Neighbors (Liam Payne AU)

Part 8

Their first practice was after school the next day. Liam put her in charge of setting the baseball back onto the stand after the kids tried to knock it off. They had fourteen children, all between four and six years old, their own three kids included. The boys were both very serious about playing the game but Ava wanted nothing more than to spin in circles in the outfield. Liam was incredibly patient with her, gently encouraging her to pay attention without yelling at her. After an hour of chasing a ball around, Eva was exhausted. The practice ended with Liam giving instruction to all of the parents about the next practice. The first game wasn't until the middle of May.

Eva helped him pick up and put away all of the equipment, storing it in the back of his black SUV. "I don't have anything in the crockpot of dinner. I'm thinking of taking Arden to Denny's? Kids eat free on Thursday. Want to come? Pancakes are my favorite comfort food."

"Why do you need comfort? What happened last night?" Liam asked.

Eva shook her head. "Don't worry about me. So, pancakes?"

Liam looked at her for a long time, holding her eyes with his until she looked away. "I'd love that." he said. "Sophia is going to be late anyhow."

Liam followed Eva and Arden to Denny's where everyone ordered pancakes, drown in butter and syrup. The kids all drank chocolate milk, laughing about being allowed to eat what both of their parents considered 'junk' food. They all talked and joked, enjoying the sweet treat, Liam looking at Eva often. She knew he wanted to ask her about the yelling. It was strange how close she felt to a man she'd known less than a month. "Harry was angry about the toilet." she finally said. "He thought I did it."

Liam looked at her, horrified. "Oh, god. Did I cause a problem? I'm really sorry. I like to fix things. I just..."

Eva placed her hand over his which was resting on the table. "Don't. It's okay." she said. "I wasn't a big deal, I promise."

The look on Liam's face told her that he clearly didn't believe her. "If you say so."

Eva wanted to spill her guts to him, but she couldn't it would embarrass Harry and despite everything, she wanted to love and respect him. She wanted her marriage to work. She wanted to be happy.

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She and Harry lived in their tiny house, happily married. At least mostly happy. She'd accepted Harry's shortcomings. She was going to do all the household stuff. He was going to play his game. He was going to play golf. He was going to watch football. She created a life for herself, reading, scrapbooking, doing things she liked. When Harry wanted to spend time with her, she made the most of it, trying to not complain or nag him. It worked. She became a peacekeeper.

They'd been married about a year and a half when the phone rang one night. It was her father and he asked to speak to Harry. Harry took the phone and listened for a few minutes before hanging up and turning to Eva. "Evangeline." Harry said, walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "There is no easy way to say this. Your grandfather died, honey. He had a stroke about an hour ago and he died. Your grandmother just called your parents. There are on their way to the hospital."

Eva tried to collapse, but Harry held on tight. "No, Harry! No!" she cried. She'd be extremely close to her grandparents. Both of her parents worked and she'd spend all of her summers and afternoons with them. Her grandfather taught her to golf when she was five. He taught her to drive a golf cart at ten. Her first job was waitressing at the gold club. Her grandmother taught her how to cook, sew and to do crafts. She and her sister played dress up with her grandmother's clothes and built things with her grandfather's tools. Every memory of her childhood involved them. Her taste in movies and love of musicals came from them. She was the only person she knew that loved liverwurst and onion sandwiches on thick brown bread, another gift from her grandparents. They taught her to ice skate in their backyard in the winter and grow vegetables in the summer.

"Honey. I know you loved him. I know." Harry said, holding her close. "I'll take care of everything."

And he did. He called her boss. He got her dressed and to the hospital. He held her hand as they planned the funeral. During the funeral, he never left her side. He made her eat, made her shower, made her sleep. He took care of her, just like she'd always wished he would. He was the Harry he'd been when they'd been first dating.

"Harry. Life is so short. Let's have a baby." she said, leaning on him at the wake. "We are waiting for the perfect time. There is no perfect time."

Harry looked down at her. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You've only been teaching for two years." She nodded. "Well, okay." he said. "I did just get a promotion. We can afford the bills with just my salary now."

Eva smiled, happy he agreed. She was going to be a mom. "Can we start as soon as we get home?" she asked, giving him a wink.

"Who'd say no to that?" he answered, winking back.

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As Eva pulled into the garage, she saw that Harry was home. He was much earlier than normal. Panic flowed though her body. She was home late. There wasn't any dinner. She hadn't told Harry they were going out. Before she left the car, she instructed Arden to go straight upstairs and right to his bathroom. He was to shower and go directly to bed, reading for a bit if he wasn't tired yet. She looked into his eyes, seeing that he was tired, very tired. He'd fall asleep quickly, the combination of fresh air, exercise and pancakes knocking him out. With a little luck, he wouldn't hear the fight she was sure was about to happen.