Phoenix

Chapter 18

    My first letter arrived two day’s after the mishap.  I had been checking the mail every day and I was worried that I could become some deranged and obsessed crazy person.  But when I saw that yellow envelope my heart had almost leapt from my chest.  I ran into the house tossing all the mail onto the floor and dropped down beside it ripping the letter from it’s case.  

December 14, 2016

Olivia

Yesterday was the day I had to walk away from someone I love.  Goodbyes are never easier but that was worse than the average goodbye. I’ve done this so many times in my life.  But never has it been so difficult.  Never have I needed someone as much as I need you.  I don't really have anything new to let you know right now. Just know that I will come home to you and when I do our lives will be amazing.  You will keep me strong.  Don’t worry about me, this is what I do baby.

Until we meet again. 

Love your Liam

His first letter arrived December 16 post marked Phoenix Arizona December 14. He had wrote it and sent it somehow in the airport I assumed.  But it filled my heart with love and joy how was it that he could always be so thoughtful?  I quickly pulled out a paper and pen, sitting down at the desk I started my reply.  

December 8, 2016

Liam

You have no idea how happy receiving your letter made me feel.  It was so uplifting.  Believe me when I tell you that I know how horrible that Goodbye was.  Watching you walk away from me broke my soul into a million pieces.  But I understand how come you do it.  I’m so proud of you for how selfless and giving you are.  Know that I love you.  You have changed my life in so many wonderful ways.  I’m so glad that I moved here and that you lived next door.  I’m so happy that you saved me from the future I would have had without you.  

Until we meet again

Love Olivia

P:s

Can you tell me where you are? 

I assumed that it would be awhile before I received another letter. With christmas on the way I decided that I had better double check and find out who all was coming here.  I looked through my phone and found his mom’s number.  Dialing it nervously. It only rang once before… 

“Hello” I heard her voice over the line. 

“Hi, ummm. This is Olivia, Liam’s girlfriend.”

“Oh Olivia dear! How are you darling?” She asked sincerely

“Well I’m lonely now.  But I was making all the plans for christmas.  Liam had told me that you were intending on coming out here.  I kind of assumed that you would stay home now but I thought I should find out.” 

“Oh no dear, we still intend on coming there. We bought the tickets before he got the call to go.  Liam told us you invited your mother.  I figure its a great way to get to know each other.” she replied. I smiled on my side of the phone.  I wanted to meet her too.

“Oh thats so exciting, I’ll make sure his house is ready for you. How many are coming? And what day do you arrive?” 

“There will be his father and I. His two brothers and his sister dear.  You don’t have to worry about his house we can handle it. We will be there on the 22nd.” She said. I agreed but still intended on making sure it was clean and stocked before they got here. Liam had given me a key so I guess I had better use it. We chatted a little further before Tim came home from work and smiled at me.  I smiled back. 

“Well I had better get off her my father just got home and I need to set the table but I cannot wait to see you.  I will pick you up at the airport if you send me your flight information.” I told her cheerily.

“Olivia, that is such a kind offer you take care!” She said, I heard the click on the other side. 

The next week I found myself checking the mail everyday again, waiting and praying for his letter.  I was impatient.  I had known that snail mail would take awhile. The letter never did arrive.  December 22 did though.  I was waiting at the gate when Liam’s family walked off their plane.  I knew them immediately.  His two brothers and his father looked so much like Liam that I almost mistook one for him.  His mother and sister on the other hand looked nothing like the boys.  His mother was short, not thin but her curves were so obviously from childbearing.  She had black hair. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue and when I began walking towards her she smiled a beautiful white smile at me holding her arms out to hug me. I walked into her arms and smelled her clean fresh scent.  She gently rubbed a hand over my back.  She held me back to look at me. 

“Oh Olivia, my god you are gorgeous.” she exclaimed. I flushed with embarassment. 

“Please, call me Liv.” I said, hoping that maybe just maybe someone from his family would go with my nickname.  She smiled and turned me to face the family. 

“This is Paisley.” She said motioning to Liam’s sister.  She was about the same height as Gail, shorter than me. Tiny in frame.  She had a cute button nose.  Eyes just like her mother’s and her hair was bleached a shade of blonde so light it was almost white. She pulled me into a hug and squealed,

“I am so excited! A sister!!!” she said hopping up and down. Then Gail motioned to Liam’s father.  

“This is my husband James.” He reached out to shake my hand.  His resemblance to Liam was shocking, I knew I was looking at what my love would possibly look like in thirty years.  It didn’t hurt my feelings or my eyes one little bit.  

“Liam’s younger brother Colt.” She said motioning to a younger shorter version of Liam.  He wasn’t as muscled but the resemblance still quite distinct. He pulled me into a great big bear hug just like his mother and sister had.  It felt nice to feel so immediately welcome with this family.  

“And that is Westin.  The baby of the family.” she said motioning to the youngest brother.  Westin dropped his bag, picked me up and spun me around in circles.  Planting a kiss on my cheek he set me down and let out a whistle. 

“Damn, Liam said you were beautiful but I guess he didn’t want me chasing you because he sure didn’t explain just how beautiful.” He teased smiling at me.  I found myself blushing again.  As the family picked up their bags I lead them out to the airport parking.  I had brought Tim’s SUV because of the extra seating and once everyone was loaded in we headed towards home.  The chatter in the car was refreshing.  I had found myself down and not really feeling any sort of happiness lately.   I had been spending a lot of time with the girls.  But we had been focusing on our final school assignments and had no time for anything fun.  Awaiting Liam’s letter like it was my next breath hadn’t been helping.  But here with his family I felt almost normal.  

“I can’t wait to see what Liam got me.” Colt said.  I flashed my eyes into the mirror to look at his.  A question burning in them. He smiled,

“Let me guess you know?” He said asking me. I smiled,

“Actually I have no idea.  There are gifts in the living room but we never had a chance to put up a tree so I never bothered looking.” I said matter of factly.

“Oh my god,” Screeched Paisley. 

“Paisley…” Scolded James, “Stop screeching dammit.” I laughed quietly at his scolding.

“What if he got Olivia an engagement ring?” She asked a little more quietly than she had been previously.  I kept my eyes on the road, but my stomach began doing flips. No he wouldn’t have.  He would ask me that in person I thought to myself.  But secretly inside I knew that even if he left me a parcel I would put that ring on my left hand and wear it proudly.  

“Paisley,” James warned again, “Don’t be a silly ass. Liam would never propose to a woman by leaving a parcel.  He’d do it properly” She quickly silenced herself.  I chuckled again at him.  He was so brunt.  I liked it. I also knew he was right.  

“I know what he got her.” Gail answered quietly.  

“She’s going to love it to.” She said sweetly shooting me a quick smile.  

When I pulled into Liam’s parking lot and opened the back door for the bags his brothers stepped in and pulled them all out.  

“Ladies do not pack bags for men.” James said to me quietly.  I nodded as he slipped an arm around me and steered me towards the house.  

“I see where your son gets his chivalrous attitude from.” I smiled up at him.  He squeezed me tight and said.

“No he’s just always been that way hun.  He really loves you.” he said. I opened the door up and let everyone in.  My eyes wandering to the pile of presents on the hearth.  Now I was curious. So very curious.  What did he get me? I needed to do something for him.  If I sent it now he wouldn’t get it for a while but that didn’t matter.  I needed to think of what to do.  Paisley might be able to help me it could be some bonding time. 

“Hey Paisley,” I said to Paisley. She looked up.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” I asked her, she chuckled, 

“Uhhh hitting up the pool scouring for cuties!” She answered quickly.  I laughed at her honesty.  I knew there were some hunks living in the neighbourhood so she wouldn’t be disappointed.  But I hoped I could convince her to join me shopping. 

“Want to do some last minute christmas shopping with me? I need some help.” I said.  She clapped her hands and jumped like normal.  

“Oooo can we go today?” well yea I guess we could.  I could get it sent out today.  Plus we could get stuff for the rest of the family too.

“Yea why not.” I answered

“Ok I’m going to shower.” she said already halfway up the stairs.  While she was upstairs I dug out Liam’s keys and gave them to Gail. 

“Here is Liam’s truck keys.  That’s the house key.” I said pointing to the one I had put the pink nail polish on yesterday after I finally found the key.  I laughed hard when James made a funny face at the pink.  

“It took me ten minutes to figure out which key was for the door.” I explained to him.  Gail went digging through the kitchen while James headed out to snoop in the garage. So I sat on the couch between Colt and Westin who both quickly wrapped arms around me.  

“So Olivia,” Westin said, I turned my head to look at him,

“Hmmm.” I replied to him.  He chuckled.  

“Since Liam is out of the picture would you like to go on a date with a real man?” He asked me.  Attempting to be sexy.  I looked at him not sure if he was making a joke or being serious but I burst out into a gut splitting laugh so hard that I couldn’t breathe.  He looked genuinely hurt for a minute until Colt punched him on the shoulder.

“Westin, when you say man it makes the ladies laugh.  But seriously Liv baby, I’m available every night that we are here.” Colt said flashing me a bright smile.  Once again I burst into a fit of laughter.  Wrapping my arms around my stomach trying to contain myself.  

“Oh…. god…. You two……” I said in between breaths. Just at that minute Paisley came skipping downstairs.  

“Boys! Leave her alone.  Liv let’s go shopping girrrrrl!” She said smiling at me.

“Should we invite your mom?” I asked.  Paisley leaned around the wall.

“Mom wanna come shopping with us?” I heard gail mumble something but didn’t hear it.  

“She’s gunna cook.” Paisley answered and headed out the door. Tim had taken my car to work so that I could have his SUV so we jumped in it and headed to the mall.  I knew my plan.  I was going to make Liam the most amazing care package ever.  I headed towards Bitmore fashion park.  Paisley skipping through radio channels before she found a poppy enough channel.  Gross I thought to myself.  But whatever I can listen to Katy Perry for ten minutes.  

“Liv, your car is so great!” She said, I chuckled

“This one’s not mine.  This is my dads, I like mine better it’s a rag top.” 

“Lucky bitch.” She mumbled.  I chuckled.  

“How old are you Paisley?” I asked genuinely curious.  I hadn't managed to find out how old Liam was.

“26, Colt is 24 and Westin is 16.” She answered matter of factly like she knew I was going to ask everyone’s age.  

"How old is Liam?" I asked. Wondering if she would judge me. 

"You never asked the old man how old he is?" She said giggling. I shook my head no. 

"He's 31." She said laughing again. How about you?

"I'm turning 18." I answered. 

"Oh my god, my brother is a freak!" She squealed out. I smiled, it is kind of funny. 

"It's a bit of an age gap. I figured he was 30." I said. 

"Bit of an age gap? I get to make fun of him for the rest of his life." She said smartly. 

"Na, he's been so much happier since you came around. You're good for him. Baby or not." She smirked winking at me. I smiled. 

“I need to build Liam an amazing care package.” I said needing her to know why I needed her help.  

“I don’t actually know him that well.  I know him a bit but I need to know things like does he read? Does he like sudoku.” I continued looking at her while I waited for the red light to change.  She laughed, 

“He does read.  But I can’t say anything in particular just buy him a book he will love.” She said.

“Boy that narrows it down thanks Pais.” I teased. She laughed with me.  

“Well, I really don’t know him any better than you do girl.  Remember he’s been at war for like thirteen years and lived here in between. He’s changed alot since we were younger.” She explained.  I nodded in understanding.  

“Ok then, does he have a favourite movie?” I asked. She laughed,

“Oh god, he’s going to kill me but he loves Disney.” I laughed with her.  So we headed into the mall and got everything I needed for his care package.  Plus gifts for the rest of the family. When we got home I invited Peyton to spend the night and help me put the package together.  

“Hey, do you wana camp out with me tonight? I’m going to wrap all these gifts and maybe we could do facials?” In true Peyton style she screamed like a girl.  Oh so very opposite from me. 

“Oh my god yes! Of course.  Why in the world would I turn that down.”  She exclaimed.  I pulled into the garage at my house. 

“Wait. you live right across the street?” She asked me. I nodded wondering if there was something wrong with that.

“Oh that is so cute!” she screeched. 

“It is?” I questioned.  

“Yes it really truly is.  Liam always said that he wanted to marry the girl next door!” She told me brightly.  In true Olivia fashion I blushed.

“Oh you have it so bad for my brother!” she said a little quieter.

“You have no idea.” I responded.  She just giggled.  

“Ok, I’m going to get pjs and a toothbrush I’ll be right back!” She said excusing herself. I waved her away and packed the bags into the house.  Tim wasn’t home yet.  I decided to order pizza.  I was just finishing up the call when the doorbell rang.  

“Come in Paisley you don’t have to ring the door bell!” I hollered.  She came in followed by Gail.  

“Oh Gail! Perfect. You can tell me if I’m missing anything in Liam’s care package!” I went to get the bags and the handy storage box I had bought to wrap it in.  We filled the box together, laughing.  We were still putting the box together when Tim came home. 

“Oh dad! This is Gail Liam’s mom and Paisley his sister.  This is my dad Tim.” Pleasantries were exchanged before I had a fantastic Idea.  

“Dad take a picture of us please?” He took the camera smiling,

“Sure baby girl.” He said happily snapped the picture of us and handed the camera back. I ran to the office leaving them to chat and get to know each other.  Then I printed out the picture of us three and the picture of Liam and I when we went hiking on camelback mountain and slipped them into two photo frames I had bought earlier.  I took them out to put them into the box. 

“Oh Olivia! What a fantastic Idea!” Gushed Gail.  I smiled at her.  The box was complete.  

Filled with disney movies, jiffy pop popcorn, water flavouring, body wash, shampoo, a deck of cards, a novel of poems, a monopoly board and a letter from me. 

December 22, 2016 

Dear Liam

There is nothing better in life than to wake up with you on my mind. I figured I should let you know I have a broken arm. Tim and I went hiking the day you left. I fell into a cactus and broke my wrist. I am not an outdoorsman!  Your brothers are trying to sneak in on your real estate there darling. I've been offered so many dates. I can already see how much like your father you are. Peyton is certainly special. She's been nothing but helpful. Your mom, what can I say about your mom. She's amazing. I'm amazed at what a wonderful family you have.  I can’t wait to be with you again.  I miss you so very much and it’s only been ten days.  Your family has been so amazing to me.  They have opened their arms and their hearts to me.  While I’m missing you I find myself so thankful for the time I will get to spend with them.  I hope that wherever you are you can feel the love from everyone here waiting for your return.  

Until we meet again

Love Olivia

I closed the lid and taped it up.  Addressed it and walked out the front door towards the mail drop.  Placing that package in the mail box made my christmas gifts complete.  Returning to the house I heard the happy chatter in the kitchen and it made me smile inside and out.