Christmas morning arrived, and Essie felt better than she had in the past few days. She felt a little more hopeful, although she still wasn't sure how she would get out of this whole kidnapping mess. She looked over at Liam, who was sleeping soundly.

Little did she know, he was actually awake when she whispered. "I'm so sorry I did this to you. And why, oh why did I have to fall for you?"

She laid her head back down on her arms, closing her eyes and thinking. Soon she heard a quiet, "Merry Christmas," and she looked up at Liam with a smile.

"Merry Christmas, Liam." And she leaned over and kissed his cheek. Gosh, he was amazing, even with bedhead and morning breath. "I wish I could take this all back, you know. I'm so sorry for what I did. I think I had a little nervous breakdown or something."

"Little?" He smirked.

"Okay, massive," she laughed. "But it didn't last long and now I really feel terrible that I ruined your Christmas. You could have been with your Nana and your fiancée and your friends."

"Well, she's not my fiancée yet. I was going to propose...the night you took me."

"Look on the bright side," Essie laughed. "Maybe I saved you from a fate worse than death."

Liam looked unamused.

"Sorry," she whispered. "I hope you two are very happy together." She quickly got up and went downstairs to greet her family.

Liam followed a short time later and greeted everyone warmly with hugs and "Merry Christmas."

Grandma gladly welcomed his hug and wouldn't let him go for several moments. Finally, she released him with a little pinch on his tush, and everyone laughed when he yelped.

"Grandma! Behave yourself!" Abigail scolded.

"Don't lecture me, young lady," Grandma said. "I'm 87 years old and I don't know how much-"

Everyone joined in, saying, "you don't know how much time you have left."

Grandma gave them a dirty look and then went to pour herself some coffee. She pulled out a little silver flask and Mrs. Richards snatched it from her.

"Oh, no you don't," she said to her mother. "No spiking drinks til after lunch time."

"Party pooper," Grandma scowled.

"Okay," Mrs. Richards addressed everyone. "After breakfast, you can all go off and have some fun. Presents will be at 4:00 PM, and dinner will be at 7:00 PM."

Essie asked if anyone wanted to skate, and Liam was the only one to respond. "I'd love to skate, but I'm sure I'm quite rusty."

They trudged out to small rink behind the chalet and strapped on their skates. Essie took off gracefully, while Liam clodded around for a while, trying to remember how to stay upright. Essie skated up behind him and placed her hands firmly on his waist, giving him pointers on how to stay balanced and get some speed, but not move too fast. They went around a few times and then Essie said, "Let's try something else."

She moved in front of him, facing him and told him, "I used to teach little kids how to skate. I would give them a chair to push across the ice. But since we don't have a chair, you'll have to push me."

"You're the most beautiful chair I've ever seen," Liam said, winking.

"You don't have to play the perfect boyfriend part when no one is around, you know." But Essie couldn't help smiling at his compliment.

"I know," he said.

They locked arms and Liam skated around, pushing Essie backwards while he gained momentum and speed. He gradually became more comfortable and confident and then he let go of one of Essie's arms, keeping his other hand entwined with hers. They skated around hand in hand, silently, just enjoying the pristine quiet of the snow-laden woods, only intersected by the slicing of their skates against the ice.

Finally, Essie broke the silence. "I used to be a really good skater. I competed a lot, but I didn't have enough time for it when I was in high school. My parents told me it was much more important to get good grades than to quote-unquote 'waste' time on something that wouldn't get me anywhere in life." Liam could hear the sadness in her voice.

"I was really good." She said in a whisper.

"You're a very good artist, too," he said.

"You don't have to say that," Essie told him.

Liam stopped and pulled her back to him. "I'm not just saying that. I'm being completely serious. Your paintings are brilliant. And frankly, your parents are idiots for not noticing what talent you possess."

Essie blinked a few times in surprise before she said, "Thank you." She wanted to tell him it would never happen because her parents were too busy fawning all over her brother, the successful investment broker on Wall Street, and her sister who was attending law school at her father's alma mater. But she decided just to bask in the compliment and not ruin it by dragging her parents' disapproval into it.

They skated a while longer, mostly silent, but sometimes chatting about their lives and families.

When Liam and Essie went back inside, Mrs. Richards handed Essie a pie and asked, "Would you please bring this out to the garage and set it on the freezer?"

"Sure, Mom."

When she got out to the garage, she found Louis sitting in a lawn chair, having a beer all by himself.

"Enjoying some alone time?" She teased.

"You know it."

"Mom and Dad are getting to be a little too much for you, too, hey?"

"Aren't they always?" Louis asked and Essie heartily agreed.

"At least you're the golden boy in their eyes," Essie remarked. "I'm just the flighty artist who will never make anything of her life."

"Well, my status is about to be downgraded, I think."

"Why's that?" Essie asked. "Did something happen at work? With your girlfriend? Oh, no, Emily's pregnant, isn't she? Why didn't she come anyway?"

"Emily and I broke up six months ago."

"Oh. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't tell anyone because I wasn't ready to tell anyone."

"You weren't ready to tell anyone you broke up with your girlfriend? It's not that big of a deal, Louis. It's not like you were married and you were cheating on her."

"No, it's not that. I just wasn't ready to tell anyone that I'm seeing someone new."

"That's great, Louis!"

"His name is Ryan."

Essie stopped short and just said, "Oh." But then she said, "I think I already knew."

"So, how are Mom and Dad going to take it?" He asked.

"Mom will have a canary, Dad will have a conniption, and Grandma will just have another drink."

Louis laughed loudly and then ventured, "What about you? How are you taking it?"

Essie looked at him incredulously. "Are you serious? I love you and I'm happy for you as long as you're happy!" Then she hugged him tightly and went back into the house.

The afternoon was spent quietly by the fire, drinking eggnog, hot toddies, and Irish coffee. And that was just Grandma. But it was a peaceful, lovely afternoon. Soon, 4:00 arrived and everyone gathered around the tree to exchange gifts.

Essie was excited because she had painted something special for each of her family members. She had also chosen one of the pieces she brought with her to give to Liam. It was just a watercolor of Big Ben in London. She'd never been there, but she had seen a picture of it that inspired her to paint it in a foggy, drizzly day.

Each person opened their gifts one by one, while everyone else looked on. Essie got some new paint from her brother, and Abigail gave her a beaded curtain for her apartment. Then she came to her parents' gift. The package was smaller than what she had asked for - a large, leather art portfolio. When she opened it, her disappointment reached a new low. Instead of the portfolio, it was a leather briefcase, with her initials monogrammed on it.

She tried to hide the disappointment in her face and said a quiet "Thanks."

But then her father said, "We just think it's time for you to get your head out of the clouds, baby girl. You need to get serious about your future and your career."

"I am serious about my future, Dad. I'm making a living, paying my own bills, and I've started selling some pieces. In fact," she said taking her gifts for her family from under the tree, "here are some samples of my work."

She handed one to each person. "You can open them all at the same time," she told them.

But Liam opened his faster than the others. He just stared at it without saying anything for a long time.

"It's kind of amateur, I guess," Essie said.

"No, no, not at all. It's brilliant. I absolutely love it," he said, and he leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Everyone else was admiring their paintings, pleased with the beautiful work.

Except her father.

"Essie, it's a nice hobby, but this proves that you haven't grown up yet. Only grade school kids give home-made artwork as Christmas gifts. You need to get serious about your life, baby girl."

Essie clenched her fists and her jaw, and only managed to say, "This is my life! And STOP calling me baby girl!" With that she stormed out of the chalet and slammed the door behind her.

When she got out to the ice rink, she stepped up into the small gazebo on the edge. She plopped herself down on the hard wooden bench and wept.

It wasn't long before she felt a coat draped around her shoulders. And then Liam's warm arms pulled her close to him. He stroked her hair and kissed her head while she cried. "Ssshhh," he said. "It's all right. Everything will be okay."

She wanted to argue with him because she knew that everything would not be okay. But she chose to let him hold her a while longer, until she was all out of tears.

When she finally sat up, he asked, "Would you do something for me?"

"What?" She said, still sniffling.

"Wait," he said, and he went to a small electrical box in the gazebo and flipped a switch. Suddenly the gazebo and the entire ice rink were surrounded in hundreds of twinkling Christmas lights.

Essie gasped. "Liam, it's beautiful."

"Will you show me one of your skating routines? You know, from when you were younger?"

"Oh, it's been a long time and I don't-"

He held a pair of skates out to her. "Please."

"Okay, she grinned. She donned the skates and stepped onto the ice. She skated around a few times, warming up her body and trying to remember her best routine. Then she began and as she skated, she felt like the only person in the entire world. She felt special, cherished, loved. Even though she knew Liam didn't really love her, the feeling it gave her to skate for him was enough to make her happy.

When she finished and she stepped back inside the gazebo, Liam captured her in another kiss like the one he'd given her under the mistletoe. It was obvious that he wanted to make a good show for anyone who might be peeking through the windows, but Essie enjoyed the kiss anyway.

Mrs. Richards called for them soon after, saying that dinner was ready. When they sat down at the table, Essie couldn't help but notice that her mom's face was slightly red and she was acting very strange.

Once they started eating, Abigail surprised everyone with an announcement. "Mom, Dad, I dropped out of law school."

"What?!" Mr. Richards bellowed. "What have you been doing with the money I've been sending you?"

"Well," she smiled proudly, "I used it to buy a dance studio. I'm teaching all kinds of ballroom dancing and ballet, and I've even hired a few instructors. It's really taking off, Dad, and I'm very excited about it."

"Young lady, that money was for law school. Dance is just another stupid hobby like your sister's painting!" He snapped.

Essie flinched and Liam grabbed her hand under the table.

Meanwhile, Mr. Richards started to look like Bob the Tomato while Mrs. Richards started giggling.

Essie asked, "Mom, what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong," Mrs. Richards said, "is that I'm taking after my mother. It turns out that drinking is a lovely way to get through the damn holidays!'"

Mr. Richards ignored his wife for the moment and continued speaking to Abigail. "So, you are going to sell that studio and use the money to re-enroll in law school, do you hear me?!"

"I hear you, Dad, but I'm not doing that," Abigail said confidently.

"Good for you, Abby!" Said Mrs. Richards, laughing. "That's very ingenious...wait, ingenuine? no...what's that word, ingenuitive? No! That's very creative, honey! And, way to stand up for yourself!"

Mr. Richards looked at his wife like she had lost a wingnut. "Will you please calm down, Monica? You're making a fool of yourself, not to mention me!"

"Oh, take a chill pill, Frederick. You're doing a fine job of making a fool of yourself without my help," she said, starting to laugh maniacally again.

But before he could blow up again, Louis interrupted. "I have something that I really need to tell all of you, too."

"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Richards asked between giggles.

He took a deep breath and then he just said it. "I'm gay."

Mrs. Richards laughed so hard everyone thought she was going to pass out from lack of oxygen.

"Mom, I'm serious," Louis insisted.

"I know, honey. I knew it all along. I just wondered when you'd find the courage to say it to your father!" And then she started laughing again.

Mr. Richards eyes grew wide with fury as he shouted at his son, "You are NOT gay, and you'd better turn it around or else-"

"Or else what?!" Mrs. Richards demanded sarcastically. "You'll disown him like your father did to you? You'll force him to become the bitter, hateful, controlling old man you turned out to be?"

"MOM!" Abigail yelled.

"What?" She said nonchalantly. "It's true."

Then Essie decided this was probably the best time to tell everyone the truth about Liam. Her dad was already on the verge of an aneurysm and her mom seemed to have lost touch with all reality.

"Excuse me! I'd like to get everyone's attention, please!" Everyone stopped and looked at Essie, except Grandma who was pulling a Billy Joel and practically making love to her tonic and gin.

"I need to tell you all the truth about Liam and me," Essie began.

But Liam stood up quickly and said, "No! Darling, why don't we save that story for another time? This is a festive time, and I think we have one more thing to celebrate."

Everyone fell silent as they watched Liam drop to one knee. "Essie," he said. "From the day I first met you, you have turned my life upside down and inside out. You are crazy, unpredictable, and sometimes a little volatile. But, I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend my life with than you," he said. He pulled a tiny box out of his pocket and opened it, revealing a stunning diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"

No one even breathed as they waited for Essie's response.

She looked at Liam in absolute shock and then around at her family. Then she looked back at Liam, knowing that this was just an act, the cherry on top of the perfect boyfriend performance, but it was also her chance to look good in front of her parents. Her siblings just admitted to being as screwed up as she was - in their parents' eyes anyway - but accepting a marriage proposal from a very handsome, very successful man would bump up her status a little, at least for the moment.

"Yes, Liam. I will marry you."

He slipped the ring onto her finger, stood up, and kissed her while everyone cheered. This kiss was by far the best and Essie got lost in his taste, his scent, the feel of his tender lips caressing hers. For a moment, it was just the two of them, but it was enough for Essie. Just a glimpse of happiness.

However the kiss was very rudely interrupted as the chalet door flew open and about ten armed police officers barged in, yelling, "Everyone freeze!"

Shit! Essie thought. This is it. I'm going to jail.

"You are all under arrest for the kidnapping of Liam Payne!"

One of the officers, went to Liam and gently guided him away from the rest of the family, toward the door where a whiny voice was heard, "Oh, Liam, I'm so glad they found you. Now let's get out of here."

Essie only caught a brief glimpse of Sloane. She gave Liam a cordial hug rather than the smothering kiss Essie expected. She instantly hated Sloane. Not because she had led the police to the chalet, but because Essie knew that she didn't love Liam the way he deserved to be loved; she didn't really love him at all.

The next thing she knew, her hands were being jerked behind her back by an officer saying, "Esther Richards, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney...."

As the officer's voice faded out, Essie replayed every moment of the last two days. She didn't regret taking Liam. It had been the best two days of her entire life. However, she did regret falling in love with him.

Prison would be nothing compared to the pain of her broken heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please, no hate about Louis' character being gay. This is a fictional story, and I just randomly put the 1D boys into different characters. I do not claim to know or believe that Louis Tomlinson is gay in real life - it's none of my business anyway! So, please just enjoy the story! ;)

Also, the picture on the side is how I would imagine Liam when he and Essie woke up together on Christmas morning. *sigh*