Who Would I Be Without You? //Ben Cook fanfic// *FINISHED*

Sixteen: Family Game Night

A/N: Bit of an early chapter this week! Hope you all enjoy! <3

"So tell me," Emma begins asking, helping me peel the potatoes for the family dinner Mom insists we should have, seeing as we haven't eaten together as a family since Christmas (excluding Nick and Kate that is).  "How's life been since moving to New York?"

I shrug, peeling my last potato and popping it into the pot next to the sink before getting a start on the carrots. "it's been okay, work at the theatre's been pretty fun, made some friends with the cast and crew...I may have met someone." 

Emma stopped mid peel and turned to me, raising an eyebrow at me. "What do you mean you met someone?" She asks curiously, a hint of suspicion lingers in her voice.

I sigh contently, smirking at her and begin peeling my first carrot. "Nothing, I just met someone." I tell her coyly, seeing her playful scowl out of the corner of my eye.

"Nuh uh! I refuse to accept just 'meeting someone' I need details!!" Emma snapped, laughing as I shush her, not wanting the rest of our family to hear. I'm so glad Mom and Dad went out to get the rest of the groceries they needed for the dinner.

"Okay okay! I'll tell you, but you can't tell Mom, Dad or Ben about it okay?" I ask and she nods enthusiastically, impatiently tugging on my arm, urging me to continue on with my story of this 'mystery someone.'

We sit down at the kitchen table and I begin to tell her everything. From when Ben was sick with food poisoning, skipping over the gory details obviously, to Sky texting me, inviting me out to lunch, eating pizza and talking about life (glazing over the Ben conversation we almost had) and how he came round later that night to give me the left over pizza, which was in the fridge and served as my lunch for tomorrow, and how he asked if he could kiss me...

Emma's mouth fell open, breaking out into the biggest grin. "Oh my god! And did you?!" She questioned, literally on the edge of her seat, hanging on every word I was reeling off to her.

My cheeks flush a light shade of pink and I smile shyly at her. She then jumps out of her seat and starts hopping around the kitchen. "AAAHHH!!" She screams giddily, "that is AMAZING Liv!"

I grab her hands, jumping up and down with her, too excited to give a shit about who hears us or not. When we finally calm down, Emma takes a deep breath, still smiling like a kid on Christmas.

"So...will there be a second date?" She asks hopefully.

I shrug again, barely capable of containing my own grin myself. "I'm not sure, I really hope so though..."

Emma giggles happily, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks, but you can't tell Ben, Mom or Dad remember?" I tell her in the firmest voice I can muster, pulling away from the hug.

"Why not?! This is a pretty big deal V!" Emma protests, crossing her arms defiantly.

I huff out a long sigh, making my way to the fridge and taking the apple juice from the door and drinking straight from the carton. "I don't know what this is yet, I don't want to tell them until I'm sure it's gonna be a thing," I explain, sitting back down at the table. "besides, Ben will go all protective big brother bear on me and I don't need that!"

Emma nods, sitting across from me and taking my hand gently in hers. "I understand, my lips are sealed!" She promises, dragging her thump and pointer finger across her lips, miming a zip and flicking away an invisible key.

I smile kindly. "Thanks sis!" I say, taking another sip from the carton.

As if right on cue, Ben swaggers into the kitchen. "AH! What have I said about drinking out of the carton?!" He snapped, snatching the juice away and screwing the lid back on top.