certain things

20.

"So, I think my mum, Karen, along with Emily, Harry and Nolan are waiting for us." I smiled at Gemma, excited to finally meet their baby.

The plane stopped at the gate and we stood up, retrieving our carry on bags. We slowly made our way out of the plane and down the terminal, into the airport. I felt my nerves build the closer we got to baggage claim and I finally spotted the most important people in my life. I broke out into a run and launched myself into Karen and Anne's awaiting arms.

"Look at you!" Karen exclaimed, pulling away from the hug and I moved over to Harry and Emily, cooing down at the small baby in a carriage.

"He's so precious." I smiled and Emily hugged me after Harry.

"So, dinner is at my house and I made your favorite." Karen wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we waited for our bags.

I spotted my two suitcases and lugged them behind me as we began walking to the cars. I rode with Harry and Emily, sitting in the back with Nolan. I couldn't get over how cute he was. He had Harry's green eyes and Emily's blonde hair. I remember just a few hours after Gemma got to my apartment in New York, we got a call that Emily was going into labor.

"No new tattoos or piercings?" Harry asked and I laughed a little, letting Nolan hold my pinky in his tiny hands.

"Maybe." I teased, thinking about the tattoo on my wrist that I got with Lucas one night. "Like you can say anything, Haz." I laughed and he pouted as Emily laughed. "So, how's parenthood?"

"Exhausting." They said at the same time, making me laugh.

"I swear, all he does is poop, eat and cry." Emily shook her head and I frowned.

"I can watch him sometime for you guys." I offered, looking down at the half asleep baby.

"Oh god, I will pay you." Harry groaned and I smiled a little.

We pulled up to the house and got out, me taking Nolan with me, and walked inside. I was greeted by the familiar scent and I smiled, beyond happy to be home. I ventured into the kitchen and found everyone else, Anne pulling something off of the stove. We all lined up with our bowls and she dished us out the chicken noodle soup that I loved. I could never get enough of it.

We sat down at the table and conversation floated around the dining room, making me smile to myself. I laughed at something Gemma said and suddenly the front door opened. In stepped the one person I had yet to see. I looked up from my soup and Liam was staring directly at me. His mouth fell open and I now noticed the slight stubble adorning his jaw. I swallowed hard and Karen finally broke the silence.

"Liam, why don't you pull up a chair?" She smiled and he nodded, walking into the kitchen.

Shit, the only open seat was next to me. I took a hesitant bite of my soup and everyone began talking again, as if nothing had happened. Liam returned a minute later and his eyes fell on me before he took the chair to my right. I tensed up and Gemma obviously noticed, giving me a smile. I weakly returned it and my stomach dropped when his phone lit up with a text from Adriana.

I didn't even read it before I got up and made my way to the kitchen. I said that I was getting a drink and I went in, leaning myself against the counter. I heard footsteps so I looked up, only to see Liam standing there with his hands in his pockets and a small smile on his face. I took a drink of my water and kept silent.

"What?" I raised my eyebrows as he kept looking at me. "Take a damn picture." I muttered and stood up, ready to go back to the table.

"Sam," Liam sighed and I shook my head when he reached out for me.

"I'm not doing this right now." I said and backed away from him. "All I want is to enjoy a nice dinner with my family."

"Are you coming back to the apartment tonight?" Liam asked and I nodded.

"Where else am I gonna go?" I snapped and left him in the kitchen, going back to the dining room.

I sat back down next to Gemma and she gave my hand a squeeze when Liam came back too. Soon enough, it was time to go back home. I got into my car that I left at Anne's house and began the drive to London. I drove in silence, jet lag catching up to me, and I finally made it to the apartment. Liam was already there and I dreaded going inside.

I got my suitcases and made my way inside to see him pacing the kitchen. I brushed past Liam and went to my room, dropping my luggage down. I sighed to myself, sitting on the edge of my bed, and tugged at the roots of my hair. God, I really don't want to have this conversation with him. It was bound to happen though. I mean, I can't ignore him forever. I wish.

"Sam," I looked up and Liam was leaning against the door frame of my room. "Please talk to me."

"What do you want me to say? You're the one who ignored me for five months." I looked him dead in the eye and Liam tugged at his brown hair.

"I'm sorry." He uttered. "I should have been more supportive and not gotten all pissy about it."

"That doesn't excuse how you treated me before I left." I pointed out. "Okay, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner, but I was scared of leaving." I trailed off and Liam frowned.

"Why were you scared?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"I didn't want to be away from you for that long."