Liam walked through the door after a long and tiring day. Elsa turned to face him and sheepishly spoke, "I hope you don't mind Granny's take out," as she nervously fingered her braid.
Liam closed the distance between them and ran his hands up and down his wife's arms.
"Of course I don't mind, love," he assured her. He then kissed her forehead before he surmised, "I take it the bakery was rather busy today."
"That's an understatement. It was – how would you put it? Ah – a bloody nightmare," Elsa responded.
Liam offered her a sympathetic smile before he told her, "Well, now, we can both relax with a quiet dinner."
Elsa smiled and nodded. Both of them then heard their 11-month-old calling for her mother.
"It sounds like Anna Elizabeth is up from her nap. I'll go and get her," the blonde spoke. She then started to go toward the nursery.
However, she was stopped by husband's arm on hers.
"Allow me, love," Liam told her before he kissed her cheek. Elsa smiled at him before she watched him head for the nursery. She then began laying out their food from the diner.
When Liam walked into his little girl's room, her blue eyes lit up.
"Da-da!" Anna Elizabeth exclaimed before she reached out her arms toward him.
Liam smiled at her before he scooped her up in his arms. She instantly wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug.
When they pulled back, Anna Elizabeth asked, "Ma-ma?"
"Your mommy is fixing our food. Are you ready to eat?" Liam explained.
She recognized "eat" and clapped her hands. Liam smiled at her before they headed toward the kitchen.
As soon as they arrived, Liam placed Anna Elizabeth in her highchair. Elsa placed the food in front of her daughter before she ruffled her curls, resulting in a giggle from the baby girl.
Both Liam and Elsa smiled at Anna Elizabeth before they took their seats.
The curly-haired man then proceeded to try to feed his daughter. He picked up the spoon and scooped up some mashed potatoes.
When he tried to feed it to her, however, she grunted and wouldn't open her mouth.
"Love, you must eat," Liam pointed out. Anna Elizabeth responded by grabbing for the spoon in his hand.
He only shook his head before he resigned. He watched as Anna Elizabeth fed herself the potatoes, though most of it ended up on her face.
Liam sighed as he ran his fingers through his daughter's blonde curls. He then spoke, "You're a stubborn one, aren't you, lass?"
"Like father, like daughter," Elsa quipped with a grin. Liam only rolled his eyes while his wife giggled.
A little over an hour later, Liam and Elsa were watching cartoons with Anna Elizabeth when there was a knock at the door.
"Ah, that will be Belle. We thought we'd ride together over to the hospital," Liam explained.
Elsa nodded before her husband asked, "Are you sure that you're okay with me staying at the hospital tonight?" as he stood up from the couch.
"Of course I am. Killian had surgery today, and I know you're worried about him," Elsa assured him. She then grabbed his hand and reassuringly squeezed it before she continued, "If the situation were reversed, and Anna was recovering from surgery, you'd be the one staying home with our daughter."
Liam smiled at her before he leaned down and kissed her sweetly. He kissed Anna Elizabeth's forehead before he bid both of them goodbye. He then went to go open the door.
He found his sister on the other side wearing a warm smile. "Hey, Liam," she greeted before she wrapped him in a hug.
When they pulled away, Liam asked, "You ready to go, love?" Belle nodded in response. They then made their way to his car.
When they were on the street, Liam asked, "Did you have something to eat?"
Belle couldn't resist rolling her eyes as she responded, "Yes, Liam. I stopped by Granny's as soon as I got into town."
He nodded before he glanced over at his sister. He studied her for a moment before he turned his eyes back to the road.
He then worriedly asked her, "Are you alright, love? You've hardly spoken since we got in the car."
Belle sighed before she admitted, "It's Robert."
"What happened?" Liam questioned. "What always happens – more underhanded and deceitful business practices and him lying to me about it," she dejectedly answered.
"I'm truly sorry that he hurt you, love," Liam sincerely told her.
"Thank you, Liam," Belle sincerely told him. Her brother nodded before she continued, "And thank you for not overreacting like Killian does. I know you dislike Robert just as much – you're just not quite as vocal about it as our brother is."
Liam couldn't help but chuckle before he told her, "Well, love, we both have the same purpose – protecting you."
"I am capable of taking care of myself, you know," Belle reminded her oldest brother with a grin.
Liam only shook his head and grinned back as they arrived at the hospital.
When they had walked inside, they were greeted by Dr. Whale. "Killian is still sleeping from the surgery, but he should wake up soon. You two are welcome to go into his room," he explained.
"Thank you, Dr. Whale," Liam responded. The doctor nodded before he went on his way.
Belle then spoke, "Should we go on in?" "Aye, love," Liam told his sister.
As they stepped into the room, Liam couldn't help but think that the circumstances were certainly improved from a couple of days ago. Killian was no longer unconscious, his scars were healing, and he was recovering from life-saving surgery. Liam couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Belle yawn. The brunette then spoke, "I think I may take a nap before Killian wakes up."
"I think that would be wise considering that you drove seven hours today," Liam told her.
Belle simply nodded in agreement before she walked over the couch that was next to the wall. Liam then sat down in a chair by Killian's bed.
Within a couple of minutes, Belle had drifted off. Liam couldn't help but watch her sleep. She was so peaceful, yet she was also restless. Not unlike how she slept the first few months after their parents had died.
Belle, like her parents and oldest brother, wanted to be strong. However, she had cried herself to sleep many a night. Killian, on the other hand, had been in a state of brooding and being mad at the world.
To this day, Liam still wondered how he – a lad of only 16 – didn't manage to make a bloody mess of all of their lives. In truth, it was nothing short of a miracle.
Killian then shifted in his sleep, and Liam recognized a bump on his younger brother's nose that he knew wasn't from the crash. Liam remembered it like it was yesterday.
His brother had been 16, and his sister had just started high school. The three of them had just moved to New York City, and Killian and Belle had started a new school a couple of months before.
Belle had been having problems with a bully but had neglected to tell her brothers. She didn't want Liam to worry more than he already did, and she didn't want Killian to get in trouble because she knew that he would confront the bully.
Unfortunately, Belle's plan went awry when Killian saw his little sister being harshly teased. Despite the fact that said bully was the captain of the football team and had at least six inches on Killian, the protective teenager still felt the need to punch the bully. However, Killian was the one who wound up with a broken nose.
The result of this altercation was a three-day suspension and a lecture from Liam. While the eldest Jones couldn't fault Killian for defending Belle, he shouldn't have lost his temper.
The experience taught Belle that she shouldn't hide her problems from her brothers. They were her only family, and they wanted her to know she could always count on them. Of course they would worry, but that was the job of older brothers.
Despite the years that had passed, Liam still found himself wanting to protect her, even though he now had a child of his own. Perhaps Belle was too old for that, but it still made him hurt to see her hurt, especially since she had been with Robert Gold.
Liam couldn't help but smile slightly as he thought about how it was his lot in life to worry over his younger siblings.
He then saw Belle stirring in her sleep and watched her sleepily sit up.
She then asked, "Is Killian awake yet?" "Not yet, love," Liam answered with a far-off look in his blue eyes.
Belle noticed and asked, "Are you alright, Liam?"
"Oh, of course. I was just thinking about work, Belle," Liam responded.
The brunette tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at him as she told him, "You're doing it again."
"Whatever do you mean?" Liam asked curiously.
"Feeling like you need to be strong for everyone else," Belle responded matter-of-factly.
Liam grinned slightly as he told her, "You always were a perceptive lass."
Belle grinned back before she became serious and keenly observed, "You're worried about Killian."
"Of course I worry about him," Liam admitted. He then took a breath and continued, "I told Killian to be careful on that blasted motorcycle."
Belle nodded sympathetically before she told him, "He was being careful. There's nothing you could have told him that would have changed anything."
"It's my job to protect both of you," Liam told her, his voice thick with emotion.
The brunette got up from her place on the couch. She then walked over to her brother and wrapped him in hug.
When they had pulled away, Belle pulled an extra chair beside Liam's.
She took a deep breath and spoke, "While I would never expect or ask you to stop worrying about Killian and I, we weren't those kids who just lost their parents. You don't have to be strong for us anymore, Liam."
He sighed before he responded, "I know, love. But I still feel like I need to be – I just want both of you to be happy."
Belle considered her words before she said, "Romantic relationships aside, we are incredibly happy. We're surrounded by people we love. We are a family, and a lot of that is thanks to you."
"I don't know about that," Liam replied, as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"That is utterly ridiculous. You stepped up and took care of us as well as any parent would have, even though you didn't ask for it. You did your job – you raised us. Now it's time to let us be the strong ones," Belle pointed out.
"Easier said than done," Liam began. He then took a breath and continued, "I know I tend to worry too much, but it's only because I want what is best for you two."
Belle smiled as she told him, "I know. And that is something I hope never changes."
Liam smiled back as he told her, "You can trust me, love – it won't." He then pulled her in for another hug.
When they had pulled away, the brunette spoke, "You know, I've been thinking. Despite all the horrid things you and Killian did to me as children…"
Her brother then interrupted, "Most of that was his doing," faking innocence.
Belle only shook her head and rolled her eyes before she continued, "As I was saying, despite all of that, I knew I could count on both of you to be there for me. And I have to say that your advice, Liam, has always stayed with me. I always think of it whenever I'm having a problem."
"Truly, Belle?" Liam asked with genuine surprise in his voice.
"Of course! I truly don't know what I would do without you – even if you're not there physically," Belle honestly told him.
"Well, I promise that I will always be there for you," Liam responded. Belle smiled brightly at him in response.
Both of them then heard a groan of "bloody hell." They turned to see Killian trying to sit up as he held his side.
"Easy there, brother. You just had surgery," Liam cautioned.
"I realize that, but this infernal hospital bed is bloody uncomfortable," Killian stated, as he readjusted his position.
"Well, don't worry, you'll be going home in a few more days," Belle assured him.
Killian's brows furrowed at his sister's voice. He acknowledged her presence as he turned to face her and asked, "Belle? You're here?"
"I drove down today," Belle explained, and Killian responded, "You really didn't have to, love."
"You were in a motorcycle crash, Killian. You had to have surgery – you really think I'd be anywhere else?" she pointed out.
Killian smiled at her as he told her, "I suppose not, love."
He then asked, "What does your boyfriend think about your trip?" disdain clear in his voice.
Belle shared a quick, knowing look with Liam before she answered, "He's fine with it. He understands that my family is important to me."
Killian raised an eyebrow as he asked, "The crocodile really bloody said that?"
Belle didn't answer his question as she confusedly asked, "Crocodile?"
"Aye, love. He sounds like the type who would take someone's hand," Killian stated.
Both Liam and Belle rolled their eyes before the brunette told him, "You are incorrigible."
"That I am, sis. But you still drove seven hours just to see me," Killian pointed out with a smirk.
Belle couldn't help but lightly chuckle because she couldn't argue with him.
Just then, Dr. Whale, accompanied by a nurse, came into the room. "It's good to see you awake, Killian. How are you feeling?" the doctor spoke.
"I'm bloody sore. That's how I'm feeling," Killian told him.
Whale struggled to not roll his eyes at Killian's tone before he responded, "That is to be expected after major surgery. But you should feel better in a couple of days."
Killian nodded before Whale continued, "Nurse Katie and I need to change your IV, as well as perform a routine post-surgery check-up."
"So, we need to leave," Belle observed, and Whale nodded in response. The brunette and Liam then stepped out of the room.
They sat in a pair of chairs in the room, and Belle's phone rang. She grabbed it from her pocket and looked at the caller ID. She excused herself before she walked off and answered the phone.
When Belle had finished her call, she came and sat back down beside Liam, sighing as she did so.
"Everything alright, Belle?" Liam asked a bit worriedly.
"I was supposed to have the next couple of days off to spend here, but there's a release party the day after tomorrow for the book that I helped edit. My boss expects me to attend," she annoyingly answered.
"Now who's worrying too much over our brother?" Liam couldn't help but tease.
"Well, I must have picked it up from you," Belle teased back. Her brother only shook his head in response.
They sat in waiting room for a little over twenty minutes. Liam had Belle laughing at how much Anna Elizabeth really was like him. They then saw Dr. Whale and Nurse Katie make their way out of Killian's room.
The blonde nurse informed the siblings that their brother's recovery was going perfectly well and that they could go back in his room. She also told them that she would bring a cot.
Both Liam and Belle nodded and offered their thanks.
Just as they began walking back to the room, Liam heard his younger sister breathe a deep sigh of relief. He turned to her, and they wordlessly embraced each other.
As they pulled away, Liam assured her, "He will be just fine." Belle nodded, and he continued, "And your love life will sort itself out."
A smile broke out across her face, and she told him, "You always know what to say."
"Well, I have had a lot of practice," Liam told her as he matched her smile.
Belle's expression became serious as she told him, "Your advice and support has meant the absolute world to me all of these years. Even if we haven't lived in the same place for over three years."
Liam then genuinely told her, "It's like I told you earlier, love, I promise that I will always be here for you."
Belle smiled brightly before she hugged him once more. As they pulled away, she spoke, "Let's go see our brother." He nodded in response before they walked into Killian's hospital room.
As the years passed, Liam did, in fact, keep his promise.