Chapter 52

Liam had a very restless night and finally got up at about 7:30 a.m. to drink several cups of strong coffee and consider what the day might bring. Maggie awoke at nine to an empty bed.

She was concerned about her fiancé. He had been troubled by something and wasn’t talking with her about it. Something was up, and she hoped he wasn’t having doubts.

She got up slowly, hoping she wouldn’t have to throw up today, brushed her teeth, and went down to see Liam at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.

She gently laid a hand on his shoulder, and he jumped at her touch.

He reached around and took her hand in his as she sat next to him and studied his face. She could see the worry etched on his face, and Maggie’s heart dropped.

“Liam, tell me what’s going on, please!” she pleaded. “Something is upsetting you and I am getting really worried! Talk to me!”

Liam wasn’t surprised that she noticed that he was out of sorts, but he just didn’t know how to tell her. The others would be arriving soon, and he just had to find a way to stall her.

He kissed her hand and went to get her a cup of tea.

“Is it us, Liam? Are you having second thoughts about us? Are we going too fast? Do you want to postpone the wedding? Or cancel it?” Maggie asked in a whisper. Liam was stunned by her words.

“Oh Maggie, darling, of course not! I love you and you are marrying me in October! I feel dreadful that you thought that, please don’t think that this has anything to do with my feelings for you!”

“Are you sure, Liam? We can wait until after the baby is born—”

“Stop, Maggie! I promise that’s not it!” Liam shouted at her.

She nodded her head as he wiped the tears off of her face; she was totally unaware that any had started falling. He went and got her some toast and jelly and set it in front of her.

“I want you to eat this. I’m going to get dressed and when I get back, I want you to go get ready, and then we will talk. Okay?”

She nodded again and sipped her tea. Liam went up to their room, took a quick shower, dressed, and returned just as Maggie finished the toast. He gave her a big hug.

“Good girl. Now, go get dressed and we will talk, okay?”

Maggie kissed him quickly on the lips. “You are so bossy!”

Liam smirked at her and smacked her butt as she walked by. She turned and looked at him. “Oh, don’t tease me, babe!”

“You want me to spank you?” Liam asked with a raised eyebrow.

“More than you know!”

He grinned at her as she blew him a saucy kiss and went upstairs. As soon as she was out of sight, he let out a long sigh.

Liam sat at the table and waited. Right on cue, the doorbell rang as he heard Maggie making her way downstairs. Liam opened it to find Brett, Sheila, Makayla, and Mike.

He let them in, hugged the ladies, and ushered them into the kitchen to meet a surprised Maggie. Liam served drinks, sat next to Maggie, and took her hand.

“I know you ladies are wondering why I asked you all here this morning. I know Maggie has been rather irritated with me the last few days as well…

“I went out of town on business earlier this week after I received a phone call from a private investigator. Nick and Brett came with me. We kept Mike informed the whole time…”

“Why would Mike need to know about your trip?” Makayla inquired just as Maggie was going to ask the same thing.

Mike took Makayla’s hand and squeezed it as Liam sighed and continued. “We went to North Carolina because my guy found a lead on Jason and Olivia…”

Maggie took a sharp breath in as she processed what he had said. She looked around the table and noticed that Sheila wasn’t surprised by the news. She must have known about it.

“And what happened, Liam?” Maggie asked, almost dreading the answer.

“My guy found them. They both have been arrested and brought back here to await sentencing.”

Maggie and Makayla looked at each other, stunned. They had no idea what to think after the turmoil they had been through, courtesy of their childhood best friend.

Maggie had a million emotions swirling around in her, not knowing what she should feel first.

Part of her wanted to be angry, part wanted to feel sad for a friendship had been lost and yet another part wanted to feel grateful because she now had Liam and a baby on the way.

But something wasn’t sitting right with Maggie. She felt like she was missing a piece of the puzzle.

“Why are they waiting for sentencing? Why aren’t they going to trial?” Maggie asked.

Mike and Brett started to look uncomfortable, and Liam didn’t answer right away. Maggie knew they were holding back.

“What aren’t you saying, Liam?” Maggie demanded.

He looked at the other two men in the hopes that someone would have the magic words to make this go away. And when no one said anything, Sheila spoke up.

“I told you she would know something was up. You better just get it all out before she goes postal on you!”

Brett sighed. “Liam talked the DA into cutting them a deal so this would be settled faster. We discovered something we hadn’t expected…”

“And what is that, Bear?” Makayla spat, ready for the game to be over.

“Olivia is pregnant…and her health isn’t good,” Liam all but whispered.

“This just keeps getting better!” Maggie yelled as she jumped up and shoved her chair back.

“Mags, I know this is hard—,” Brett started.

“Oh, do you really?” Maggie yelled.

Brett knew better than to try and patronize her when she was like this. Liam watched as she stormed around the kitchen and let her work out the situation for herself before he continued.

Maggie ranted for a few minutes, letting the anger subside. “Sorry, my hormones got the better of me. So, what is going on with her?”

Liam explained how serious Olivia’s health was and how the DA didn’t want her in any state or county prison for fear of what could happen.

Maggie and Makayla were both visibly shaken at what he was saying and how their former friend’s life—as well as her baby’s—hung in the balance.

“So, what’s going to happen then?” Makayla asked.

“Well, I called Cindy and Bob. They’re going to come down and live down here until Olivia delivers,” Brett explained.

“And then after the baby is born, Olivia will be required to complete a thousand hours of community service as part of her punishment when her health has stabilized. Her parents will help her with the baby until she is stable and Jason is out and they decide what they want to do. They have a place to stay until that time,” Liam stated.

“Where are they going to live?” Makayla asked.

“I have an apartment reserved for them in a building I own downtown. It’s close to the hospital and a short drive to the prison,” Liam said.

Maggie couldn’t understand. He didn’t know these people from anyone else, so why would he do this? Maggie asked him just as tears fell from her eyes.

He looked at her and smiled, then kissed her hands as he simply stated, “Because she meant something or means something to you, Makayla, and Brett. This will give you closure and help you move on.”

Maggie cried harder and crawled into his lap as he rubbed her back, calming her down. After a minute, Maggie asked what was going to happen to Jason.

“He will plead guilty and take responsibility for the crime. He’ll serve eighteen months. Once he is done, they are to move away and not contact any of you unless you initiate it,” Liam continued.

Maggie was still in his lap and had her head buried in his chest, not believing what she was hearing. He was doing this for her, Makayla, and Brett.

Either he was crazy or he truly cared for them. He really had the biggest heart, and she loved every inch of it.

“Did you want to go and see her?” Brett asked.

Makayla and Maggie both answered yes, needing to see with their own eyes what was happening and hear her explanation. Maggie wanted to see Jason too.

She didn’t know if Liam was going to like that, but she needed to close this part of her life.

The three couples went to their cars and drove to the county jail. Mike made Makayla promise that if she had any contractions or felt any pain, she would leave.

Liam told Maggie he would be watching, not wanting her to get too upset by the whole thing.

Maggie and Makayla were nervous, having never been in a jail before.

After waiting a few minutes, the officer said they could go to a special room. They hugged the members of their group, including Sheila, thanking her for being there.

With a final kiss from their partners, the best friends entered the room, holding hands.