High Maintenance (Liam Payne AU)

Part 13

Liam knocked on the backdoor of the store. Bob answered. "Hey, Liam. She's coming. Worried about the damn dog. He cries whenever she isn't here."

"Do you want me to take him? Leave him the others? My parents are going to be keeping an eye on everything for me. Carl will be fine." Liam asked.

"Naw. He needs to get used to it, right? Carl isn't going to be allowed to go back to Detroit. Her mother won't let it happen and he's not going to be allowed in the dorm. That dog is going to be a 60 pound monster. He's already pushing 25. Some runt." he said, rolling his eyes.

"Who knew, right?" Liam smiled. "That girl of yours is sure good with dogs. You know she taught him tricks right? Like, that sled dog dances." he laughed.

"Yep. That's my girl. Teaching a perfectly good working dog to dance. Go on up and get her. She hates leaving that dog."

Liam nodded and headed up the stairs. She was in her room, sitting on the floor, Carl in her lap. "Hey, Genny. You ready?"

"I'm just making sure Carl will be okay. He cries when I leave."

Liam sat on the floor next to her and put an arm around her, pulling her close. "He will be fine with your dad. Unless you want to take him to my place. He will be fine with the puppies."

Gen looked up, tears in her eyes. "Promise?"

"This isn't about camping, is it?" Liam asked. She shook her head. Liam grabbed her hands. "When you leave, I'll take Carl, okay? Is that what you want to hear? Are you worried he will be lonely?"

She nodded. "And me, too" she said, bursting into tears.

"Okay, let's not do this. Not now. You are staying for a few more months. Don't think about it now. Let's go have fun. We will take Carl to my place and he will be fine. Then, we need to get to Fairbanks or we will miss the plane, okay?"

Gen turned and looked at him. "Plane?"

Liam nodded. "We are going to Wyoming. Yellowstone? We do a different place every year. We've done everywhere here and have moved to the lower 48. Next year is the Grand Tetons."

Gen was looking at him, eyes wide. "Seriously? I've never been! Will I get to see a geyser?"

Liam laughed. "That's the plan. So, let's not miss that plane, okay? Stopping at my place with already set us back."

Gen leaned over and kissed Carl. "He will be fine! Let's go. I packed everything you said and look! My dad helped me put in all it that backpack you gave me! The sleeping bag hangs right there and there is even a small pillow in there! And, NO HAIRDRYER." She grinned at Liam. He laughed and gave her a hug. Pulling her to her feet, he kissed her and dragged her out of her room.

Hours later, they were on a plane, leaving Anchorage, with Liam's friends. She remembered them from oil spill clean up. Harry, of course, and Louis, his wife Rachel, and the person who had been missing Niall. The six of them had seats together, she and Liam with Harry and the other three across the aisle. It was an eight hour flight. She settled herself on Liam's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"So," she heard Harry start. "You and her? For real this time? She doesn't hate you anymore?"

Liam grinned. "She never hated me, man. I'm awesome."

"Yes, she did." she said, not opening her eyes or moving. She heard Harry laugh. She let a small smile cross her lips and Liam leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back, harder, moving herself into his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him over and over. Harry coughed and she opened her eyes and looked over at him. "Hi, Harry."