#liamxmc

“Great! Tariq’s waiting for us downstairs. We’ll hit the restaurant first then tour New York after!” The Beaumont Lord grinned and strode towards the two men. He clapped his hand on Liam’s shoulders and smiled warmly. “I’ll make sure you’ll have the best night of your life, Liam! You’re in for a treat with the great Maxwell Beaumont’s Bachelor Paartttyy Express!”

Liam nodded, still unable to properly process the sudden turn of events. If he wants this figured out, he should gather all clues that would present themselves at his mercy then make use of it to his advantage.

Drake rolled his eyes at the other’s antics before propping himself up. “Guess this is the part where we enthusiastically shout ‘yay’ and hope to have a great time.”

Maxwell feigned an offended gasp. “You’re talking to the greatest entertainment master! Of course you’ll be in for a treat!”

Drake shrugged and moved towards the door. Liam followed silently while trying to recall how his first Bachelor Party went.

He met Riley at a small bar. She was working for that sudden stop they had at his last night in America.

Last Night... Therefore... He has a chance of meeting her tonight!

With a determined resolve, Liam figured a way of how to make sure he meets Riley and recreate the exact same moment of their first encounter. From what he gathered so far, if he was indeed jostled back, he needed to make sure everything played out exactly as what had transpired back then.

He halted, which made the two men stop and turn to look at him in question.

Somehow, they need to really make a stop at her bar. At all costs.

“Maxwell.” Liam’s deep baritone immediately made the other attentive. “I know you’ve got the entire night planned out and I entirely appreciate you for it. But perhaps, we can make a little detour towards a place I want to visit? If the itinerary so graciously allow...”

Drake crossed his arms, interested on how this could be handled. Clearly, he knew that Liam was not the one who would continually insist if the plan didn’t involve a certain matter at hand — considering how Maxwell behaves with regards to events he already have planned out.

Maxwell’s face fell, suddenly feeling sorry. “Aw, man. I know you wanna go to the Statue of Liberty but our time is really limited.”

Liam’s eyes perked up as he smiled. “Oh, no. That’s... not particularly what I have in mind.”

Because he already knew how the night would play out if he laid his cards right.

“This... is your last stop?” Maxwell looked incredulously over Liam, as if he had just knocked his head on the concrete and somehow survived but lost a few brain cells or two after.

“I believe it is a quaint little find.” He commented, his heart hammering loudly in quiet excitement. Riley was only a few meters and a few seconds away from him.

Maxwell grinned brightly. “Quaint? This is fantastic! How were you able to find it? Wait...” Then he eyed Liam suspiciously. “Are you after my own title as the world’s greatest party planner?”

Drake scoffed so hard he ended up coughing. Tariq only rolled his eyes. “I believe Prince Liam would never want such title.”

“Still, I’m impressed.” Drake smiled and nodded towards the entrance of the bar. “A greasy joint with local alcohol. Great find.”

Liam nodded, pleased with how he was able to control the events so far. He religiously followed Maxwell’s itinerary for the night, though he made a few arrangements of what was supposed to happen, such as suggesting the bar ahead of time. Still, he was glad they were able to find themselves outside Riley’s workplace. Just in time like before.

The guys went on ahead with excited chatters, still under the merriment from their previous clamoring adventures before they stumbled upon the bar. Liam remained outside for a bit just to gather his thoughts.

The very idea of the possibility of time travel tugged the back of his mind. After all, surely, he didn’t just dream a fantasy of his own wife and marriage. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be promising for the King of Cordonia to be suffering from such hallucinations. If there were any.

It was real. Even if nobody around him can vouch for it, he was certain. Everything was real.

However, when he finally entered the place, anticipating to see Riley waiting their group just like how it was supposed to be, he paused on his tracks.

The scenario played out differently than before.

“Daniel?” He whispered loud enough that the lad, who if he recalls correctly was Riley’s coworker, could hear. Daniel turned and raised a brow towards Liam, surprised at how he was able to know his name. Which, in due circumstances, sounded suspicious and alarming. Liam clammed his mouth shut but his mind was already in hyper drive. Millions of questions flooded like raging wildfire – and it wasn’t the most ideal set.

“Uh, how can I help you, er, sir...?” Daniel asked just as Maxwell moved to make space for Liam.

It took him quite a bit to process his thoughts but thankfully, he was able to gather himself. “My apologies. I’m with them.” Liam pointed towards their table as Daniel nodded slowly.

“Hey, lots of whiskey, alright?” Drake called in, drawing back Daniel’s attention. The waiter nodded then scrambled to immediately cater the order.

“I suppose a deluxe burger wouldn’t hurt...” Tariq’s disappointed voice said as he laid back against the withered leather couch they were sitting at. Liam gingerly walked over to the empty pace beside Maxwell and sat. Despite the lively chatters of his companions, his mind reeled back to the course of events.

Why was it not Riley who was waiting their table? He was certain that it should’ve been her. After all, how would they meet each other if she was not the one who took care of them? It was the key moment that should happen! Liam clenched his fists in frustration, unable to find answers for his questions.

“Liven up! It’s about damn time you all know how to live like a local.” Drake smirked just as the first round of whiskey were delivered.

Fried food and the faint smoke of something being grilled wafted in the air. Only men stood behind the bar counter.

She was nowhere to be found.

Disappointment and confusion infused in his system due to his inability to correctly follow through the course of events. The men were getting rowdy and they were getting more demanding. When alcohol finally hit his companions’ system and they were starting to loosen up, he stood and excused himself, in the guise of asking about their orders.

He needed to breathe. Without much of a second glance, he went straight towards the door. Liam stepped out to the crisp, chilly night breeze, taking in the glitz and glamour of the city lights before him. But somehow, with no clue to lead him, he felt more alone than when he first came to New York.

It was excruciating, to be feeling both complete helplessness and loneliness in a lively city. Without Riley by his side, with suddenly being thrown into such predicaments, with only so much that he can understand.

Just then, he heard movements from behind, followed by heavy footsteps and a grumbling voice. Alarmed because of his lack of security and in a completely foreign country, he turned to take a look, ready to take action. But to his surprise, it was... completely something else. Or someone.

Liam’s eyes widened in shock that almost knocked his winds out.

The stranger halted, trash dangling midair, mouth in a thin line. 

Liam’s heart pounded rabidly against his chest. It was as if everything zoned out around them.

There was nothing else but the faint sounds of footsteps from the street, a few car horns in the distance and the smooth breeze in the air.

“Riley...” Her named rolled off his tongue, the familiarity almost crushing his rib cage. It was a mix of being excited and being afraid. Riley stared back at him with no hint of recognition. At all. As if he was a stranger she never met in her entire life.

Riley seemed to be taken aback but was quick to recover. She settled the garbage down and cautiously inched away from Liam with her brows furrowed in suspicion.

“Who are you?” Her voice drawled. Liam almost choked. He did his very best to maintain a friendly, neutral expression but his resolve slipped almost immediately.

“I...” He began, only to nimbly locate the correct words he needed to use. He paused as he tried to gather himself. But before he could even speak—

“If you try something funny, I won’t hesitate—” She fired with vitality in her voice it almost made his heart do a somersault.

Liam wanted to laugh at his hasty and unplanned actions. Approach the woman who owns you completely as a stranger she never met in her life, just beside a local dumpster. Brilliant.

“My apologies. I...” Thinking of a quick excuse, he blurted out the very first thing that came to mind. “I was wondering if you needed any help?” He immediately regretted it.

Riley snorted in amusement and Liam wanted to mentally smack himself. Riley still has that effect on him. She was always able to surprise him in more ways than possible, which rendered him speechless half of the time. He’s still undeniably in awe.

“Yeah... right. How gentlemanly of you to offer that to a stranger you met at a dumpster.” Riley laughed and proceeded to throw the garbage bags in the bins. When she finished, she turned to meet Liam’s gaze squarely and crossed her arms over her chest. She raised a brow, as if asking him something.

He swallowed and smiled sheepishly. “Charmed to meet you, then?”

“I’m not sure how you know my name but we can talk out in the front if you’d like.” She gave him a half-smile that made her eyes twinkle.

Liam couldn’t suppress a smile of his own while he gently nodded in agreement. He felt giddy all over, as if his spirits were lifted up in the air.

“That sounds like a good plan.” He chimed.

She grinned. He returned the gesture like a lovesick boy.

“Meet me inside.”

“As you wish.”

And as he followed her inside, he momentarily looked at his reflection on the mirrored windows of the bar. He paused in his tracks, almost too tired of the many surprises he’s had.

“Why the hell did you do this? What made you think this is what I wanted? What… Clair I thought you respected me more than this,” Rayne’s hands shook as she held the statement, panic settling in. She looked up at her friend. That barrier between her and the people...

“Ok, step away from the cool-aide, this has not been released to anyone, but myself, and I am giving you a copy. And I do respect you, more than you are respecting yourself at this moment. I love you, if all the bullshit is stripped away and you still want to live in the shadow, that is fine, but what are you teaching Evie? Raynnie, I want you to see who you are…”

“Please Clair,” she stopped her, “please don’t. I really -” Rayne felt her knees buckle and she reached out to grab her friend before she collapsed, the statement drifting to the floor away from them.  Clair’s arm came around her and they sat against the wall. Rayne tried to fight back tears and failed.

“I do love you Raynnie,” Clair said soothingly, “I am here, but you know I have to try… I almost see the girl I saw when Warner, died, Rayne I cannot lose you again like that. That zombie I saw for ten months, she is still not the woman you were always meant to be,” she rubbed Rayne’s arm and pulled her closer, “I promised him, I would always be here to push you, help you see when you were being stubborn, and I will be damned if I don’t keep my promises.”

“You spoke to Warner about me?” Rayne whispered, wiping away the tears, she thought that wound had healed, but her brother had been the only family she had that had acted like it. That support had gone, but Clair was still here. She looked up at the statement where it lay a several feet from them, “you helped me so much then,” she turned to her friend, “I don’t think I would have got through it alone I’m not… not strong enough.”

“That is where you are wrong, baby girl. Look at what you have here. Rayne, you have the job of raising the next King and Princess of Cordonia,  you have the biggest heart I have ever seen. Rayne, you have been playing the role of Queen for months. You have taken all the shit this country could throw at you and you still have never let them see you break, Clair sighed, “Warner loved you so much, he always wanted me to watch out for you when he could be around. I sorry I did not get here sooner, but I am here and I will not go until you see the strength and power you truly have, tigress.”

Pulling her knees up to her chest, Rayne leant into her friend and became acutely aware of the fact that they were sitting in the hallway. She thought about what Clair had said, and what Drake had said, and there was so much truth there if she was honest with herself. Leo and Evelyn… the next leaders of this country. She would raise them to be strong, and independent, and better suited for their roles than she was…

“I don’t know what to do Clair. It’s... “ she looked up at her, “this stays between us, okay?”

“Absolutely,” Rayne nodded, and breathed in deeply.

“I’m scared. Where Liam and I are now… I don’t want to lose that. I love him so much,” she felt tears stinging her eyes again, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Well first, you need to decide, if you are ready to stop being afraid.  I will be here as long as it takes. And from the way that man yelled at me, I know that he loves you with everything in him and will always put you and the babies first.”

“Liam yelled at you?” Rayne couldn’t help but laugh through the tears, “you are possibly one of the only people in the world who could get that response from him.”

“Well you know me, I am not afraid to be an asshole, but I needed to get some information from him, and I got all that I needed, plus I wanted to poke the bear, if you will.” Clair shrugged, then smiled when Rayne laughed again.

“Of course you did,” Rayne hugged her, “thank you, really,” she smiled, “so are you planning on getting that response from me as well?” she raised an eyebrow at her, grinning now.

“I already did.” She grinned, “now, I need to know, what are we going to do, and should I go out with Leo?”

“He did ask you then,” Rayne shook her head, and stood up, reaching a hand down to help Clair, “you should. Leo is a good guy, he just doesn’t bother to show it very often.”

“Well, technically he had Drake ask me out for him, to which I replied that he needs to call me himself, then I realized he may not have my number.”

“That guy… asking Drake is new, he must be nervous. It’s possible he asked Drake for your number or…” Rayne checked her phone, which had been on silent since she left the palace, “no, there it is, ‘hey Rayne, I hope it isn’t too much to ask, but could you send me Clair’s number? She said to call her,’” she looked up at Clair, “what do you think? Can I give it to him?”

“Umm yes. He is hot, and I have made him suffer enough,” Rayne shook her head, smiling.

“Of course you did… what did he do? Come to the suite when Liam and I weren’t there?”

“Yep, I made him sleep on the couch.” Clair laughed, “ Liam was so pissed, he told Leo that he better not have had sex with me in your bed. As if I would do that, again.”

“Oh god please don’t remind me. You realise those were my favourite covers, right? Oh and also…” she looked slightly guilty, then smirked, “Olly and I repaid the favour,” Clair laughed, patting Rayne on the shoulder.

“Already knew that, Oh you have much to learn,  grasshopper... but first we really need to plan out the next steps, the trial is in four days, the UN will be watching,  Liam needs to make sure that Madeleine was the one who drugged him,” Rayne frowned.

“Who else would it be? No one else had access.”

“You have to be 100% certain,” Clair sighed, looking down the hallway for a moment, “look, the UN will be watching, and I really want Cordonia to fill the open seat. Everything will stick without the drugging, but I have a feeling there is something more going on here, that could have killed him if you hadn’t got there when you did, and Madeleine is not that stupid. Every charge needs to stick or she can walk away. Cordonia and Liam will be looked at unfavourably by the UN. He has worked too hard for that.”

“I know,” Rayne picked up Tariq’s statement, “you said that I could make a statement? Explain myself? Would that hurt Liam?”

“No, you both were victims, you stayed knowing your truth. Liam did what you told him to do, he came to you first, and you both made the decision for the good of the country with the information you had at the time.” Clair reassured her, “the people will love to see the real picture, you put them first. You put them above wanting a crown.  You both thought of them. But now the them is the twins. Liam needs to do what is right for his family. If he can protect his family, then the people will trust him to always protect them as well.”

“You’re right” Rayne nodded, “he is the most incredible man, he is so good to me and the best father I have ever seen, but I realised yesterday that I…” she swallowed hard and forced herself to look at Clair, “I backed him into a corner. I haven’t treated him well in return. It’s something I need to change,” she pulled her friend into a hug, “will you help me?”

“Of course, like you need to ask, but first we have to make sure that Liam doesn’t kick me out… I really poked the bear,” Clair laughed, returning the hug with vigour.

“It’s a good thing you’re my friend then. I’m the only one allowed to kick you out,” she smirked, shaking her head, “as if that has ever worked, you only ever leave on your own terms,” she let her go and they continued down the hall, “it’s one of the many things I love about you… so what will our next steps be? Do I make a statement before the trial?”

“Yes that would be wise, but you and Liam should make that decision together, and you both should make the statement together, but I think we should all meet to discuss what the next steps are. Meaning me, you, Liam, Drake, and Leo.”

“Okay. I think Liam is working in our suite. I’ll talk to him,” she considered her approach, “when will we meet then? It will take a while for us to draft the statement, and it would be best if we could bring it to the meeting, so that you can review it as well. I suppose this is a team effort now.”

“Raynnie, you and Liam were never alone. How about tomorrow after lunch, I may have a dinner date  tonight if you ever send Leo my number.” Clair winked.

Rayne rolled her eyes, grinning, “please stay in his room. I guarantee you you will end up there Clair, and that will be on your own terms as well. I’ve known Leo long enough to know that. He’s like…” she smiled, “he’s like a brother to me,” Clair laughed.

“If he is lucky.”

“Any man should count himself lucky if you even look at them twice Clair. You make them jump through a hell of a lot of hoops, Reece is probably still recovering, but it doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy their ‘company’ and please don’t make me say more than that. Like I said. He is family.”

“Rayne, you have two babies, stop being a prude…”

“I cannot believe you just called me that,” Rayne shoved her, “you’ve been calling me that for years. Yes, I have Leo and Evie. And yes, I know exactly how I got them, but Leo is family. Different rules apply,” she chuckled, “in any case I do hope you have a good time, you’ve been working to help me, I’d rest easier knowing you were actually enjoying yourself as well.”

“Aww, that is sweet, but what am I chopped liver? Leo is family, what does that make me?”

“Super gross, since we’re already basically sisters. But let’s not dwell on that,” Rayne smiled, “yesterday morning was the end of a very long dry spell. It got too difficult in the last couple of months especially, and I don’t know why I am telling you that, but I’m very glad it’s over.”

“From the smile on Liam’s face that morning, I could tell he was too. Ok, I have some more digging to do, go see that man of yours,” Clair hugged her, “finally. Raynnie is back from the dead.”

 ‘Liam you need to come to your suite. It’s important’

Liam stared at his phone. He had only ever been summoned by Drake on two occasions. The first had been when he got back from Ramsford with Rayne, and had been a lecture about the mistake he was making. The second had been a month later, after a few days in which Liam had left Rayne alone with Madeline whilst he was travelling. Both times he had been beating himself up for the move, barely feasible options like whips in his mind. The second time particularly he had been deserving of Drake's words. His friend had spent the week defending Rayne and protecting her at every turn, with help from his brother and occasionally from Olivia. That was the last time he had left Rayne alone with Madeline. She had come with him a couple of times on overseas trips early on, and in the later months she had taken trips to stay with Maxwell at Ramsford, and once even went to Lythikos. He had deserved the reprimand then, and the lecture on the mistake he was making the first time, and it made him nervous to think of what Drake was planning on throwing at him. There were so many things to choose from, most recently the accusations that Rayne's friend had judged him for yesterday..

It made him angry that she thought Tariq was such a large part of the problem. Though they hadn't found him, the misconception that the scandal was holding him back was ridiculous. Rayne had demonstrated her true character enough times that the people had accepted that it was a setup. Months ago. They loved her, they respected her, and the only thing he regretted was that she either couldn't see that, or didn't acknowledge it.

During the walk from the council room where he had received the message to his suite, Liam's head buzzed with possibilities for Drake's inevitable attack, and it was all he could do to breath deep and calm himself before entering his suite.

“Evening Drake,” his voice was tired. The last few days had been wonderful but picking up the small tasks that the ex-queen had left, organising the trial, readying the council for the changes, and preparing a statement with Rayne was crammed into a smaller space as he prioritised his family and spending time with them. It was amazing to see Evie and Leo and be there more often, spending time outside or playing indoor. Even just watching Rayne interact with their children was incredible, the way her face lit up when she played with them or they smiled that crooked Rhys smile that made her laugh… he smiled, then realised he was not alone with his thoughts.

“Take a seat Liam,” his friend looked at him sternly, “it's time we talked.”

“Really Drake? I've had this conversation already.” he moved further into the room. The feel of the place was exactly the same as the previous confrontations, if you could call them that. They never got far, Drake knew that, but he would try. He would try until he achieved guilt in Liam which didn’t take long, and then he would leave him to his thoughts.

“Evidently it had no effect. You need to get your head straight, so take a seat.” Liam stared at him, and Drake met his gaze unwavering. Based on the last two times, nothing would deter him until he got what he wanted, so he complied and walked over to his usual chair, looking expectantly at his friend once he was seated. Drake surveyed him carefully, eyes narrowed, before nodding and taking the seat opposite.

“You spoke to Clair about this then,” Liam started, “did you invite her? Or did she impose herself on you, like she then did to me,” he wasn’t going to stay on the back foot here. He had grounds as well, and a lot had changed since last time Drake had done this. Drake rolled his eyes.

“Fuck Liam. Of course I invited her. You need to see reason. It isn’t rocket science.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair, “Li I’ve ha-”

“She came and shouted at me. You know that I suppose? She had no right to do that,” he stood up and began to pace, turning back to his friend when he was a few steps away, “this is not the king talking Drake, this is Liam. She doesn’t know enough about this. Regardless of how much research she’s done. What did you tell her?” Drake groaned.

“Fucking get it together Liam...” he cleared his throat, nodding to himself again, “it doesn’t matter! I told her what she needed to know. Everything she needed to know, which isn’t much, to make her own judgement. The rest she found out on her own. You need to stop being on the defensive Li. I get it, you want to protect Rayne, we all do,” Liam wanted to counter. They didn’t know Rayne like he did. Yes there were things they were still holding back but so much was open now. Their relationship was complex by circumstance, but it was also easy, despite their difficulties. Drake continued, “you aren’t the only one who cares about her Liam,” Liam watched him carefully. Drake had been attracted to Rayne when she first got here, he had noticed that. Even during the beginning of the engagement tour and sometimes it had worried him. He closed his eyes and reminded himself that it was a long time ago and the only thing he had been since then had been the friend that Rayne desperately needed, and that Liam didn’t deserve.

“I know that Drake.” He said through gritted teeth.

“Do you?” he stood as well, “because you sure as hell don’t act like it. You aren’t the only one who cares about her. She isn’t the only one who cares about you. And the two of you aren’t the only ones who care about Evie and Leo,” he paused and watched him, eyes narrowed and frowning. It wasn’t his classic disinterested frown, it was an angry one, which was rare.

“What’s your point?” he gave the same hard stare, “I know all of this Drake. And I know what you’re trying to do, and I am telling you now. Back off,” Drake scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Un-fucking-believable... Liam you are my best friend. Rayne is one of my closest friends. I won’t let you keep destroying yourselves like this!” he sighed, frustrated, “I am not going to back off and you fucking know it.”

“What do you expect me to do Drake?” Liam nearly shouted. Screw being calm, it was Drake, and he was pushing across the line, “force Rayne to marry me? For what? Security??” he took a step towards his friend and pointed a finger at him, “you don’t get to decide that!”

“Jesus christ Liam calm the fuck down I’m trying to help you!” Drake ran both hands through his hair, stepping away for a moment shaking his head, then nodding and turning back, his expression calmer, “I get it, don’t say that I don’t, I’ve known Rayne as long as you have, I’ve known you since we were kids. Don’t think I’m ignorant here. Don’t think Leo is, or Liv, or even fucking Max!” he took a deep breath and continued more evenly, “it physically pains me to watch the two of you hurting this much. What you’ve done with Maddie is a band aid. And I’m not just saying that for the fucking ‘must have a wife’ shit your dad thought was okay. I’m talking about the shit that is going on in your head, and in hers, where neither of you think you are good enough for the other.”

Liam stared at him, frown lessening just slightly. It was as if he was seeing his friend for the first time. He must seem like such an idiot, to be standing here defending his insecurity when he knew that Rayne carried the same one. At a loss for what to say, he sunk onto the nearest chair, Rayne’s chair. It smelt like her rose shampoo and he loved it. He tried to think of how to counter that but once again was at a loss, and so he stared at the carpet instead and gave in to the guilt and to the wait before he could bury it again.

“Don’t Li,” Drake warned, and he looked up to see his friends focus, “don’t just give into it. Do something about it. This is what I mean. You let it build up, the two of you both do it. You let it build up and it consumes you and then you break. You can’t pretend to be okay. You know that you aren’t, and you know that Rayne isn’t either and that if either of you are going to actually be okay you need to get rid of this guilt.” Drake sat opposite him again, “I want to help you, Li. Let me help.”

“You can’t though, can you.” Liam looked up at his friend, who frowned, “I mean you can’t help. That’s why you’ve been so frustrated.” He watched Drake closely as he nodded, “I thought so,” he ran a hand over his mouth. The guilt that he allowed to wash over him was suffocating. It had taken hours to calm down the last two times. There was nothing Drake or Leo or Olivia or Maxwell could do because the only person who could help him was himself.

“I can only tell you what you need to here.” Drake sighed, and leant back in his chair, “right now I’m telling you what you’ve been telling yourself since the engagement tour because you know it already. You need to tell her everything. She needs to do the same. I am not telling you to propose to her, I’m telling you to be honest.”

“Those two are very closely related,” Liam said, closing his eyes and breathing deep, “I’ve told you before Drake. What I honestly want is to be side by side with Rayne for the rest of my life, and I want her to be my queen. Not for power or influence or anything that comes with the title. I don’t care about that and I know she doesn’t. The only thing I want her to see is who she really is because I honestly don’t think she believes me.” Liam leant back as well, deflating. This was the roundabout in his mind that had been there for months. She would be an amazing queen, the perfect queen; he couldn’t ask if she wasn’t ready; she wouldn’t admit that she was; she worked as hard as a queen would; she would be an amazing queen...

“She does believe you, Li.” Drake said firmly, “don’t doubt that. Rayne knows damn well what she can do, she’s been doing it for months, hiding behind the fact that until she tells you point blank that she is ready, you won’t ask her. This is not going to end until one of you gives up the self-destructive stubbornness and takes control of the situation. It’s not that complex, not really, once you take a step back.”

“Thank you for your recommendation about the workspace,” Liam said, remembering that talk weeks ago, “you’re right she knows what she can do. I was asking her opinions like you suggested but sometimes I come home, and she’s done everything. Made notes, organised timelines, read through and written summaries on reports, made suggestions, edited speeches, written to community leaders without signing... she just does it.” He couldn’t help but smile. Rayne was constantly surprising him with how much work she put in. Because she wanted to, and no other reason. No other motive.

“And you still try and tell yourself she doesn’t think she is ready.” Drake smiled, “don’t fall back into that rut, Liam. The only thing you need to do is tell her the same things you just told me. Let her decide what it means. She loves you, more than anything in the world she loves you and Evie and Leo. Remember that.” Liam nodded, smiling as well.

“I know that,” he said, “I don’t know how that happened.”

“You’re a lucky bastard is how,” Drake grinned, and Liam chuckled, “remember that. Rayne is one of a kind, so don’t fuck it up, because most people can hardly dream of the kind of love the two of you have. You are perfect for each other, but you’re a little too alike sometimes,” he stood up, “it won’t be easy, both of you are masters at hiding from each other, but that isn’t a solution. Tell her exactly how you feel, with no omissions, and we won’t need to ever have another one of these conversations.” Liam smirked.

“Until I need to tell you to get it together and ask Liv out properly. I’m not blind either, Drake.” Drake shook his head, smiling, as Liam stood and raised an eyebrow at him. It was obvious to everyone except Drake and Olivia that they had feelings for each other that extended beyond late night rendezvous.

“Fine, deal. I will ask her out when you tell Rayne everything.”

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