This one-shot serves many purposes. For one, it is the fluff they deserve and an apology to them (and to you) for what I’ve put them through. I’m combining quite a few requests in this... from @kinda-iconic December challenge list, Day 10- Conflict, requested by @annekebbphotography, Day 13- Choice and Day 30 Midnight Kiss, both anonymous and also some dialogue prompts requested by @lodberg. Special shoutout to the Nonny that sent this title in! I wish I knew who you were so I could thank you properly! Tag list is at the end, if you would like to be added/moved/removed from any of the series I write for, you need only ask. My masterlist can be found in my bio because I don’t know if Tumblr is still being a butt. I hope you enjoy reading this floof fest as much as I enjoyed writing it and if you do, please like, comment or reblog. I appreciate every single note!
“Jen… Jen…” A voice whispered, breaking through Jennifer’s slumber. Unconsciously, she rolled onto her side and shifted closer to the middle of the bed, thinking Liam was finally climbing in beside her as she drifted back to sleep. “Jen… wake up, I have a question.” The voice continued, tapping her on the shoulder. That’s not Liam. Liam never called her Jen. She rolled back over toward the sound of the voice and slowly opened her eyes to see Maxwell sitting on the edge of the bed. He smiled down at her, half of his face illuminated by the light streaming from downstairs into the darkened bedroom. “Hi. Do you have a sewing kit?”
Jennifer blinked slowly, her sleep addled brain not fully processing Maxwell’s words. “What?”
“Do you have a sewing kit?” Maxwell repeated. “Liam said he thought you had one, but he doesn’t know where it is. I need a needle.”
“Check the front closet.” Jennifer yawned, drawing the blanket over her face as she closed her eyes and snuggled into the mattress. There was a vague feeling of being patted on the head and Maxwell’s faraway voice telling her to go back to sleep as she dozed off again.
Her eyes flew open, finally registering what Maxwell said and she reached for her phone, charging on the nightstand to check the time. Almost midnight… Liam had gone ‘out’ with his two best friends for a night of billiards and drinking in the game room, so what would Maxwell need a needle for? More importantly, why did they bring the party to the apartment when there was a toddler and a nine month old sleeping upstairs?
Getting out of bed, Jennifer slipped her white dressing gown on over the silk chemise she wore to bed, the fitted fabric already slightly snug from the tiny bump of her growing belly. She tied the gown shut and left the bedroom, stopping to peek in the kid’s rooms to make sure they hadn’t been woken up before heading downstairs. Half-way down she glanced over into the living room, just in time to see Maxwell bring a sewing needle to Liam’s earlobe. “Don’t even think about it!” She shouted, scurrying down the remaining steps to the two men on the couch as Maxwell let out a yelp and jumped back.
“Ooh… busted.” Drake goaded from where he stood at the kitchen island, refilling his glass of whiskey.
“Hello my angel.” Liam smiled adoringly up at her. “Look at her my friends. Didn’t I say she looked like a beautiful angel in her new dressing gown?”
“You might’ve mentioned it two or five times.” Drake grumbled, joining them in the living room and taking a seat in the grey club chair to Liam and Maxwell’s left. “Before you start yelling, I want it known that I had no part in this.”
“You said he wouldn’t dare…” Maxwell argued. “Which everyone knows means ‘I triple dog dare you to do it’.”
Drake raised an eyebrow at Maxwell, huffing out a chuckle. “No, it means if he’s smart he won’t do it.”
“That’s not what you…” Maxwell began.
“Enough!” Jennifer hissed. Pausing, she placed her hand on her hip and squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly before looking at them again. “Explain to me how three grown men came to the conclusion that driving a sewing needle through the King’s earlobe was a responsible thing to do! And in the middle of the night too! I swear to all that is holy, if any of you wake the kids up you are all dead men.”
“I just said I had no part in it. I can’t help it if they didn’t listen.” Drake took a sip of his whiskey, avoiding her gaze as he mumbled against the glass. “You’re the one who’s gonna wake up your kids…”
Raising her eyebrows, Jennifer leaned forward, pivoting her head slightly to bring her ear closer to Drake. “What was that?” Drake grumbled a response she couldn’t hear as Liam stood, stepping around the coffee table to reach out for her as he opened his mouth to speak. “And you.” She pointed at her husband, cutting off his words and putting a stop to his embrace. “You know damn well we have to leave for Valtoria in five hours to open the Candyland festival, which means I have to get up in three hours to get myself and the kids ready. It’s bad enough you come traipsing in here in the middle of the night, lights blazing with them sleeping upstairs, but then you have to wake up your pregnant wife for this nonsense.” Biting his lip, Liam tucked his chin to his chest, looking up at her through his lashes as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Piercing your ear of all things.” She continued. “What were you thinking? What would the press say when they saw you? What would you tell your children when they asked, Daddy why do you look like a pirate?”
“Well…” Liam grimaced. “I hadn’t planned on wearing a gold hoop.”
“Or a skull and crossbones!” Maxwell chimed in.
Lips pressed together, Jennifer narrowed her eyes at Liam’s horrible attempt to diminish the smile that was twitching on his lips as Drake and Maxwell barely contained their laughter. They might appreciate his joke, but she certainly didn’t. “You’re not funny.” She crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side. “Did you even sterilize the needle? Or were you hoping to add infection to the mix?”
“Man…” Maxwell muttered from the couch. “you’re cranky when you’re pregnant.”
Her muscles stiffened and she curled her fingers into fists, her manicured nails, longer than usual from the pre-natal vitamins she was taking digging into her palm. I’ll show you cranky, she thought as Liam quickly stepped forward, protectively placing his hand on her stomach while glaring at Maxwell. He didn’t think it was so funny now... “Watch yourself Lord Beaumont. That is my wife you are speaking to.” She placed her hand over his, thankful for the support and also for stopping her from ripping Maxwell’s face off.
Drake whistled, raising his eyebrows with his wide eyes watching Jennifer. “Bad choice of words Maxwell. Never, ever, bring up cranky and pregnant. Believe me, I learned that lesson the hard way. On that note…” Drake slapped his palms against his thighs and stood from his chair. “When Liam busts out the titles, it’s time to go. See you all in five hours.” He mocked, waving his hands before looking down at Maxwell and jerking his thumb towards the door. “Let’s go. It’s not safe for you here.”
Maxwell’s eyes darted from Drake to Jennifer and back again. “Good call Buddy. Also, I applaud the use of the jazz hands. It was an excellent choice.” Standing, Maxwell scrunched his nose at Jennifer sheepishly. “I don’t really think you’re cranky Jen. You’re a beautiful ray of sunshine and I’m sorry I almost maimed Liam… but he totally said I could do it!”
“Oh for the love…” Drake grumbled, pushing Maxwell across the room. He opened the door and Maxwell slipped out as Drake turned to the couple, bringing his hand to his forehead in a salute. “Have a good night you two.”
The door shut behind them and Liam stepped to stand in front of Jennifer, pouting adorably as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Please don’t be mad at me My Love. Maxwell was rather enthusiastic, and my judgement was clouded by drink.”
Encased in his muscled frame, the heat from his body seeped into her skin, settling in her lower abdomen. Her tongue darted out, licking her lips as she looked up at him, willing herself not to lean forward to pull his pouted lower lip between her teeth. “And could…” She croaked, pausing to clear her throat. Damn him and his effect on her without even trying. She was supposed to be mad at him, not melting into a puddle of hormones and lust. “Could Maxwell convince you of anything just because you had a few drinks?”
“I think history proves that is not the case.” Liam chuckled. “To be honest, part of me wanted to see how far he would take it. I fully intended to stop him before he actually poked me.” He shrugged. “Worst case scenario I would have a hole in my ear for a few weeks.”
“Liam…” Jennifer chided with a furrowed brow as Liam pressed his fingers into her lower back, making her moan softly as he gently massaged her aching muscles. “How am I being the appropriate one here?”
“Because you My Queen, are a woman of grace and poise.” He leaned down, tilting his head to place a gentle kiss to her lips. “I want to show you something.” Taking her hand, he ignored her protests that they had a long day ahead of them as he led her up the stairs, across their bedroom and through the French doors that led to their balcony.
The moon was high in the sky, shining brightly and larger than usual, surrounded by countless stars glittering against the cloudless night. “Look at those stars…” Jennifer gaped.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Liam stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and she leaned against his chest, resting her head in the hollow of his neck as he began to sway back and forth. She heard the grandfather clock chime twelve downstairs as his lips brushed her ear, raising goosebumps across her skin. “I would pull every star from the sky for you if I could.”
Turning to face him, she ran her hands up his arms and across his shoulders, lacing her fingers together at the back of his neck as his hands settled on her waist. “I don’t need the stars Liam. I just need you.”
“You have me Jennifer. Always.” Liam smiled, resting his forehead against hers. “Close your eyes.” She complied, missing the warmth of his arms around her instead of the kiss she expected as he let her go. “Keep them closed.” He whispered. His touch ghosted around her neck, making her shiver as his fingers tickled the fine hairs at the base of her skull. Liam’s hands trailed down her arms and she opened her eyes, looking down to see an incredibly large blue oval sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and dangling from a platinum chain. “In the light, it’s the exact color of your eyes.”
“Liam…” She marveled, momentarily at a loss for words. “It’s breathtaking. This is too much… it must have cost a fortune.”
He tucked his fingers beneath her chin, lifting her face gently to kiss her softly. “Jennifer, you are the first thing on my mind, the last thought before sleep, and my truest love. You are my soulmate, my best friend, my fiercest protector and the mother of my children. You have given me more than I have ever dreamed of and there is nothing I could give you that would ever be ‘too much’.” Looking down, she reached up and held the massive stone in her palm, feeling it’s weight. “I believe the sapphire is just over forty carats and the diamonds total around ten. I hope it’s not too heavy.” Jennifer looked up at him in disbelief and a deep frown creased his brow. “Do you not like it My Love? We can pick something else out if you’d prefer.”
“Are you kidding?! I love it, it’s amazing.” Pouting, she placed her hand against his cheek. “It’s just… it’s still a few weeks ‘til Christmas and some of your gifts aren’t ready yet.”
“You don’t have to get me anything Jennifer, you being my wife is gift enough.” Liam laughed. “But I know you will regardless of what I say and I will adore anything you give me. I intended to wait until Christmas to give this to you, but I picked it up from the jeweler earlier today and I simply couldn’t resist giving it to you now. Don’t worry, there will still be gifts under the tree for you to open.”
“Don’t you dare get me anything else.” She warned, pulling back.
Covering his mouth, Liam faked a deep yawn. “Better get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow after all.” Smiling, he winked and cupped his palm against her bump for a moment before turning to enter their bedroom.
“Liam! I’m serious!” She called, following him into the room. He ignored her, walking into his closet to remove the day’s clothes. After a stop in the bathroom, she re-entered the bedroom to find Liam, splayed out beneath the covers, snoring softly in an unconvincing act of sleep. “I know you’re faking.” A smile crossed his lips and she reached up to release the clasp on the necklace, placing it on her dressing table before removing her dressing gown, laying the garment on the upholstered bench seat at the foot of the bed. Climbing in beside him, she snuggled against his side, laying her head on his bare chest as he draped his arm across her shoulders. “I don’t want you spending more money on Christmas gifts for me Liam. The necklace is already above and beyond.”
“Love, I’m going to spoil you for the rest of our lives. Surely you won’t begrudge me for that.”
“No, I suppose not.” Jennifer chuckled. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it and I really do love the necklace.”
“I’m glad.” Liam’s arm tightened around her and he kissed the top of her head, resting his other hand on her waist. “Now, get some sleep. And make sure to wake me to help with the children.”
She closed her eyes and burrowed her face in his neck, inhaling his scent as she kissed below his ear, making him shiver beneath her. “Hey Liam? I love you.”
