The Risk Takers

Part 24 | An Ellie or A Liam?

I sit in my parking garage next to my house for a solid twenty minutes as I debate what to do next. Liam's car is parked beside me, which makes sense seeing he currently isn't working. I know he's going to be mad at my impulsiveness but the deed is done. There is no way I can shove my pride down a hole and beg to get my job back. They'd probably make me apologize to Tristan too and from the sunshine spilling into my car at the moment ,it seems that hell has in fact not frozen over yet.

When I realize I have to pee I know I have to get out of my car. I know I have to go inside and face Liam but I really, really don't want to. A part of me wanted to call my mom and explain to her what's been going on but I don't think I could bare it if she was disappointed in me. I didn't bother calling Harper since I know she's swamped at work and I'm pretty sure Lily has enough problems on her own without trying to help me with mine. The only person left is the one person I don't want to face right now. I don't want to be in trouble with Liam.

I finally pluck up the courage to leave the safe confines of my car when my bladder forces me to and I haul the heavy duffel bag over my shoulder before leaving the garage. My high heels click on the sidewalk and I'm sure Liam can hear my footsteps as I come up the front door. I push the door open and find Liam sitting in his pajama bottoms hunched over a bowl of cereal on the counter. I watch as he becomes confused when he sees me, with his mouth full of Honey Nut Cheerios. I continue to walk toward him and when I am a few inches away, I drop my bag right at his feet. I watch as he catches my diploma sticking out of the zipper and with wide eyes he looks back to me, "They fired you already?"

I pull out the stool next to him and reply, "Not exactly." He pushes his bowl away from him and looks to me to continue.

"I may have...quuuuiiiiitttt," I reply, wincing as I drag out the dreaded word. Liam tilts his head, at a loss for words so I explain, "Tristan was a total fucking douche to me Liam, you would have knocked his block off if you saw how he talked to me today. And, either Kavanaugh or Peabody told Tristan about what happened with me and Topher, which means most people in the office probably know too. I was mortified and so sick of Tristan's shit that I just quit. I threw his case files all over the boardroom and stormed out."

I watch as a smile tugs at Liam's lips and I am surprised not to see him livid. His big blue eyes look to me and he replies, "Well good for you for sticking up for yourself. At least you didn't get so mad that your abilities didn't some how, I dunno catch the room on fire or throw Tristan around the room like a rag doll."

I actually hadn't thought of that. Usually when I am under duress or extremely pissed off I discover a new ability. Tristan is lucky I hadn't miraculously incinerated all of his case files. Coffee seems like nothing now.

"I managed to keep my abilities under control but not my temper. I quit Liam, which means we are both currently unemployed. I don't get severance or unemployment." I frown as he spins on his stool to face me and I notice little dark cowlicks all over his head. I don't know the last time Liam has gotten to sleep in so it makes sense that he is just now getting up. He grabs my hand when he says, "I'm not unemployed, just not working. There's a difference. I still have good health insurance. We'll be fine, we were always good at saving so we'll figure it out. Did you call the doctor?"

I shake my head and then Liam slides his cellphone over to me. I sigh as I look up the number and moments later, I am making an appointment for this afternoon. They had a last minute opening so I decided to snag it. Liam smiles to me as I hand him his phone back and we both sit on the stools looking at each other.

"Well, I'll be damned. I don't think we have a clue what to do with ourselves," Liam says and I let out a light laugh, "We've been work horses for ten years. It's weird to have a day off without work on the back of our minds."

"Well we now have all the time in the world to plan our Virginia trip. I think if the appointment goes well today we should plan on leaving as soon as Harper does. The sooner we figure this mess out the better."

I agree with him and we remain slumped over on our stools. Liam's behavior has been surprising me lately and I realize I always picture the worst outcomes when it comes to him. I need to stop doing that as I have been wrong on multiple occasions now, not that I'd ever admit that out loud. He pats my knee and says, "I'm going to get showered and then get ready to see our baby." He smiles before heading upstairs and my heart flips at his words. I can't believe Liam and I are having a baby and neither of us is completely freaking out yet. I figure after my appointment it's probably wise to fill my parents in on my life changing event and I'll let Harper know when she gets out here.

I stand from my stool and slowly walk around my kitchen, putting things away and organizing counter space that has been a disaster for months. I slowly make it to my living room where I fold blankets that have been balled up on the couch and toss our shoes into the corner by the front door. I continue to pick up around my living room since I hardly ever had time to clean before so it's nice to get some simple organizing done. I open the window that sits behind my white linen sofa and the fresh air swirls around the open space. With my hands on my hips I look around my clean living room and am actually looking forward to organizing the rest of house. After that I can go through my closet and cupboards and find things to get rid of. I can go buy that chaise for my bedroom I have been lusting after for weeks now that Liam has time to haul it home. I can repaint our master bathroom and go get new fixtures for our sinks and bathtub. And then I realize, I get to put together an entire nursery.

I watch as a freshly showered Liam flounces down our stairs and when he finds me I excitedly say, "You're right. We are going to be okay. I can keep busy while we figure this out. Maybe a break is exactly what I needed." I need to keep telling myself this over and over so I don't have a panic attack.

He smiles and I can smell his soapy smell as it fills the living room. I watch as he tucks his phone into his pocket and I notice his badge isn't clipped to his belt. The small difference is jarring but I don't point it out. I'm sure it's weird for him too.

He looks around the clean downstairs and says, "The house looks nice. This could be a nice perk of not working."

I nod, "Not only that but I just realized if all goes well today, I get to spend the next eight months decorating a nursery! I get to paint, buy furniture and art and set up the whole space! And the best part is, you can't tell me no." I laugh an evil laugh knowing Liam despises shopping with me. He smirks back to me and says, "Oh yay, another reason for you to go shopping." I laugh and I skip over to grab his hand. He kisses me lightly and says, "Let's go see the thing that will be bleeding me dry for the next eighteen years." 

I roll my eyes at his sarcasm and as we walk to the door I ask, "So what do you think I'm cookin up in here, an Ellie or a Liam?" He studies my face for a second before glancing to my torso, "For my hairlines sake I hope a Liam." I laugh again and we continue our way to the car.