Chapter One Hunded and One
Liam could hear voices as soon as he unlocked the door. Three different female voices, he wondered who Henrietta or Leanna invited round. As he walked down the hallway and into the living room. He was surprised as he looked towards Gabby as she was sat next to Leanna with a cup of tea. This must be about Bernice he thought, there was no way it wasn't. His arrival made the three of them look over. Leanna being the first to greet him as she got up and explained the reason why Gabby was there. Bernice was back in the country and she was willing to give him a second chance.
"And you're alright with that?" Liam asked his daughter (for he knew her previous reservation about it).
"Yeah. I spoken to Gabby and she made me see the bigger picture. If you want to speak to her, you can" Leanna assured him.
A smile fell upon his face almost straight away. This was the best news he had in a long time, he was given a second chance by everyone. Bernice was back and ready to meet him again! This was everything he dreamed about since her exit last year. Gabby just hoped things worked out this time.
"Is she at home now?" Liam then questioned.
"Yeah" Gabby confirmed.
"Well...If it's alright with you all, I'm going to go and see her now. Gabby, lift back?"
"Yeah, that would be really handy actually. See ya later, Leanna. Bye Henrietta"
Leanna and Henrietta giving a goodbye in return. Liam telling Gabby to wait outside for a few moments which she agreed. He had something to say to the two that remained first. For this reunion wasn't just about them two anymore. The whole family would have to be involved because of Alex.
"So girls...If I get back with Bernice, will you seriously be alright? Obviously, I won't make her meet Alex straight away but she will do one day" Liam began to explain in a nervous yet excited way.
He was like a three year old on his or her birthday. He was trying to be sensible about this but he just wanted to see Bernice. Once he gets past the novelty of that, he will start to talk more seriously. Leanna and Henrietta knew he was giddy to just meet her up and talk through things properly. From Gabby's own admission, Bernice seemed to feel the same way. So this seemed a two-way street at least.
"Well you don't need to ask me, Liam. You want to get back with her, you can" Henrietta answered.
"Just go for it dad, you and Bernice were good together" Leanna chimed in.
"Okay...Well I just wanted to be sure. See you later ladies...Wish me luck, eh" Liam replied with a smile.
Making his way back out as he retreated to his car. Gabby getting in the front seat with him for he may as well drive her back to the village while he's there. Gabby was happy he was finally pulling out his finger and getting on with it. Her mother wanted to see him so badly and she knew that. Hence why she just went to him herself because somebody had to do it, didn't they?
"Mum really wants to see you" Gabby spoke as soon as they hit the road.
"Does she?"
"Yeah...It's all she's talked about ever since she got back. They all know by the way...About Alex, who his mum is and that"
"Well I suppose it's for the best. They were all going to know at some point. I didn't mean to keep it from you all on purpose but Maya still had half the say when she was alive...That's why I kept quiet" Liam informed her with a sigh.
"It's not me you have to defend yourself against" Gabby reminded him.
"I know but I don't want you to look at me in a different light. I love your mum so much and I hated lying to her. I hope you can all forgive me...I know Diane will take a lot longer than everyone else"
"Yeah...Gran's pretty mad but Liam, me and mum understand. You had Alex with her before you knew what she was and we know you were just as disgusted as everyone else when the truth came out. Mum just wants to talk, that's all"
This response made Liam briefly look at her as he gave a nod. That was reasonable and he was happy they believed him. It would have his broke his heart had Bernice not believed him but she did and it meant a lot to him. All he wanted was a second chance to prove himself because he knew they would be so happy. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her right now. His feelings were strong towards Bernice and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get her back.
"I don't blame Diane at all...How is everyone else?" Liam then asked; seeing what he had to face.
"Everyone else is pretty understanding to be honest. We know you're a good man, Liam"
"That means a lot, it really does. I just hope everyone doesn't treat Alex like a second class citizen because of his mum, that's what I'm worried about mostly" Liam confessed.
He wasn't far from the village as he was leaving the city of Leeds and getting onto the nearby country roads.
"Nobody's going to do that. Not even gran...She doesn't treat kids bad because of one of the parents. She's great with Harry" Gabby reassured him.
"Okay good" Liam replied.
That really was good news. He just hoped this first meeting with Bernice goes well, he needs it to work.
...
Newcomer Meena Jutla (younger sister of Manpreet) walked into 'David's Shop' for a look around. She was just getting use to her new surroundings really and getting to know the local villagers. She hasn't had the best start with them but she was here to stay and had some making up to do. Eric was behind the counter as always as he looked up briefly, giving a sigh when he noticed her.
"Oh come on...Don't be like that, I paid now" Meena spoke up with her arms crossed. Referring to the time she almost ditched paying for his hotel.
"Thanks to Rishi"
"I was just getting my money together. Please can we move past it...It was just one little mistake and it won't happen ever again"
"Well...Since you are living with my granddaughter, I suppose I will have to. Just don't take me for a fool, I'm not just some old stupid codger, I do have my faculties about me still" Eric spoke up firmly.
"I didn't doubt it for a second" Meena spoke with a small smile.
Though she didn't get a warm response as he just gave her a small glare. Looking back down at the till. Meena just widening her eyes before looking around some more, she was here for some tights but didn't look they had any on the shop floor. She wished she didn't have to ask for Eric was clearly annoyed with her still but needs must.
"Eric...Do you have any tights?" Meena asked nervously; not wanting him to snap at her.
"I will go and get David...He will know, wait there" Eric instructed.
Making her just give a nod in response. She just gave an annoyed expression when he turned around. Gosh she thought, you would think nobody paid for her stay at the hotel the way he acted but he wasn't one to mess around anymore. Eric was heard talking to David in the house as Meena attempted to earwig on the sly. This didn't last long though as footsteps were heard as Eric came out with David. Eric pointing towards Meena and saying she was the one asking.
"Tights?" David questioned her.
"Yeah...Priya said you sold some and I really need some. Weather's getting freezing" Meena answered with a larger smile.
She got a warm feeling from David, he was a handsome fella she thought. He looked nothing like his father, not even the younger version of Eric. Meena could see what Priya must have saw in him all those years ago. Though of cause she didn't know the baggage he came with but that didn't matter right now.
"We have black and navy blue in the stock room...Is that alright?" David then asked.
"Yeah. I will have two navy blues...Small size" Meena answered.
He just gave a nod and the smallest smile, retreating into his small stockroom. Meena watching him do this. Eric noticed her looking and while he obviously had no control over whether women fancied his son or not, he still was worried about him jumping into another relationship. Especially with a woman like Meena who has a bit of a bad reputation in regards to sex and relationships. Though David might not even care, time will tell. He returned a few moments later with two pack of navy blue tights.
"There you go" David said as he passed them over.
"Thank you, it saves me a trip into town" Meena replied with a nervous small laugh.
"Oh yeah, my shop's handy like that. Priya said you're living with her now, I'm coming round for dinner on Friday. Amba's my daughter but I suppose she told you all that...Sorry, I'm rambling on"
"No it's fine...I like a man who can ramble" Meena teased with another nervous laugh.
This flirting took David aback slightly but she got the wrong impression. Thinking it was something she did but no, it wasn't. It was just that she was the first woman to show any interest in him since well, her. He just gave an awkward smile as he went bac behind the counter with his father.
"That be 3 pounds" Eric spoke up; knowing why David suddenly got tetchy.
"Okay? I'm sorry for saying anything now...Seriously guys, I don't like awkward situations" Meena replied as she got out her money.
"No, it's not awkward" David quickly replied however he didn't say it in a very convincing manner.
"Could have fooled me...Here's a five pound note for your troubles, keep the change. I'm going to go"
"Okay but it's not" David went to say however she already left before he could finish his sentence as he added..."Awkward" as she left and shut the door behind herself.
Eric giving a sigh as he turned to face his son. He knew why he just did that, Meena flirting with him just took him aback. He hates himself for it but he finds it difficult to trust women, even before Maya; he found it difficult. Though the situation with Maya just made that feeling even stronger. He always thought they had some ulterior motive or some secret they were hiding, he hated himself for thinking this way but he couldn't help it. He trusted Leyla and Maya with everything and they both betrayed him in different ways. Priya was his only voice of reason right now.
"I know dad...I know" David simple said before going returning back to his living room. Eric just feeling useless for he didn't know how to help.
...
Parked outside Bernice's house, Liam paused but only for a second mind. Before he opened the car door. Gabby getting out from the other side as she gave him a look that read 'Go on'. He breathed in slightly before walking up the small pathway which led to the house which Bernice shared with Gabby and Diane. He nervously knocked on the door and waited for a response. He could hear footsteps already, Bernice thought Gabby had forgot her key or something like that. She opened up the door to find Liam (Gabby standing a small distance away).
"He wants to talk" Gabby spoke up to her mother.
Bernice could barely get the words out in response. She just looked at Liam, almost not believing her own eyes. He really was here, she let tears fall down. She was a very emotional person. Though she knew she had to get it together and so she refrained from getting herself in a tearful state.
"Liam...You must come in and we can talk" Bernice requested after a few moments of silence.
"Of cause I will" Liam agreed with a small smile.
Though he didn't get one back as she stepped back. He walked into the house right past her, Bernice remaining at the door as she looked towards her daughter. Gabby knew she would want to be alone as she told her mother..."You just talk to him, I will go to the cafe and bother Nicola"
"You sure?"
"Yeah...Go on" Gabby urged with a smile; Bernice giving her one back.
Before going inside herself and finally shutting the door. Leaving them both alone at last for the first time since last year! It's been a long time coming and boy, did she have a lot to say and talk about. Mainly about Alex and how he came to be, what is he like and how they will move on in the future. Liam standing in the living room as he waited for her to come in and this she did.
"I'm so happy to see you...I have missed you so much" Liam admitted. Putting his heart on his sleeve.
"Me too but it's a bit different now. Mum has done nothing but remind me that you have lied to me for months and months. Though I'm willing to hear you out because we were good together, Liam"
"I understand and I don't like to talk about it but I will tell you everything you need to know. I'm happy you're even hearing me out, Bernice. I love you so much...I really do"
"Don't-"
"Don't what?"
"Say you love me...You lied to me for months. I told you everything and I thought I knew everything about you too but I guess not. I know you say Maya had half a say but you didn't even try to tell me" Bernice grumbled.
That's what hurt her the most. The fact he lied to her for Maya (Maya of all people!). Even before her disgusting nature was revealed, she was hardly wife of the year. Didn't help that he made Leanna lie too. That wasn't something she condoned, she never would have made Gabby or Dee Dee lie like that.
"As much as I hated her...She was still the mother of him and I was scared she would stop me seeing him or something had I gone against her wishes" Liam began to further explain.
"You said she wasn't even seeing him"
"She wasn't but she still had rights sadly. I didn't enjoy it, Bernice. Having to see my son in secret like he was something to be ashamed about. I hated every second and I hated Maya for making me do it"
"So you spoke to her on the sly as well?"
"Only to talk about Alex" Liam protested.
"I just feel like Lara and Maya knew you better than I ever did. That's what really hurts...I don't know if I really know you" Bernice confessed with a tear falling down.
As she sat herself down on the couch with her hands against her face. She didn't know what else he wanted her to say. That's how she felt, she just felt left out and lied to. Liam hated her feeling like this for he never lied about anything else. He just didn't want to lose Alex or confess to the woman he loved what a mess he's made in the past. That's all it was, it wasn't personal.
"Everything else I told you was true...Now I love you Bernice, so much. I know you don't want me to say it but it's the truth. As soon as I met you, I knew you were the one. I know it sounds corny but it was love at first sight...I just wish I didn't have the baggage I had" Liam proclaimed.
"I would have understood had you came to me. What did you think I was gonna do? Why would I have a go at you for having a child in your previous marriage?"
"I know you would have been understanding. It was Maya I was worried about...She could have stopped me seeing him or anything. She was so unpredictable, Bernice"
"I wouldn't have told her I knew. Why didn't you trust me?"
"Because I was stupid...Because I let Maya get into my head. She told me that if she's not telling David, why should I tell you? She made out like Alex was some little secret from the past and I went along with it. No doubt she picked up some of her mum's lawyer skills" Liam exposited.
Bernice just gave a small groan.
"That's another thing...I have to see your old mother-in-law, she's not leaving. I just feel like everything has just been a lie with you" Bernice spoke in a sad tone of voice.
"No. I'm still the same man you fell in love with...Please Bernice, I know you want to try again. There is nothing stopping us" Liam pleaded.
Sitting next down to her as he put his hands over hers. He was begging for another chance, everything was out in the open now. They had nothing to lose surely, he understood it would take some time but they needed to try. The girls were willing to try so why not them? Bernice wanted to as well and she just couldn't keep up this serious act, this was mostly her mother talking to be honest.
"I want to try too" Bernice finally admitted.
"Good. I don't expect you to suddenly forgive me but just know nothing has changed with how I feel towards you"
"Same here...Liam?"
"Yes?"
"I'm hurt you lied to me but I do understand why. And I know you...deep down. You were only looking out for your son, weren't you?"
"Of cause"
"In that case...How can I stay mad at you? You were only doing what any decent parent would do in these awful circumstances. And Hell if we're going to let Maya ruin what we had together" Bernice spoke, caving in fully as she wrapped her arms around him.
Liam holding tightly onto her as he gave a sigh of relief.
...
TBC
