“Let’s get out here,” Liam says as he motions for the door. I couldn’t agree more. I want to get back to Beaumont and finalize everything. The movers are coming the day after the wedding, and I need to start packing. Quinn will go back to being homeschooled by my mom. There will be no more calls from the principal telling me he’s gotten into a fight.
There’s a commotion behind us. We turn in time to see the courtroom doors fly open and Sam storm out. She looks like Elvira on a rainy day. Her make-up is running down her face. She points at Liam and storms toward him. I grab his arm and pull him outside. We don’t need to listen to what she has to say.
“YOU!”
We both stop.
“Liam, why would you do this?”
“You don’t need to answer her,” I say.
She moves in front of us. Tears run down her face. If I had an ounce of respect for her, I’d care, but I don’t.
“You loved me once, Liam, why did you do this? I just lost everything in there.”
Liam sighs and moves away from her. “I never loved you, Sam. You were a plaything, something to pass my time. You were a mistake, and something that I regret every day of my life. You took my son away from me. You took Josie away from me, and for that, I hate you. I lost ten years with my family because of you and your father.”
I tap Liam on the shoulder and point to the car waiting for us. Sam grabs Liam’s arm and pulls him to her. He stumbles. I reach for his hand, keeping him upright.
“You’re mine, Liam.”
Liam rips his arm from her. “Go home Sam, you’re not wanted here.”
“You can’t leave me, Liam. You love me.”
“No I don’t,” he says through gritted teeth. “I never loved you, Sam. Listen to me. You’re nothing to me.”
“Take that back,” she says quietly.
“Hey, can we get a little help over here,” I holler for the police officer standing a few feet away from us. He comes over and Sam lets go of Liam. “We have a restraining order against her,” I add. We watch as he pulls out his handcuffs. Sam steps away, shaking her head. The officer steps forward, but isn’t fast enough for Sam. She runs down the steps and he chases her, yelling at her to stop.
Sam heads to our car and slips into the driver’s seat and pulls away from the curb. The driver is shouting, waving his arms back and forth. The police officer is screaming for back up. In a matter of minutes police cars are flying down the road, chasing Sam.
“I think this will make the evening news.” I laugh, although I don’t mean to, but it seems fitting that this would end up making the front pages.
Liam shakes his head. “What’s her problem?”
I put my arm around his shoulders. “I hate to tell you this, but she’s nuts and you just made it worse.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Anytime.” We don’t get very far before we have to give a statement. The officer who chased after Sam keeps scratching his head. It baffles me that he couldn’t detain her. Barney Fife could’ve done a better job.
“Come on, let’s go home.” Liam says, as he signals for a taxi.
He steps away and heads for the yellow and black-checkered car. The word home hits hard, but I know my decision is the right one. I can’t stand by and watch her fall in love with someone that isn’t me. It hurts that we aren’t together over something that was a lie.
We have a flight back to Beaumont tonight. When we land, the ball will start rolling. I have to finish up my project with the kids and help Liam find Josie a present. My Christmas shopping is done. All that’s left are goodbyes.
Josie and I are finishing last minute shopping for everything that we need for the wedding, Christmas and her New Year’s party – it all has to be done today. I know I’ll be back here tomorrow with the girls though. They’ve begged me to take them shopping so they can buy something for Harrison and Quinn. Christmas will be the first time he and I will spend any time together since we split. I’ve been able to avoid him at all costs, and that hasn’t been easy.
I never realized how much our lives were intertwined and they continue to stay that way. Quinn still comes to my house after school, but Harrison no longer comes inside to pick him up. I know Elle misses Harrison and is always asking to go to Liam’s to see him and now he’s connected with Peyton – albeit after we split - and she’s spending time more and more with him. I want to tell him that he needs to stop seeing them, but he’s making them laugh and right now, that’s the best thing for them.
My days since I’ve come back from Los Angeles have been spent helping Josie. I’m either working at her shop or I’m finalizing wedding plans. She’s managed to keep everything under control, but as the date gets closer I’ve submerged myself in being her personal assistant. It helps keep my mind off things. It’s during the night, after the kids have gone to bed, that my heart aches.
We finally decide to take a break. I pile my bags onto the bench and slide into the booth. My body sighs from tiredness. If another one of my friends decides to get married right after Christmas, remind me to tell them I’ll be on vacation. It’s mentally and physically exhausting trying to do both.