Hopeful fighter

CHAPTER 12

Hope is sitting on her bed and seems shocked. "Liam is back", she thinks. She doesn't know how to manage this situation. She wants to tell Abby about her father but she is scared that she will run away. So, ten minutes later, Hope decides to text Liam.

Hope:" Hey Liam, it's Hope. I know you are back in town and even if things have been awkward and painful between us, I need to talk to you about something important."

A few minutes later, Liam responds.

Liam:" Hi Hope, it's good to hear from you. Yes, I am back, when and where would you like to meet?"

Hope:" I am staying here in Millcity, Oregon because I am playing against Canada next week. Do you want to come to the hotel? It is Marriott Hotel, in Millcity"

Liam:" Sounds good to me, I am on my way"

30 MINUTES LATER

Liam:" Hope, I am here. Where is your room?"

Hope:" Second floor, room number 206"

Hope hears few knocks on the door and, as she opens it, she finally sees him. Liam Johnston, her first love and Abigail's father. Liam, on the other hand, seems happy as well and embraces Hope in a warm, long hug.

Liam:" Gosh, Hope it's been so long! I am so sorry if I disappeared like that, leaving you alone. It's just.... I am a shithead and I screwed up"

Hope:" It's fine. I've forgiven you a long time ago. Why are you back?"

Liam:" The army sent me home. I got shot several times and I needed medical help so I came back. I've been through hell for the past 15 years and I regret leaving you like that every single day"

Hope:" You have hurt me so much Liam"

Liam:" I know and I am sorry. I was a jerk in college, I wanted to party, to drink and to have sex. I liked being that jerk, young wild and free, but then you came along and I knew I was fucked up. I was in love with you Hope, but I wasn't able to express my feelings and so I screwed up. I am sorry if I left you"

Hope:" As I said before I've forgiven you. And yes, you screwed up and left me in ashaming conditions but after we hooked up at that party Liam, I got pregnant with Abigail, my baby. Our baby. And right now, 15 years later, she has become my pride and she damn looks just like you"

Liam:" Really? I would like to meet her, one day"

Hope:" Shit, I forgot. She is coming back right now"

Liam:" What the fuck? She is staying here with you?"

Hope:" Yes, I won the trial against her adoptive parents and she is staying here with me. She has been through hell these days and I don't want you to meet her, she is not ready. So..."

The door opens and Abigail enters the room, shocked at the sight of her mother and a stranger holding each other hands.

Abigail:" Hum, will someone please explain what has been going on here?"

Hope:" Yes, so Abigail this is Liam Johnston. Liam, this is Abigail, my daughter"

Liam:" It's nice to meet you Abigail"

Abigail:" Yeah same. Are you guys together?"

Liam:" No, but we were. A long time ago"

Abigail:" Oh and why...?"

Hope:" Hum Liam you should probably get going, it's bed time for us"

Liam:" Oh shit, yes I'm sorry.. Bye swe.... hum I mean by Hope and bye Abigail. It was nice to meet you"

Abigail:" You too, goodnight"

As the door closes, Abigail starts questioning her mother.

Abigail:" Okay, that was weird. Who is Liam?"

Hope:" As I told you, he was my boyfriend, a long time ago"

Abigail:" Be more precise"

Hope:" I don't like this conversation, why are you asking me about Liam?"

Abigail:" Because it seems to me that you two are not over"

Hope:" There are many things that will never separate us"

Abigail:" Like what?"

Hope:" Hum... Honey I don't feel like talking about it now"

Abigail:" Why not?"

Hope:" Because my past is not crystal clear and you are not ready to know some things"

Abigail:" But Ho..."

Hope:" I'm sorry Abby. Not right now. It's bed time"

Abigail:" Oh, fine... goodnight Hopey I love you"

Hope:" I love you too honey"

Abigail can't sleep. She knows that there is something between Hope and Liam and she wants to know everything. She decides to walk through the corridors and she finally arrives in a small living room where she finds Mallory.

Abigail:" Mal? What are you doing here?"

Mal:" Oh hey Abby! I couldn't fall asleep so I came here to watch a movie. Do you want to join me?"

Abby:" Sure! What were you watching?"

Mal:" I was about to choose " the fault in our stars"

Abby:" I love that movie. I cried like crazy the first time I watched it"

Mal:" Mm.... yeah it seems so real to me, and painful"

Abby:" How can you say that?" (interested)

Mal:" Because... I lost my father like that... he died after a cancer, and this movie reminds me of him, of how beautiful, and kind and brave he was... I miss him so much Abby" (crying)

Abby immediately hugs her friend and whips away her tears. Mallory usually is a rock and seeing her fragile and weak upsets Abby. She has become like a sister to her and Abigail doesn't want to let her go. So they start cuddling and suddenly Mal asks Abby something that has tormented her for the whole night.

Mal:" Abby, who is that hot man with blond hair that came out of your room?"

Abby:" That was Liam Johnston. He used to be my mom's boyfriend but there must be something more. I saw the way they look at each other and there is something that connects them. I am dying to know more about him. Do you want to help me?"

Mal:" Oh count me in bae!"

Hey, this was chapter 12. Let me know what you think! Thanks for sticking in with me! I really appreciate your support!