Chapter 9

Just as Liam had said, Ashley had been out of his life just a few days after their breakup. Over the course of the next few weeks, Fallon and Liam slowly rebuilt their relationship. Their first big outing as a couple, in fact, was a day after Fallon reached 34 weeks. They decided to go baby shopping.

"I don't see why we can't just pay people to do this for us or buy it all online." Fallon complained, as they walked through the luxury baby boutique.

"Buying things that are this important online can be dangerous, and I want us to buy all of the things for our daughter together. She's our baby. She deserves to have her parents care enough to buy her things. We're going to buy all of her things, because she's our baby and we love her." Liam explained, placing an open palm on Fallon's bump, where he knew the baby was.

"That's great, but I think you're forgetting that I'm almost nine months pregnant. Walking around isn't exactly fun anymore."

"We won't be here that long if we can make the decisions quickly, and we can take plenty of breaks, if you want. And when we get home, I'll give you a massage."

"It better be good."

The conversation was quickly dropped and they continued shopping. Fallon told Liam she didn't care what they bought, but Liam knew her better than that. He let her pick out most things, and they had bought many of the major items in just over an hour.

"So, now that we have everything, we should start talking about where we're gonna put all of it." Liam started, as he and Fallon sat down to lunch at the Manor.

"We're keeping it here. I'm here, as much as I hate it, I don't have time to find another place." Fallon responded, meaning to leave no room for argument.

"And what about me?"

"What about you?"

"Are we gonna buy another set of things for my apartment, or will I only get to see her during the day? Do I stay here at the Manor?"

"I'm not ready for us to live with each other."

"So we're gonna buy another set of things for my apartment?"

"No."

"Then when will I get to see her? I want to see her as much as possible, and I want to help you at night with her. How am I supposed to do that if we don't live together and she won't be staying at my apartment?"

"I don't know."

"I know you want to take things slow, but we don't have a lot of time to figure these things out. Would it really be so bad if I stayed here at the Manor? There are 10 empty bedrooms, and 5 on your side of the house. I would have my own room, the baby would have her nursery, and you'd have your room. I know she'll stay with you for a while, so I'll help you whenever you need it."

"I don't know. This just all seems so fast. I'm not ready."

"I know, and I really am sorry, but she's not gonna wait for us to be ready. She's coming soon."

"I know that, Liam. I'm reminded of that every time I move. I know she's coming soon." Fallon was overwhelmed. She ran a shaky hand through her hair, trying to calm herself down.

"I'm not trying to overwhelm you. I'm really not. I'm just trying to make sure we're as prepared as possible."

"I guess if it really means that much to you, you can stay here. I mean, you have to ask Blake, but if he says yes, then it's fine."

"We'll still take things slow, I promise. She will be our first priority."

"Good. Now, why don't we go up to my room so that you can give me the massage you promised? Why back is killing me."

The couple went upstairs to Fallon's room, and within a few minutes, Fallon was laying on her side and Liam was massaging her back. They stayed silent for a while, until Fallon decided to start a conversation.

"I know we briefly talked about it last week, but we couldn't decide. I want to talk about names again." Fallon said, well, demanded.

"Ok. Do you have any names in mind?" Liam asked, obliging her request.

"Rowan."

"Rowan Carrington? That doesn't really flow."

"Who said she would have my last name?"

"I figured you'd give her your last name. We're not married, we're barely even dating. There's not really any reason to give her my last name."

"Right now, I hate my family. I'm not giving her the last name Carrington. Her last name will be Ridley."

"You don't have to do that, Fallon."

"I'm not really doing it for you. I'm doing it for her. I don't want her to have to walk around with the name Carrington for the rest of her life. I want her to be her own person. Ridley gives her a fresh start."

"Ok, fair enough. I'm still not in love with the name Rowan, though."

"Ok, fine. What about Emerson?"

"That's a little too on the nose. I'm a writer, Fal."

"Farrah?"

"Farrah is you, Fallon. If that's her name, we might as well just call her Fallon Junior."

"Then tell me a name you do like, because it just seems like you're saying no to everything." Fallon was starting to get frustrated.

"Kenzie."

"Short for Mackenzie?"

"No, just Kenzie."

"I'm not really a big fan of nicknames as names, so no."

"Callista?"

"It's cute, but not for our daughter."

"Naomi."

"I knew a Naomi in high school. She was a bitch. Even bitchier than me, somehow."

"Maybe we should let someone else name our baby, because it seems like everything either one of us says, the other one disagrees with."

"I'm not letting someone else name our baby. Adam would probably name her Lucifer, just to mess with us. Sam would pick a Spanish name that neither one of us could pronounce. Amanda would pick a southern belle name like Kylee Grace. Blake would pick a family name, most likely his mother's. As much as I loved my grandmother, I don't want her name for our child. Monica and Jeff would probably pick good names, but I want us to name our daughter."

"Ok, I'll give this one more try, and then we're gonna put this conversation to rest."

"Ok, fine. If we can't name her today, then we'll wait until she's born."

"What about the name Emilia."

"Emilia? With an A or E?"

"An E. Emilia with an A is too common."

Fallon thought over the name for a few moments before speaking again.

"I actually love it. Emilia Morell Ridley."

"Our daughter has a name!" Liam exclaimed, as he pulled Fallon into an embrace.

Fallon sunk into his arms, and breathed in his intoxicating scent. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't trying to distance herself from him, especially physically. She loved him, she really did, but she was scared. She was scared for herself, and her daughter, and she was scared that he would get hurt. She didn't know how to deal with that fear, so she remained distant and disassociated.

But she'd also be lying if she said his arms didn't feel amazing and his scent was messing with all of her senses. She was still physically attracted to him, of course. The stupid pregnancy hormones made her hornier than she had ever been, and she hadn't had sex since her daughter was conceived.

So, after a few minutes of enjoying his embrace, she pulled back slightly and pressed a passionate kiss to Liam's lips.

"What're you doing, Fallon?" Liam asked, shocked, as he pulled away from the kiss.

"I know I told you I wanted to take things slow, and I do, but I haven't had sex in almost nine months. I've never been hornier in my life. I need you." Passion filled Fallon's eyes as she stared up at Liam.

"Is it safe for the baby?"

"Yes, it's safe. Just go slow and don't be too rough."

"If you're sure, and ready, then I'm ready."

"I'm ready."

And so, for the first time since Emilia had been conceived, Fallon and Liam had sex. Mind-blowingly good sex. Fallon was more in love with him than she had ever been.

"I love you." Fallon whispered, as she curled into the side of Liam's body.

"I love you, too." Liam reciprocated, placing a sweet kiss to the crown of her head.

A/N: Sorry this update took so long. I've been having some writer's block lately, as well as some health issues and school problems. I'll try to update To Give You The World soon. ~Ashley :)