Amber's Advocate

Chapter Three

Worry & Boredom

Cade stared outside the window of his office, the rain was beating down against the glass, reflecting much of his mood.  He'd been staring at the computer screen trying to write an article for next month's issue but the words weren't flowing as well as he'd like.  Three weeks had flown by since that incident outside Nomad, which seemed to have been chronicled in every tabloid and gossip magazine; not that Cade would be the first to admit he read those stories but he was curious.  At that time, he hadn't even noticed the paps but then again, anyone could be the paparazzi with the technology on mobile phones these days.  Thankfully in the photographs, his identity hadn't been shown, however he had been labelled in the papers as 'A Knight in Shining Armour' and 'Civilian Saves The Day'.  No one knew he had been there, not even Bryan and there was no way in hell he was going to admit it.

His telephone rang interrupting him of his wavering thoughts, he picked it up to hear the sound of his editor on the other end, requesting him to go to his office.  Cade picked himself up from his desk and walked over to James' office.

"What's up?" Cade asked, peering into James' office.

"Take a seat," the forty-something year old said.  He waited for Cade to take a seat before he proceeded.  James was a straight forward bloke, like most editors he didn't really have time to beat around the bush.  If he wanted something, he came out with it... or in other instances, got someone else to do it for him.  He was going grey of course and he'd put on a considerable amount more weight since joining the magazine two years ago, "I've overlooked you somehow Cade and have been reading your articles and am impressed... so this is what I'm proposing... Carl is off on paternity for two weeks, I want you to cover his slot whilst he's away."

"But Carl covers the social scene... I do worthy informative news..." Cade said.

"I know... but sometimes it's nice to change scene once in a while, keep your writing style fresh," James intervened.

"Look James, I really appreciate this opportunity but I really... don't... I'm just not a social..." Cade couldn't quite spit it out.

"It's only for two weeks and besides, whilst you do Carl's column you can still do your worthy informative news - that way you still get a bit of both worlds,"  James said, "Tonight is a Charity auction and you're going and all the A-listers are going to be there..."  James said pushing an envelope towards Cade.

"What if I don't go?" Cade asked.

"Then that's the stupidest thing I've heard today," James leaned back in his chair, "If you don't- then you will have to contemplate your future here at STANCE."

Cade took the envelope from the desk and headed out, "Better get ready then."

"Yes, don't disappoint me," James said, having the last word.

Cade returned to his desk and dumped the envelope on his desk.  A 1st in Journalism and he was resounded to writing a gossip column.  This was a kick in the teeth from everything that he had learned.  He looked at his watch and hoped that the Tuxedo hanging in his closet was clean and pressed, otherwise he'd have to turn up to Saville Row and hire one.

***

"Mills, she's a big girl and she's a lot more stronger then you take her for.  She's come out of it better then most women.  You really ought to stop worrying about her," Liam whispered into his wife's ear.

"Most women?  Do you even know most women who've come out of an abusive relationship Liam?" Mills whispered.

"I don't but from what I've seen and heard, Amber is fighting strong," Liam exhaled as he steered his wife to the table, "Let's just enjoy the evening okay?"

Millie picked up her skirts and sat down at the offered seat, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm just..."

"A good friend and a protective one at that, there's nothing wrong with that... it's one of the qualities I love about you," Liam smiled, "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"No but tell me again," Millie smiled.

"You look beautiful,"  Liam was about to lean forward to kiss his wife when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt the interlude folks but we swapped two place settings to sit with you," Liam looked up, smiled and hugged Artie.

"How you doing Artie?  When did you get back?" Liam said.

Millie rose from her seat to greet Artie's wife, Frieda Armstrong. 

"Got back a few hours ago- location was deep in the jungle and damn, I missed a good bath," Artie smiled and turned his attention to Millie, "Hi Mills, how are you?" He kissed her on the cheek.

"Good and you?" Millie asked back.

"Oh, can't wait to get back to normalcy.  We can catch up once we get seated,"  Artie said as he steered his wife to the designated empty seats beside Millie and Liam.

The evening wore on, food was consumed as was large amounts of alcohol.  Bids were taken and prizes were auctioned.  The aim of the game was to collect as much money as possible. 

Cade watched from the bar on the far side.  He'd especially paid attention to the brunette seated with the actor on one of the tables nearer to the stage.  He'd watched them laugh, bid and converse with another familiar A- List couple.  He was itching to speak to the brunette for reasons he didn't want to acknowledge, but it had been stone cold quiet since the last time he'd seen her and the woman and all he wanted to know, was that the woman was okay.  They were making their way to the exit and his opportunity to talk to her was slipping away.  So he smacked his glass back on the bar and made a bee line for them.  They slipped out and the door closed behind them, damn! He tried to move towards them but came to a block of people mingling.  He cursed, trying to move around them and not succeeding.  He looked for another exit and couldn't find one.  There was no way in hell, he was going to catch up with them now.

***

Amber heard the key in the lock and the front door open.  She had been lounging on the sofa watching pointless brainless TV, going out of her mind with boredom.  She perked up when Millie appeared in her beautiful Oscar de la Renta dress.

"How was it?" Amber asked.

"It was fun, caught up with Frieda and Artie... they definitely raised some... how was your day?" Millie took off her earrings and deposited them in the bowl by the mantel piece. 

"Boring as hell... I really need to do something with my time... but I'm such an invalid," Amber exhaled.

"You're not an invalid Amber... you've got a sprained wrist- there's a difference,"  Millie said, plonking down beside her, "So how you feeling?"

"Apart from bored, great," came the sarcasm.  Amber got up, "Do you know what... I'm going for a walk."

"A walk but it's late," Mills reasoned.

"Mills you really ought to let me breathe a little... I'm fine, I won't go too far and besides I've been couped up here like a fire fly in a jar, I want to be set free... I just need some air.  I'll be fine," Amber said, striding out of the living room.

"Let me come with you," Millie asked.

"No... I really want to be on my own, it's fine,"  Amber said, as she grabbed a jumper and slipped into her ballet pumps and walked out the door.

Liam appeared from the bedroom dressed in sweats, "Was that Amber leaving?"

"Yeah, she's gone for a walk," Mills said, eyeing the door.

"Good," Liam smiled, "Now Mrs Blake... I'm going to get rid of that dress..."

"It's an Oscar de la Renta dress..." Millie said sheepishly.

"A dress is a dress Mills no matter who designed it or however much it costs... and we might as well take advantage of it just being us here," Liam smiled teasingly.

Millie laughed and followed her husband up the stairs.

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?"