Liams POV
After our walk we pop back to Hayleys whilst she gets some things into an overnight bag and then return to my parents house where conveniently both of my sister and their boyfriends have decended too even though none of them live here. I sigh. News travels fast and whilst i appreciate they might want to see me and i want to see them i know the real reason for their visit. They want to meet my new girlfriend.
I introduce her and know shes overwhelmed by the now full house and my giddy sisters so i take her straight upstairs to my bedroom to give her time to settle before being ambushed by them.
"It looks like youre the star attraction in the Payne house today" i tell her as she sets her bag down on the floor.
"We'll have ten minutes up here and you can get settled before you face the mob" i say as i sit down on my bed and pull her onto my lap and hold her, sneaking in some kisses because i know im not going to get much chance once we are downstairs infront of my whole family.
It feels so good to be home, to be in my old bedroom, with my girlfriend. I feel like any other young guy, it feels kinda naughty making out with a girl in my room, ive never done this before.
I look up between kisses to see my dad in the doorway, i hadnt closed the door properly because i thought we were upstairs alone and to be honest hadnt planned on making out. I look at him in shock unsure how he's going to react. He can be quite old fashioned at times. I cringe. Hayley looks up and freezes too.
He reads the fear in our eyes and smirks shaking his head.
"Oh to be young and in love" he says as he shakes his head and steps back, carefully closing the door. I burst out laughing as Hayley burys her face in my shoulder mortified.
"I think we better go downstairs before he thinks were up to no good" she says and i laugh so i take her hand and we go to sit with my family in the lounge.
Im a bit worried my dad is going to completely embarrass me by telling the whole family but he doesnt. He just winks at me subtly and smirks. I smirk back.
We all chat and my family fill us in on the gossip locally which Hayley is familiar with and even adds some top secret bits in to everyones excitement, she hears everything through her job and my family love gossip so shes fitting in well. Im the only one who cant follow it - with never being home i lose track but i sit and listen anyway, just glad to be home and surrounded by normality. Mum looks proud as punch to have her family unit back together in our family home and keeps giving me a cheeky smile of approval when Hayley is talking.
"Its lovely this" mum finally says as she looks around and everyone nods.
"My three kids, all grown up and settled" she says looking from couple to couple. "Thats all you ever want for your kids, for them to meet someone and be happy because thats the only thing in life that really matters" dad adds as we all blush and tell them to shut up and stop being embarrassing.
Secretly what theyve said touches me. They are right. My career and fame are what i always dreamed of and i adore my job but this is what really matters.
I look at Hayley and my mums words ring in my ears.
'Grown up, settled' and it saddens me to think the battle we have on our hands, both now and in the future. Where are we headed? We both know we want to be together but weve never discussed how that will play out in the future, if its unacceptable for us to be together now when will it be ok? Its got to happen at some point hasnt it? Or is all this in vein? I cant bear to think about that and so i simply wrap an arm around her and cuddle her into me placing a kiss on her cheek and not caring who sees me do it. At least here, at home, we're accepted.
We eat dinner and then watch tv and before bed we take the dogs out for another short walk.
"Today has been so perfect. Your family are amazing" she says and with that I spot my opportunity to speak to her. Its been playing on my mind since my parents said what they did earlier.
I stop by a bench and sit down so she sits beside me and looks at me curiously.
"Whats up?" She says stroking my thigh.
I sigh. I dont know how to say what i want to say, but i need to say it. My head is in bits.
"Where do you see this going because i dont know where we are headed" i ask her seriously
"Well i know i want to be with you" she replies sweetly
"Have you thought about how thats going to happen?" I ask and she pauses.
"Yeh. A lot" she sighs "have you?" She asks and i nod.
"if we're going to be together we're going to have to go public at some point arent we?" i ask looking her in the eyes. Seeing the worry in them.
"Yeh. Its going to come down to that at some point" she says reaching in to cuddle up to me so i open my arms and let her in.
"And when it does? Are you prepared to risk everything?" I ask fearfully - already convinced i know the answer will be no.
"Are you?" She replies without answering, only serving to confirm my fears.
"You first" i insist. There is no way im laying my heart out on the line until shes stated her intentions. Im not guilting her into it, she has to want to.
She turns to look at me, her eyes filling with tears. "I dont have a choice Liam" she tails off sadly and looks at the floor.
I wrap my arms around her and cuddle her tightly as she starts to cry, her sobs breaking my heart.
"We need to end this dont we?" I ask now fighting back tears myself.
"No. You dont understand.... i mean i dont have a choice about going public because...." she breaks her words with more sobs
"I know babe because of your job" i tell her. "Id risk it and face whatever came my way but ive already fulfilled all of my dreams, ive achieved everything i set out to and more. Im satisfied with my career - but youre only just starting out on a long path and i cant expect you to risk that. It wouldnt be fair. Thats why i had to speak to you about it" i say wiping a tear out of my eye. My heart is already shattered but she doesnt need to know that. Its better it breaks now than in the future when im even more heavily involved.
"Liam no! I meant.... i...." she struggles to find the words.
"I love you. I dont have a choice because i love you and if it means losing you or my job - then i'll risk losing the job - there are other jobs but there isnt another Liam" she says as her tears flow.
"I cant believe i just told you i love you for the first time in the least romantic way possible" she says mortified as she cries into my chest but half laughs.
I lift her chin to tilt her head up allowing me to look into her eyrs.
"That was romantic. You told me from your heart that youd risk losing everything for me. How can that not be romantic?" I ask as i kiss her gently on the lips.
"And Hayley.... I love you too and id risk it all for you" i say as she sobs again only this time i know shes crying for the right reasons.
We walk back home and chat about when we think might be the best time to go public.
"Well once im elected theres really nothing anyone can do. Ive got the job for 5 years then and hopfully 5 years might give people the opportunity to accept it and see that its ok before i go up for election again" she shrugs
"October when my tour finishes then? I can take some time off and we can stay out of the spotlight?" I ask and she agrees.
"October it is" she smiles. "Thats only about 10 weeks away" i remind her.
"Good - 10 more weeks of sneaking around is bad enough" she laughs.
Once home we feed the dogs and then say goodnight to my parents and go upstairs. Hayley uses the bathroom first and then then i go - but as i do i bump into my dad in the hallway.
"Liam can i have a word?" He asks. "Oh god no. Is this going to be a father to son talk?" I cringe "because im good i already know where babies come from im 22" i tell him mortified.
He laughs.
"No son, im pretty sure you dont need that chat." He laughs rolling his eyes. "Youve got something really special there. Dont let anything ruin it" he says placing his hand on my shoulder.
"I wont. We wont" i assure him
"Good because i happen to think he'll make a good daughter in law one day" he replies as he rubs my back and goes into his bedroom.
I cant help but laugh as i go to the bathroom and then go back to my bedroom where my girl is lay in my bed.
"What are you laughing at?" She asks confused.
"My dad" i reply "He stopped me for a talk" i say cringing.
"I hope you told him we are both still innocent and plan to remain that way for a long long time" she replies mortified.
"Kinda. He said he thinks, and i qoute, that youll make a lovely daughter in law one day" i tell her putting on his voice.
She shakes her head and laughs.
I take my clothes off and go to climb into bed but she looks at me in horror.
"What?" I ask
"Put pyjamas on" she says whispering as she peels the covers back to show me that shes wearing some.
"I never sleep in pyjamas and neither do you" i laugh trying again to get into my bed but she wont let me.
"Put something on" she insists "What if they come in here in the morning and see us in bed together undressed" she worries.
"They'll think were a normal twenty something couple?" I suggest
"No! They'll think im not a suitable daughter in law" she replies laughing at my dads earlier comments.
"Hayley. Believe me when i say this. Im not putting pyjamas on and yours are coming off" i say as i climb on top of her and wrestle the covers off her, slowly removing her pymamas as i kiss her then get into bed with her and cuddling her naked body up to mine, caressing her smooth skin with my hands.
"We are not doing it here Liam" she whispers.
"We'll see" i reply as i nibble her earlobe knowing it turns her on.