Walking Fragile Lines

Fighting's All We've Got

Liv sighed in frustration as she watched Brian taking pictures with his fans. Usually, she would watch him with pride as he talked and laughed with them but this was different. He had told Maci they were going on a family day out, and instead she had been left to watch her ice cream melt, looking absolutely miserable.

"Can't dad tell them no? I thought we were gonna have some family time", Maci said sadly as if having read her mother's mind.

"I'm so sorry bunny", Liv apologised on Brian's behalf, struggling for something better to say. The comment had only made her angrier as her gaze turned back to Brian who was making his way over once more. This had to stop right here. Maci had been through enough and Liv was not willing to cause her anymore upset.

Upon arriving home, Maci, unsurprisingly to Liv, took herself up to her room, leaving Liv alone with Brian in an icy atmosphere.

"Is she okay? Maybe I should go and talk to her", he suggested.

"I think you've done enough for one day", Liv said shortly.

"What's that supposed to mean?", Brian furrowed his brow at her. "You know what the fans are like", he tried to explain.

"Yes Brian. I do know what the fans are like. Y'know who doesn't? Maci!", she snapped. "And y'know who shouldn't have to? Maci!", she continued. Brian remained silent as he looked at her with a vacant expression on his face. "She was looking forward to spending some time with her mom and dad after what's been a really hard couple of days for her! I'm sure telling a handful of people 'no' just for one damn day wouldn't have hurt anybody!", she continued. She knew he had heard the truth in what she had said when he continued to stand there silently, scratching the back of his neck as he sighed.

"I'm sorry", he simply said. "I was just - I was really trying", he told her.

"I know you were", she said, inching closer towards him as she ran her hands through her hair. "But dammit Brian - you're always saying we come first. Today? It really didn't look like it", she sighed, her tone softer as she felt completely defeated.

Over the next few weeks, there had been some improvements for the Quinn family. After speaking with the girls' parents, Maci's Principle informed them that the girls would be moved to a different class and had since left Maci alone, which had encouraged her to slowly get back into her usual routine, and their family doctor had prescribed her some sleeping pills to help her get a good nights rest. But things were still tense between Liv and Brian. He had returned to his busy work schedule, and their fighting, whilst short lived, had become more frequent. Liv was now at a loss. She knew the stress of it all had begun to get to her as she found herself constantly feeling drained of all energy, and yet, struggling to fall asleep at night.

One late afternoon, Liv had been sent home from work, the chief fearing she looked a little out of sorts and encouraging her to go home and get some rest. She was hesitant, but he had insisted and so she did as she was told. The house was empty and quiet when she returned and Liv decided to take advantage of the opportunity and head for a nap. But she had awoken a couple of hours later feeling no better than when she had fallen asleep. Looking at the clock beside her bed, she was surprised the kids hadn't been in to wake her as she realised they should be home from school. Putting on her robe, she made her way downstairs, the house still seemingly empty as she shuffled into the living room to find Brian on the couch.

"Hey you", he smiled brightly.

"Hey", she responded suspiciously. "Where are the kids?", she asked.