High Maintenance (Liam Payne AU)

Part 26

"I think that's everyone, Genny. Looks like everyone is coming, so 12 people. You will remember them all from the clean up." Liam was reading his email. He was supposed to be working. He had to go into Fairbanks tomorrow and stay overnight for meetings. She was making him a list of things she still needed. She had made lists of everything. Which appetizers she was making, how many burgers she needed to make, how many bags of chips to buy and what kind, how much pop, how much beer, what desserts she was making. There were so many lists that she almost made a list of her lists.

"Oh, god. Some of your friends are vegetarians, right?" Gen was panicking again.

Liam nodded. "Dale and Sara." Gen grabbed a pencil and added black bean burgers to Liam's list. She walked away, mumbling about cheese. Liam turned back to his computer. He had an email from Sophia. He hadn't opened it. He didn't want to know if she was coming or not. He didn't want her in his house, but she was part of the group. She had to be invited. He shuttered to think what would happen to their group if any other couples broke up. Who got to stay in the group? So far, he had been the one to stay in the group. But what if Lou and Rachel broke up? Or Jake and Haley? Years of friendship gone. He didn't want to NOT include Sophia, they were her friends, too. It wasn't fair of him to take all of her friends away. He clicked the email. Scanning quickly he found her answer. Yes. She was coming and driving with Jessica, Emma, Dale and Sara. She had always close with Jessica. Well, he wasn't telling Genny. He'd just buy extra of everything. She didn't need extra stress.

He dropped Gen off at her dad's before leaving. He didn't want her to be alone overnight. She kissed him quickly and ran into the store. "Hey, Dad!" she called.

"Hey, Honey! I'm in the back. Got a shipment."

Gen was glad he was busy. She needed to do something and not have anyone ask her any questions. She ran down the health and beauty aisle, stopping in front of the woman's products. It was still there. One pregnancy test. It was dusty. She grabbed it, stuck it in her bag, and moved things around to fill in the hole it left. Turning, she ran out of the store, though the back, kissed her dad and hurried up the stairs so fast that Carl was left behind with Bob.

In the bathroom, she opened the box and read the directions. Pee and wait. She could do that. Plus, pregnant. Minus, not. Easy. She took the test, setting on the counter and waited. It took no time. She watched as the  liquid moved down the test, a pink plus sign appeared in the window. It didn't even give her a chance to hope for a minus. She wrapped it up in toilet paper stuffed it back in the box and wrapped the box for good measure. She put the entire thing in her bag and took it into the kitchen. Looking in the trash, she found a box that had once held cereal. She put the test in the box and then pushed the cereal box under some nasty looking banana peels. Still worried, she opened the fridge, grabbed and egg and smashed it on the box and peels. Nodding, she walked down the stairs, trying to not think about what just happened.

She stood behind the counter of the store, hoping to earn some money for all of the things she was about to have to do, wondering about what to do. She wasn't telling Liam. Not until she saw a doctor. Four days. She was leaving in four day. He would be home tomorrow afternoon. They would do all of the last minute party things. People would come. There were staying until the afternoon of the first. Except Niall. He was staying until the 3rd and flying out of Eagle, with her, to Anchorage. Then he got on his plane and she got on hers. The only time she wouldn't be busy was the 2nd and really, she would be. She'd have to pack everything at Liam's, then go to her dad's and pack there. She was staying the night there, at her dads. Then she left.

It would be fine. She'd see a doctor and then call him. They could decide what to do then. She didn't even know how pregnant she was. No point in telling him anything, yet. She reached for the trashcan and threw up everything she'd eaten for past week.

Gen decided to do some research, trying to figure out when she'd gotten pregnant. They had used a condom every single time. Except at the hotel pool. But, according to everything she'd read, if she had gotten pregnant then, she wouldn't even know yet. The last time she'd had her period was August. Before that, May? She thought? She needed to see a doctor.

Liam picked her up early afternoon, on the 31st of December. She took everything he'd purchased and finished everything that needed to be finished. He cleaned the cabin, just to be sure and pulled all of his extra chairs from the pantry. Everything felt rushed. Before she could blink, people were arriving and she was helping people store their bags and hung coats in the pantry. Liam was showing the house to the people who'd never been there and Gen was setting out appetizers.

One last car pulled up and parked by the barn. Five people piled out of the car. Gen watched out the window as Liam greet each person. The last person he hugged was Sophia. Sophia was here. He didn't tell her she was coming. She stumbled back and sat on the steps, head between her legs, trying to breath. Rachel saw her and hurried over. "Are you okay, Gen?" she asked.

"Sophia is here."

Rachel's head turned so fast it was a blur. "That rat bastard. Nobody likes her except Jessica. Nobody. Why can't that girl take a hint?"

Gen looked back out the window and saw Liam lead her over to Lucy. Lucy's box was right by the puppies, so they could all still play together. She watched as she petted Bo, then Mac. She reached for Carl and he growled at her, barring his teeth. "Good dog!" Gen muttered. Sophia tried to pet him again, but he wasn't having it. Sophia turned to Liam and said something. Gen wished she could read lips. Liam reached down, petted Carl and said something to him. Sophia reached out again. This time he not only growled, he snapped at her, too. She reached out and smacked his nose. That was all Gen could take. She burst out of the house, screaming. "Don't you DARE smack my dog! Don't you DARE!"

Carl saw her and pulled at his chain, trying to get to her. "Excuse me? Your dog? He's mine. And Liam's. Lucy is my dog. Lucy is his mother."

Gen looked at Liam, waiting for him to say something. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Gen looked back at Carl and whistled for him. She watched with glee as he busted out of his collar and ran for her, nearly knocking her down in joy. She looked back at Sophia. "He's MY dog." she said, then turned and went back into the cabin.