High Maintenance (Liam Payne AU)

Part 32

Bob stayed for a week, trying to do what he could to help. He put together a crib and changing table. He fixed all of the little things her mother didn't know how to, from a leaking sink to the light over the stove in the kitchen. He put plastic covers over all of the power outlets. He took her to a doctor appointment, getting to hear his grandson's heartbeat. He even added to the list of good names and added Arden to the reject list. He wasn't keen on Julian either. He preferred Robert or Everest. His grandson needed a manly name. Gen added Parker (because after all, this baby was made in a national park) or Stone, which both of her parents rejected. Stone wasn't a name, her father had said, and neither was Rock, Boulder or Pebble, so she shouldn't even try those. It had become a game in her house, let's name the baby. She was nearly convinced on Parker, but both her parents wanted Liam's okay before deciding on anything. She didn't think Liam should get a say because he had broken her heart.

Before her father went back to Alaska, he gave her two weeks to tell Liam or he would. He told her that Liam had every right to know and that there was no Sophia. He'd never seen Liam with a girl and she needed to straighten it out, let Liam explain. She wasn't being fair to him. She must had misunderstood something. It didn't sound like the Liam he knew. She promised to try.

Gen: Sophia told me not to call you.

Liam: Genny? Gen? Are you speaking to me? What are you talking about? When did you talk to Sophia? She has no right to talk to you. Did she call you?

Gen: She answered YOUR phone.

Liam: What? When? Where? I don't understand!

Gen: She ANSWERED YOUR phone. She told me what you did.

Liam: What did I do?

Liam: What did I do???

Liam: Genny? What did I do?

Gen couldn't answer. It hurt to even type the word 'Carl.' She set the phone aside. She'd try again later. She still had a week and a half to meet her father's ultimatum. She was still trying to figure out the right words. How do you tell someone that they are going to be a father, but that you don't ever want to see them again? And was that even fair? Didn't he have the right to see his child? But, he'd broken her heart, getting rid of her dog and if he could do that, break that promise, why would he want to see the baby?

Liam texted everyday, asking what he had done. Rachel sent her updates on her baby girl, who they had decided to name Kayla. She also asked what Liam had done and assured Gen that Sophia was not in the picture, in anyway. She still could think of the right words. All that came out was 'how could you.' Before she knew it, it was March and she had run out of time.

Dad: I'm telling him. He just left for his first dog race. He misses you and want to know how you are, if you are okay. He will be home in two days. The second I see him, I'm telling him.

Gen: Please don't

Dad: You need to do the right thing then.

The next day, her phone rang. It was her father. He never called. He texted. He didn't like long conversations. He didn't want awkward pauses and uncomfortable goodbyes. He just wasn't a phone person. She answered, knowing that something must be wrong. "Hello?"

"Gen? It's your dad."

Gen laughed. "I know! The phone tells me!"

"Okay, Okay! Not important." Bob said. "Listen honey, there has been an accident. Liam is missing."

Gen felt her stomach drop. Accident? Missing? "What? I don't understand."

She heard Bob take a breath. "Listen, I am on a plane, on my way to Fairbanks. Liam's team crossed the finish line, but he wasn't with the sled. They followed the route back and found some blood and drag marks."