ONE YEAR LATER

As they lay in bed, Liz feels Liam’s warm hand slide under her shirt. “Liam, we shouldn't, we have a houseful of guests.”
He kisses her neck. “Then you’ll just have to be quiet, Love.”
Liz giggles as he tickles her. “I can’t ever be quiet with you, Handsome.”
Liam throws back the covers, pulling Liz’s shirt over her head. “Come on, it’s just like when we were first together. We had to be quiet because no one knew about us.” He says before his mouth is on hers.
“Mmm. Yes, but I wasn’t very good at it then either. That’s how Caroline found out about us.”
Liam laughs as he kisses his way down her stomach, pausing to remove her panties. “Do you want me to stop?”
Liz smirks as she runs her fingers through his hair. “Absolutely not.”
She watches as he works his magic on her, causing her to arch her back in an attempt for him to never stop. Liz pulls his hair as the pleasure begins to billow through her body. She bites her lip hard, trying not to scream out his name.
Liam quickly enters her, then covers her mouth with his, allowing her scream to be muffled.
As he begins to move inside her, he whispers in her ear between quiet moans. “Oh, Liz, you feel so good.” He grabs her hand, entwining their fingers before moving them to rest above her head. He squeezes hers tightly as he comes closer to going over the edge.
They are both so lost in the other that they don’t even try to stifle their screams as they almost simultaneously release.
Liam collapses beside Liz, pulling her into his arms.
“That was amazing, but we weren’t exactly quiet.” Liz smirks.
Liam grins. “Who cares, Love. I mean we have two kids, everyone knows we have sex.”
Liz laughs. “You have a point. I love you, Handsome.”
“I love you more, Beautiful.”

The next day, Liz and Liam greet all the guests arriving for Olly’s 2nd birthday party. Liam’s family arrived a few days ago. Niall arrived two days ago and has spent most of his time at the golf course. Louis, Danielle, and Freddie arrived yesterday.
Liz loves to watch Olly and Freddie play together. They look just like a mini Liam and Louis.
As Harry and Alice arrive, Olly and Ella run to greet their Uncle. Liz gives Alice a hug. “Thanks for coming. It’s good to see you.”
Alice returns the hug. “Harry has been so excited. He couldn’t wait to see the kids.”
Harry gives Ella a huge hug. “Hello, Pumpkin. Look at how fancy you look. Are you excited for your brother’s birthday?”
Ella jumps up and down, loudly replying in her now perfect English accent. “Yes. We have cake.” She moves in for another hug. “I’ve missed you, Unkey.”
Harry smiles, kissing the top of her head. “I’ve missed you, Ella.” He then picks up Olly, swinging him around. “Look how big you are, Olly. Are you off to Uni next week?”
Olly laughs. “No, Unkey. Come see my Batman cake.”
Harry sets him down. “I’ll be right over.”
Liam offers to show Alice where she can get a drink, Ella follows. Leaving Liz and Harry alone.
“Lizzie, you look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” Harry says as he leans in for a hug.
Liz smiles. “Thank you, Harry. You look handsome as always.”
He grins, revealing his dimples with just a hint of pink on his cheeks.
“Can you believe Olly is two?” Liz asks.
Harry shakes his head. “It seems like he was born yesterday, I can still see it all so clearly.”
“Well, hopefully not all of it.” Liz smirks, looking down at her crotch, referring to Harry seeing her intimately that day.
Harry grins, kissing her cheek as he walks past her. “No comment.”
Liz laughs quietly. Looking up she sees that Lucia and Mia have arrived.
Lucia gives Liz a hug. “Hello, Liz dear.”
“Lucia! Your english is nearly perfect. I’m so proud of you.”
“You have helped me so much, Liz.”
Liz laughs. “Well, if you ask Liam he’d say I don’t speak English.”
Lucia and Mia laugh.
“Make yourselves at home. Olly and Ella are running around. I’ll catch up with you later.” Liz says.

“Hello, Harry.” Lucia says.
He looks surprised. “Lucia, you’re speaking English. You sound beautiful.” He reaches down to give the small woman a hug. Then motioning beside him. “This is Alice.”
Lucia nods, taking Alice’s hand. “Hello, nice to meet you.”

Mia watches her mother, telling Rosa, “She’s at it again.”
Rosa looks in Lucia’s direction. “She still won’t tell you what she felt with Harry that day?” Rosa asks.
“No, she keeps hoping I’ll forget about it. My guess is she’s checking out Harry’s girlfriend.” Mia replies.
Lucia joins Rosa and Mia.
“What were you doing, Mother?” Mia asks.
“Saying hello, I like Harry.”
“Most women do.” Rosa replies.
Mia smirks. “Mother, are you in love with Harry?”
Lucia swats her daughter’s arm. “Stop.”
Rosa speaks up. “Lucia, it’s obvious that you are feeling something regarding Harry. Is it about him and Liz? Or Alice?”
“For the first time, I am confused by my feelings. I know without a doubt that Liz is Liam’s true love. But I can’t say for certain that she isn’t Harry’s as well.”
‘What? How is that possible?” Rosa asks.
“I don’t know. Nothing is black and white when it comes to amore.” Lucia says.
Harry approaches Rosa. “Hi, Rosa. Lizzie is looking for you.”
“Thank you, Harry. I’ll go find her.”
Lucia touches Harry’s arm. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course.”
She pulls him away from the crowd.
“Is everything alright, Lucia?” His brows draw together. “Is Lizzie okay?”
Lucia lays her hand on his arm. “Liz is fine. I’m not sure how to say this.” She blows out a breath. “I have some feelings I don’t completely understand.”
“Alright.” Harry says patiently.
“You should be happy with Alice, she’s a lovely girl.”
“Yes, she is.” Harry replies.
“But, never let Liz fully leave your heart.” Lucia continues.
Harry smiles, leaning down to quietly tell her, “Don’t worry, that can never happen, no matter how hard I try. She’s part of me, but you already know that...don’t you?”
“I believe that Liz will always be an important part of your life.”
Harry grins. “You like to be mysterious, don’t you, Lucia?”
They are interrupted by Ella pulling on Harry’s hand. “It’s time for cake, Unkey.”
He gives Lucia a wink. “Let’s go, Pumpkin.”

Later, as the party is winding down, Liz seeks out Lucia. “Take a walk with me.” Liz suggests. “Lucia, I can’t help but feel like you are keeping something from me. Are my children alright?”
“Olly and Ella are healthy, Liz. I promise.”
“I saw you talking to Harry. Is it about him and Alice?”
“Not exactly.”
“Lucia, you are being very vague.”
“Liz, I’m not trying to. For the first time my feelings are not crystal clear for me. Amore is not an exact science.”
Liz laughs. “That’s very true. I imagine your gift can be both a blessing and a curse at times, so I will not push you.”
“Thank you, Liz. Just know this...you will never be without your true love.”
Liz smiles, giving Lucia a hug.

While all the guests are leaving, Harry makes his way to Liz. “I was just inside telling the kids goodbye.” He says.
“Well, I know that Rosa was taking them in for a bath and I can see that they splashed you. I hope your silk shirt isn’t ruined.”
Harry smiles. “Lizzie, you know that’s not important to me. I love those two. Thanks for including me today.”
Liz grins. “How could we not include you?”
Harry discreetly touches Liz’s hand. “You all mean the world to me.” He leans in to give Lizzie a kiss on her cheek. “Bye, Lizzie. I’ll see you soon.”
Liz smiles. “Bye, H.” She turns her head to find Lucia watching them. Turning back to watch as Harry walks away, a thought crosses Liz’s mind… She shakes her head, releasing the thought.

“Hey, Handsome. Rosa is putting the kids to bed and all our guests have gone.” Liz says.
Liam smiles. “How about a walk to our special spot?”
Liz grins. “You read my mind.”At the gazebo, Liam squeezes Liz’s hand as they look out across the lake, the moonlight giving the water a special sparkle.
“Can you believe our little guy is two?” Liam asks.
“I can’t believe how incredible our life together is, Liam.”
“We are blessed, Love.”
“Thank you for loving me, Baby.”
Liam laughs. “As if I had a choice, Princess.”
“You know what I want to do tonight?” Liz asks.
Liam smirks. “I may have an idea.”
She grins. “Before that. I want to watch Justin Timberlake in Friends With Benefits. We still haven’t seen how it ends.”
Liam raises his hand, cupping the side of her face. “No matter how their story goes, I’ll always like ours better.”
“I love you, Handsome.”
“I love you more, Beautiful.”
Liam quietly sings the song he wrote for her, the very one he sang to her in this gazebo on their wedding day.
Liz closes her eyes, taking in Liam’s perfect voice. Her thoughts wander to how happy she is, and that you must appreciate every moment. None of us knows what the future holds...well, except maybe Lucia...but she’s not telling.


I know Liam was right about us and Fireproof…

Cause nobody knows you, baby, the way I do
And nobody loves you, baby, the way I do
It’s been so long, it’s been so long, you must be fireproof
Cause nobody saves me, baby, the way you do…

THE END...

Notes