. I've taken a leave form work so I can grieve for your father. I may not go back to work. I may decide to retire. I just need to see how I feel when we get back to normal."

"Mom, " Andrew said "You don't need to move. We don't need the master."

"That suite is there for a reason. My mother in law, your grandmother, lived their for years."

Andrew just rolled his eyes. "Fine, mom."

"Okay, that being settled, let's eat. Oh, and Niall? I've opened one of the guest rooms for you. Lex can show you where after dinner."

"Mother! Why does Eva get to keep Liam in her room? It's not fair."Lex cried.

"You are not married or engaged. We've already discussed the age difference. I won't go over this again." Gwen said. Niall decided the best course of action was to just keep eating so he couldn't speak.

Lex threw down her fork and stomped out of the room. Niall rolled his eyes, took another big bite, then followed her.

"Talk about fish eggs!" Eva whispered to Liam, making him choke on his food as he tried not to laugh.