High Maintenance (Liam Payne AU)

Part 23

They returned home from their trip loaded down with everything they needed for their first Christmas together. They had a tree, decorations, and stockings that matched except his had a large L on it and hers had a G. They bought presents for his parents and hers. She had bought all of the dry goods she needed for a New Year's party, along with cheeses and frozen foods. Liam brought an ice chest and they bought dry ice for the ride home. She was pretty sure she had every kind of candy they sold at Target.

Gen had been online, ordering things to put in Liam's stocking and his present, an iPod Touch for him to listen to on long trips. Everything was delivered to her dad, just waiting for her to buy wrapping paper. Liam had left her at one point so he could buy her a present. She used the time to buy her mother a blanket that was being sold my a Native Alaskan woman, outside the mall. The woman explained that it was made of wool that she's sheered, dyed, spun and knit herself. It was warm and would look nice in her mother's living room.

When they had finished decorating, Gen stood back and looked at what they had done. They had put the tree in the corner, next to the fireplace. Then they had wrapped it red garland that sparkled when the lights on the tree were lit. It was covered in shiny red and gold bulbs with a large golden star on the top. The skirt around the bottom of the tree was red and gold plaid, to match the bulbs. Under the tree, there were two presents, his which she'd wrapped in bright red paper and hers, which was small and had been wrapped at the store. She knew it had to have been, because every fold was perfect. She couldn't see Liam worrying about that. Also, it was sliver. She hadn't bought silver paper.

When you stood outside the house, the tree looked like a magical Christmas card scene. Gen had made Liam sit in front of it, with her and Carl, to take a picture. She'd already posted it on facebook as her Merry Christmas to all of her friends.

She had put green garland that came pre-lit with golden lights, on the mantel, winding around candles that were also gold. They were electric because she didn't know when they would get to buy more. She had to make these last. They flickered, making shadows dance on the ceilings. She had also bought gold reindeer that were for hanging stockings, She placed one on each side of the fireplace opening and hung their new red stocking that were embroidered with their initials.

Liam didn't own a coffee table and had refused to buy one just so she could decorate it. They compromised on more green garland that she wrapped around the handles of the staircase. At the bottom of each side she'd tied a red bows. The staircase was directly across from the front door and she'd insisted it had to be decorated. It set the whole scene, she'd explained. It made the house feel welcoming. "No one is coming over! We are having Christmas at my mom's!" he'd said.

"Well, it makes me feel welcome when I come over!" she'd replied.

Liam rolled his eyes. "You never leave! Why do you need to be welcomed?"

Gen had burst into tears, something the seemed to happen constantly, lately. She got emotional about everything. She cried when she was happy. She cried when she was sad. She cried when she was angry. Now, she was crying because he hurt her feelings. Even she knew she was being unreasonable, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. "Well, then!" she sobbed. "I'll just go home!" She had turned and taken the truck keys off the table. She was out the door and in the truck while Liam was still yelling, "Jesus Christ! What is wrong with YOU?" He'd let her drive away, choosing to wait until the next day and let her calm down.

He'd come to get his truck the next day on his snow machine, finding her laying in her bed. He had crawled next to her and hugged her from behind. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

Gen had smiled. "I'm sorry I'm acting so crazy. I have no idea what's wrong with me! Even I know that I'm acting like a baby. I just can't stop it!"