Chapter 66

The whole family went to brunch the next day and then all went downtown to show Maggie their favorite places.

The rest of the week was Liam taking Maggie all over to see the sights in London—from the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace to the picturesque countryside, the cathedrals, and the London Eye.

Maggie took a massive number of pictures and bought souvenirs for everyone she could think of. Liam had to buy another suitcase for all the things she was bringing home.

Watching Liam row with his old friends was a huge highlight for Maggie. It turned her on so much to see the muscles moving and rippling as he moved the oars.

She could barely hold back through the dinner they ate with his friends and jumped him the minute they got back to his parents’ house.

When Friday rolled around, and they were packing, Maggie was sad to be leaving.

She had a wonderful time seeing where Liam grew up and got teary at the thought of not coming back if they sold the house. She wanted their kids to see this place and play here.

She would have to find a way to tell him but didn’t want to create tension for the family during an already intense time as they packed and were getting ready to move across the Atlantic.

Maggie thought back to the night of the party and the work call Liam took.

“Hey, babe, what was that work call the night of the party?”

“Oh, um, sit down,” he said and patted the bed beside him as he sat on the bench at the foot of the bed.

“Nick called to let us know that Olivia had her baby, a boy, about a week ago. He was very large, and Olivia had quite a few complications with the diabetes.

“She is still in the hospital while they try to get her blood sugar under control. Her parents are there with her and hopefully, she will be released soon… Are you okay?”

Maggie was absorbing what Liam was saying and processing how she felt. She sat for a minute then looked at Liam and smiled.

“Thanks for letting me know. I’m just fine actually. I feel like this is one more step to final closure. I mean, I’m not going to rush out and buy a present or visit her, but I am glad they are okay.

“It’s not the baby’s fault his parents are total fuck ups. Does that make sense?”

“It does, and I am proud of you!”

“Why? I haven’t done anything.”

“You are just you. You care, I know you do, she was one of your best friends, but you aren’t letting what happened overtake you. You are just amazing, and I love you!”

“I love you too!” she blushed at his loving words.

They finished packing and then went out to dinner at one of Liam’s favorite restaurants with Charlie and Beth. It was a wonderful end to a perfect honeymoon.

Maggie was pretty sure it was the greatest honeymoon ever and told Liam that as they lay tangled together in bed.

Maggie said they needed to have one more round of mind-blowing sex in his childhood room. And being a good husband, Liam delivered, rocking Maggie’s world three times.

After a quick breakfast the next morning specially made by Anne, they packed up the car and hugged her tightly, not knowing the next time they would see her. Liam teared up and hugged her again.

“Be the amazing father I know you can be and are meant to be. She is an exceptional woman, and you chose well! Make sure I get those videos so I can see that baby grow!”

He promised he would and got in the car for the drive to the airport. Charlie and Beth helped them check in their luggage, now with two extra bags from all the things that Maggie bought.

Liam had to assure his father twice that Brett would be at the airport to help with bags.

“Okay, I am trusting you two with my daughter-in-law and grandbaby. Keep them safe, or you will answer to me if anything happens!” Charlie reminded his son.

Maggie giggled as Liam did everything other than get on his knees and beg for him to believe him. Beth agreed and hugged Maggie again.

“See you at the end of November when we go house hunting! Do tell us if you don’t feel up to having us all there? I know it’s a lot…”

“I promise I will let you know,” Maggie assured her as they hugged.

They went through security, relaxing in the first-class lounge until their flight was called. Once it was, they got settled and opened books to occupy their time.

Maggie slept as Liam held her and thought about how lucky he was to have this beautiful creature in his life.

They arrived home at about six that night. Brett was there, along with Sheila, to take them home.

Maggie told Sheila all about Greece and England and how amazing each country was. She pulled up some of the pictures, and Sheila admired them.

“Did you get the wine that we sent?” Maggie asked.

“Oh yes! It is so damn good! And that chocolate? I could eat pounds of it!” Sheila squealed.

“Oh, I know! I think I did!”

“I can tell! Your belly is getting pretty big, Mags!” Brett said jokingly.

Maggie smacked him, and he gave her a big hug as he laughed. The drive back was nice, and they stopped for some burgers on the way.

While they were eating, Brett cleared his throat and looked at Maggie with a sober look on his face.

“Mags, did Liam tell you about Olivia and the baby?”

Maggie sighed. “Yes, he did.”

“What do you think? Do you want to go see them?”

“Why in the hell would I want to go and see them?”

“Because she is one of your oldest friends.”

Maggie’s temper was starting to rise. “And your point is what? She is also the same friend who slept with my boyfriend and stole thousands of dollars from me!”

Sheila patted Maggie’s hand. She wasn’t sure what Brett’s plan was and was afraid it could backfire on him.

“I know, but—”

“But what, Brett?” she hissed, not wanting to draw attention to their table.

“I am glad that the baby is okay, and she is getting some medical attention, but that is as far as my feelings go!

“I don’t want anything to happen to the baby because no child deserves asshole parents, but at least Olivia’s family is there to help!

“I will say this one more time: I don’t want to hear anything about them! I don’t care! Do you understand me? See them if you want, but I don’t want to know! Same goes for Mak!”

Maggie wiped her eyes, not realizing that she had started crying.

“Brett, that’s enough! I won’t have you upset my wife anymore!” Liam snarled.

“Relax, Liam! I am just trying to get Maggie to remember how great they all were together!”

“When the fuck did Liv remember that? Before she stole my credit card? Don’t you dare lecture me on remembering the good times when she couldn’t be bothered!

“I love you, Bear, but if you continue to bring this up, I will cut you off too! Is that what you want? To lose another sister?”

Everyone at the table stopped and looked at her and saw that Maggie was dead serious. She looked Brett dead in the eye with a fierceness that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“I don’t need Olivia in my life. In the last six months, I have had people who care for me like they haven’t since my grandma died. I have Hannah and Sheila, who treat me like a real friend!

“I have two sisters-in-law who love me and a mother-in-law that is like a fairy godmother! Why would I want to go back to that toxic relationship? I don’t want to bring my baby into that!”

Maggie stood at the end of her speech, and Liam rose and took her in his arms, hugging her tight, whispering how much he loved her and was proud of her.

Sheila looked at Brett and raised an eyebrow. He knew he was in the wrong and needed to fix it. He stood up and went up to his two best friends.

“I’m sorry, Maggie…I had to try. I just hate seeing us all this way. It was so much easier when we were kids and—”

“And you could fix everything?” Maggie asked.

Brett sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

“Yeah…I’m sorry, Sis. I totally understand. I won’t bring it up again, I promise… I can’t lose you and if I hurt you, I lose Liam, and he beats the shit out of me… I love you, Mags…”

She pulled him into a hug. “I love you too, Bear.”

Liam put his arm on Brett’s shoulder. “I ~will~ hurt you if you upset her like that again!”

“Ditto, Olsen, ditto…”

“Now can you sit down and finish our dinner?” Sheila asked with a huff.

They all chuckled and sat back down and finished their meal, trying to forget the few moments that had just transpired.

Normalcy was returning as the newlyweds talked and joked about their trip. They finished dinner and ate dessert before Maggie begged to go home, feeling exhausted.

Brett got them home a little while later and helped get the bags to their bedroom. Liam and Maggie opened the luggage, looked at it, and collapsed into bed, thankful to be home as a married couple.