There might have been a time I would give myself away
Once upon a time I didn't give a damn
But now, here we are
So what do you want from me?
-Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert

DELILAH

The sand felt good under my feet. Surprisingly, the beach wasn't too crowded and I had the chance to relax, look at the soft waves of the ocean. Waves that seemed to be washing away the constant ache I felt. 

I was tempted to call Liam and tell him to meet me there, but I knew that I needed this time to myself. Time to sort my feelings and thoughts, more than anything to remind myself that I was here for Adrian, that no matter what Liam and I would always have the connection of our children. I sat down, watched families play in the sand, having the time of their life.

Everyone had problems, I was well aware of that. But times like this when you are tested, it doesn't seem like anyone else's problems are as difficult as your own. That's exactly what this felt like, the biggest test in my life. 

I brought my knees up to my chest and closed my eyes, the soft breeze hit my face and my heart felt a little bit lighter. We'd be okay, whether together or apart, we'd find a way to raise our children together, in a healthy way. 

There were unavoidable conversations we needed to have, things that would probably still be hurtful weeks, even years from now, but we'd find a way. We always did. 

"You come here often?"

I opened my eyes slowly. That voice... This could not be happening.

"I know Liam didn't like coming here. Never understood why until you came back."

I sighed. I wanted to be alone to clear my mind and instead I was met with such unfortunate circumstances. There was an evil, sadistic glint her eyes, one she couldn't hide at all. Choosing not to pay much attention to it, I stood up ready to leave.

"Why are you running?" Carissa asked with a chuckle. "I just want to talk, see how you are doing."

"We both no you don't give a damn," I replied cooly. 

"You're right, I don't. But I can see things aren't going very well. You look like shit and even look like you gained weight."

Yeah, bitch, I'm pregnant.

I smiled. "Well, thanks for the concern but I don't need it."

I started walking away but Carissa followed, keeping up her pace next to me. Maybe all she wanted was to talk, yet something told me to run far, far away from her. She was not to be trusted. 

"He's going to tire of you, you know that? Just like he grew tired of me, he'll get bored of you. Especially when he realizes what a shitty person you are."

"Jesus, Carissa. Have some dignity. He left you, okay, you're hurt but don't stoop so low. You really shouldn't do this to yourself," I muttered, now having my car within view. 

But when I arrived to my car, the view of it left me speechless. The tires were sliced, all four of them. I turned around, a smirk on her face. "Trust me, Delilah. You both will regret doing this to me."

It took me a moment to process what was happening. I couldn't get home and Carissa had just threatened me. With a shaking hand I took out my phone and dialed Brian's phone number. I'd send Liam a text as soon as I let Brian know, but for now, my instinct told me that Carissa was more of a threat than I had imagined.

"Hey, this is a surprise," Brian said.

"Hey, I need help," I said quickly. "I'm at the pier, someone slashed my tires and can't leave and I'm not sure what to do or-"

"Hey, hey, calm down," he interrupted. I heard his keys jingling in the background and door slam shut. "Go to the restaurant, somewhere where there's people and stay there, do you understand?"

I nodded.

"Delilah, I need you to tell me that you understand."

I realized he couldn't see me and replied with a quiet yes as I walked to the restaurant. 

"Did you see who it was?"

"Uh, Carissa, I think. Liam's ex. She was here."

"Did she hurt you?"

"N-no, no she didn't."

"Stay at the restaurant, okay? I'll be there in a few minutes."

The next few minutes felt like years.

What the hell was going on in Carissa's head? Why had she done that? It was clear that she was not in the best state of mind, but what was she really capable of?

I ordered a small meal while at the restaurant since I was beginning to get hungry, and just when the food was about to served Brian walked in, looking furious. He relaxed when he saw me.

"Are you okay?" He asked, sitting next to me in the booth.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Tell me exactly what happened."

I did. There wasn't much to be said other than Carissa showing up, seething and threatening. Oh, and also the minor detail that my tires had been slashed. Brian was silent listening to everything I had to say as he tried to put pieces of what happened together. 

"Why the hell are you alone?" he asked, shaking his head. 

"I needed to be alone," I answered ashamed. 

Brian's angry gaze softened. I finished eating in silence while he studied me carefully. He was trying weigh all the options, trying not ask what was going on. He was a smart man, it was obvious he had caught on to the fact that something was wrong at home. I knew Brian was observant, but I didn't expect the question that left his mouth.

"How far along are you?"

I stopped with the large cheeseburger halfway to my mouth and eyes widened in surprise. 

"What?"

A crooked smile formed on his lips. "I notice things," he shrugged. "Don't think I've checked you out... Even if I have, but your boobs have grown a bit. You have the tiniest bump, it's barely noticeable. And you have this little glow in your eyes, something that can't be hidden. So, how far along are you?"

"I'm not sure," I finally said. "I have an appointment this week."

"Okay... So are we happy about this?" 

"We are."

Brian smiled at me, placing his arm over my shoulders and hugging me. "Congratulations, darling. Now finish up your food so we can get you home."

*****

Liam rushed out the door as soon as he saw the detective's car pull up. Jo, who apparently showed up while I was gone, and Chris also followed behind him. 

"What the hell happened?" Liam asked, pulling me into his arms.

"Your psycho ex is slashing my tires and following me around," I muttered. 

I explained what was going on and soon there was four furious people surrounding me, something I didn't want to be a part of. At some point Liam and Brian started raising their voices and it was obvious that a testosterone match was imminent. It angered me, especially Liam. Perhaps my emotions were all over the place, but the fact that now he was worried about me getting hurt was a bit absurd. I snorted, getting both their attention.

"Brian, I went out on my own because I needed to be alone. The past few days have been... chaotic. And Liam, please don't act like what Carissa did hurt me was terrinble. Trust me, nothing she can do could hurt more than what's happened for the past few days."

I shouldn't have been pleased, but the fact that there was remorse on his face made me feel a little bit better. Not because I wanted to see him in pain, that was the last thing I wanted. But because it showed that he cared, that he knew he'd been wrong in the way he approached things. 

"Now boys, stop getting your panties in a bunch and start thinking of a game plan and see what to do."

I walked inside the house and went to Adrian's room, where he was lying down on the floor working on a puzzle. He looked up at me and smiled and I couldn't help but return it.

Despite Carissa showing up, being alone helped me clear my mind. I was pained still and maybe even angry, it was okay though. I was strong, with or without Liam and I knew that in my kids I would find all the motivation I needed. It would be a bonus if I could have the only man I've loved by my side, if it wasn't possible though, I'd survive.

I could do anything and everything as long as I was healthy, and I didn't need someone that didn't trust in me around.

I needed someone that believed in me, that could see the efforts I put into what I did. I needed someone who would leave the past in the past without bringing it up every time things were bad. If Liam couldn't do that... Then there was nothing to do.

By no means was I giving up on us, but we needed time. How much? I had no clue. However, I knew it was our best option if we wanted things to work.

Time for both of us to heal.

Time for us to gain each other's trust.

As I looked down at my son and felt the happiness that irradiated from him even in the silence, I realized that I couldn't change that. Liam and I couldn't have a twisted relationship full of arguments. Our kids deserved better than that and we had to work on each other in order to achieve the best version of ourselves possible.

Our friends left hours later leaving us alone after the long day we'd had. Proud of the strength I felt at the moment, I walked to the room where Liam was already preparing for bed. 

"Are you ready to talk now?" I asked Liam. He agreed with a silent nod, leaning back on the headboard. I followed along, straddling him, taking him by surprise. "You know I love you, right?" 

"I know," he whispered. 

I gave him a small smile, running my fingers through his hair. His eyes closed as he relaxed under my touch and I leaned down, kissing him. 

"I'm sorry for the shit I did and said, Delilah. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"But you meant what you said," I countered with a sad smile. 

He opened his eyes and gave me a single nod. I ignored the hint of pain his admission caused me and continued talking. "We need to work on ourselves before working on our relationship, Liam. What we're doing isn't healthy and we both deserve better, our kids deserve better."

"They do. What are you thinking then?"

"For starters, I guess taking a break would be good."

Liam let out a breath. He didn't agree with the suggestion but he knew it was the best idea. 

"I can't move back into my old apartment because Chris has taken over but I can ask Jo if-"

"No. Babe, not after today. You're safer here. We can sleep in separate rooms if you want."

"It'll be too hard to be in the same house though."

"I'll be good, I promise," he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, but nuzzled into his neck while his arms held me tight. "And we talk about everything, okay? Anything that bothers us, we talk about. No secrets, okay?"

I nodded into his chest, savoring what would likely be the last night in his arms, at least for a while. 

"And Delilah?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to work on not being angry anymore, okay?"

"And I'll work on getting your trust back."

My sex drive was nonexistent at the moment, but we kissed and held each other for the rest of the night. This new resolve in the both of us was our last shot at fixing our relationship and I knew we'd be just fine. That didn't mean I wasn't afraid though.

I once heard somewhere that it's a good thing to be afraid, that it means you do have something to lose.

And I didn't want to lose the family we were just now starting to build.

There was no way I would.

*****

A/N: So this is their decision...

We'll see if that works out... ;)

What do you think of Delilah's mindset now? 

Seems like she's not running anymore.

Next chapter will have their appointment.

By the way, we are nearing the final chapters.

Thanks for reading. You guys have no idea how much it means to me.

-Luz<3