This Love

I Miss You

December 7th, 2025
Malibu, USA
Miley's POV

It's been two days. Liam called when he arrived on the 5th, and he called yesterday. He hasn't yet today, but that's fine. It's only a little past 11 AM. Right now I was at the park with all the kids. I met up with Emma, she had Landin and Elaina both. August was out with some friends.

"So you let August go out and you just took the kids? Voluntarily?" I ask Emma. We were sitting on a bench watching the kids.

"Yeah, he said if I wanna hang out with anyone he'll take the kids next."

"Well that's good."

"How are you doing with Liam being gone?" Emma asks. "A whole week, right?"

"Yeah, a whole week. I'm fine though, he promised he's gonna call everyday. He even called the evening of the day he left. He hasn't called yet today but it's barely noon."

"So he's still doing his thing, you're okay with that?"

"Of course I'm okay with it. He loves it, I'm not gonna stop him just because we have kids now." I answer.

"What does he think about your career?"

"He told me he's fine if I start something. He said he'd support it. And if he got to do his thing then I should be able to do mine."

"So are you going to?" I shake my head and she looks at me confused. "Why not? You love it."

"I know, it's just-" Then I pause. She can't know, no one can. "I just can't."

"Liar, c'mon Miley, I know you better than that. Nothing can hold you back from this, only you. So what's up?" Emma says, trying to get the truth out of me.

"I just can't Emma. I have the kids."

"Jessy is eight and the twins are five. They're plenty old enough that they don't need you home all day. Sure they need someone to watch them, but they're fine without you for the day. Hell, they go to school."

"I know..." I sure hope she doesn't figure it out.

"Unless...oh my god." Well fuck. "Miley, are you pregnant?" Then I sigh. Thank God. I'm kinda pissed that she assumes that but I'm glad she didn't figure out Liam's and my secret.

"No Emma, for fucks sake. Why am I always pregnant? Whether you think it, my family thinks it, or it's in the fucking magazines. I always seem to be pregnant. If I was pregnant every time someone assumed, Liam and I would have like, a million kids. I'm not pregnant." I say, becoming angry.

"Woah, Miley, calm down. I'm sorry, it's just-"

"It seems like something that would happen? You do know Liam and I use protection, even though none of it is your fucking business."

"Sorry, but you've usually always been open about your sex life."

"Things can change, Emma. Maybe having three kids will do that. Maybe it's that I've grown older and I'm just more private with Liam. Maybe I don't want anyone knowing what might be happening."

"What does that mean?" She asks, then I freeze. Did I just fucking blow it? "Hello...earth to Miley."

"Uh...nothing- I'm just angry. I'm saying shit. It was nothing, I'm just mixed up. I haven't been thinking straight, shit has been on my mind. I'm fine, honest."

"If shit's been on your mind you should talk with someone. Is everything okay? Please Miley, if something's wrong I wanna help."

"Nothing's wrong."