Serena

This had been a busy week.

I couldn't complain since busy meant more customers, but it still makes for a lot of work and also took time away from other things that needed to be sorted out.

I knew that it would only get busier with Valentine's Day approaching soon.

From the last few years I had realised when business would have more footfall and which would be a more quiet period of time.

The couple of weeks after Valentine's were busy. I knew that people would often receive a proposal that day, but some brides seemed to want to find a dress soon after. Again, I couldn't complain since it was great business.

I had to be prepared before both the stores got busy, so for most of today I had be in the back office, trying to sort through paperwork.

Just as I picked up another file to work through, there was a knock at the door and then Arya's head poked through.

"Serena, you have some visitors," she smiled.

I gave her a questioning look but nodded anyway. Arya doesn't smile a lot and that alone gave me an indication as to who my visitor was.

When I stepped onto the shop floor, I saw Liam and Bea.

Suddenly, my day just got a lot better.

Both of them turned their heads in my direction, weirdly in sync, and immediately I saw Bea grin and begin to run towards me.

I crouched down quickly when she launched herself at me.

"Hi, bumblebee," I hugged her tightly.

She leaned back and wiggle her nose. "Buzz, buzz."

I stood up, carrying her in my arms and then looked at Liam, who had now walked towards us.

"Hi," I smiled.

He didn't greet me, instead he raised a brow in question. Was he not going to say hello?

Before I could say anything further about it, he leaned in and kissed my cheek, causing my entire face to heat up.

"Hi," he said.

Bea giggled, covering her mouth with her hands, and looking at me. Annoyingly, Liam grinned with her, finding my stunned and reddened face amusing.

There was a child present. What was he doing?

Deciding to play it cool, I just cleared my throat and tried to act nonchalant about it. Even if my face was a dead giveaway.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"Bea just finished school and she wanted to see you," Liam said. "And so did I," he added.

I looked at Liam, trying to convey the words 'what are you doing?' with my eyes, only for him to wink at me.

"I wanted to show you my cards," Bea spoke up.

"What cards?" I asked.

"My Valentine's Day cards," she grinned.

I blinked slowly, a little surprised by her words. She was such a little thing, I didn't think she even knew what Valentine's Day was or let alone receive cards for it.

"Wait. What?" Liam asked her.

Well, clearly he wasn't aware of this.

"I got so many," Bea told us, holding her arms wide open to show us how many.

"From who?" Liam asked her.

"Everyone," Bea replied.

She was smiling so wide, I don't think she had a clue that her father was probably going through a range of emotions about this situation.

"Can you open my bag, Daddy? I want to show Serena," Bea asked him.

Liam wasted no time to open the red backpack of hers and then he pulled out multiple handmade cards, but I could faintly see that there were many more in there.

"Oh, wow," I commented.

"How many people gave you cards?" Liam asked her.

"Everyone in my class and from the other classes," Bea said.

I laughed at the words and also at the expression on Liam's face. He looked like he was about to have palpitations.

Did this seriously bother him?

"Sweetie, why don't you go with Arya and look at some of the pretty dresses?" I told Bea.

She looked at me and immediately nodded.

I set her down on her feet and she ran over to Arya.

When I looked at Liam, he was busy counting all the cards in Bea's bag.

"You're not bothered about this are you?" I asked him.

"Rena, there's so many," he said.

I shook my head at him, this situation highly amusing to me.

"Everyone in the class probably has this many. I'm sure it's like Christmas cards to them, distribute it to everyone," I told him.

"But they're not Christmas cards," Liam said, holding out of the bright red cards towards me.

I laughed. "I don't think they're giving them out of love."

There was really no romantic intent from these cards, that I was sure of. Unless, maybe a classmate had a crush on Bea, but I was sure it was harmless.

Then again, I also had a crush at that age and well look how things turned out.

Although, I won't remind Liam of that.

"But-..."

"Liam."

"Yeah, okay," he sighed, nodding to himself, knowing that I was right.

"Besides, even if they were I don't know why you're surprised," I said, looking at a few of the cards myself.

One of them was quite adorable. They had actually addressed to Beatrice, rather than Bea.

"What does that mean?" Liam looked at me.

"Apple doesn't fall far from the tree," I said.

A confused expression remained on Liam's face. "What?"

"Oh, come on," I smiled. "You used to get quite a few cards too."

Liam was always popular and he was always reminded of it. Which then obviously got to his head.

He opened his mouth to reply and then promptly closed it, doing this a couple of times before he actually said anything.

"But that was-..."

"Was?"

"But she's so little," he argued, gesturing towards Bea, who was with Arya and playing with some ribbon.

"It's an innocent gesture, Liam." I said, putting all the cards into the backpack and zipping it up. "Leave it alone."

He looked at me with a frown. "Fine," he said, although he certainly didn't seem convinced.

I smiled, patting his arm and turned around, stepping towards Bea. Only to quickly turn back around, remembering something.

"Oh, before I forget to mention, you know I work on the weekend right?" I asked Liam.

He looked a little lost for a moment by my random question it, but nodded anyway.

"Yeah."

"So you know I'll be working tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Oh, wait. No."

I saw the saddened expression on his face, which resembled a puppy.

"I'm sorry," I said, hoping my smile would make things better.

"But it's..."

"I know, but I can't close the store for it," I said, knowing exactly what he would tell me. "It's not a real holiday."

I think I was just making it worse.

Stepping forward, I held onto Liam's hand, holding it in both of mine.

"I'm sorry if you had planned anything," I said.

"What about Arya?" He asked.

"She also has a relationship and she's also got the day off," I said.

It wasn't fair to just leave Arya at the store when I wanted to have a day off. She most certainly deserved time away as well, so whenever she asked, I was happy to give her those days.

"So, we can't do anything tomorrow?" Liam asked.

I smiled at him, circled my arms around him. "Well, not during the day at least. In the evening?"

He looked as if he was trying to remain nonchalant about our current stance, he didn't even hug me back, until I tightened my hold on him.

Liam looked down at me and I grinned, causing a smile to finally break through and even a small chuckle.

"It's okay," he said, his arms now around my waist.

"Did you have something planned?" I asked, wondering if I was actually spoiling something.

He paused and then shook his head, giving me a small shrug. "Nothing that can't be shifted."

I raised a brow at him, but before I could question him, another little voice spoke up.

Bea stood by us and we both quickly broke apart.

And my face was getting red again.

She held her arms up towards Liam and he picked her up, gently settling her on his side.

"We should get going," Liam looked at me. "This one needs to eat," he said, tickling Bea's stomach, causing her to giggle.

"I'll call you later?" I asked.

"Of course," he smiled.

I looked at Bea, kissing her little cheek.

"Bye, my little bumblebee," I said and then tapped the tip of her nose.

She scrunched up her little face and then grinned.

Bea held out her hands and held my cheeks, pulling me in to kiss my nose.

"Bye," she smiled.

I waited for them to leave the store, standing the door until I couldn't see them anymore.

After they had gone, a smile didn't leave my face for the rest of the day.

This day had never really meant a lot to me. I found Valentine's Day to be more of a gimmick or something used to boost sales, it hadn't ever meant much to me.

I always assumed there probably more meaningful days for those in a couple, like special anniversaries and such.

However, whilst I thought this, clearly the other half my couple had an opposite view.

I wasn't entirely sure if Liam knew that I didn't really care much about this day, but it seemed like he did. Maybe it was due to the fact that this was our first one we could celebrate together, or it could be that he was still trying to prove himself to me.

Either way, I did appreciate the gestures he'd made.

He had flowers delivered to me this morning and my breakfast waiting at the shop, along with a sweet note.

But then it slowed down as the day went by.

I thought he may visit at lunch, or even call, but nothing. Even our texts had become a little vague.

Left with a slightly bewildered feeling, I went about my day.

After working for the rest of the afternoon, it was now closing time. Elias, and our new recruit Marcus, had already left. It was only when I was locking up, did I hear my phone ring and Liam's name appear on my screen.

"Hey," I quickly answered.

"Hey, babe. You alright?" He asked.

I smiled like a giddy teen at the affectionate nickname. That's just embarrassing.

"I'm great. I was just going to call you. I'm just about to leave. I'll be at yours soon," I told him.

"Actually, there's somewhere else I need you to be," Liam replied.

I stopped in my steps hearing that. "Oh okay. Where?"

"Miguel's gallery," he said.

And that just added to my confusion.

"What?" I asked him.

"Did you need the address?" Liam asked, completely missing the tone of my voice.

"No, I remember where. I'm just confused," I told him, holding he'd give me a little more insight.

"I'll be waiting," he replied.

He definitely knew what he was doing. I didn't like suspense.

"No, Liam. What is-"

"See you soon."

I looked at my phone and realised he'd had just hung up. After that. The jerk.

How could he just end the call like that?

I was extremely confused now, but curious to know what Liam had planned at the gallery.

I knew Liam and he wasn't exactly a man who would willing go to a gallery. Therefore, he had most certainly peaked my interest.

After leaving the shop and locking up, I headed over where Liam had asked for my presence.

A short while later, I had reached Miguel's gallery, albeit still very confused since it looked like the place was closed - at least that's what the sign said.

I tried to call Liam, but of course he didn't answer. When I knocked on the glass door, it was as if there was no one inside.

I had to try and look inconspicuous, in case someone assumed I was trying to break in. Despite it being early in the evening, the sky was quite dark and I really didn't want someone to have the wrong impression.

Just as I leaned on the door handle, ready to call Liam and give him an earful, I felt movement.

I put my phone back into my pocket and tried to open the door, finding that it was actually unlocked. Well, that seemed like a safety issue.

Hoping that this wasn't some kind of cruel prank, I cautiously stepped inside.

"Hello? Liam?" I called out. Again, nothing.

If he was playing some kind of trick, I was going to kill him.

It was still quite dark in the room, I had to use my phone flashlight to guide me.

"This feels a little creepy and also like breaking and entering," I said out loud, assuming Liam was here and could hear me, so he'd know I didn't like this feeling.

I took a few more steps further inside the room and then, the place lit up.

My eyes took in the sudden brightness in the room, warm fairy lights hung all around the gallery.

"What in the world?" I said out loud, incredibly confused.

I turned a corner and that's when I saw him.

Liam stood in front of me, dressed up in a suit and a rose in his hand.

He was grinning and I couldn't help but smile too, but that's not all that caught my attention.

I saw an easel next to him, a canvas placed on it, however it was it covered by a white sheet. I knew that Liam couldn't paint or draw, unless he somehow miraculously picked up the skill. But whatever it was, I knew it had to be amazing, as this entire setting was.

"Hi," Liam greeted me, as I stepped towards him.

"What is going on right now?" I replied, still quite stunned.

"Well, it's my attempt at a nice Valentine's evening," he said.

I chuckled, especially when I caught the nervousness in his voice. "You're doing great," I reassured him.

"That's a relief," he smiled, before putting forward the rose in his hand.

I took it from him, my fingers gently trailing over the delicate petals.

"When did you even do this?" I asked.

I only just informed him yesterday that I was working today, he couldn't have done this all in one day.

"Well, I had other plans but this one I'll be honest, I planned yesterday," Liam replied, which refuted my earlier thoughts. "Thankfully, Miguel let me use this place," he added.

I had only gotten him a watch. How was I meant to compete with this?

Not that this was something to compete over, but still. He was raising the bar too high.

"And this?" I pointed at the easel.

"This is actually your present," he said. "I hope you like it."

Liam removed the sheet from the easel, and unveiled my present.

It was a picture. It was us.

I recognised the venue from Sara's party. The picture was of Liam and I, dancing together under the marquee, gazing at one another if there was no one else around.

"We look great," I commented, my eyes fixated on the way we were, hand in hand, his other around my waist, mine on his shoulder.

It was just us.

"Thanks to you, Mr Miyagi," Liam nudged my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes at the reference, shaking my head. Idiot.

"Miguel took the picture. He sent it to me when he remembered that it had it. I asked him to not send it to you, not yet. Because I wanted to this," he gestured towards the large canvas.

I didn't say anything, just smiling softly at the picture, but then also remembering what came after.

Liam held my shoulders, turning my to face him.

"I know that evening, well the morning after was not what you had in mind, but I didn't want you to think it meant nothing," he told me.

"Liam-"

"I know it's difficult and it probably doesn't help that I'm an idiot, but I want you to remember that night and smile. I want you to know that when I kissed you, it was because I wanted to. Because it was a dream of mine and I wanted to achieve it. I wanted you. I want you."

All I could hear the determination in his voice and the truth in his eyes. He meant every word he was saying.

I looked up at him, smiling.

The way that my heart ached the morning after I thought he didn't remember the kiss, it was as if someone had physically reached it and squeezed my heard in my chest. It hurt, a lot.

It was a part of the reason why I was refraining from going all in on this relationship. I didn't want to hurt like that again, ever.

However, the words he said, it was hard not to want him too.

Before I could even respond to those words, I heard another noise. It sounded like a faint buzz or a groan?

"That's Bea," Liam said, noticing the expression on my face I assumed.

"Where is she?" I asked, looking around.

"The back office," he said.

Before I could question him, he reached into his suit pocket and took out a baby monitor.

I could see Bea on the little screen, sleeping soundly on the couch in the office, her teddy Clover with her. She was wrapped up in her blankets like a burrito, not a care in the world.

"I didn't want to leave her alone or ask someone to babysit tonight, so I brought her along. We set up together, before I read her a story and tucked her in," Liam told me.

"Thank you for all of this," I smiled at him.

This was incredibly cute. I was almost embarrassed to give him the watch I had bought.

I thought Liam would smile back, but instead a more mischievous look came across his face, a smirk on his lips.

He placed his hands on my waist and my eyes narrowed slightly, wondering what he was up to, especially with that look on his face.

"If I pulled you close right now, would you stop me?" He asked.

Immediately, my eyes widened in surprise now.

I knew the said he remembered, but he even knew the words he'd said.

"Tell me, if I pulled you close, so close that you could feel my heartbeat in your chest, would you say no?" He asked again.

I couldn't speak. The words wouldn't leave me.

Despite the fact I didn't say anything, Liam smiled and tugged me close by the waist anyway, and I place my hands on his chest.

His gaze didn't leave mine once, instead with one of his hands, he gently cupped my face.

He leaned in, his lips so close to mine, but not touching.

"If I were to kiss you right now, would you stop me?" He asked.

I could feel the shiver in my bones as he asked the question.

"Will you let me kiss you?" Liam asked again.

I looked into his eyes and smiled.

"Yes," I whispered.

Liam then wasted no time in closing that small distance between us.

My hands immediately looped around his neck and I leaned in towards him. I could feel his hands move to my back, his hold more secure.

When we pulled away for a second, Liam quickly placed his lips against my jaw, trailing small kisses along my skin, and I gripped onto his hair.

"Hey, Rena?" He mumbled against my skin.

"Hmm," I replied, lost in a daze.

He placed a kiss by my temple and then leaned towards my ear.

"Breathe," he said.

My eyes opened at this and I looked at Liam for a moment, before bursting out with laughter.

"You're the worst," I said between my laughter, smacking his chest, and Liam just held onto me securely.

When I stopped laughing, I rested my head on his chest, still grinning.

"Hey, Rena?" He questioned and I hummed in response.

"Will you be my Valentine?" He asked.

I looked up at him, standing up on my toes and placing a quick kiss on his lips. "Of course," I replied, before resting my head back on his chest.

We then began to sway together, lost in our own melody, mirroring the picture on the canvas.