High Maintenance (Liam Payne AU)

Part 18

Liam was up early the next morning, using the electric griddle to make pancakes. Harry and Niall smelled the food and emerged from their tent. "Morning Guys! The bus for the tour will be here at 9. Eat up."

"Thanks, man!" Harry said. "And Happy Birthday! 23. You're old."

"Shut up, Harry." Naill said. "I'm 23 in two weeks. And you are in 4 months."

"Ya, but Liam will always be older than me." Harry grinned, spearing some pancakes with a fork.

Gen appeared next, with her shower kit. "Morning." she said.

Liam stopped what he was doing and turned to hug her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Good morning, Genny." he whispered. "How do you feel? Are you okay? I decided to let you sleep."

Gen looked up, smiling. "I'm okay. I'm a bit sore? I don't know how else explain it. But I'm so happy."

Liam kissed her, holding her close. "I love you, Genny. You are amazing."

"I'll never forget our night together, Liam. You made it everything I ever wanted it to be. I'm glad I waited."

Liam held her close, just happy to be with her. "The bus will be here a 9. You still want to do the tour, right?" She nodded, not letting him go.

Louis popped out of his tent. "Hey! Pancakes! Happy Birthday, old man!"

"Shut up, Lou! You are older than me!" Liam called.

Gen froze. "It's your birthday? But, you didn't tell me? I didn't know. I don't have anything for you!"

"I don't care, Genny. This is the best birthday I've ever had." Liam kissed her again. "Go get ready. It's going to be great."

The tour bus was right on time. They spent the entire day driving around and seeing all of the sights at Yellowstone: buffalo, hot springs, the fountain paint pots, and waterfalls. They had lunch at one of the hotels, enjoying being with each other.

Louis and Rachel also came on the tour, still in a state of giddy happiness. She watched as Lou spent the entire day treating Rachel like she was made of glass. He walked next to her, gripping her hand, making sure her path was clear so she wouldn't fall. He opened all her doors and pulled out all of her chairs. He made her drink water anytime she even looked tired. We wanted to carry her, but Louis wasn't exactly tall enough. Lou liked to say he was an inch taller than her, but in truth, it more like half an inch. Rachel laughed at his effort and tried to reassure him that she wouldn't break.

"He loves her so much." Gen sighed, smiling. "She is so lucky."

Liam laughed. "Uh, Lou is lucky. He can be a total ass and he's lucky she thinks he's funny."

"I just hope someone loves me like that one day." she said.

Liam looked over at her. "Someone already does." Gen turned to him, tears in her eyes. He leaned down, giving her a gentle kiss. Gen buried herself in his shirt, trying to not cry. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

She nodded. "You just make me so happy." she said. He smiled and kissed the top of her head thinking that he was pretty happy, too.

By the time they returned to the campsite, they were exhausted, thinking only of sleeping. Harry and Niall took the car to find pizza while everyone else thought about naps. Gen had fallen asleep in moments, almost before her head hit her pillow. Liam laid on his back, playing with his cell phone when he heard her's go off, making her 'you have a text' ding. He looked over and grabbed it, reading the message, more out of habit than anything.