Liam.

Liam Collins 32 | father | lawyer as mentioned, I am a father, and my daughter, Riley is the most important person in the world to me. my ex is my ex, let's leave it at that. Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

“I did! It’s actually on a billboard about a mile down the road” Madison said with a laugh. Even she had some trouble taking her own advice. It was hard! All her friends had told her she had to slow down and enjoy life but that was tough when you had a business to run. A successful business, a successful bakery in town at that. The times were hard and at the end of the day the last thing she wanted to do was get pretty and go out and have a good time but she knew she had to, she was still so young. It was hard but she did it.

She took her eyes off the road and looked at Liam for a moment and let out a soft laugh. “Who doesn’t love a snow day” she smiled, looking back onto the road as she drove in the right direction to Liam’ house. “She’ll be happy about that because she gets to spend time with you. If she’s home you can’t go to work and she likes that”. Madison looked over at Liam once more. “She told me during one class she misses that but she knows your work is important as well” she said in a more serious tone. She focused her eyes back on the road, chewing on her lower lip. “Christmas music” Madison asked in a more cheerful tone before turning on her radio, the Christmas music starting to play on the radio of her car.

Liam hummed as he nodded his head, “okay, I haven’t seen it yet,” he replied, “maybe i should take Riley there and get a picture with it.” He knew that it wasn’t always easy to combine everything, he knew that he didn’t get a chance to spend as much time as he wanted with his daughter when he had a lot to do at work, but he always tried and he knew that Riley understood but that didn’t mean that he liked it. His friends and family had tried to get him to date, but so far he hadn’t really gone out, and he didn’t feel the need to either.

“I wouldn’t know,” he said, “I’ve always enjoyed them.” He smiled at her, “you might have a point about that, but even if I’m home with her, I’d probably have to work at some point I just can’t be home, even if I’d want to,” he rubbed his fingers against his eyebrow, “as much as I love my job at times it feels like it might take up a bit too much time.”  Liam let out a sigh, “I miss her too, it’s just hard to find the right balance and I’m sure you know all about that too. “ Liam leaned back, “sure if that’s what you’re in the mood for, it’s always the driver that gets to pick the music.”

[liamcxllins]

Christmas Tree | 002

madisonwhelan​:

Madison let out a soft chuckle. She stood beside him, a grin on her lips. “Or maybe nobody has an influence on her and you just need to loosen up a bit Liam Collins” she teased. A smile growing on her lips. “Maybe Madison has told me to mess with you a bit but she isn’t lying, Liam. It’s okay to let loose and forget work for a bit even after work hours” she said giving him a playful shrug. “Even sometimes I forget to do that. It’s hard, it is but if we don’t live then life and live in the moment then it will just float by us and that’s not living” she said in a more serious tone. A small smile on her lips.

As she got her coat and gathered all of her things, she shook her head in response. She had absolutely no allergies. Well none that she was aware of anyway. “None. Whatever you wanna make is perfect” Madison smiled. She led him outside and locked up her bakery. She turned around to see the snow falling before them. “It’s gonna be a white Christmas now” Madison smiled. It was still days away but it excited her. “Come on. All you gotta do is show me the way and I’ll get you home, Collins” she teased leading him to her car.

Liam shook his head and smiled at Maddie, “I think that there are some people that has some influence on her,” he replied, “and I think that I’m loose enough.” It wasn’t the first time he had heard someone tell him that he needed to loosen up some, mostly his sister was the one telling him to relax and loosen up, go out and have some fun. “I don’t think my daughter told you to mess with me,” he replied, if she had, well then, he was going to have a talk with her about what was appropriate to talk to people about. “Where did you read that?” he asked, “because that sounds like some weird inspirational quote you can read on a poster.”

He smiled at her, nodding his head, “you make it really easy,” he said, “I’m just glad that you don’t have some weird food preference or allergies.” It was so much more fun to cook when he didn’t have to think about ingredients or allergies he could just make what he felt like. Liam smiled at her, “it looks like it, I know someone that will be happy about that.” He followed her to the car, and climbed into the passenger seat, and he told her where he lived and gave her the directions. 

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

“I know you can I just love messing with ya” Madison said with a chuckle leaving her lips. “And absolutely. Any festivities and I am there” she replied as she gathered her things and put her coat on. This was going to be quite an eventful night to the say the least. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed company or even hung out with a dashingly handsome man. A man she liked spending time with.

She buttoned her coat up as she looked at Liam. “If you can cook most you can surprise me. Everyone who cooks or bakes has their own specialties so whatever your specialty is I’m game for” Madison said with a smile. She wasn’t a picky eater at all and mostly ate anything, and kept an open mind to trying new things. After all she was a chef, a baker.

“Of course you would love that,” he replied, it seemed like a lot of people seemed to like to mess with him, “I have a feeling that either you have a bad influence on Riley, or she’s having a bad influence on you.” It seemed like his daughter had decided on messing more and more with him these days. “Okay, sounds good to me,” he replied a smile playing over Liam’s lips. The night had been eventful, and he had had a good time, he hadn’t thought that it would be like this, but it felt like Madison was like an old friend to him even if he just had gotten a chance to get to know her better.

Liam nodded his head, “I can do that,” he said smiling at her, “any allergies I need to know about?” The last thing he wanted was to make something and it turned out that she was allergic to it, he had made that mistake once, he had used peanut oil to cook, and the girl he had cooked for was allergic to peanuts.

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

Madison was all for figuring it out together. There was something about the single father. She felt this pull, this connection towards him. She felt it even more after spending time with him tonight. Madison didn’t want that to end at all. She didn’t want stop spending time with him.

She arched her brow. “Liam Collins can cook” she teased, a grin spreading on her lips. “I can’t say no to that now. Your place is it” Madison agreed with a smile. “I’ll just follow in my car and we can let the festivities begin” she added as she gathered her coat and her purse. This was going to be a very interesting night to say the least. It was way better then going home to an empty apartment, that was just draining and lonely. She enjoyed Liam’ company.

“He can cook,” Liam replied, he was almost sure that he had told her that already. “And he thinks that we both need to eat something that isn’t sweet cookies,” he smiled at her. “Well,” he began, “maybe you can drive me since I actually took a taxi here,” he said, and rubbed a hand over his head. “And then the festivities can begin.” 

Liam had a feeling that it would be pretty nice to spend with someone that wasn’t his daughter or family, and he liked spending time with her. He followed her to her car, and got in, and he made sure to give her directions for where they were going. “So is there something you’re really craving?” he asked, “since I can cook most meals.”

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

“Maybe you’re right” Madison replied with a small smile on her lips. That’s what everyone told her even when she had just about giving up but hearing it come from Liam’ lips felt different. She arched her brow in response. He had a lot to catch up on. A lot. “Just The Grinch!? Oh we really need to catch you up on the classic movies of Christmas” Madison exclaimed.

A small smile grew on her lips. Helping him was definitely better then going home and watching movies by herself. She could use the company as he could obviously. “I would be happy to help you and trust me it won’t. I open this shop then go home at the end of the day. Like you in a way my work is basically life, so I’d be honored to help you. Just let me close up and empty the register for the night and we’ll head out” Madison gave him a smile before she walked behind the register and began emptying it out for the night and locking it away in the safe. “So how does this “helping” work” Madison questioned as she turned her attention back to the handsome single father, approaching him. “Your place? My place? I’m cool with whatever you’re cool with”.

“If you get to know me,” Liam began, “you’ll realize that I’m almost always right.” A smile teased over his lips as he looked at her. He shook his head, “yeah,” he began, rubbing the back of his head, “or maybe I’ll seen a couple of others too.” He hadn’t really thought about what movies he had seen or not.

There was something about seeing the smile on her lips, maybe it was the right thing that he said, offered her to join him. And maybe it was also that he didn’t want to stop spending time with her. “I guess I’ll have to trust you,” he said. He leaned back a bit, and watched her close up. “I don’t really know exactly, I thought that we could figure that out together.” He let out a small breath, “maybe my placed and I’ll cooking you something.”

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

Madison let a smile grow on her lips as she heard his response. Finally! She had him convinced to take some time for himself. Everyone needed a little time to themselves, to let loose and have a little fun, even she did. Running a successful bakery was not easy work at all, even though she had a little time it was still exhausting, starting work at 4am to going until 6pm at night when she closed. She could only imagine how hectic Liam’ life was while also being a single dad and all.

“I don’t blame you there. I tried tinder and all the guys wanted a picture of the breasts. I’m like for real….fuck that I ain’t got time for all those horny college boys or the boys sitting in their mama and daddies basement” Madison said with a role of her eyes. “You just confirmed my suspicions. Never thought of you as a pajama type guy, more of a boxer kind of guy. I’m sure you’d look cute in a pair of Christmas pajamas though” she added with a smile before it faded as she realized what she had said, her cheeks heating up with a shade of red. “Well I imagine…..I’m just….There’s so many good Christmas movies. You have classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and let’s not forget A Christmas Story you know the one with Ralphie wanting a BB gun and the leg lamp. I go on and on about Christmas movies” she chuckled. She simply loved the holiday. Her eyes gazed on Liam’. “I could definitely teach you if you need help”.

Liam knew that time to himself was something he needed, but it wasn’t something he took for himself, he didn’t want Riley to believe that he didn’t want her around. But knowing that there was more than just his family and best friend that told him that he needed it, well maybe they all had a point. 

“Well, maybe you just didn’t find the right guys,” he replied, but he heard the same stories from his sister, and some of his close friends too. And maybe he should listen to them. Liam smiled at her, and nodded his head, “sounds like I got a list of movies that I can watch,” he replied, he ran a hand over his head. “The only one I’ve really watched is The Grinch,” he couldn’t help the small laugh that left his lips. “But I do think that I’d need some help so you are more than welcome to help me. As long as it won’t get in the way of something else.”

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan·:

Christmas Tree | 002

Madison swallowed as she felt his biceps move just briefly underneath her touch as her hand laid there on his arm. She was loving getting to know him and wanted to continuing getting to know him but just briefly her mind wandered onto racier, dirtier thoughts. Thoughts in general she hadn’t had in so long. She was so bad! The single baker quickly pushed such thoughts away and gazed at the lawyer.

“Let her stay” Madison said with a shrug of his shoulders. “If she loves staying there and grandma and grandpa love spoiling her why not!? Take a night for yourself. Would that be so bad? Unwind. Lose the suit, put some sweats and t-shirt on or Christmas pajamas, grab a few beers. Kick your feet up and watch a corny romance Christmas movie or read a book by the fireplace” Madison grinned, describing her perfect night in after a long day of work. Although a night like that is better when you’re with someone. “Or if that’s not your thing to do then go find a date on Tinder. Whatever makes you happy do it. You deserve it, Liam. I’ve known you for a few weeks and I can tell from afar you’re too hard on yourself sometimes. You worry too much. Let loose and relax. I can promise you once you do you will appreciate the season more”.

Liam shook his head, the smile still present on his face as he looked at Maddie. “Yeah, maybe,” he replied. He knew that it wouldn’t be a problem, if anything both Riley, and his parents would be happy about her staying. And maybe Madison did have a point, he could take a night for himself, it had been a long time since he had just relaxed, alone, most of the time when he took it easy, his daughter was there with him.

“Maybe, a movie and a beer or two does sound kind of nice,” he said. He wasn’t really a big drinker but he did enjoy a drink every now and then. “I think I’ll skip out on the Tinder thing,” he laughed and shook his head, that wasn’t his life, not anymore at least, he had enjoyed something like that when he was younger. “I’m not much of a pajamas kinda guy,” he replied, “but a t-shirt and a pair of sweats and a good move, yes.” He let out a soft sigh, “any suggestions when it comes to movies, most movies I’ve watched the last few years have been kid friendly.” He shook his head, maybe for a second, he had thought about, how it would be to have her join him, but that wasn’t what he should be thinking about, because if he did his mind would wonder, and it wouldn’t be watching Netflix, it would be more of a Netflix and Chill and that wasn’t a thought he should have about her. “I’m not sure about that, but like I said maybe I should give it a try, if it doesn’t work maybe you can teach me.” 

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

“There’s no maybe, Liam” Madison assured him, a grin on her lips. “After I’m done with you, I promise you WILL be the whole…..entire package. I promise you that” she smiled, biting down on her lower lip right after. Liam Collins was way too good to be true. “And I’d like that next time” Madison said with a small smile on her lips. It was honestly the first time any man was ever interested in hearing stories about her and her father. It was honestly a first and made her heart swell. Her gaze held his, a smile on her lips. “Tonight was fun, Liam. You didn’t do too bad for a first time” she teased before letting out a laugh as she caressed his bicep. Madison’ eyes gazed on his dreamy blue eyes.

A smile teased over Liam’s lips as he looked at Madison. He shook his head, he wasn’t sure if he actually believed her but he was going to do his best, both in believing in her, and her abilities, and himself. He nodded his head, “okay, so we have a plan for next time.” He wasn’t sure on what it was, but there was something about Madison that pulled him in, and a part of him wanted to get to know her more, and spend more time with her, and it had been a long time since he had felt something like that. “Thanks, and you are right, it was fun,” he said, rubbing his hands together, he knew that his muscles moved, and apart of him might had done it since her hand had been on his arm. “And I’m sure it will be even more fun next time.”

He let out a small breath, “but I probably should leave, since I need to pick up Riley, even if I’m sure she would love to stay the night with my parents,” he shook his head, “they love to spoil her.”

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan​:

Christmas Tree | 002

Madison couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at Liam’ words. She could handle him holding her to her own words she was confident by the time she was done with him that she would make a decent baker out of him. She arched her brow, a small grin on her lips as she heard his sudden invitation. Madison was actually flattered to be honest. “Sounds like a plan. I can do that” she replied, a small smile tugging her lips, her cheeks a slight shade of red from blushing. “He was” Maddie murmured with a nod, feeling a bit nostalgic as she thought about her father. “That’s completely cool. She’s a great kid” Madison added with a smile. She didn’t know what it was but it was so easy to communicate with Liam and she couldn’t help but feel very drawn to the single father. She reached her hand resting on his upper arm in a comforting way, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s just the same way some people are, some can bake but can’t cook but I promise you when I’m done with you, Liam” she playfully pressed a finger to his chest. “You’re gonna be a great baker” she smirked.

It was nice to see a smile on Madison’s lips, and hearing her laugh, and Liam knew that he was the one that was responsible for that. It was always a good feeling to him when he managed to get someone laugh. He smiled at her, “okay, and I like that,” he said, he was glad that they were at least trying to set up a plan. “Maybe you can tell me more about your dad, you know the next time we spend time together.” Liam nodded his head, of course Riley was a great kid, but he might be a bit bias about that but that didn’t matter to him, as long as other people saw it he was happy about it. “Well I can’t wait for it,” he replied, “because that would mean that I’d be close to the whole package,” a grin played over his lips as he looked at her, “and who knows maybe I can make you a somewhat better chef.”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

Even though she had been doing it longer then she should of Madison found it hard to look away from his eyes. She hadn’t had a moment like this in a very long time. She hadn’t had someone she connected with on a level like this since…..she didn’t even know when the last time was. Madison let out a soft laugh as she listened to him defend himself. “Well in no time we will get you baking stuff that will edible for people to eat, I promise you that” she laughed softly. She bit her lower lip as she listened to him. Madison cleared her throat softly. “You know my father once told me if whatever you decide to do makes you happy then that is all that matters”. She gave him a smile before she thought of the next time they could do this. “I’m free this weekend if you are. Whenever you have free time just let me know and I’ll clear my schedule. Anything for my favorite student’ father” Madison smiled.

It had been easy to connect with Madison, and Liam wasn’t sure on what it was about her that made him drawn to her, besides the fact that she was nice, and pretty, and Riley seemed to love her. He knew that if he ever dated someone, it would be someone that his daughter liked, and that got along with her, and so far Madison was checking all of those boxes. “I’m holding you to that,” he replied, a smile played over his lips, “I still don’t get why I can’t bake when I can cook.” He shook his head, “maybe I should cook you something for dinner sometime, and you can make a dessert.” He wasn’t sure on where that came from, but he wouldn’t mind have a dinner with Madison. “He sounds like a smart man,” Liam replied, “and it’s true, I’m trying to tell Riley the same thing.” He nodded his head, “I am, well I’m spending my weekends with Riley but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind tagging along if that’s okay with you.”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

Madison nodded in response, her eyes locked on his.The blonde not sure what to say or what to do. Normally she was never so tongue twisted and was pretty quick when it came to responding but with Liam it was quite a different story. He left her tongue tied.

She was taken aback by his offer and she couldn’t stop herself from accepting it. “We can do that, only if it’s not an inconvenience” she replied quietly, eyes still locked on his. She found her hand gently brushing the flour that was on his shirt away “The faster we turn you into a baker, the faster you can get in the kitchen and bake something with your daughter. And I can definitely say  as a professional you got a promising future if you ever want to switch careers”. It may have only been night one and he may of had help but he did quite well for a first timer.

A smile played over Liam’s lips when he heard her reply, and he was happy about it. “It’s not,” he replied, “and if it would have been,” he began, looking at her, “I wouldn’t have asked, I was after all the one that brought it up.” He wasn’t sure on what it was but it was hard to look away from her, eyes still locked, and they had been locked for a lot longer than he normally had his eyes locked with someone. A part of him wasn’t even sure if he had had a moment like this with someone before. “I can bake,” he replied, “maybe not as good as I should but I can bake,” he tried his best to defend himself, “and it might not be exactly eatable but it turns out to be something.” He shook his head, “I’m great where I am, I know what I’m doing,” he said, “and besides that I don’t think that my father would be happy if I decided to change careers right now.” Liam knew what the plan was for the future and it was something that he was okay with. “So any idea on when we should do it next?”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

“I can tell it did” Madison laughed. She wiped the frosting off the corner of her lip and then bit her lower lip as she pretended to think about doing it again when in reality she had pretty much already made up her mind before he even had to ask. She had a great time and it had been a long time since she had enjoyed a man’ company or even anyone close to her age. With her hectic schedule and running this bakery she hardly got any free time anymore to go out and enjoy the single life.

“I’d love to” Maddie replied, a grin playing over her lips. “This was fun. This was actually a nice change of pace from teaching the kids. And you’re less messy then them” she said joking at the last sentence but then she kind of wasn’t. “Whenever you got free time just let me know and we’ll do it”. Madison then let out a soft chuckle as she noticed the frosting on his cheek. “You got a little….” she motioned to his cheek before stepping closer and gently brushing it off with the pad of her thumb, her eyes now gazing on his.

A breath left Liam’s lips, and a small smile began to appear over his lips. He was glad that she had agreed to give him another lesson, the more lessons he got the easier it would be to bake something with Riley, and he knew how much his daughter loved to bake. And hopefully she would like it was much, when she was baking with him, and it wasn’t just because of the fact that Maddie was there. “Well, I’m glad that I’m not as messy as the kids,” he replied, the smile was now even bigger than before, “but if you’d prefer you could come over to my apartment and we could bake there.” Liam wasn’t sure on why he had offered up his own apartment for his next lesson.

His tongue flicked over his lips, and his eyes, locked with hers, and he wasn’t sure on what he was about to do, or say, his tongue once again flicked over his lips, “thank you,” he said, his voice soft, almost like a whisper. 

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

It was nice to see the smile that graced Liam’ lips. For as long as his daughter had been attending her classes she never once seen him smile, mostly due to his work and the stresses of everything he dealt with his cases. It was nice. He looked so relaxed and almost as if he was enjoying baking. Madison could get used to this.

“Trust me it is hard, well at least in a dress it is” Madison said with a laugh. Seeing the questionable look on his face. “One of my friends got married one night and I forgot I had agreed to bake cupcakes for my one of my friends sons for his birthday party the next day so let’s just say I didn’t have much time to change when I got home and the dress sadly looked completely different after I was done”. She was glad she wasn’t making a complete fool of herself and that he found it a good trait because honestly sometimes her mouth worked faster then her mind. At least when it came to men she was attracted to. She found herself eying the cookies as well. “They do” she agreed before motioning for him to dig in as she reached out for one herself, taking one of the cookies he had made. Maddie chewed on it. A smile growing on her lips. The cookie tasted just right. “I’m gonna boost your ego. You did great” she said, a little frosting from the cookie on the corner of her lips.

As much as he liked to smile, and almost always smiled when he was around his daughter. The smile was almost never present when he came to pick her up after her lessons, mostly because he was always stressed. And he hated how he couldn’t let go of the stress after he left work. There was always something on his mind, maybe he should start looking into some other kind of job, but he liked everything he did, and that he helped people. 

“I wouldn’t know since I rarely wear dresses so I’ve got to take your word for it.” Liam shook his head, “I’m going to take that lesson from you and not try and actually repeat that one. You took one for the team there.” It was easy to be around her, and Liam knew that it had been a long time since he had felt this relaxed around someone that was family, or an old friend. Maybe this was the reason why Riley always nagged him about coming with her more, and not send her with his sister. A grin played over his lips, “that’s amazing,” he said, “and my ego grew a bit there.” He pressed his lips together, “and not to be forward or too forward. Maybe we can do this again some time?”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

“She’s great” Madison said with a soft chuckle. “Sometimes mistakes like that are a good thing. She actually says that little sugar incident saved her life. She’s 89 years old now and still kicking ass so that’s an upside to that simple mistake” she said with a small smile on her lips.

“You look good with the shirt but so much better without it” Madison said before she could stop herself from saying those words. Her cheeks flushed a shade of red as she looked away from Liam in embarrassment. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat as she looked back at him. “I….I mean not like sexy…..Not that you aren’t sexy because you are….I’m just….I…..you look so much more relaxed and calm” she said trying to fix what she was saying but she had made it so much worse for herself. Now she was afraid how he would react. “I,…I’m just gonna shut up”.

“Well that’s good to know,” Liam replied, a smile teased his lips, as he looked at Madison, “And I’m going to remember it, and maybe I can use it if someone claims that there’s too much or too little sugar.” It was pretty great to see the smile, even if it was small on Madison’s lips. 

A laugh left Liam’s lips as he realized what she just had said, and from the looks of it, she herself had realized what it was that she had said. He wasn’t planning on pointing it out. And she looked really cute, as her cheeks turned a bit more red. “Well, it’s a good thing that you think I’m looking good,” he replied, “and I’m pretty sure it’s a bit uncomfortable to bake in a suit and tie, and I can’t wear just a t-shirt in meetings and in court.” He smiled at her, “but I like dressing in casual clothes when my day allows it.” His tongue darted over his lips, “just so you know it’s kind of nice having someone that just says what’s on their minds so you don’t have to stop talking. And when are we going to try these cookies, because they’re looking good.”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

Madison let out a soft laugh before she spoke. “That would totally be a mistake. It would make it hella too sweet and trust me when I say that. My first batch of cookies were rancid, the frosting was way too sweet and let’s just say my official taste tester aka my grandmother spent the night in the ER due to high blood sugar”.

Madison grinned as she watched the young father start to decorate his own cookies, a small smile playing on her lips as he seemed to be getting quite the hang of it. She focused her attention back on her own batch of cookies as she began applying some frosting to each cookie. “You always could. You just gotta have faith in yourself, Liam” she smiled, her attention still on her own as she proceeded to decorate hers. In a knee jerk reaction her whole body shifted towards Liam, globs of frosting shooting of her own tube and at Liam. “Oh shit….” she muttered apologetically as she seen just the mess she had made and on the young doting father no less. “I’m so….They look great. I’m so sorry” Madison apologized but soon after let out a soft chuckle, the blonde trying to muffle it but failing miserably.

“Okay, so I’m going to take that as a lesson and not repeat that,” Liam replied, the last thing he wanted was for someone, to end up at the hospital, either himself, Riley or someone in his family. “I hope everything went okay with your grandmother. If not, well, then let’s not talk about it.”

He as a bit surprised with how easy it had come to him, but Liam was almost sure that he would someone how end up messing this up somehow. “I’ll try my best but unfortunately it seems like I somehow end up making at least one mistake when it comes to baking.” He had messed up more than once his life, most of the time when he was young, there was a reason for why he had sole custody of Riley. He took a step back as he felt the frosting land on his shirt. He couldn’t help it, but he laughed. And it felt great, it had been a long time since he had laughed, and he really needed a good laugh. “I’m just glad I did what you told me and took of the shirt first,” he replied as he wiped someone the frosting of his shirt. “Anywhere where I can wash this off?”

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

Madison grinned as she listened to Liam. He was already starting to sound as if he got the hang of making the frosting. She arched her brow as she stopped making her own mix as she looked at his. It was a simple fix. Actually it wasn’t even a fix. “It is. So is mine” she said as she looked back at her own runny mixture. “Doesn’t even mean you did anything wrong. It’s just sometimes the milk and powdered sugar won’t blend well. It’s a temperature thing” Madison explained as she set her own mix down and retrieved a bottle from the pantry. “A teaspoon of this and it will blend everything together perfectly and it also gives the frosting a glossy look” she said as she held out a small bottle of karo syrup.

After Liam was done with it, Madison added a bit to hers and mixed it up. Now everything was coming together smoothly. Not runny, yet not to thick. Perfect for the cookies. “Icing is my weakness” she said as quickly dipped her finger in and bought it up to her lips tasting the sweet icing. She explained the next process. Dividing up the icing and adding different colors to each. Then came the bags to decorate each cookie. “You’re getting the hang of this quite well, Mr. Lawyer” she teased, playfully nudging Liam.

Liam smiled at her, glad that he wasn’t the only one that had trouble getting the frosting to actually look like frosting. “Okay,” he replied, “y’know if I had done this myself I’d probably had started over or adding more and more of the powder sugar.” A small laugh left his lips, “and then I’d have frosting for things I wouldn’t even have baked.”  Liam followed Madison’s instructions, and he took a look at the frosting and now it actually looked a lot more like frosting to him.

He made sure to apply he icing to his cakes, as carefully as he possibly could. “I guess I got a bit of an for details,” he replied, “maybe that’s the one thing I could actually do.” A small breath left Liam’s lips, and he turned to look at her, “and I’m just glad that I can actually do something that has to do with baking,” he laughed, and shook his head, “so what do you think?” he asked, and showed her a couple of the cookies he had decorated.

[madisonwhelan]

Christmas Tree | 002

[liamcxllins]

madisonwhelan‌:

Madison nodded as she listened to Liam. A smile tugging the corner of her lips as she finished cutting out the rest of her shapes. “Baseball huh” she questioned as she glanced over at him. “I can see it. I’m surprised you didn’t go to the majors since you say you played throughout high school and college. Seems to me you were pretty dedicated to the game”. Hearing his next words, a soft laugh left her lips, blush playing over her lips. “There must be a lot of blind women in this world then because I didn’t see much and it’s still hard not to notice”.

“Relax” Madison chuckled as she looked over at him. “I have a plan” she assured him, giving his arm a small pat before stepping away. “Frosting is easy but can be messy, it just depends on what way you apply the frosting. When I first started doing cookies, I was using a knife to apply frosting and it was all over now I use disposable bags and it’s so much easier and faster. The easy part is you only need three ingredients for my recipe. Powdered sugar, milk. Now it the next thing to put in the frosting all depends on what flavor you really love. Most of the time I use almond or vanilla extract simply because those are the typically the ones we use for them but with it being Christmas time you I sometimes use it a little peppermint twist to give it a little Christmas spice” she explained setting the few ingredients on the table in front of them.

Liam smile and nodded his head, “yeah, it was a good way to get some aggression out,” he said glancing over at her, “and I still hit the batting cages if I need to clear my head.” Liam nodded his head, a small breath left his lips, “I thought I would but then I injured my shoulder in like the last game and then we have the firm too.” At first he had been disappointed that he wouldn’t go pro, but now, well, he was happy since it meant that he really could spend time with Riley without having to plan too much. Liam shook his head, “or maybe I’m not just letting people see too much.”

“I’ll try,” he said, “and you should tell me about the plan so I can be in on it.” He listened to what Madison was saying, and it made sense, at least it sounded like it would be easier with a bag. “Okay,” he said, “let’s do some Christmas tasting ones,” he said, “and maybe some without major flavor.” He reached for some of the ingredients, “so how like runny should it be?” he asked, “I think this is a bit runny,” he said as he showed her the mix he had made.