I have decided to open this chapter with a flashback from Lola's past with Liam, hope it doesn't confuse you all too much.
Flashback to the first time Lola and Liam met in America.
"I knew I recognised that accent" a male said as he looked straight at Lola "Australian right"
It was around 11pm and Lola had found herself at an after party somewhere in California "Yep, your from there too right" Lola smiled as she sat down next to the stranger.
"You got it" the man grinned "I'm Liam by the way Liam Murphy"
"As in the headliner for this event?" Lola frowned
"Yeah that's me" Liam smiled "Hey listen can I get you a drink or something?"
"It depends on what something you had in mind" Lola knew she was walking a thin line as she asked this question but at that moment she didn't care. All Lola could think about was the mess her life was in.
x-x-x
Lola was stunned when she woke up in a strange hotel room naked in bed with Liam, she had no idea how she had gotten there.
End of flashback
Lola really didn't have a clue how Gavin had persuaded her to come here, but yet here she was. Lola was dragging her feet as she walked closer to the room the nurses had told her Bianca was in. Lola took a deep breath lifted her hand and knocked gently on the door "Come in" a gentle voice called from inside.
As Lola opened the door she saw Bianca laid on her bed "Lola Hi" Bianca looked a little cautious
"Hey" Lola smiled "Sorry it's late, but I had to come and see you. You know I'm going back to New York tomorrow right?" Lola paused and waited a few moments for Bianca to answer. Bianca just nodded her reply "Thing is I don't want to go back and leave things the way they are between us. No matter what happened between us you are still the mother of my brother's baby and I had no right to speak to you the way I did when I last came to see you"
"Lola its ok" Bianca interrupted "You don't have to apologise, after what I did"
"Bianca you did what you did because you loved Liam" Lola frowned "and you were scared of losing him. Hell you're not the first person who has made mistakes I could write a book with all the ones I have made"
"How can you be so nice about it?" Bianca asked curiously.
"Because I know what its like to make a mistake, and then be judged for the rest of your life for making that mistake" Lola replied "My life is full of stupid mistakes, but do you know what? I don't regret any of them because I wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't make them"
"Yeah and you have come pretty far" Bianca smiled.
"Yup and I don't plan on taking any steps back anytime soon" Lola replied
"Hey listen I know you didn't have to come here tonight" Bianca said "But I'm glad you did, it means a lot"
"It's OK" Lola said as she put her hand on top of Bianca "Now I'm not saying we will be BFF's or anything but I don't want there to be any bad feelings between us either, you're a part of this family now. And I'm not sure if you have realised yet but us Braxton's tend to stick together"
"Yeah I kind of got that" Bianca chuckled "Hey did you want to hold her?" she smiled as she nodded to Nevaeh who was in the crib.
"I'd love to" Lola beamed as she reached gently into the crib and took Nevaeh out.
x-x-x
Lola felt comforted after her visit to Bianca; she knew it was something she needed to sort out before she flew back to New York. As she waited in the foyer for Gavin to come and pick her up, Lola was surprised to bump into Liam "Hi" She smiled awkwardly.
"Hey Lilo" Liam shared the same awkward smile "How are you?"
"Er…yeah I'm good thanks, how bout you?" Lola quickly returned the question to Liam.
"Yeah, I just came to check on Bianca" Liam explained "Not that there is anything going on or anything"
"Liam its fine" Lola sighed "You really don't have to explain yourself to me"
As Liam shuffled around trying to think of a reply he was actually relieved to see Gavin arrive "Hey babe you ready to go?" Gavin asked cautiously when he spotted Liam.
"Yeah, bye Liam" Lola smiled as Gavin put his hand on Lola's back and walked away with her. As Liam watched Lola walk away he was reminded of a memory in which the roles of himself and Gavin were reversed.
Flashback to Chicago 3 years previously
Lola was horrified when her manager told her Gavin was going to be at the same event as her, she hadn't seen him for almost 3 months and spent most of the day trying to avoid him.
"Are you sure you're OK?" Liam asked as he draped his arm around Lola's shoulders "It's OK if you feel a bit anxious of bumping into your ex"
"Yeah I know" Lola replied distantly "I don't know why I am getting myself so worked up about it, it's not like I meant anything to him anyway. He's probably already moved on to his next girl"
"Probably" Liam sighed.
x-x-x
Lola couldn't believe what she was seeing standing in front of her, wearing a grey t-shirt dark jeans and a baseball cap was none other than the ex she had been trying to avoid all day and now their paths were about to cross and she couldn't avoid him anymore "Hi" Gavin smiled awkwardly as he got closer to her.
"G'day" Lola replied causing Gavin to smile fondly as he remembered her accent.
"You here for the gig?" Gavin asked trying to strike up a conversation.
"Yeah I'm here to support my…Never mind" Lola thought better of telling Gavin why she was there, she decided telling him about her 'new' boyfriend would not make this situation any easier "So how are things with you?"
Gavin's heart sank, he was desperate to pour his heart out to Lola there and then. He wanted to tell her how crap things had been since she left and how empty his life seemed. But the only words he came out with were "Yeah fine, I'm doing good"
Gavin could see the instant disappointment in Lola's face and it almost killed him "That's great" Lola forced a smiled.
"Hey baby I've been looking for you" Liam came up behind Lola and put his hand on her waist. Lola cringed as she saw the pain in Gavin's eyes.
"I'd better go they'll want me to do a sound check" Gavin quickly made his excuses to leave "I might see you at the after party later though"
"Yeah maybe" Lola smiled almost politely as she watched Gavin walk away.
"You OK babe, that wasn't too painful was it?" Liam whispered as he wrapped his arm around Lola.
"Nah" Lola shook her head and smiled weakly, it was obvious she was lying. Who was she trying to kid? She thought quietly to herself.
Whether or not she wanted to admit it, Lola was definitely not OK with what had just happened, she still had feelings for Gavin and she knew there was only one thing she could do to make it go away.
End of flashback
"Liam" Bianca's voice interrupted Liam's thoughts "I've been shouting you didn't you hear me?"
"No sorry I was just…" Liam didn't finish his sentence he just followed Bianca into her room. Liam tried not to think about what happened next that night in New York, the night Lola was found unconscious in her hotel room, Liam knew even to this day Lola had no idea it was Gavin that found her and not Liam like Lola thought. Liam was too busy getting wasted in the room next door.
Flashback
Lola hadn't made an appearance at the after show party and from what Gavin knew about this young woman, it was definitely not like Lola to miss a party. And considering the fact he had seen Liam at the party not half an hour ago he decided to find out what was going on.
Gavin got Lola's room number from her agent. He knocked gently on her door and was surprised she didn't answer. For a moment he thought she might have gone to sleep, but something inside him told him to check the door "Hey Lola" he said quietly as he walked in to the unlocked door.
As Gavin opened the door her was horrified to see a lifeless Lola unconscious on the floor beside the bed "Lola" he gasped as he rushed to her side and shook her frantically "Lola wake up"
Gavin reached into his pocket and dialed for an ambulance before crouching down beside Lola again "Lola can you hear me its Gav, Lola" Gavin tried to wake her up but he couldn't.
x-x-x
The paramedics arrival made Liam come out of the room, he was a little out of it as he watched Lola been carried down the hall on a stretcher "What's going on?" he slurred as he staggered towards Gavin.
Gavin grabbed the collar of Liam's shirt in both hands and slammed him up against the wall "Where the fuck was you?" He snarled "You're supposed to look after her, you're meant to protect her" he snapped.
"I" Liam couldn't breathe never mind answer Gavin's questions, Gavin loosened his grip to let Liam talk "I didn't know she was in there" Liam finally answered.
"What has she taken?" Gavin asked furiously.
"I don't know" Liam admitted.
"Yeah and that's exactly why you needed to be in there with her" Gavin tightened his grip again "I swear to god if anything happens to her I'll…"
"Are either of you going to the hospital with her?" a voice interrupted them.
Gavin took a deep breath and released Liam "You go" Gavin sighed reluctantly "And as far as she's concerned you found her, I wasn't here"
"Thanks mate" the shock had sobered Liam up.
"Don't think for a minute I'm doing this for you" Gavin frowned "She loves you and its important she knows you're going to be there for her"
"I know and I swear I will be" Liam promised as he started to walk away.
"Liam" Gavin called causing Liam to look back "I mean it, don't fuck up again"
End of flashback.
Charlie and Brax had just got home after helping clean up at Angelo's; they paid the babysitter and were finally alone "Do you think Lola will be ok?" Charlie asked as she snuggled her head into Brax's shoulder.
"Yeah she's tough, god she's proved that over the years" Brax replied a little distant from the question "I just hope Gavin knows what he is letting himself in for"
"Hey that's mean" Charlie giggled as she hit Brax's chest playfully "Lola may be a little challenging at times, but she is also clever, talented, funny and extremely beautiful Gavin is lucky to have her"
"Yeah he is" Brax agreed "hey you know what I have just realised" he added with a mischievous grin.
"No what's that Mr Braxton" Charlie chuckled.
"We have this place to ourselves" Brax beamed "Maybe we should make the most of it" Brax started to plant gentle kisses along Charlie's neck.
Charlie giggled as Brax lifted her up of the sofa and carried her into the bedroom.
x-x-x
Lola frowned as she watched Gavin pull up outside a newly built house just on the outskirts of Summer Bay, the house was built right next to the beach "What are we doing here?" Lola asked as she followed Gavin out of the house and walked towards the front door of this rather impressive house.
"You'll see" Gavin smiled secretively as he pulled a silver key out of his pocket, he used the key to unlock the door.
"Gav what's going on?" Lola wondered.
Gavin put his hand on the small of Lola's back and gently forced her through the front door and into the large entrance hall, he gestured for her to go into a room on the left of them. The size and layout of the room took Lola's breath away.
The room was a huge family room which was open plan, some stairs veered off to the right and on the left was a huge kitchen space and some patio doors which Lola walked to instantly; as she looked out of the doors she could see the ocean "Oh wow" she gasped with tears in her eyes. Gavin opened the patio door and helped Lola out onto a decked area, it was dark outside and the garden was lit with small spotlights "Where are we going?" Lola frowned as Gavin took her hand and led her towards the edge of the patio.
"You see that light there?" Gavin said as he pointed towards a floodlight on the beach.
"Yeah" Lola nodded, she was now more confused than ever.
"Well that light, all the way to those rocks" Gavin smiled as his hand moved across the small area of beach "That part of the beach belongs to this house"
"I still don't get it" Lola sighed "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because it's yours" Gavin whispered gently in Lola's ear "Welcome home Mrs DeGraw"
"Huh" Lola was now even more confused.
"Well its home for 6 months of the year anyway" Gavin added with a smile. He took Lola's hands in his and held them "Baby I know how much this place means to you"
"Yeah but…" Lola stuttered.
"Yeah but nothing, you are willing to give up something you love for me…" Gavin explained.
"Yes I do love this place but I love you more, I thought we cleared that up" Lola replied.
"Yeah we did, but I know how hard it has been for you going back to New York and leaving your family. So I thought if we had a second home here we could split our time between here and New York, that way we can both have a taste of home all year round" Gavin smiled as he looped his arm around Lola's waist.
"So you're telling me this is ours, all of this" she sighed still in disbelief as she looked out over the beach.
"Yep" Gavin replied "And it doesn't end here, come with me" he said gently as he led her back inside the house and towards the stairs. Just to the left of the stairs was another door. As Gavin opened the door Lola inhaled deeply as she looked around the huge room "A great music room eh?" Gavin said with a cheeky smile "And there's more" he added as he led Lola up the stairs and into the first bedroom.
The room was decorated in neutral colours and had a wooden floor and large window which looked out onto the beach "There's an en-suite through there" Gavin said as he walked into the en-suite bathroom and towards another door "You open this one" he smiled with an excited look on his face.
As Lola opened the door she could see Gavin was waiting for a reaction, the room in front of her was decorated with baby blue and cream walls, there was a dark wood sleigh style cot and changing table and a dark wood wardrobe and chest of drawers. In the cot was a blue and yellow teddy "Well what do you think?" Gavin smiled anxiously waiting for a reply.
"It's perfect, I love it" Lola replied with tears in her eyes "Thank you" she added as she wrapped her arms around Gavin's neck "You shouldn't have shown me this now though, I don't want to leave"
"Oh no, you can't do this to me now" Gavin laughed "You promised me you'd marry me again when we got back, besides we still need to pick a place the other end remember?"
"Ahh yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that" Lola sighed.
"Ok" Gavin replied "Just for the record just because you didn't sign a pre-nuptial doesn't mean you can have half of everything if we get divorced" Gavin teased causing Lola to laugh.
"I don't want a divorce or half of everything you geek" Lola giggled "Brax gave me this today" Lola said as she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a white envelope.
Gavin frowned as he opened the letter and read what it said "You got to be kidding me right?" Gavin replied half shocked and half pleased "Two million dollars"
"American dollars" Lola corrected "I still can't believe it myself. Thing is I want this to be my contribution towards whatever we decide to buy in New York"
"You don't have to do that Lo" Gavin frowned "I wasn't expecting a contribution"
"I know" Lola smiled "But what we have we have it together right?" Lola reminded him of a promise they made to each other the night she agreed to marry him.
"Yeah" Gavin nodded and moved forwards to kiss Lola "We'd better get back before your brothers send out a search party to look for you"
x-x-x
Meanwhile back at the Braxton house, the family had gathered Charlie, Brax, Ruby, Casey, Heath and Cheryl were all waiting for Lola and Gavin to return.
"Wow I wasn't expecting a welcome committee" Lola giggled as she walked through the front door.
"Or a leaving one" Cheryl corrected "Where the hell have you been?" she added as she hugged Lola tightly "I don't have long left with you as it is"
"I'm sorry that was my fault, I had something I needed to show to Lola" Gavin smiled as he apologised to Cheryl "You were right mate she loved it" Gavin said as he looked at Brax.
"You knew about the house?" Lola frowned at her eldest brother.
"Yeah I knew Gavin had been to look at it and was thinking about putting an offer in" Brax replied
"And you didn't tell me?" Lola frowned before looking at her watch. As she looked up she watched Heath bring her's and Gavin's bags into the room "I can't believe it's that time already"
"Hey don't you cry you'll start me off" Cheryl said as she moved to hug Lola again.
"Mum" Lola laughed "I can't breathe"
"Oh sorry sweetheart" Cheryl moved away quickly "I love you so much, you know that?"
"I know" Lola replied "I love you too mum"
Cheryl moved away from Lola when she noticed Casey walk towards her "Well this is it" he sighed as he hugged his sister tightly "Come home soon yeah" he added before turning quickly and walking out of the back door an into the garden.
"Casey" Ruby called after him.
"It's fine Rubes" Lola smiled "Look after him for me though yeah" Lola pulled Ruby into a tight hug "And take care of yourself"
Ruby nodded as she pulled away. Lola looked around the room and noticed Brax had gone outside to see Casey "Get here beautiful" Heath's voice interrupted her thoughts instantly; Heath pulled Lola into and intense hug. As Lola rested her head on Heath's chest she could feel how deeply he was breathing.
Before Lola could say anything Heath pulled away awkwardly "You make sure you take care of her do you hear me" Heath warned Gavin before heading out into the garden.
Lola frowned as she looked towards Gavin and then turned to Charlie "I'll be right back" she smiled as she headed into the garden. She couldn't help but smile when she spotted Heath, Brax and Casey all sat around the patio table "Hey come on guys it's not like it's forever"
Judging by the look on her brothers faces that is exactly what they were all thinking "You don't know that" Casey said breaking the silence "What if it is, what if this is the last time…"
"Shut up Casey" Heath snapped
"I'm only saying what we are all thinking" Casey argued.
"Yeah but she doesn't need to hear it" Brax interrupted
"What I don't need to hear is you guys fighting before I leave" Lola finally spoke "Look I know this is hard for you guys, but you seemed to have written me off already. I'm a Braxton remember, I survived a bullet for god sake"
Lola noticed her brothers sharing glances, she walked slowly towards the table and sat on one of the empty chairs "Look I know this is hard for you guys and the reason I know is because its hard for me too, I love you all so much and the thought of not seeing you again kills me, but I don't worry about that because I know its not going to happen. I am going to go back to New York and have this baby and then I will see you all again when I come back in 5 months…"
"How can you be so strong?" Casey sniffed.
"Because I know I have you guys fighting my corner" Lola replied gently "And Gavin will take good care of me while I'm out there you know that, come on I don't want my last memory with you to be a sad one, happy faces please guys"
Brax, Heath and Casey all laughed at Lola's bossiness "That's better" Lola grinned "Now I'm sorry to break up this party but I have a plane to catch"
Brax nodded and stood up to help Lola off the chair, Heath and Casey walked either side of her "You about ready babe?" Lola smiled at Gavin who nodded.
Charlie frowned at Lola "What about me, don't I get a goodbye hug" she said.
"Don't worry Charlie I haven't forgotten about you, we have business to discuss" Lola giggled as she picked up her bag; Gavin took it off her instantly which caused the Braxton brothers to share a glance.
"You'll have to discuss that business at the airport, you have less than an hour before check in" Brax sighed as he helped Gavin carry the bags to the car, Lola quickly turned to her mum who was trying to fight her tears.
"Call me when you get there ok" Cheryl sniffed "I want to know you are safe, and make sure you call me every night"
"Yeah because that phone bill isn't going to be expensive" Lola joked but dropped her smile when she realised how upset her mum was "Hey I'll be ok, I'll be back here driving you crazy again before you know it" Lola sighed as she hugged her mum tightly, she too could feel the tears burning her eyes as she quickly pulled away "Right are we ready?"
Lola gave one last hug to Heath and Casey before heading out of the door followed by Charlie and Brax.
"I'll call when we land" Lola smiled at her family who were all now stood around the car "And email everyday" she added with a weaker smile before getting into Charlie's car.
"Do you think she will be ok?" Casey asked his mum as the car disappeared off into the distance.
"Yeah course she will Case" Heath interrupted "She's a Braxton, she has to be" he added as he put his arm around his mum, Ruby moved forwards to hug Casey.
Hope this chapter was ok for you guys, I would really like some reviews, please let me know what you think of this and if you are still enjoying this story. I hope this chapter wasn't to long-winded for you all, I just wanted to get the goodbye between Lola and her family just right.
Next time
Lola talks to Charlie about Ruby.
Lola says an emotional goodbye to Brax at the airport.
Trouble awaits Gavin and Lola in New York.
Lola hides her fears by getting stuck into house hunting and wedding plans.
Lola is offered a huge opportunity on her first day of filming, but is it too much for her to take on, and how will Gavin react?
Coming soon-
Lola and Gavin's second wedding attracts some unwanted visitors.
Lola makes a shocking discovery but what will this mean for her relationship with Gavin.
Lola's pregnancy faces more complications, will she be ok?