"Where's the baby that's gonna have babies?" i cooed, tip toeing to the back of the store, proudly holding two salmon treats for Marmalade.

Liam's expression beamed as i joined him and the cats, cradling Vincent in his arms like a baby, he waved at me with his paw. That cat is like actually in love with Liam, he's always on him every chance he gets.

"Where... is she?"

Placing the raspy voiced protesting cat on the floor, he dusted his buttoned shirt, which two happened to have popped from Vincent's claws. "She's actually upstairs, in my place" he pursed his lips, his hand reaching out to pat atop my head, further messing my hair as if i was a cat too. He's never gonna stop that is he.

"The vet told me this morning that i should sort of isolate her from other cats and keep her somewhere safe and warm- she liked my carpet apparently so that's where she's at"

One of the newer cats, 'Honey' was glazing around my feet, sniffing me to decide if i was a friend or foe, it's high pitched meows sensing i've got treats and demanding that i submit them effective immediately.

sorry baby, this is for the new mama to be, "wanna see her?"

I've never seen his apartment actually, i've been to Goodman's enough times to count, i've been to everyone's places, even Edward's, but for some odd reason, i've never been to my other best friend's place.

Goosebumps rose on my skin, feeling a little nervous of the idea of heading up to his apartment, essentially being alone with him. And Adam isn't even in the country. I'm possibly reading too much into it, Liam did make it clear to me that we're just friends the way we were before, whatever he feels is something he'd deal with. i just gotta run with it, this is what i wanted all along anyway.

There was a door at the back of the store, which only he has the key for, i mean of course it's the door to his place.

Through the door was a dimly lit staircase that lead to his apartment, it's sort of like a townhouse, but not.

"Welcome to my place" He called out as we entered, a sudden waft of lavender hit my nose. The interior was homely and warm, just like it's tenant. Bookshelves and a fireplace was the first that caught my eye. He's literally living above a bookstore, that he owns, and me...so i don't know why he'd need more bookshelves up here.

It was a cozy apartment, a lot smaller and not over the top like the rest of the King's, you couldn't even think a member of the King's lives here, which is all the more on brand for him.

"Come out love, she's here to see you" He gently called out for marmalade, having bent under his velvet couch, snapping his fingers for the mama to be.

It's like he's the pied piper for cats, she came out from hiding in an instant, it's little belly visibly bulbous, fully trusting the friendly giant to caress her pregnant stomach as she licked away at his palm.

I pouted, tip toeing to kneel next to the two. "Hi mama" i whispered, softly touching her soft head. "I thought she was a boy cat" i admitted, watching marmalade curl up on his lap.

"So did i" he silently chuckled, "i think the father is either coffee bean or Honey, I'm not sure which one" He shook his head, "wow they've been busy"

He chuckled, watching me rip open a snack strip to feed an excitedly meowing marmalade, jumping from his lap to mine.

"So! how did it go today?" he quizzed, his ocean blue eyes following my movements. I sighed deeply, preparing myself to fess up on every little detail, just like i always do when i'm in his presence and had a questionable or a bad day.

He listened intently, sure he doesn't have the exaggerated reactions like the girls do, but he makes sure you are listened to, word for word. "Wait you think-"

"Yeah" i whined, sighing deeply as i pet marmalade who was passing herself around from me to Liam after swiftly finishing up the snack. "Ooo that's a little messy, what did Adam say?"

"He's still on the flight" my tone sounded disappointed, stretching my legs as i leaned backwards on my elbows, the hardwood floor was surprisingly warm. He's really kept the place warm and cozy for marmalade with the heater on. "And the girls are busy today" i pouted, my gaze following the patterns on the wooden ceiling. There's a serious vintage aesthetic to this place.

"i don't think he'd mind, you want this job, and that's what matters" his tone was comforting, leaning back on his elbows, similar to mine. "And sounds like you actually nailed it"

I pursed my lips, grateful for him trying to comfort me, and for that moment, it kinda worked.

I mean, working under your boyfriend's dad's old mistress isn't as bad as it sounds right? oh god.

We silently watched marmalade knead on the cushy carpet next to Liam, in front of the slightly lit fireplace like a little baker, slowly putting herself to sleep, her little comforting purrs vibrate towards us, curling up to a ball to feel all the warmth Liam has set up just for her.

"You know- i think i still smell some piss on you" He joked, prompting me to animatedly punch him on his shoulder as i dramatically gasped, taking offense. He thinks he's such a fucking joker as of late. Rolling my eyes i scoffed.

His laughter subsiding, he sat upright, his eyes peering into me, a daring expression wash over him as he drove his hand through his messy brown locs, "There now" he breathed, his gaze scanning me up and down.

scrunching my face, i swatted at him, gasping, "Y-you're doing it again, you're flirting with me!" I called out, my arms waving around, "How is this gonna work?" a confused expression faltering to leave my face, i watched his casual attitude, tilting his head as he watched me react.

"Theia, there are bigger problems in the world" he chuckled, his attention landing on the curled up marmalade sleeping further away from the fireplace.

"W-what does that-"

"I'm just messing with you, although i do mean it a little" he pursed his lips, giving me a playful wink, finding himself standing up from his position to walk over to the kitchen counter, his voice fading with distance "but that's all really, like i said back at the manor - it's for me to worry about-"

I squinted, am i stupid? what does that even mean? "So...you're just, playing around...does it mean anything...?

An extended silence, the sounds of marmalade's purring vibrate like an engine ringing on my right ear, my eyes following his movements. His back facing me, he swiftly turned around to face me, his gaze studying his phone, "Are you hungry?" he deviated from the topic altogether, his tone was casual, not intimidating or serious like he was that night at the ball or the first night in the manor.

It's giving very confused signals, but i should take his word for it, he did say we'd be like we used to, he's clearly very into playing around than anything else. He needs a break from Edward if anything.

We had pizza delivered to his place, spending the rest of the night lazily lounging around on his couch and eating pizza and watching movies.

"I'm gonna be a grandfather" he sighed, watching marmalade stretch, her inflated belly out in the open, biting into his second pizza.

I suppose my lazy attitude for the day rubbed off on him, because that once cheery and welcoming demeanor washed away within an hour, leaving a hollow, sighing shell of a man, just like me. We both found ourselves leaning against the couch, staring at the ceiling, silent and full of thoughts. Sometimes record videos of Marmalade doing something cute like yawn or stretch, follow her around like two annoying idiots.

We even found ourselves watching her pee on the litter box.  "She did that paw thing again" he nudged at me, the two of us watching her behind the couch as if we were behind enemy lines. Even making bets on when exactly she'd give birth and debate on what we're gonna name them. What the hell became of us today?

He drove me back to my apartment after i kissed marmalade goodbye, having done absolute fuck all but lounge around and sigh like a competition.

"I know it must be confusing to you" he broke the silence, his usual attitude making an appearance, finally someone's back to life again. "this- between us"

I turned to look at him, having parked the car in front of the apartment, his eyes were on me, chewing on his bottom lip.

"It's confusing me too" his eyes looked tired, blinking slowly and tightly, his gaze read mine. "But like i said, it'll be like we used to" A warm smile appeared on his lips, the same smile that comforted me throughout, a year ago, when i joined the Kings.

"I know" I affirmed, i don't expect him to just get all of this shit together, where things are magically like it was when i joined. But i know he's trying, our friendship matters to us most than anything.

"Can't blame me when you're too beautiful sometimes" he mumbled, shying away from my gaze before looking up at me again. "Shut up" I joked, nudging at him before reaching for the car door, thanking him for dropping me off.

Going up to the apartment knowing it's and dark left me feeling hollow inside, he really knows how to make you miss his presence.

I wonder if he's landed yet.