Fireproof (Book 4 in the No Control Series)

“I’m not sure I can leave you, Liz.”
“I don’t like being away from you either, Liam; this is important to your mum though.”
Liam plays with the curl falling across Liz’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
She smiles. “I’m sure.”
“Babe, I couldn’t handle it if…”
“I know. Me too.” Liz says softly.
Karen and Ella enter the kitchen. ”I think we have Miss Ella all packed. Are you almost ready, Liam?” Karen asks.
“Yes, Mum. Can the three...well four of us have a few minutes?” Liam grins, touching Liz’s belly.
Karen smiles. “Of course.” She moves to give Liz a hug. “We are going to miss you and the baby, dear. I’m sorry about the mix up with the date.”
“No problem, Karen. Take good care of these two for me.”
“I promise.”
Karen and the rest of Liam’s family head out to the car.

Liam picks up Ella for Liz to hug and kiss. “I’ll miss you baby girl. You promise Mummy you’ll be on your best behavior?”
Ella wraps her little arms around Liz’s neck. “Promise, Mummy. I love you.” Then hugging Liz’s belly, she says. “Love you, Baby.”
Tears glisten in Liz’s eyes.
Liam sets Ella down. “Get your teddy bear, Love.”
As Ella scampers into the other room, Liam wraps his arms around Liz’s waist. “After all this time, it’s still so hard to say goodbye.”
All Liz can manage is a nod.
“Please be careful, Beautiful.”
“I will, Baby.”
“You know you’re my world, Liz...right?”
She smiles through the tears. “I do know, because you're my world too.”
Liam’s mouth is on Liz’s, firm and warm against hers.
“Daddy?”
He pulls back, smiling. “Yes, Ella?”
“Bear.” Ella says, holding it up for him to see.
Liam leaves a sweet kiss on Liz’s forehead. “I guess we should go.”
He picks Ella up, then links hands with Liz. They all walk to the door together.
“I love you, Handsome.”
“I love you more, Beautiful.”
One last kiss, then Liz watches as Liam and Ella walk to the car. “It’s going to be a long couple of days.” She says under her breath.

A few hours later. Sara stops by with dinner.
“How are you holding up?” Sara asks.
Liz frowns. “I miss them desperately.”
“I’m sorry. Let’s eat, then watch a chick flick.”
“Sounds good.”

After dinner and the movie, the ladies have some tea. While they are having an interesting conversation on the pros and cons of an American living in England, Sara’s phone rings.
“It’s my boss. Sorry.”
Liz nods an ok, then listens to Sara’s side of the conversation.
“Yes, sir?”
“Oh I can’t. I have a commitment.”
“But, sir.”
“I understand. Yes, of course.”
“Bye.”
“What’s wrong, Sara?”
“My boss needs me to go on a trip in the morning. If I don’t go, I lose my job.”
“Oh, Sara, you love your job. You have to go, I’ll be fine.” Liz assures her.
“Liam will kill me.”
Liz laughs. “No he won’t.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright, Liz?”
“I’ll be fine. I have a few other people I could call if I need anything.”
“I feel horrible about this, Liz.”
“Sara, it’s fine, I swear.”
“Alright, I should go home and pack.”
“That’s fine, I’m ready for bed anyway.”
“You take it easy, Liz.”
“I promise. Have a safe flight. Thanks for dinner.”
Liz gives Sara a hug, then heads off to bed.

The next morning, Liz makes herself breakfast. Everything is going smoothly, until she tries to clean up. A sharp stabbing pain in her abdomen brings Liz to her knees. She blows out a breath. “No...no.”
Liz makes her way to a chair at the table. She picks up her phone, first trying Sara. No answer, she must already be on her flight.
Next she tries two more of her friends...no answer. “What the hell?”
Scrolling through her phone, she finds Niall’s number. Again, no answer. “Shit.”
Another sharp pain hits her. She calls the emergency number, 999, telling them what’s wrong. The woman assures her an ambulance is on the way.
Liz dials one more number…
“Hello, Lizzie?”
With tears flowing down her cheeks, Liz says. “Harry...I need you...now!”

Notes