Constantine: Britain’s Story Part 2 (Spearhead Lake)

Chapter 31

Britain

I wake up early, and roll over to watch Liam sleep. I’m tempted to burrow into him, but I don’t. I just want to enjoy this moment. His muscular arms are wrapped around the pillow, and even just seeing his bare back makes me appreciate how beautiful he is. And he is the most beautiful man, inside and out. I sneak out of bed quietly, pulling on his sweatshirt and some biker shorts, then head downstairs.

Jess and Eden are already up, playing on the living room floor.

“Hi,” I say, coming to sit down next to my best friend. She seems worn out today. Maybe she’s just tired?

“Hey babe, everything okay?” Jess asks. “Kinda worried about you yesterday.”

“Everything is just fine. It’s a long story, but it’s all okay.” I bounce my shoulder off of hers. Eden squeals when she realizes I’m there, too, reaching up for me to take her, so I do, setting her on my knees.

“I would be soo happy if we never had to talk about my dramatic life ever again. I would much rather talk about you. I’m sorry I haven’t been a good friend these last couple months.”

She shakes her head at me. “No, you’ve been a great friend. Your dramatic life has been the perfect distraction. And then I flew on a private jet to this fancy-ass cabin, where a private chef cooks for me, there’s a crew of people to clean, and I have Caroline and Elodie for on-demand babysitting. Honestly, my life is a fucking dream because of you.”

I laugh. “Well, that sounds like a start, but maybe I could be the listening kind of friend now?” She looks down at her hands where she’s pulling her wedding ring up and down, on and off, over and over.

“I don’t know, Brit. I thought Tommy was my Liam. I thought he was it, but apparently he thinks someone at his office is it, too.”

“Wait, what? I thought you said he wants to open your marriage up. Did he already…”

“He’s been having an emotional affair, I would call it, for…awhile now. A long while.”

“Wow, I’m so sorry, Jess.” I know firsthand how damaging an emotional affair can be, and I don’t mean Damian, I mean me. I was in love with someone else most of my entire marriage, even if it was just the idea of that person.

“The only reason it probably hasn’t been more is because they work at the firm’s office in Taiwan.” Ahhh, okay.

“I see. But he’s not there right now, is he?” I haven’t even asked about Tommy, I’ve been such an asshole. She looks at me and I know. “He left the day you were being salty with me?” She nods her head up and down and I pull her in tight, wrapping my arms around her.

“Should I send Alex his coordinates?”

Jess laughs at my question. Even though she’s crying, she genuinely laughs. “No, I don’t know that we’re at that stage yet. I just know I’m in NO hurry to go home. Do you mind?”

“Not even a little bit. Like move here. Stay here. Whatever you need. I can make your salary full-time and start paying you to a different bank account, if you know what I mean?” She laughs at me again.

“Not necessary, but I will take a roof over my head, though, and some good company.”

I release my hold on her. “I can do that. We’re team Jess, okay? You don’t need him. I know he felt like the one, and maybe he’s not, but either way it doesn’t matter, because we’ve got you.”

“Thanks, babe.”

“Love you, JJ,” I say.

“Love you, too, but I fucking hate that nickname,” she says back when I notice a bare-chested and disheveled Liam standing at the top of the stairs, like he ran out of our bedroom looking for me. I smile at him, and he gives a wary smile back.

“I promise I’m not a flight risk,” I call up to him and he laughs. As I watch him come down the stairs, I literally salivate and lick my lips.

“Maybe we aren’t getting you a new car today,” he jokes, coming over and picking Eden up off my lap. He tosses her into the air and she coos and squeals with delight before settling her on his hip. Me next?

“What happened to your car?” Jess asks frantically. “Did you get in an accident?”

“No,” I stand up, laughing, “not at all. Let’s just say, we are very anti-Matthias at the moment.” Jess looks between me and Liam. “Come on, I’ll tell you all about it over coffee.”

“So you think Matt was just like trying to be with you this whole time because of the business share?” I shrug my shoulders.

“I mean, why else would he have wanted to date me?” Liam and Jess both give me a death glare when I say this, but I just sip my coffee. It’s the truth. Why else would he have pursued me? I mean, it all makes sense. Even at the picnic, he didn’t want to take no for an answer. He knew who I was and what that meant, and that’s why he asked me out. I’m sure of it. I’m not bothered by it because I met the man of my dreams that same day. He didn’t know me and I didn’t know him, but the connection was there, instantaneously.

“Shut up,” Jess says. “He might be stupid hot, but if he’s that big of a dick, it’s not surprising he’s been single all these years.”

“I don’t know,” I say, then think about Matthias and I together. There was something there. I mean, I don’t think anyone could fake all of it. Every word, every touch. I can see how some of it was a show. Maybe he hoped Constantine would just leave everything to him if we ended up together. Or maybe he was banking on the fact that I was just this meek, desperate woman and he’d end up with control of my shares. I don’t know, and I’m starting to feel like I don’t care if I ever know.

I have everything I’ve ever needed or wanted right here, at home. Which reminds me, we’re missing a few people.

“Hey, isn’t Carly coming today?” I ask Liam and he looks at the oven clock.

“Yeah, she’s not normally late. “His mouth slides to the side in contemplation.

“I thought she had the weekends off?” Jess says, confused.

“Monday and Tuesday are her days off. If she’s not here in an hour, I’ll give her a call, but in the meantime, who wants scrambled eggs?” Liam sets down his coffee and moves to the fridge. He still hasn’t put on a shirt, and Jess and I both ogle him, watching him work.

“How old is he again?” Jess whispers to me.

“He’ll be 50 in October.”

“And no brothers?” I laugh at her question.

“Sorry, babe, no brothers.”

“Damn, alright. I know we hate Matthias now, but do we hate his brothers, too?”

“Nope. Love Silas, still my doctor. Max just bought Liam out, so love him. And Niko, well he’s impossible to hate. Want me to set you up?” I ask excitedly. She looks excited, too, for a second before shaking her head.

“Nah, but it’s fun to dream.” I nod in agreement. I get it.

The sound of the sliding door opening pulls our attention. We all turn to see Caroline walk in through the door that leads to the back deck, freezing when she finds us all watching her.

“I, uh, couldn’t sleep. Just went and sat down by the lake this morning,” she says.

While mildly believable, the lie is obvious. I mean, I was a teenager once, too. I nod, but motion for her to come sit next to me, and when she does, I just lean over and give her a big hug.

“I love you, Caro,” I whisper in her ear. “You don’t have to tell me the truth now, but I’d love to hear it some day.” I pull away to see her cheeks turn bright pink then lean back, giving her a loving pat on her leg.

“I was wondering if we could have a big Sunday dinner here tomorrow night?” I look at Liam for his thoughts.

“Whatever you want, baby,” he says, turning back to the eggs in the skillet. “Caroline, what can I make you? Toast, scramble, fried egg?”

“Uh, scramble, please,” she asks hesitantly, at first. “You do the eggs, I’ve got the toast.” She slides off her stool to grab the loaf of sourdough on the counter and when I look at Liam, he shoots me a wink. He knows it was Caroline. We’ll probably have a dog by the end of the week. Damn. I laugh to myself.

“I’ll invite Alex, Sandy, and Jim, obviously, but I was wondering if I could invite Constantine, too? Maybe Max, Niko, and Silas?”

Liam doesn’t hesitate in answering. “Definitely,” he says, then walks around to slide eggs onto the plates Caroline’s laid out.

The mudroom door opens and Carly comes bursting into the kitchen, looking horrified when she sees us getting ready to eat.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Liam, give me the skillet.”

He laughs at her, and rebuffs her advances. “Carly, it’s fine. It’s just some scrambled eggs. We got up a little early today is all. Get some coffee. We’re fine,” he says again, when Carly just keeps standing there.

“My car wouldn’t start this morning,” she says in a rush, then looks to Caroline and then back to the floor. “And then I had to wait for James to give me a ride.” Ahhh. Time to have another “safe sex” talk with Caroline. She’s going to love that.

“We were just talking about getting rid of Britain’s SUV. You’re welcome to use it, if you need?” Liam offers it to her, and I don’t care at all. He doesn’t even need to get me a new car, I don’t want to go anywhere for the rest of the summer. I just want to sit by the lake and watch the girls enjoy the water, talk shit with my best friend, and love my man. And maybe have a couple Sunday dinners every now and again.

“Oh, um, that’s too kind, but I can’t really afford a BMW.” I don’t know Carly’s situation, but I know Liam is probably paying her out the nose for her to be here full time. I can tell Liam is thinking the same thing.

“I never said you needed to buy it, just use it. You know, until you get your old car fixed, or a new one. Or just as long as you need, okay?”

I know it’s going to take a lot for her to accept, but reluctantly she does. “Fine, but put down the cooking utensils and let me finish breakfast. Jiminy Crickets, Liam, you’re giving me a heart attack.” She throws her long brown hair up into a claw clip, then heads over to the sink to wash her hands. Liam sets down plates in front of our stools, and Caroline slides a piece of toast on each of them.

“Thank you, Liam,” Caroline steals the words right out of my mouth, but I’ll gladly take the progress. I smile at Liam and he comes around the island to give me a kiss on the top of my head.

“You don’t mind about the car, do you?” He whispers and I shake my head no. He steals an extra piece of toast, then excuses himself to the office to go do “car research.” Before I start eating, I can feel Jess’ gaze on me so I look over to her. She slips Eden a piece of toast to chew on, but keeps looking at me.

“What?” I ask her.

“I’m just wildly jealous, that’s all,” she says, then corrects, “Not of Liam. Fuck, you know what I mean.”

I do. Because I remember sitting at lunch over margs, feeling jealous of Jess, and Tommy, and Eden, and now look where we are. Things can change in the blink of an eye, I just hope for my sake, things stay the same, at least for a little bit.

On Sunday afternoon, I slip on my favorite D?en midi dress. Looking at myself in the full length mirror, I can see just how happy I am. There’s color on my cheeks from spending all day on the lake yesterday. My breasts seem to be getting fuller by the day, and thanks to Carly’s cooking, my belly does, too. I’m hitting my peak pregnancy body and I make a mental note to try and savor it because I’m sure in just a few short months, I’ll be hating life and uncomfortable 24/7.

I know I look happy, but I feel happy too. Somehow “happy” doesn’t even begin to describe it, though. Happy isn’t encompassing enough to define how I feel. I’m with the man of my literal dreams and my kids have fallen in love with Spearhead, my favorite place in the world. I have family in my life for the first time in decades and I’m finally building the life I’ve always wanted, with a family I’ve chosen and chooses me in return.

Alex was kind enough to drop off Georgia’s box this morning, and since then, I’ve been holed up in my room for hours going through the photos and cards that were stashed away beside her notebooks. I read all 18 birthday cards Constantine had written to me, and they were beautiful. Filled with his hopes and dreams for me, his regrets, his sadness. But most of all, his love.

Liam’s footsteps draw my attention as he walks into my closet, coming behind me and embracing me, letting his hands rest on my bump. “I love you, Bambi.” I smile at him through our reflection in the mirror.

“I love you too, Liam.” We stand entwined for a couple minutes, but eventually he releases me.

“We should probably go downstairs…” The way he trails off gives me pause.

“I just finished doing my hair and makeup,” I remind him, “and it’s only been like 5 hours since you last had me.”

“So? I always want you.”

I laugh at him. “Not right now. Sandy’ll be here any minute.”

He mockingly rolls his eyes at me, “Fine.” He turns around to walk out of my closet, but stops, turning back. “Is it too soon for you to start wearing your engagement ring again?” I’d almost forgotten about it.

“Well, seeing as how you haven’t proposed…yes.”

“Ahh, you’re going to make me do that again?” I look at him, dumbfounded.

“Yes,” I say completely straight faced.

“Right, no, you’re right,” he says, then walks out of my closet, opening our bedroom door for me.

The house seems eerily quiet. Huh. I thought there’d be more hustle and bustle and prep happening for dinner. When we get to the foot of the stairs, I turn to head towards the kitchen, but Liam stops me, taking my hand to head out to the deck.

“I want to show you something,” he says, squeezing my hand a bit firmer.

“Sure,” I say in return. It doesn’t take long for me to realize something is afoot. When we step outside, the whole back deck is covered in flower petals and the stairs leading down to the dock are lined with large arrangements of white and blue flowers. On the dock itself, I can make out what looks like…a string quartet?

“Wh-what’s all this?” I ask Liam with a trembling voice.

“Just dance with me, Bambi, nothing crazy.” He leads me down the stone stairs, all the way to the dock, and when we’re almost there, the quartet starts to play. I recognize the song, instantly. It’s “The Chair” by George Strait.

There’s a small open area on the large floating dock, and he pulls me into his arms and we dance. It feels just like the first time, except infinitely better. Because I know him, and I love him now.

When the song ends, I lean back and say, “That was nice,” and he just smiles back at me, cupping my face in his hand, and stroking my cheek gently. The quartet starts the next song, and my tears start falling without my permission. It’s “I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton and Liam’s eyes turn watery, too.

He gets down on one knee, and pulls out a familiar ring box. “Britain, I won’t make you any promises. We never even have to exchange vows if you don’t want to. But I want you to know, I will always love you. That is a fact. It’s who I am. I am the best version of me, for you, because of you. You changed my life before I even knew you, Britain. I was always yours, and you were always mine.

You’re my home, and my favorite person, and I don’t want to spend another day where you’re not mine forever.” He pauses to swallow, then says, “I’m already the luckiest bastard alive because you’re here. Can you make me the happiest one, too, and marry me?” Yes. It’s a no-brainer. I fall to my knees beside him, and kiss him like it’s the end of times. But it’s not, it’s just the beginning of our beautiful life.

I release his mouth and whisper out, “Yes,” as tears fall down my face. He kisses me again, then opens the ring box to slide his ring back on my finger, where it belongs.

Liam looks down at my hand, then back up at me, and I can see how much he loves me reflected in his eyes. When the song ends, the group of musicians set down their instruments to clap and cheer, but it’s the high-pitched yapping sound that pulls my attention away from my fiancé.

I look at Liam with wide eyes and he nods. “You didn’t,” I say.

“I didn’t, but we did.” A golden retriever puppy comes bounding down the deck stairs, a large bow tied around its neck. The girls follow closely behind and when the puppy gets to the bottom, it bolts straight for us, jumping on my chest to give me kisses. I laugh because, damnit, I knew we’d have a dog before the end of the week.

“Hi, puppy!” I laugh at the way his tongue tickles my chin. The girls join us, dropping to their knees, too, as we all huddle around the newest family member. Eventually Caroline and Elodie offer us congratulations, giving me, then Liam, each a hug.

“So, what’s the pupper’s name, huh?” I look around to the girls and Liam.

“Well, we’re a bit undecided at the moment,” Liam says. “I like Harry.”

“And I like Fang,” Elodie adds.

“But I think Draco is fitting,” Caroline says. I can’t help but agree, the puppy has really light, almost white, fur.

“Wow, we’re really leaning hard into the Harry Potter theme then. So, it’s a boy?” They all look at each other then shake their heads no. “No? Well, isn’t it obvious then? Her name should be Luna.”

“You’re so right, Mom!” Elodie exclaims. “Luna Lovegood Scott-Millar is our new puppy!” I smile and look at Liam, and he smiles back at me. Caroline picks up the puppy, nuzzling its soft fur, and Elodie claps her hands with excitement. This time it’s my turn. I turn and mouth a “Thank you” to Liam.

Eventually there’s clapping and cheering coming from the top deck, and reluctantly we make our way back up to the house. I thank the string quartet before we leave, and then Liam’s right behind me, a gentle hand on the small of my back supporting me the whole way up.

I double check the ring on my finger, and just like everything with Liam is and has ever been, it fits so naturally, perfectly. It’s just right.