The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 82

- Liam ~

"Thank you. You're a great friend, Liam," Talia said as her hand reached out to touch Liam's elbow. Liam flinched a little at the contact. "A great friend..."

Talia probably didn't mean anything by that, but Liam took it personally. He actually got upset over it.

"Sure thing," he said curtly, flashing her a quick smile before turning his eyes to the TV again.

A fúcking friend. That's all I'll ever be, I guess.

Liam sat with that sour feeling in his chest. He was quiet, he couldn't even enjoy the game. Meanwhile, Talia would peer over at him every now and then. She sensed something was wrong, but no one said anything. Of course, she'll say that. I've always been just a friend to her. What else is she supposed to say?

The silence in the air went on for a while. Even when Liam's team scored a touchdown, he didn't even yell or celebrate. He just sat there with an empty look.

"Hey, Liam," Talia said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Hm?"

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"What?"

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she repeated the question. Liam turned his head to her and saw the serious look on her face.

What am I supposed to say to that?

"I'm alright, you know?" Talia said again. "Adrian's been gone for a while, so you don't have to keep coming here and being nice to me all the time. I don't need your pity," Pity?

"You think I came here because I pity you?" Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Is it not?"

"No,"

"Then what?" she scoffed. "Did Adrian pay you or something? Ask you to keep watch over me?"

Liam cocked his head to the side and shook it.

"No,"

Talia narrowed her eyes. She was genuinely confused.

"I don't get it. Then what's with the pies and the daily visits? Why do you care so much?"

Why do I care so much?

"Isn't it obvious?" Liam said, holding back the bitterness in his teeth.

"What?"

Don't do this, man. Don't do something you're gonna regret.

Liam stared at her face for a second longer. Then suddenly, before he could stop himself, he lunged into her space, crashing his lips onto hers.

It was a split second decision. Liam was always driven by his impulse, he had no control over things. Everything was happening so fast, it felt like a dream. All he knew now was that he was kissing Talia, the girl that's been on his side and on his mind for over a decade.

Talia's lips were softer than anything he could imagine. She tasted sweet, like cherry pie. He kissed her deeply and passionately, forgoing the need to breathe. Everything inside him felt like exploding. He never felt anything like this before. "...Liam..." Talia said in a whisper. She pulled away slightly from him, but their noses were still touching.

Liam opened his eyes to see her hazel eyes staring back at him. His mouth fell open and he just stared at her for the longest time, marveling at her beauty.

"I love you, Tal,"

The words came out before he could stop them. He wasn't even thinking about saying it, but it just came out. Talia was frozen for a moment. She didn't move or breathe. Until suddenly- *SMACK! *

Talia's hand spread across Liam's cheek. The slap happened so fast, even faster than the kiss. It took Liam by absolute surprise. He sat there, frozen, as his cheek was turning red. "Stop it," Talia said sternly. "It's not funny,"

Liam narrowed his eyes.

She thought I was joking?

"I'm being serious," he said. "I've always been in love with you. Ever since that day, my thirteenth birthday,"

Talia was completely taken aback. She fell silent as the memory filled her head. All those years ago, when she was twelve and Liam was thirteen, she saw Liam outside of school getting bullied by a bunch of kids. Thirteen year old Liam was completely different to who he was now. He was a short, scrawny kid, who was too scared to do anything. He got pushed and shoved around and the kids were throwing things at him like their milk or juice box. Liam was also a loner at this time, so he didn't have anyone to help him. Both Beau and Adrian were older and they were in another grade.

"Happy birthday, bitch!" One of the bullies yelled as he pushed Liam to the ground.

The other kids laughed before they left him bruised and battered and covered in junk. Talia raced over to him as fast as she could. She bent down on her knee and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it out to him. "Here," she said.

"I don't want it," Liam pushed her away curtly, not wanting any of her pity.

Talia sighed and stared at him for a moment. Then bravely, she picked up the handkerchief from the ground and started wiping off the junk from his face. Liam didn't know what to do, so he just sat there with an empty look. "Those kids are jerks, forget about them," she said.

Liam didn't say a word. He just watched in silence as Talia cleaned his face, his arm, and his hair. No one had ever done this for him. It felt strange... but good.

"T... Thank you," Liam said finally as she was done.

"No worries," she beamed. Then she pulled out something from her backpack and gave it to him. It was a bag of cookies. "Happy birthday," she said.

Liam took the cookies and he just stared at her for the longest time. Ever since that moment, two things changed for him forever. Number one, he'd never be this weak again so that people would push him around. And number two, he'll always be forever grateful for Talia Casella.

Liam fell head over heels for Talia, but she was always off limits. Adrian Luciano already picked her first. Adrian had the Luciano family name. Liam knew better than to fight back. Adrian was Joe Luciano's nephew, he could be the new boss. Meanwhile, Liam was just some distant cousin. Some nameless guy. Talia would never want anything to do with a guy like him, he thought.

Liam continued with his life and countless girls had come in and out of the picture, but no one could compare to Talia. She always had a special place in his heart. The one who got away.

"I've loved you for all those years, but I can never say it, can I? You and Adrian were the it couple. And I loved Adrian like he's my own brother..." Liam paused for a beat as he threw his glance to the floor. "But I love you too, Tal. I can't lie about that," Slowly, Liam began to look up. It was scary to look at Talia's face. He didn't know how she'd react.

Talia's eyes were turning glassy. Her mouth fell open but there were no words. Liam waited patiently and he stared at her with a warm, longing gaze. When she didn't say anything still, he reached out to touch her face. Talia flinched at the contact. "Liam, I... I can't..."

Liam's heart felt like it was sliced open with a knife. His breath was caught in his throat. He almost couldn't breathe.

"You don't love me like that... I get it," he said bitterly as he pulled his hand back. "That's fine.... I don't need you to do anything... I just wanted you to know that,"

The deafening silence filled the room again. Outside the cottage, thunder was rolling and rain began to fall. All they could hear was the sound of the rain hitting the glass window. Talia and Liam sat in that silence for what felt like an eternity. Liam didn't want to go, but he knew his presence was complicating things for her. So finally, Liam stood up on his feet. "It's getting late, I should go," he said.

Talia didn't respond. She just kept her head down. Liam made his way to the door and stopped before he reached for the handle.

"Good night, Talia," he said. But again, Talia was quiet.

Liam let out a defeated sigh as he exited the room. He wanted her to call out his name or stop him from leaving, but she didn't do any of that. She just looked shocked, confused, and horrified.

Damn it. I should've kept my mouth shut.

Liam walked back to the mansion in regret. His feelings for her were supposed to be a secret. He never wanted her to know. He was happy just being on the sideline, watching over her. But now... she might pull away. She might not want to be his friend anymore. Maybe he ruined everything. And for what?

Liam angrily slammed the door shut as he entered his bedroom. Letting out an angry groan, he took off his soaked jacket and threw it to the ground. He then raked his hair in frustration before throwing his body on the bed. Liam laid there for a moment with his eyes closed, and suddenly, he heard a knock.

*Knock Knock *

Liam didn't feel like having company right now. He just rolled over to his side and yelled, "Go away!"

Normally, whoever was on the other side of the door would obey his command. But now, Liam heard the door was slowly being opened. He looked over in annoyance, thinking it was Beau or something, but he gaped in shock when he saw who it was. "Talia?"

Talia was standing in his doorway. Her hair and dress were soaked in rainwater. Liam quickly jumped up to his feet. He didn't know what to do or say.

"W-what are you doing?" he croaked.

Talia took a step inside and closed the door behind her.

"Do you really love me?" she asked.

Is this a trick question?

"Yes," he replied.

Talia came closer again. She kept walking until she stood at an arm's length away from him.

Talia then looked up at him, staring right into his eyes as she said, "Then show me,"

Liam was caught off guard. He was frozen for a moment. But when he finally realized that this moment was real, there was no turning back. He grabbed her with full force and pressed his lips onto hers again. Talia responded by linking her arms around his neck and kissing him back.

That moment changed everything for Liam. His heart never felt more full. Slowly, he deepened the kiss and guided her body toward the bed. He laid her down gently as he kissed every inch of her skin, making sure she knew exactly how he feels.

*

-

PRESENT DAY -----

- Talia -

"I honestly don't know what came over me that night," Talia said as she rested her head on Liam's chest.

The couple was lying in bed, resting after a long day today. Talia told Liam that Violet saw them earlier, so the secret was out. While talking about that, they started reminiscing about the first time they got together and how it came about.

"I remembered you looked like you were in pain when you left and I didn't wanna see that," she continued. "So I came over to your room and when I saw you, I just... I really wanted to kiss you. And I wanted you to kiss me too. Because when you kissed me before, I felt something that I thought I couldn't ever feel again after Adrian..."

Liam's gaze softened as he tilted her chin up with his hand. He locked his eyes with her and let out a smile.

"I love you so much, baby," he said, leaning closer to kiss her lips.

"I love you too," she whispered back. "Thank you for always being there for me,"

Liam's smile grew wider as he closed the distance between them again. Talia put her hands on his face and deepened the kiss. His hand then snaked around her body as he pulled her tight. Talia let out a moan as she felt the wetness pooling in between her legs. But then, she realized that there was probably too much water. More than it was supposed to be.

"Oh my God!" she gasped and pulled away.

"What?" Liam stared at her in confusion.

"I think my water just broke,"

"What?!"

"The baby!" she squealed. "It's coming!"