Chapter 11

Liam's POV

When Collette and I went home, I had a heavy heart living Sophie. She cried so hard when we said we are living. Bella hugged her and told her they would be coming to our house for lunch; that's why she calmed down.

When we told mom that Arabella and Sophie are coming for lunch, she went into a frenzy. She rummaged the whole kitchen and started preparing for lunch.

They loved Bella ever since Collette brought her to our house. She is a courteous, sweet, pretty, and intelligent kid.

I watched her turned into a beautiful young woman, and my feelings grew as time goes by.

But I will never tell anyone. For Bella, I am only her best friend's older brother. I tried so hard to keep our relationship platonic. I changed girlfriends like I change my shirt only to hide my infatuation for Bella.

We were currently in the living room, casually talking when the doorbell rang. Suddenly my heart spiked up. I'm pretty sure it's Bella and Sophie.

Collette was waiting for them outside. She is as excited as me and my parents to see Bella again. But, she had this power against us that makes us putty in her hands.

Then mom followed Collette to the door, I almost ran after them as well, but Taylor is beside me, holding my thigh.

She had on an irritated face and was skimming through the magazine in anger. Then Collette came in with Sophie in her arms, and mom and Bella followed behind.

I lost the ability to breathe when I saw Bella. She looks so beautiful in her simple, white, floral sundress. Her hair was cascading on her back, and some were framing her small innocent face.

I didn't know I was holding my breath when Sophie screamed my name and reached for me.

" Uncle Liam!" She said, trying to wiggle out of Collette's arms, and reached for me. I stood up and took her in my arms and twirled her around.

Sophie's squeals, giggles, and laughter filled the room. Everyone was looking at us, smiling except Bella.

She looked sad and hurt. I saw Collette came to stand beside her and squeezed her shoulders. She smiled sadly at her and looked away.

" Liam, stop that! You will make her vomit. Come, give me her. I want to meet this pretty little Princess." My mom came closer to us and took Sophie out of my arms.

" Hi, princess, what's your name?" She asked her, then Sophie looked up to her and answered timidly. I was confused at her reaction when she saw Sophie's face. She looked horrified and turned her attention to Bella.

Bella was looking at her in confusion or trying to look confused. My mom looked at Sophie again and hugged her tight. She kissed her cheek and smiled at her lovingly but also almost like crying. Finally, she looked at my dad and asked him to come closer.

" What is it, dear? What's wrong?" My dad asked my mom when he came closer to them.

" Nothing dear, I just want you to meet Sophie, Arabella's daughter." She answered him and showed Sophie's face to him. He, too, had the bewildered look on his face and looked at Bella then at me.

" Hi there, my little one. What a pretty little girl you are. How old are you, my love?" He asked her and kissed her tiny hand.

" I'm five." She answered, holding her open hand up. He smiled at her and glanced at Bella again.

" Okay! Who's hungry? I know I am! Let's go, baby girl, let's eat." Collette cut the tension and took Sophie from my mother's arms. We proceeded to the dining room and took our seats.

I was seated In front of Bella, beside me is Taylor. Sophie is on her mother's lap, and Collette is sitting beside Bella. My parents are on opposite sides at the head of the table.

" Alright, let us say a prayer first before we dig in, shall we?" My mom said and clasped her hands, closed her eyes tightly.

" Father,  we have gathered to share a meal in Your honor. Thank You for putting us together as a family. Thank you for bringing us back, Arabella. Thank you that she found her way back to us and brought us this beautiful bundle of joy, Sophie. We thank you for all of the gifts you’ve given to those around this table. Help each member of our family use these gifts to your glory. Thank you for this food and bless it to our bodies, Lord. In Jesus' name, we ask Amen."

" Alright, dig in, everyone. Arabella, do you want me to feed Sophie so you can eat properly? You are so thin, child. You must take care of yourself." My mom offered, but she just smiled and declined respectfully.

" It's okay, aunt Carmen, I can manage her. And she is still quite shy with you guys." She answered and looked at me. She caught me staring at her, and she looked at Taylor, who's been throwing daggers in her direction. Her lips curled with disgust and jealousy.

" Bella, dear, if you don't mind me asking, where is the father?" My father asked so suddenly. She choked on her food. Collette passed her the glass of water and pressed her lips, trying not to laugh.

" Ahm, I don't know, uncle Dem, we kind of lost contact when I went to Denver," She answered him, not meeting anyone's eyes. She was pretending to be busy feeding Sophie and covered her face with her hair.

" So he's from around here? Do I know him, Bella? Does he know he knocked you up? Tell me his name, and I will hunt him down." I asked her. My lips grew thin with anger, and my eyes turned cold.

Then, I heard Collette choked beside her. She grabbed her water and drank, then turned a mischievous eye on Bella.

" Are you okay, Collette?" Her mom asked her.

" Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm okay, mom, my food just went through a wrong pipe." Collette answered our mom and continued eating.

" By the way, Bella, Collette is getting married in two weeks, and I'm sure now that you're back, she will ask you to be her maid of honor. Will it be okay if we make Sophie the flower girl? She will make a beautiful flower girl. " Mom asked Bella, and I couldn't agree more. She looked at Collette, who is now grinning from ear to ear, and nodded her head vigorously.

" What?! I thought I would be the maid of honor?! That's why I am here!" Taylor shouted with an edge on her voice and glared at Bella.

" I'm sorry, Taylor, but I did not say you will be my maid of honor. It is just right that Arabella will be my maid of honor because she is my best friend. When we were younger, we had made a pact that we would be each other's maid of honor. But, don't worry, you are still invited to my wedding since you are my brother's girlfriend at the moment." Collette told her, shrugging her shoulders.

" And just what do you mean by at the moment, huh?! She glared at Collette, and Collette just shrugged her shoulders and pretended she doesn't care.

"Aren't you going to say anything?! I came here thinking I would be the maid of honor!" She turned to me, I don't care what she thinks, but I agree with my sister. Bella is the best fit as her maid of honor.

" Taylor, Collette is right. She didn't say you will be the maid of honor. You just assumed that you would be." I answered her thoughtfully. She gaped at me, then stood up and walked out of the room. But not before she threw Bella a threatening look.

" Well, that was interesting. Whoever told Taylor that she would be the maid of honor?" My mom asked, shaking her head.

" Even if hell freezes, I will never ask her to be my maid of honor," Collette grumbled, and Bella chuckled beside her. She looked adorable at the moment. I can't help but stare at her.

Then she looked up and caught me staring at her. I looked down at my food quickly, pretending to study the steak's shape on my plate.

I didn't see the look on my mom's face when she looked at Bella and me. I don't understand why I am still feeling this way after six years. I thought it was just a temporary thing, an infatuation.

These feelings scared me yet excites me at the same time. I had this need to protect Bella and her daughter. Whoever the father is, I will find out, and I will hunt him down.