His Pretend Maid

Chapter 5

Today was the day. The day that made both Liam and Megs nervous; the day Liam would be meeting her parents. She was nervous because he would only be the first boy she had brought home to mom and dad. She didn’t know how she had managed that; but today would be the day that would all change.

Her mom was excited to meet the boy that had captured her daughter’s heart; her dad was ready to intimate him; her brothers ready with warnings if he should break her heart and Ava? Ava couldn’t wait to congratulate Liam for wooing Megs off her feet.

“You ready?” Her thoughts were interrupted by a nervous Liam smirking at her.

Raising her eyebrows, she walked over to him. “Are you ready? You are meeting my family.”

“Should I be nervous or worried?”

Gathering her items, she smirked. “No . . . they are going to love you and you’ll probably hear too many stories about my childhood but you don’t have to be nervous. Don’t take anything that is said to heart – the guys of my family are trying to intimate you but they will grow to love you, just like I do.”

His heart exploded at her words. They had exchanged “I Love Yous” just two days prior and he couldn’t stop saying the words to her.

*Flashback*

He dragged her out to his garden after their date night in downtown London. He had surprised her with dinner before taking in a play at the theatre. The smile he so loved hadn’t left her face the entire night.

Now standing outside in the garden, his stomach had tightened. “Hey Soldier?”

“Yes Pooks?” Looking over at him for a second, she titled her head back to look at the stars.

“How long have we been dating?”

“Ugh . . . Since December 8. Why?” Smiling, Megs linked her hands with his as he pulled her into his embrace.

Smiling in her direction, he placed a kiss on her lips. “Because it feels a lot longer than that.”

“It does indeed, Park.” She chuckled. “Still amazed you managed to catch a girl like me?”

Laughing, he shook his head. “Nope! Amazed you caught a guy like me?”

“Of course. I’m so honored to be in your presence, Popstar!” Megs dryly said causing Liam to throw his head back in laughter.

Liam squeezed her hand causing her to look at him. He gave her a goofy look making her laugh. “What’s wrong, Park?”

“What do you mean?”

Giving him a look, she sighed. “You have been unusually quiet all night. Is there something on your mind?”

“There has been but I’m not sure how to tell you.”

Megs smirked. “Usually the honest truth is the best route.”

Liam took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Rubbing his index on the back of her hand, he smiled. “We’ve been dating for three months now and in those months, I have fallen faster and harder for you than anyone else. You are the only one I want by my side through thick and thin, good and bad times.”

“Liam . . .” She whispered hoping he wasn’t going to do what she thought he would do.

Shaking his head, he chuckled. “I’m not proposing . . . don’t worry. But in those months, I have come to the realization that I love you, Meghan. I am completely head over heels, in love with you and I’m not ashamed to shout it from the rooftops.”

Megs stood there with a stupid grin on her face. It was a mix between the cold and the fact her boyfriend was so sweet it made her cheeks hurt. “You don’t have to say anything back but know that I love you, Megs and you are the only girl for me.”

“I love you too.”

She shocked him by saying the three words back. “I’ve known it for a while but I didn’t say it in fear of rushing into it. But I am head over heels in love with you Liam Lee and there’s no place I’d rather be than here with you.”

*End Flashback*

“What’s got you so smiley over here, missus?” His voice broke her concentration on the memory. Looking over at him, a smile crossed her lips.

Quickly buttoning up her coat and putting her purse on her arm, she grinned at the man who made her so happy. “Just thinking back to the other night.”

“That was a pretty proud moment of mine, if I do say so myself.” He blew on his fingers before dusting them off his shoulder.

Scoffing, she picked up her keys before walking towards the door. “Don’t get such a big head Park. Let’s go.”

Making sure the door was locked, the pair headed downstairs to the garage. Sliding into her car, the two were soon on their way. Liam picked music as she headed toward the main road. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing much really.” He shrugged. “More thinking about how tonight is going to go . . . I mean these could be my future in-laws.”

Jaw dropping, she ran his words back over in her mind. “What?”

“Oh? Is that not a proper thing to announce?” Liam smirked, thoroughly enjoying her reaction.

She opened her mouth to speak, quickly closing it when her brain jumbled her thoughts. “What?”

“Glad you found your voice, love.” Squeezing her hand, he gave her a funny face causing her to giggle. “I want to marry you one day, Meghan. I want to be your husband and have children with you growing old with you.”

Shaking her head, she focused on the road. “We’ve only been dating for three months . . . how are you so sure?”

“The way you blew into my life and completely tipped it upside down. I told you that something told me never to let you go and I’m holding onto that promise.” He paused. “Am I going to ask you next week or in six months? Probably not, but when the time is right, for both of us, I am going to get down on one knee and ask you for your hand in marriage.”

Nodding, she let herself slip into a daydream of being married to Liam Park. The more she thought about it, the more she liked what she saw. “Ok I’ll bite, Park. But how about we make it a year and then see what happens from there?”

“Sure thing, Princess.” He smirked. “We’ll do it your way.”

Pulling off the road into a neighborhood, Megs smirked at her boyfriend. “You have bad timing; you know that right?”

“Why’s that Damsel?”

Rolling her eyes at the nickname, she turned onto another road – her parents’ street. “Because I can’t exactly pull over the car and kiss you for the drawn out future plans. Besides, we’re late as is so prepare yourself for jokes.”

“What kind of jokes are we talking about?”

Smirking, Megs pulled into the driveway of her parents’ house. “s*x jokes, Popstar. They’re going to assume we were busy doing the nasty and will make jokes of it. Prepare yourself.” Giggling to herself, she watched Liam’ eyes go wide from her bluntness.

“But uh we uh.” Stuttering, his eyes went wide.

Patting his cheek, she grabbed her purse, getting out of the vehicle. “Come on Popstar; let’s not give them anything else to talk about.”

Holding out his hand, she slipped her hand into his before walking in step with him. “Relax . . . you are going to charm the pants off them – you have nothing to worry about.”

Tugging him up the steps, she sighed, pushing the doorbell hearing it echo throughout the house. Putting on a smile, she giggled hearing her mother’s voice nearing the door. “Megs . . . so glad you could join us. This must be Liam?”

“Hi mom.” Quickly giving the older woman a hug, Megs stepped back looking at her boyfriend. “This is Liam. Pooks, this is my mother, Rose.”

He stuck his hand out in greeting before Rose scoffed. “We are a hugging family Popstar. None of this handshaking business for us.”

Megs laughed at her mother’s bluntness. She had grown up with this mentality and was very used to the demanding nature of the Italian in her mother.

“Uh yes ma’am.” Liam stuttered causing his girlfriend to laugh.

Rose raised her eyebrow at the boy before looking at her daughter. “Didn’t you prepare him?”

“Uh no . . . didn’t know I was supposed to. I prepped him for the boys; not you.” Turning to Liam, she smirked. “Talk to mom about traveling . . . the woman has been to almost as many places as you Pooks.”

Her mother grinned, looping her arm through Liam’ leading him towards the kitchen. Megs smirked at the grin on Liam’ face as they started talking about European countries. Walking into the kitchen was mayhem. All three boys, Ava, and her dad, Tony, were standing around. All froze when the couple made their appearance.

“About time you show up Megs. We were worried something had kept you.” Leo grinned, watching his sister’s cheeks go red.

Tony looked at his older son with a glare. “Leave them alone Leonardo. You as well Alexander and Ryan! There will be no teasing of Megs or her boyfriend.”

“Hello Liam . . . we’ve heard a lot about you. Welcome to the family.” Tony held out his hand at Liam with a grin. “Tell me, which football team are you a fan of?”

Megs’s eyes widened. She knew this could go one of two ways – Liam could quickly become a favorite or he could get on her dad’s bad side. “Manchester United but I’m a fan of all football. Love a good match.”

“Ahhh not a good team in this household . . .” Alex’s eyes widened. “You’re a minority here mate.”

Liam grinned. “Do I dare ask which teams you all root for?”

“Well your girlfriend is a Chelsea fan along with the majority of us. We also like Manchester City and Arsenal.” Ryan smirked watching the boybander’s face fall.

Liam shrugged. “May the best team win?”

“That’s the spirit.” Tony’s loud personality made Liam smile. He knew he would get along great with Megs’s dad.

The three boys looked at their sister’s boyfriend. Clearing his throat, Ryan smirked. “Hey Liam, can we see you in the living room for a second?”

“Boys . . .” Tony looked at the three sternly. “Don’t.”

Leo and Alex both shook their heads. “We just want to get to know him better. Five minutes and then you can come interrupt, Meghan.”

The four boys disappeared leaving Ava, Megs and their parents in the kitchen. Megs’s eyes went wide with frustration. “Why must they do this? Liam isn’t going to hurt me. He uh . . .”

“He what Meghan?” Oh s**t the full name. Nothing every good comes from that being pulled out.

Megs avoided her mother’s eyes mumbling. “He wants to marry me, eventually.”

“What?” Ava squeaked out surprised by her older sister’s words.

Nodding, Megs leaned against the counter. “He confessed in the car on the way over. He wants to marry me down the road. He said that he had a gut feeling from the get-go never to let me go and eventually, he wants to make me his wife. What, what if we’re moving too fast?”

“You’re not.” Tony said, looking at his daughter. “I knew I wanted to marry your mother six weeks after being together. We got engaged four months into dating. If he manages to wait longer than that, then he’s a better man than I was.”

Megs smiled. "Don't let him hear that. I told him he has to wait at least a year. With our careers, I have to make sure we can survive everything."

They were interrupted by the boys returning to the kitchen. "He's in one piece, Meghan. We didn't hurt him."

"You all right?" Megs looked at Liam with a concerned glance.

Liam chuckled. "I'm fine. I would've done the same with any of my sisters' boyfriends. Don't worry Megs."

"He's a good man Megs." Alex chuckled. "He's going to fit into this family just fine!"

The way her brothers laughed and Liam grinned, she felt like she was miss a huge piece of the equation. "I'll let you have your fun and won't ask anymore questions."

"Atta girl that's the best thing you've said in a while." Leo said, earning a slap from his younger sister.

Liam grinned at his girlfriend turning his attention to her family. "So a couple weeks ago Megs met my family and stories were exchanged. So do you have any good stories to share?"

"No!" Looking between her siblings and parents, she shook her head. "No stories!"

Leo and Alex laughed. "Wellllll ..... Your dear girlfriend never backed down from a dare. So when she was six or seven, while our parents were hosting a party mind you, one of the older kids dared her to stick a piece of celery up her nose."

"What?" The word barely escaped during his laughter. "She didn't ...."

Ryan nodded, chuckling. "She did. But the best part is that it got stuck so dad had to take her to emergency to get it removed."

"Sadly, that story hasn't died with time." Megs laughed. "Unfortunately that wasn't the last time I accepted a dare."

Ava smirked. "Your girlfriend is also extremely clumsy. She has broken her foot while roller skating and while visiting Italy, managed to fall up stairs."

"She has managed to be graceful while we've been together." Loius looked in Megs's direction. "How come you never told me your scar stories?"

Megs blushed. "Didn't want to scare you away."

"She also has busted open her chin open twice." Alex laughed. "She even has a scar on her arm from a homemade slip and slide."

Liam' eyes went wide. "Now there's a story I have to hear."

"Mom and dad shipped us off to our aunt's for the summer. We were bored and wanted to build a slip and slide." Ryan chuckled. "We got the tarps and the hose before creating this thing. The one thing we didn't anticipate was the tarp being too close to the sandbox."

At that point Alex and Leo lost their composure. "Megs insisted on being the first to go down and she managed to get too close to the homemade sandbox and scraped her arm on a stake that wasn't pounded into the ground far enough."

"You really should have gotten stitches, Megs." Rose frowned in her daughter's direction. "At least you have a great story to tell."

Megs shook her head. "I can't help that I'm clumsy. The only time I wasn't was when I was dancing."

"I never understood that." Tony shook his head. "You were the most graceful dancer yet you couldn't walk without tripping over air."

Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help but laugh along with her family. "Laugh it up."

"Awww babe we still love you." Liam smirked.

Narrowing her eyes in her boyfriend's direction. "Watch it bubs. You're walking on thin ice."

"Here's a little tip for you Lou." Ava knew this would send her sister into a tizzy. "She doesn't really follow through with her threats. She tries to act all tough but she doesn't have the heart to go through with them."

Megs glared at her family. "Do you really need to divulge all of my secrets to the first guy I bring home? Yes we've been together for three months but are there things you want to keep in the vault for a later date?"

"I'm the first guy you've brought home?" Liam' voice had a tone of shock to it.

She nodded. "Yea. Good thing I didn't bring home jerk 1 or douche 2 - this lot would have eaten them alive."

"Plus those idiots wouldn't have lasted during that little pow wow we just had." Leo nodded. "They would have laughed their way through that intervention."

Ava grinned. "You've got a leg up in this family Park. Don't ruin it."

"I won't. I kinda told your sister that she was it for me and I fully intend on fulfilling that promise." Liam grinned watching her parents reactions carefully.

They simply smiled at him and in return he found himself finally relaxing and enjoying himself getting to know Megs's family. There would come a time for serious talks and proposals but for now he lived in the moment and got to know the family that would become his own with time.