Amber's Advocate

Chapter Two

Broken

Amber was afraid.

She may have come across as strong-willed and feisty but deep down, she was broken.  And it was only now, after moving continents that she was finally able to put the pieces back together.  She was mighty glad that Millie had taken her in and given her a room where she could lick her wounds and build the confidence to start out fresh.  Millie was a big part of her new life now, a sister she always wanted and a best friend she didn't know she needed until now.  Since arriving in London, Millie and her had become inseperable.   They had been frequenting Nomad on and off for the last couple of weeks now.   

Millie, bless her soul,  knew about the situation Amber had been in.  But like a commanding officer she refused to treat Amber any differently and so they etched their way into the social scene.  It was the third outing at Nomad when Amber had first spotted, Abercombie and Fitch.  The nicknames she'd given to the sexiest bunch of guys she'd seen in a very long time.

Abercombie was a few centimetres taller then Fitch, gaging at six foot two, with his dark caramel floppy hair and striking hazel eyes, well, what Amber thought were hazel eyes but up until a few minutes ago had a golden hue around the outter iris. His friend Fitch was of similar built, wore dorky black glasses and had jet black crew cut hair. He looked like a techy person and Amber noticed, he fidgeted a lot. His eyes were the colour of the Bluelagoon, the one she vacationed as a child in Malta.  So blue, she missed the old times.  Amber had noticed the way they dressed, completely two contradicting styles.  Abercombie was self assured in the black leather jacket he wore, merino wool jumpers and ultra smart shoes whilst his friend Fitch, seem to sport cord trousers and plaid shirts that were rolled up to his elbows to expose tanned arms with a sprinkling of hair. Amber had both been admiring them from a far until only a few minutes ago when she had been visited by them each individually.

Fitch was a walking-talking cliche book with his chat up lines, which left Amber with no choice but to send him off with marching orders.  Abercombie being some advocate to his friend stunned her with what he had to say about her behaviour towards his friend.  Which only left the questions; where all men the same?  Were they all after one thing?  Could any man love unconditionally?  Amber sometimes wished, she could shut down the questions.  Put a stop to them.  It was the questions that got to her the most.  Too many questions, not enough answers.  Abercombie's words were strangling her, should she take that step and trust again?  

She saw Bryan Peerson leave and she followed, maybe if she apologised- she could somehow take it from there.  Maybe they could start off as friends?  She had to think positively- it was the only way she could move forward from this.  He was a few metres down the road when she called his name.  He turned around and was surprised to see her standing there.  She walked the rest of the way up to him and took a breathe.

"Hi Bryan, I'm Amber... we met earlier..."  she said.

"Yes, I know... you're the red head who's too good for just the Average Joe," he said angrily, "Just because you're beautiful on the outside, gives you no right whatsoever to treat us guys like shit."

"I'm sorry... I didn't..."  she began before she was interrupted again.

"Right... like I haven't heard the word 'sorry' before.  Let me just save you the energy... I'm not interested! Well I was before, but it turns out, you're much more uglier then I had imagined.  Let someone screw you over and see how that feels.  Look at yourself in the mirror and tell me what you see then?" and with that, Bryan walked off leaving Amber standing there with tears streaming down her face.

She walked the rest of the way back back, wiping the tears from her face.  She probably looked like a panda by now.  And just when she thought her heart was getting into shape.  Why did everything bad happen to her?  Yes, she'd looked in the mirror but she didn't see beautiful at all, instead she saw the opposite... ugly.  Ugly and broken.  Hugging herself, as the onslaught of a panic attack reared it's ugly head- she had to remember to breathe in and out and control it, just like the doctor had ordered.  

As she turned the corner she slammed straight into something solid, the impact forcing gravity to work against her as she fell to the floor - and the flash back of Dan's fist hurtling towards her made her panic attack ten times worse.  She hit the pavement, her hands catching her fall and the pain from her wrist shooting up her shoulder as she cried out in pain.  She was having an episode, an episode which she tried and willed herself to blink back but it was too late.  Everything went blank in her mind, all she could see was the repeated punches, the kicks she received from the man she thought had loved her. 

How had she made progress when she still carried it everywhere she went.  Her body started to convulse in terror, it had always been that way. Especially after he had left her for dead so many times and then, like a flip of a switch- tried to help her, make excuses for his behaviour and tell her he wouldn't do it again.  But he always went back on his promises.

***



Cade was by her side trying to help her up but she had curled up into a ball, her face covered as she rocked back and forth.  He was about to say something when Millie ran out and immediately saw her.

"What the hell happened?" worry etched in her face.

"We accidentally collided, is she okay?"  Cade asked.  This was a far cry from what she had been in the bar earlier in the evening.  Something wasn't right at all. 

Millie didn't respond, she looked around and then delved into her phone, "Liam, I need you to come and pick us up... it's Amber... yes, we're outside, please come as soon as you can."  She put her phone back into her bag and focused her attention back to Amber, "Amber, it's Millie... honey, it's okay."

Amber slowly looked up and at Millie.  She exhaled. 

Cade caught the sight of her face, she had been crying.  Her eyes were red and her face blotchy. 

"Stand up from the floor and we can walk to the corner, Liam's coming to pick us up," Millie said, helping her to stand. Amber cried out in pain and it pained Cade to hear it, he scooped her up in his arms and followed Millie. 

A few minutes later, a black range rover pulled up and Liam Blake got out of the car. 

"Where do you want her?" Cade asked.

"In the back please," Millie and Liam said in unison. 

Cade gently put her in the back and Millie climbed in, she smiled and mouthed a 'thank you' as Liam climbed in the front and started the car.  They disappeared before Cade had a chance to blink.  He stood there, completely bewildered by what just happened.  What exactly did just happen?  Amber, that was her name.  Somehow he couldn't shake off the image of her, a complete contrast to what she was like in the bar earlier.  As the events rolled around in his head, he suddenly felt guilty to a point where he wondered how he could make it up to her? 

 

Amber's Advocate

Chapter One


Abercombie + Fitch

"You better pick your tongue up off the floor before it gets trampled on,"  Cade eyed the woman that had caught his best mate's attention... again.  It was the same woman who had been in the bar on and off the past couple of weeks.  The same time they'd been frequenting the place too.  

Cade took a look at the woman, she was pretty in an unconventional way.  She wore her signature leather trousers, like a second skin as they clung to the curves of her shapely bottom and her endless legs.  Her eyes were the colour of malt whiskey and her hair, a wild mane of red fiery hair cascading down her shoulders.  Of course, everyone knew who her friend was.  Who didn't know Millie Bright Blake? The woman who had married and reformed the world famous actor Liam Blake, from being a recluse and an alcoholic into one of the most watched and desired actors in the world today.

"I'm going to talk to her," Bryan said, trying to assimilate the courage to speak to her. 

"And what is it you're gonna say exactly?" Cade asked casually, taking a swig from his beer.

"I don't know, I'll think of something," Bryan said smoothing down his hair and smartening his collar.

"I don't think she's the chat up line kind of girl," Cade assumed.

"Well we'll see about that,"  Bryan strode towards the two women who were standing by the bar.

***

"Don't look now but Fitch is headed our way," Millie whispered to Amber.

Amber rolled her eyes and took a sip of her Moquito. 

"Hi there, I'm Bryan and..."  Bryan began clutching the ice between his hands.

"What on earth have you got there?"  Amber said looking surprised as well as confused.  She could feel Millie obviously trying to stifle her laugh.

"I wanted to come over and break the ice," Bryan said, clutching at the ice and trying to break it with his bare hands.

How cheesy.  Amber thought as she watched Bryan attempt to break the ice again, "You really ought to stop doing that.  I get it.  Besides, you don't want to incur frostbite."

"What are you doing here, you look lost?" Bryan asked, "When you should be with the angels in heaven."

Amber held her hands up towards him, she had had enough of the chat up lines, "Look, I'm sure you're a nice guy but really, chat up lines?  Do you actually think chat up lines will actually get you some where?  It repels me, it makes me think you're a sad and pathetic man.  I'm really not interested, okay? If you'll excuse us, we were having a drink."  Amber turned around and spoke to Millie. 

"That was really mean Amber, I think you could have really hurt his feelings with that one," Millie said seriously.

"Are you kidding me?" Amber exclaimed, "With a chat up line like that? Please."

Millie looked at her friend, "You really need to open up your mind to the possibilities Amber, not every man you meet is going to turn out to be Dan.  You might have walked away from a really sweet guy."

"Sweet?  You may see sweet but I see sickly.  What is it that I'm putting out there? Maybe I have 'Mug' written on my forehead or something," Amber said.

"I said all that and all you got was 'the sweet bit'?" Millie offered, "You need to open your mind to the bigger picture hun."

"Yeah, thanks!"  Amber said, rolling her eyes, "Coming from the woman who's married to sex symbol Liam Blake? God, life is so unfair!" Amber stamped her feet.

"Actually not only is Liam a sex symbol, much to my disdain, he is also an Oscar nominated actor and ohmigod Abercombie is headed our way!"  Millie exclaimed.

Amber turned around and Abercombie was standing in front of her.

"You obviously make it a habit by stomping on people's hearts, I gather?  So, why don't you listen and I'll speak," Amber heard Abercombie say, "My friend with the ice, his name's Bryan and he's liked you as much as the next girl.  He has passed up on women who have better manners and bigger personalities,  in favor of you.  He obviously sees something in you, that none of us see.  He's gone to wash his hands of you but I don't think it'll stay, he's pretty adamant about you.  He's a great guy - minus the chat up lines and he'll treat you like a princess.  Here's his number, it's up to you what you do with it."

Cade put the scrawny piece of paper on the bar's counter in front of Amber and made his way back.  The sound of Amber's voice stopped him. 

"Why are you doing this?"  Amber asked.

"Simple... Bryan's a good guy and sometimes the good guys need to finish first,"  Cade said and walked away.

Amber looked at his fleeting figure and then down at the paper in her hands.  So, Fitch's name was Bryan Peerson. 

"So, what you gonna do?"  Millie asked.

Amber looked at the paper in her hands and then at her good friend Millie, "I don't know... I really don't know."

"Seems like an honourable gent, especially coming to the defence of his mate... says a lot about a guy," Millie said.

Amber nodded. 

"What you thinking?"  Millie asked.

"I'm thinking... well, I'm deciding... whether I go talk to Bryan or I go talk to his mate instead,"  Amber said.

"Uh-oh, tell me you didn't just say that?"  Millie urged.

"I think I like Abercombie over Fitch - but what does that say about me?"  Amber said, turning around to look in the direction that he left.

***

"Why does she keep looking over here for? She made herself clear she wasn't interested, so why the hell does she keep staring at me?" Bryan said, onto his fourth beer. 

Both him and Cade had gotten a table and were milling away the night.  They'd been approached by several women who'd stayed and gone, mostly gone out of sheer boredom. Conversation wasn't exactly tittilating.  Cade wasn't in the mood and neither was Bryan, if you could call him being in any mood.  All he seemed to be talking about was 'that woman'.   Even Cade hadn't gotten the name of 'that woman'. 

"I'm getting out of here, I've had enough,"  Bryan said, picking up his beer and rinsing the last of it. 

"I'll come with," Cade said as he got up.

"No, you stay here... I'll see myself home,"  Bryan said, flapping away Cade's request, "I'll see you Saturday."

"Yeah, Saturday,"  Cade said watching Bryan go.  Cade turned his attention to the surroundings, the bar was just warming up but he didn't exactly want to stay in a bar by himself, so after ten minutes of looking at the label of his beer bottle, he decided to head out.  It was Summer in London, London was London to him but he liked it especially in Summer.  Everyone was a little more care free and less guarded.  He opened the door and stepped out into the warm Thursday night and smacked into the 'heart breaker'.  He hadn't spotted her as she appeared out of no where and he was too late in catching her as she fell backwards on to the pavement. 

The Reluctant Millie Bright

Epilogue
Fantasy is Reality

Millie took Liam's hand as she gracefully exited the comfort of the limousine to the rapturous applause and screaming of hundreds of people who were milling around the theatre.  She was nervous, this was the first public outing she would be taking as Mrs Liam Blake and to say she was nervous was an understatement.  She was absolutely kacking it. 

"Breathe Mills, I'm here and I won't leave your side," Liam whispered into her ear.

"How do you do this?" Millie whispered back.

"It takes practice, but at the beginning it used to be very daunting but it's all part of the package," Liam soothed. 

Girls were screaming and chanting out his name and Liam walked towards them with an easy confidence.  He took pictures with them, chatted with them and signed autographs with them.  All whilst Millie stood uncomfortably a few feet behind him.  He spun around and caught her eye and called her over.  He introduced her to the crowd and they all 'ahhh-ed' at them.  Liam drew her to him and kissed her on the cheek to the cheers and congratulations of the crowd.

"See... nothing to worry about, they love you but not as much as me,"  Liam whispered to her.

Millie nodded.  A few minutes later they were ushered into the theatre and led to the Royal Box where they took their seats and were offered champagne.

"I haven't been to the theatre in such a long time, I almost forgot what it felt like," Millie whispered, peering over the ledge.

"What was the last production you saw?" Liam asked, watching her.  She was elegantly dressed in a black dress, the A-line skirt fitted like a glove and came just below her knee. The top half showcased her cleavage in an off the shoulder cowl fashion.  He was finding it hard to steer his eyes away from them.  Her chocolate brown hair was fashioned in curls and was partly swept up from her face.  God, she was a vision.  He looked at her hands and noticed the sparkler on her wedding finger and the platinum wedding band he planted there shortly after. 

"It was a musical at the Drury Lane Theatre... I saw bits of it as I was working that night,"  she replied.

"Working? So you've never really been to the theatre as a guest then?" Liam asked.

"No, not really... in between working and studying and other things, I never really had the time to enjoy nights out like that, so I guess, officially this would be my first," Millie said.

"Honey, you should have said?!"  Liam leaned forward and kissed her, "I would have loved to have taken you to a production."

Millie touched his knee and smiled, "Liam, I don't want you thinking that I would want this and that... I haven't married you for the money..."

"Sssh," Liam said, stopping her with a kiss, "I know. You married me for my sense of humour and my ability to make you cum."

Millie gasped and hit him lightly on the arm, "Liam, you're so dirty."

"You love me really, besides you're my wife now and I'm going to make you the happiest woman alive and if it's providing you multiple orgasms, then so be it," Liam smiled cheekily.

"What are you like,"  Millie smiled as she leaned in towards him. 

"Now now, there can't be any public affection here... Liam doesn't do that," the voice emerged behind them and it was Hartley who was striding into the Royal Box.

Millie laughed and hugged Hartley, "He does now." 

"Yes, only because of you Millie... he's a changed man," Hartley greeted Liam.

"How's Frieda?"  Liam asked

"She's nervous, which is normal.  I caught her trying to pull a fast one with a shot of tequila to calm her nerves... gosh that woman really keeps me on my feet, I'm telling you. At least I can say, my marriage is fresh because of it," Hartley admitted, "So, you kids looking forward to your honeymoon tomorrow? What time are you leaving?  You got time for a few drinks after this?"

"We're leaving in the afternoon," Liam said and looked at Millie, "What do you reckon, a few drinks after?"

Millie smiled, "Why not? It will be a while till we see you guys."

"True.  Thanks for coming, Frieda and I really appreciate it.  Considering it's her return to acting and her stage debut, she's counting on all the support she can get."  Hartley smiled.

"Where's Fred and Jack? I thought that they would be here?" Millie asked.

"Yeah, they went away for a couple of days, a mini break and so, y'know before the baby arrives,"  Hartley admitted.

"Is Sam and Elv coming?"  Millie asked.

"They wanted to but Elv's doing a gig in the US and Sam went along with the kids, they have family out there also, so they thought, why not y'know.  Kill two birds with one stone," Hartley said, "Thanks for coming though.

"Our pleasure," Liam said, as the lights in the theatre faded out.

***



Liam grabbed the DSLR from the table beside him and looked through the eye piece, he focused on his wife who was lying on her stomach on the sun lounger reading this morning's paper.  She was wearing an electric blue bikini and her hair was bunched up on top of her hair.  She was a sight.  He snapped away, understanding why the paps went wild everywhere they went, because she was beautiful.  She had become an overnight celebrity. She was reluctant to take the role because she wasn't that.  She was just Millie through and through. 

Liam thought back to his wedding day a few weeks back.  He remembered standing at the altar of a beautiful Chapel in the Cotswold's, he was dressed up in a tailored black Armani suit with his best man Hartley in the same attire.  Their children were their flower girl and ring bearer and Millie had chosen Sam as her maid of honor.  Sam was hilarious with a cracking sense of humour and there was never a dull moment when she was around.  He liked her more and more everytime he met her.  When it came down to Millie though, his heart had skipped a beat and then tripled in speed when she graced the aisle, walking towards him.  He couldn't express the feeling that was welling up inside him.  It had been a mixture of pride, happiness, glee and an abundance of love and joy that were threatening the tears welling up in his eyes.  It had been one of the happiest days of his life.  She was wearing an elegant understated dress, he couldn't quite remember the label but that didn't matter, the superficial things didn't matter anymore, not when it came to love and marriage and Millie.  Millie was what made everything right in the world, Millie was whom completed him. 

"Why have you got that faraway look about you again?" she said interrupting his thoughts, as she came sauntering over to him and sat on his lap.

"I was just thinking," Liam said.

"Thinking?  What about?  Something good I hope?"  Millie fiddled with his hair.

"Thinking about you of course, thinking about what I want to do to you," Liam teased.

Millie rolled her eyes and got up, "Let's do something..."

"Yes, let's!"  Liam said jumping on her and tickling her. She laughed out loud, trying to stop him from tickling her any further, "I was thinking of getting you naked."

"Stop thinking man and do it, just don't tickle me anymore,"  Millie laughed.

"I'm glad I can persuade you to my side of thinking," Liam laughed, as he kissed her and pulled at the strings of her bikini top.

THE END

The Reluctant Millie Bright

Chapter Twelve
The Proposal

"The canapes are yum,"  Sam chewed as she smiled warmly at Frieda. 

Both ladies were dressed for the festive season.  Frieda wore a glittery gold gown by Elie Saab, that made her look angelic, whilst Sam had opted for a bright red frilly top and a green frilly skirt.  They chatted about their respective families, about the wonder of teething problems and their hunky husbands.  Sam had become close to her neighbours in the last couple of months and every so often, would invite them round for dinner and invite the kids over for mini slumber parties as she had every Disney film to date.

Hartley was in a conversation with Elvin and Liam about football and random stuff.   Hartley smiled at his wife, who smiled back.  The year had been hard on their marriage but they were back on track, Frieda had mellowed out a lot and she was more at ease with Liam and everyone else and he finally felt like everything was falling into place.  The doorbell went and Liam strode to the door, opening it up, Jack and Frederica stood, clutching a bag of presents each.  They both chorused, a Happy Christmas and strolled in.  Everyone gravitated towards them with open arms.  Once Frederica got rid of her coat, the ladies congregated near the fire place.

"So good to see you Sam, how are the babies?" Frederica asked.

"The babies are sweet little things... they have their good and bad moments but they're my little angels.  I was very close to calling them Simba and Baloo but Elvin was having none of it," Sam chirped.

"Yes, I think that would be taking it to the extreme thought Sam," Frieda smiled, "I would love to have seen Elv's face though, in passing.  That would have been a right laugh."

"Typical of you Frieda to get a kick out of someone else.  How are you by the way? " Frederica tapped her twin sister, gaining her attention.

"Good, y'know me. Frederica,  have some champagne, something to eat you look a little pale," Freida called one of the waiter.

"I can't have any champagne," Frederica smiled shyly, "But I won't pass on eating."

Sam and Frieda both stared at her and chorused together, "You're pregnant!" And they engulfed her in a hug, screaming.

Hartley, Elvin, Jack and Liam approached them.  It was Jack who spoke first, "I gather you told them then?"  As he snuggled up to his wife, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Told them what?"  Liam asked puzzled.

"I'm gonna be a dad, guys." Jack said sheepishly.

Hartley, Elvin and Liam smacked Jack proudly on the back, "Nice one mate," Elvin smiled.

"About bloody time," Hartley joked.

"Congratulations dude," Liam smiled, "When's she due?" 

"July, a nice Summer sprog."  Jack smiled.

As the night wore on and everyone settled on the couch, everyone started sharing stories.  Spoke about first impressions and things they wanted to do in the New Year. 

"I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly," Frederica commented, lying flat on the sofa.  Jack touched her small bump of a stomach.

"Blimey, you guys are gonna be parents in the new year... talk about big changes,"  Sam commented.

"I can't wait... I've already started planning the making of the cot, the fixtures, even the toys," Jack spoke with wonder and awe.

"I'd like to see it some time, when it's done,"  Hartley said.

"Yeah, you could definitely expand on that,"  Elv chipped in, "I know when my Mrs had the babes... she kitted the nursury out in pure Disney... it's like we have the whole Disney shop on the top floor." Elv said.

Sam flung a cushion at him, as she breast fed her baby, "There is nothing wrong with Disney."

"Alright babe, alright," Elv smiled cheekily.

"So Liam, when you planning to get hitched and have a couple of babies?" Frederica asked.

Liam shrugged, God, he hated these questions.  They always made him uncomfortable.  Luckily he was saved by the bell.  Thank fuck for that.

Hartley jumped up and raced towards the door, as he opened it, he started laughing.  Everyone turned round to see Millie dressed up in an elves costume.

"How come you're not dressed up?" Millie said confused. 

"Didn't you get the memo?" Hartley laughed even harder. 

Millie stepped into the hall and turned around to see that everyone was dressed glamorously.  She, unfortunately wasn't, but the kids seemed to like it as they ran up to her and were smiling like Christmas had come early. 

Frieda was the first to stand up and greet Millie, "Oh Millie, you look lovely,"

"Please spare me, I look atrocious," she said waving away the comment. 

"I must have missed you off the email,"  Frieda grinned, "Liam, why don't you come and help Millie with the food in the kitchen?"

Liam wanted an excuse to talk to Millie, but the pass that Frieda had given him, made him feel like an adolescent having his moment with a verified-beautiful woman.   On close inspection, she was wearing tight green stockings, over sized green shoes with the baubles on the top.  An over sized red jumper with even more baubles and a hat with a giant bauble on the end of it.  No wonder Hartley couldn't stop laughing, she did look rather amusing.

"Go ahead and laugh Liam Blake, I know you want to,"  Millie rolled her eyes as she smiled at him, "But before you do, can I just eat something, I'm famished."

"Yeah, just follow me," he said, leading her towards the kitchen.  There were plates of canapes and food nestled underneath silver plates covered in cling film, "Why were you so late anyway?"

"Yeah, about that, I just got back from New York.  My trip of two weeks was only meant to be two weeks but it extended, literally got back a few hours ago, and then, I realised an old red bridesmaid dress wasn't going to cut it for a Mary Christmas outside, so I had to call on a friend who knows a friend who has a costume place on Shaftesbury Avenue.  So, that's my long story short,"  Millie said, grabbing an empty plate and piling food on top, "So, are you doing these days?"

"I've been clean for six months now, it's been a struggle but I'm seeing the end of the tunnel now," Liam said, pouring a glass of champagne into a champagne glass for her.

"Thanks," she said, taking it from him and taking a sip, "So, being around alcohol doesn't bother you then?"

"Not really,"  Liam replied, "I've just learnt to live with it now."

Millie nodded as she delved into some food, "So, what else have you been up to then? Come on, I want the goss."

"I've just been hanging out with anyone who'll have me y'know.  I've learnt a lot through everyone... and no one's treated me like the drunk that I am," Liam said contemplative.

"Liam, you're not a drunk... it pains me to think you would feel that way," Millie said putting down her plate of food to stand in front of him.  She grabbed his arm and tugged at it, when she looked at him her eyes were filled with unshed tears. 

When Liam touched the softness of her cheek, the tears streamed down, "Why are you crying Mills?"

"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me... it's been a while, you've been on my mind since the last time I saw you and I guess... I've just been worried," she said simply.

"Why are you worried about me, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself," Liam smiled more to her, then himself.

"Because at one point, I thought I was going to lose you and the trip I was on kept extending and I didn't know whether I was coming or staying," Millie moved to the sink, "Just ignore me, I'm a jibbering mess."

Liam gave her, her space.  He should find it amusing to see a grown elf at the sink, but nothing was amusing right now, not when she was surely upset.  He hated to see her cry and all he wanted to do was collect her in his arms and hug her, "Mills, look at me." 

Millie turned slowly towards him, leaning a hip against the counter, "I'm okay now, you don't have to worry about me,"  He paused, collecting his thoughts, "Actually, I owe you a lot.  If you hadn't intervened then, God knows... I don't even want to think about it.  Do you want to go for a walk?"

"Not really, these shoes aren't really made for walking," Millie said inspecting the soles, "Actually, my feet feel like ice slabs right now." 

"Oh, do you want to go to my place?  I've really missed you and I somewhat feel like I'm being watched now, by everyone?" Liam whispered as he looked out to see everyone being suspiciously normal.

Millie followed his gaze and noticed a lot of their friends looking towards them, "Good Idea."

***

"This might be a bit big, but it's warm and dry,"  Liam said walking towards Millie who was sat like an elf in his living room.  He handed her long cashmere pyjamas and a fleecy top, "You can use my bathroom, if you wish."

Millie nodded and disappeared up the stairs.  The last time she was here, Liam hadn't been himself.  He had been drunk, out of his head and pissed.  He had renovated the place now, the furniture had changed.  It had almost felt like a different house when she stepped in, exorcised his demons by getting rid of all the furniture and replacing it with new vintage, cosy furniture.  There was even a McCalister rocking chair near the window.  As she stripped out of her elf costume and left it on the radiator to dry, she put on her clothes.  God, they smelt of him and something inside her went pop.  Don't get ahead of yourself Millie, she told herself.  She closed the door behind her and found Liam in the kitchen cooking up an omelet and making her a hot chocolate.

"You don't have to do that,"  Millie said, taking a seat on the couch.

"I want to, besides I kinda dragged you out there without a decent meal, it's the least I could do."  Liam said, expertly flipping the pan.

"How'd you learn to cook?" Millie asked, snuggling underneath a blanket.

"Ah, I took some lessons... I had a lot of free time, learnt a few things.  Maybe one day, I'll show you," he winked.

"I would like that," Millie replied. 

Millie 'mmmed' when Liam served up the food, she hadn't realised how hungry she was, and what an amazing chef Liam made.  She could really start getting used to this but she paused.  Lately she'd been thinking a lot about Liam and was estatic when she was invited to Hartley and Frieda's Christmas party.  Now, as she sat comfortably in the corner of his couch, she just didn't want to move, looking at the clock above the mantel piece, it was almost midnight.  Where had the time past?

"Thanks for the food Liam, that was amazing.  I could seriously get used to that," she smiled, setting the plate on the coffee table.

"Y'know me, I like to impress the ladies with my culinary skills... even if it is just the basics,"  Liam leaned into the couch a few feet away from her, watching her.  She looked comfortable in his house, in his jammies and suddenly, he just said it outright, "God, I've missed you so much Millie.  I really have."

"I've missed you too Liam," Millie replied, "So, what happens now?"

"Well, I was hoping you would spend Christmas with me?"  Liam said.

"Is that all that you want, Christmas?"  Millie challenged.

"No, it's not all that I want.  I don't think Christmas, forever, eternity would be enough Mills," Liam said, raking his hands through his hair, "God, none of this was how I pictured it would be."

"Then spit it out,"  Millie said, "I'm tired of waiting for that grand gesture... if you don't do it, I damn well will.  I've been fighting to keep my distance Liam, I have.  I have been fighting so you could recover and now that you have, all you ask of me is Christmas, I want more then that..."

Before she could utter any more words, he kissed her.  Kissed her passionately, their hands tangled in each other's hair.  He kissed her, like they had been apart for centuries.  He kissed her, like he had all the love to give but it still wasn't enough.  And before they both knew it, they made love on the couch in his living room.  It was heated, but it was gentle, tender and sensual.  And that's when he told her, "I love you Millie," he peered down at her, his elbows on either side of her, "I love you so much Millie, that I want you to be mine and only mine."

"Well, that's a bit possessive and a bit unromantic.  I was hoping you would go down on one knee and ask me to marry you instead?" Millie quipped. 

Liam laughed, "I was getting to that but thanks for stealing my thunder... but that's okay, you stole my heart away from me a long long time ago, so that figures.  What do you reckon?  You wanna be my wife?" 

The Reluctant Millie Bright

Chapter Eleven

Stresses of Life & Love

"Is he going to be alright?" Millie asked, huddled in amidst Dr Lang and Hartley outside Liam's bedroom.

"Yes and no. His wound has been taken care of and would need the stitches removed in a couple of weeks but I'm more worried about the toxicity of alcohol in his bloodstream.  It is important that we wean him off the alcohol as much as possible, otherwise his liver will cease to continue or it could fatally kill him." Dr Lang said.

"Kill him?"  Millie said out loud.

"I've never seen this degree of alcohol in one person's blood stream. It's almost as if he intended to drink this much.  I think it very much has a lot to do up here, then anything," Dr Lang pointed to his mind.

"What can we do?" Hartley asked, his hands on his hips.  A degree of concern written all over his face.

"There's rehab for a start," Dr Lang replied.

"Rehab? He's not going to want to do rehab," Hartley pointed out.

"Then if this continues, we could very well lose him." Dr Lang replied.

"STOP TALKING AS IF I'M NOT HERE!" came the shout from the bedroom. 

They all walked into his bedroom, where he sat up against the headboard, his right hand bandaged and a scowl on his face.

"You have to do rehab.  There is no way about it. "  Dr Lang said.

"Rehab?  Fuck! What do you think I am, an alcoholic?" Liam yelled.

"Denial is one of the..." Dr Lang began before he was interrupted by Liam.

"Don't fucking tell me this bullshit... I like to drink, is that a crime... to enjoy a beer once in a while? Fuck! You're not my mother, I don't have to answer to you..."  Liam yelled.

"Liam that is enough!" Hartley bellowed out, silencing Liam but not quite as long.

"Oh what you gonna do? Wrestle me, take my money away from me... what are you going to do?" Liam taunted.

"If you don't get the help you need Mr Blake, we could very well lose you in a few months time, or even a couple of weeks.  Your liver is on the verge of collapse and if you don't stop drinking, then you're finished,"  Dr Lang hit the nail on the coffin, watched as the information digested.

"Excuse me," Millie said quietly and disappeared from the room.

Hartley and Liam watched as Millie left the room and Hartley went to follow her, but Liam had managed to stagger past him in the direction she was headed to.  Liam found her in the kitchen, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand, her back towards him.  He leaned against the counter as he approached. 

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

Her shoulders sagged and she remained where she was, her back towards him, "Shouldn't you be concerned about yourself then me?" she replied.

"No, not really."  Liam replied.

"Why not?" she asked, still not facing him.

"What's the point, I don't have anyone to live for," he was surprised by his honesty.

She spun around then, her eyes glazed with tears, "Not even for yourself?"

"What's the point? I'm dying anyway." Liam said, realising he didn't care anymore.

Millie shook violently, grabbing the counter for support as she tried to will the tears away. 

"Why are you crying? Why are you even here?  What does it matter whether I'm dying or not?  As far as I'm concerned you're nothing but a stranger to me... you're dust... you're..." Liam paused, as he watched her face go white.

"You're an arsehole Liam Blake!" Millie kept her voice levelled, "Whatever compelled me to come here and cut off a perfectly great evening reception of a good friend's wedding is beyond me! Maybe deep down, I thought, I could help you... because Hartley begged and I could see the concern and outright devastation written all over his face. He spoke about you, like you are his brother.  He was desperate, he was clutching at straws and I couldn't let him down,"  she held up her hand to ward him off, "I'm not finished! Would your brother be happy to know that you're giving up life so easily now, because you're afraid, that you're wasting your life away... I bet he's looking down from heaven and thinking, gee, Liam... what a way to go!"

"You know nothing about my brother! And don't you dare bring him into it!" he all but screamed at her.

"Yes, I may know nothing about your brother but I know he wouldn't want you to be living the way you are now!" Millie screamed back at him.

"Why is it so important to you Millie, what I do anyway?" Liam asked, "I've asked you this question over and over and you never answer me.  Which makes me think... that maybe, maybe you still love me, that you still care.  Otherwise, why would you have cleaned my house, took care of me and then cried your eyes out knowing that I could die."

Millie held herself together.

"Why Millie... why the hell are you here?" Liam asked, "Give me a valid reason, why?"

Millie held her hands up, she couldn't take it anymore, "I have never stopped loving you Liam, is that a valid enough reason?" 

"Then why did you leave me in St. Lucia then? Why?"  Liam demanded.

It was the golden question, why did she leave him.  She laughed suddenly, completely out of character.  He looked at her, as if she belonged in a mental asylum.

"I wanted you to leave me because I was afraid... because I loved you so much that I thought that love would eventually kill me.  In my weird and twisted way, I thought that if I continued to have you in my life that somehow I would be punished for it.  The pregnancy, then the assault, losing Lucy, that's what I wanted to call our baby girl by the way, then seeing you again and then the shark attack.  It was a lot to take in, in such short a period of time.  Looking back on it, I realise how strange it is... how unexplainable my warped way of thinking was.  I thought all those things happened because of you, that if I continued to love you, you would continue to punish me... I just didn't think... I don't know... does that make any sense?"  Liam didn't reply, he was digesting what she'd just told him,  "I started seeing a counsellor and he told me that I was suffering from post traumatic stress, from everything that I encountered, and he assured me it had nothing to do with you, but that I just had a series of bad accidents that I couldn't prevent.  I've been getting treatment, it was slow at first because I couldn't accept it but I've been working on it and I realise now that it had nothing to do with you.  It was just life.. life happening." Millie said, exhaling, "I'm sorry that I've put you through everything, it wasn't my intention... I wasn't in the right frame of mind."

Liam closed his eyes, "I need to sit down."

Millie went straight for him and ushered him to a seat where he sat down and exhaled a long breathe, "So what are you going to do now?"

"Well, I've got to get my shit together, that's for sure," Liam replied, "Why couldn't you come and talk to me about it?"

"I don't know... I really don't... but I don't want to look back on it, it's like taking two steps back when I really should be taking the steps forward, y'know," Millie said, playing with her skirts.

"Can I ask you to do something for me please, Millie, but don't take it the wrong way," Liam asked.

"Of course," Millie replied.

"Would you leave me alone, just give me time to think things over but I promise you that when I've got my shit together, you'd be the first person I will get in touch with?" Liam asked.

"Of course," she nodded as she stood up looking at her watch, "I guess that's my cue to leave then."  She delved into her clutch bag and took out her business card and laid it flat on the table, "Take care of yourself Liam," she said softly, kissing him on the cheek and he watched as she walked towards his front door and opened the door, she stopped, turned around, smiled and closed the door behind her.

***

The Next Couple of Months

Each day was a struggle for Liam but he treated each day like it was a hurdle in an Olympic race.  The first few were hard, he could barely get out of bed because he was so damn tired.  Tired of everything.  He regularly consulted with Dr Lang, who advised him to take it easy and who referred him to a nutritionist and a counsellor.  God, he was a nut job, but he found strength from such an unlikely source, his best friend Hartley, who opened up his house to him.  Liam spent most of his time there, taking care of his kids, taking walks out in the park with his family.  He even saddled up with Jack McCalister and got to work with him.  His wife Frederica was lovely, smart, funny and passionate and he could see what a great match they made.  They didn't treat him like he was a lost cause, they treated him like any other person and he appreciated that, he was sane because of that. 

The days ran into weeks and the weeks turned into months, yet Liam hardly noticed.  The seasons had changed from Spring to Autumn and now they were heading towards Winter.  He was getting back to his usual self, gaining his appetite back and he no longer acknowledged the need for liqueur or beer or even a shot of tequila.  He watched as Frieda walked into the room with a pen and paper in her hand, she looked up when she saw him and smiled. 

"What you doing?" Liam asked.

"Just planning our Christmas party- just thinking who to invite and what food to have.  Have you got any suggestions?"  she asked, as she sat down in front of him.

"Eggnog, Turkey... umm those sausages with that bacon around it," Liam suggested.

"Pigs in blankets," Frieda replied.

"Those are hot dogs in the States, y'know," Liam laughed, "Hot dogs for Christmas dinner, that'd be great."

"Pigs in blankets, are not hot dogs Liam, they're cocktail sausages," Frieda said.

"But if they're called pigs, why is the blanket made of the pig anyway?" Liam asked, "Shouldn't it be called pork sausages wrapped in bacon blankets or something."

"We could be at this all day y'know," Frieda smiled, "Any other requests?"

"Nah, not really. Am I invited?" Liam smiled.

"Of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas without you,"  Frieda commented.

"I appreciate everything you've done to accommodate me Freida, I know we've not really seen eye to eye but I'm really thankful." Liam said, as he leaned forward and hugged her.  She hugged him back.

"Hey, hey, hey! Get off my woman!"  Hartley laughed as he walked through the room and saw the embrace between the two.

"I better make myself scarce, got a lot of planning to do," smiled Frieda as she left the room.

"Wondered what you wanted to do tonight?"  Hartley asked Liam.

"What did you have in mind?" Liam said.

"Dunno, meet up with the other boys... been a while since we last had a boy's night out.  What do you think?" Hartley suggested.

"Okay,"  Liam said.

"Come on, show some enthusiasm Liam... this is good for you... this will test your resilience."

"To alcohol, yeah.  Or it could set me off... I don't want to go down that road," Liam refused.

"You've come this far not to back down... come on, you can do it Liam.  You can... man, I have faith in you." Hartley said, smacking him on the back.

"Yeah, someone has to." Liam exhaled.

Later that Night...

When Hartley said they would be going out for a boy's night out, he wasn't kidding.  They pulled up outside a gentleman's club.  Or in other words, a fucking stripper's club.  They shot through the back door and into the club's VIP room, where they were treated to champagne on ice and an unlimited bar on tap.  Liam chose orange juice and was surprised by his reluctance to even go down the alcohol route.  He took a seat on their plush black leather couch as beautiful woman clad in next to nothing wandered past them, their sauntering hips and their plush backsides causing quite a stir in the nether regions. 

"Goddamn, I wish I was that fucking pole she's sliding on," the remark came from Nate, Jack's brother who had come along last minute.  When he'd heard they were going to one of the best Stripper joints, he couldn't pass up the offer.

"Yeah, what you really mean is you wish you had a pole up your arse," Jack his brother snickered.

Nate shoved him and they looked about them, "I could get used to this... this is probably what a King must have felt like?"

"You're in every man's fantasy and you're thinking about being a king..." Hartley laughed.

"Nothing wrong with that!  I'm gonna have a lap dance," Nate said, disappearing down the corridor.

Liam gave it about an hour before he gave up, yeah, it was every man's fantasy, but he was bored.  He wasn't in the mood, so he said his goodbyes and took a stroll out.  It was far colder then he remembered, but maybe that was due to being cooped up in a 4x4 on the way there.  He pulled together his jacket and strolled down the road, it was quite a quiet evening for November. He'd expected the streets to be emblazoned with people doing their Christmas shopping.  His feet found their way to Chelsea Bridge, he stood there gazing out into the cold black distance.  His hands dug into his jacket and his hand wrapped around something thin and hard, he took it out and stared at it.  How did it get there? Before he put too much thought into it, he hailed a cab and gave the driver the address.

Liam stood on Millie's door step, hesitant in ringing the door bell.  He'd been standing on the front stoop for ten minutes pondering whether he was strong enough to do this but he was here now.  As he reached down to press the door bell, the door swung open and she almost tackled him to the floor.  She dropped the suitcase and yelped.

"God, you gave me a heart attack..." she said mostly to herself, only then when she looked up, did she realise who was standing in front of her, "Liam?!"

"Hi Mills," he half grinned.

"My God, what are you doing here? I mean, sorry... umm, I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment... I'm heading to Heathrow."

"Where you going?"  Liam asked, as he helped her heave her suitcase down the stairs, there was a black Mercedes parked outside her house and the door opened.

"I'm going to New York for work.  I hate to rush you but was there something you wanted?  Did you want to come with me, in the car? On the way? I can get Ted to drop you afterwards?" Millie said as she gave her luggage to her chauffeur.

"No, it can wait,"  Liam smiled, as he stood on the curb watching her.  God, she was beautiful.  He couldn't take his eyes off her.  When she took her cream coat off, she was wearing a red cashmere jumper and jeans that hugged her like a second skin. Her hair, he noticed had subtle highlights in them, which only accentuated her beauty.

Millie dumped her coat in the back seat and turned around to Liam, "If you're sure?" she said.  He nodded and what surprised him more was the hug she gave him.  There were friendly hugs and there were hug, hugs.  This hug, was definitely an 'I've Missed You' hug.  They hugged for what seemed like forever and then she was reluctant to leave him, "You look good... actually, you look more then good.  You look great.  I'll see you when I get back, okay?"  With that, she smiled at him and got into the car. 

And Liam's heavy heart was restored.