Mel

I'm wrapped up in the warmth of my comforter, dreaming peacefully, when I feel the weight of someone crash down on the bed beside me. I start to groan when I hear the excited voice of the intruder.

Tay snuggles up next to me and shakes my shoulder. "Mellllll, time to wake uuuupp. We have a flight to catch soon. Come on, bestie, time to wake up."

I can't help but laugh at her excitement. We've all been looking forward to this day for a while. We're excited for several reasons, namely the upcoming nuptials between Lins and Chase, but also for the week afterward that we'll be relaxing in Aruba.

Those several days, lazing around in our swimsuits and enjoying the sandy paradise with our closest friends. Those days are the ones I can't stop thinking about. It's those that make my heart race and my breathing hitch. After what's been building between Liam and me, who knows what will happen on that beach.

I was dreaming of what could happen when my best friend invited herself into my room to wake me up. I'm not even mad, though. If I let myself get too carried away with my daydreams, I may not make it through the next few days. At least, not with my sanity intact.

Tay is still poking me excitedly as I hold my eyes shut. "Come on, Mel. We need to get ready. Paradise awaits!"

I'm about to respond as she starts poking me in the side. I squeal as she continues, knowing exactly where I'm most ticklish. I try to tell her she wins, but I can't through my laughter.

Our antics have drawn the attention of our lovely male counterparts. Liam and T.J. both peek in from the doorway, staring at what is transpiring thanks to an overenergized Taylor. Both men are trying to contain their amusement and failing.

As Taylor slows her attack, I find my words and direct them to the two new arrivals. "Um, a little help here, please."

T.J. is chuckling as he approaches. He easily pries his girlfriend off of me, tossing her over his shoulder. "Come on, babe. She can't get ready if you keep pestering her."

I hear Tay's yelp of surprise, followed by a muffled reply as T.J. carries her out of my room.

I sit up in bed, still laughing as I wipe away the tears that had fallen down my face. That's when I look up to see Liam still standing in my doorway. His face is relaxed as he studies me.

I look back at him, no longer feeling heavy under his stare like I used to. No, now having him look at me like this makes me feel... Different. It's not a bad different, just new, unfamiliar.

After another beat, he smiles. "Guess we should finish getting ready, huh?"

I feel my head bob in reply. "Yeah, guess we should."

Liam wets his lips, looking like he has more he wants to say, but instead of continuing, he gives me one more studious look before showing himself out and shutting the door behind him.

I let out a heavy breath, pondering the words unsaid as I climb out of bed.

What did he want to say?

Before I can start agonizing over the answer, I shake the thought from my head. I won't get anything done if I let myself fall down that wormhole.

I need to get ready.

After all, paradise awaits. And I can't wait to get there.

~

Several hours and what felt like a million steps later, we are finally on the plane. We met Chase and Lindsey at the airport and hung out with them until it was time to board.

We'll be meeting the rest of the wedding guests, including Chase and Lindsey's families and the hockey team, on the island. The guest list was small as they wanted. So, the only people coming are immediate family and close friends, which includes most of the team.

We were able to get seats for all of us in first class, but each pair of seats is separated by at least a row. The obvious seat pairings were determined by couplings- Tay and T.J., Lins and Chase, and, by default, Liam and me.

With everything going on between Liam and me lately, you'd think I'd be a nervous wreck having to sit next to him in such close quarters for the next four and a half hours. Surprisingly, I'm not. I have this strange feeling of excitement and anticipation coursing through me. I'm anxious to see what will happen between us next.

I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts on the me and Liam situation that I've forgotten somehow that I'm sitting on a plane. Ever since I was young, I've had this irrational fear of travel by plane. Not because I'm afraid the plane will crash, but because I fear taking off and landing.

I'm not sure why. I've just always hated that part. It's so bad that I usually take medication beforehand to help calm my nerves. I pull my bag out from under the seat in front of me, sifting through it to find my meds and my drink from the airport.

Panic starts to settle in as I dig through the bag, unable to find the bottle I need. Oh no! Oh, no, no, no, no! Fuck!

It's not here! I forgot my meds!

I feel my body's reaction as I frantically claw through my bag, hoping to see my pill bottle in the bottom of the bag. I come up empty.

Oh, fuck!

I feel myself starting to hyperventilate. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to remain calm. It doesn't work.

I'm about to have a full-blown panic attack when I feel a strong arm wrap around my shoulders. "Mel, hey. Talk to me. What's going on?"

I inhale a shaky breath and slowly release it. "I don't have my meds. I always take them before a flight. Take off, and landing freaks me out."

My eyes are still tightly closed as I try to focus on my breathing.

In. Out. In. Out.

The tears I've been holding back are threatening to spill over as I hear the pilot overhead. I tune him out and try to focus on anything else.

That's when I hear Liam. "I've got you, Mel. I'm right here. You're not alone. I've got you."

His hold on me tightens, making me feel safe. I suck in a deep breath as he continues repeating his words over and over again. His voice is soft and soothing in my ear as his hands massage my shoulders tenderly.

I barely register the shifting of the plane as it starts to move. I'm zoned into the feeling of the man next to me. I focus on the strength of his arms as they hold me and the silky melody of his voice as he gently talks me through this ordeal.

His words mean so much to me right now. He has no idea how much strength he's lending to me with such a simple act. I concentrate on the tenderness of his words, the tone of his voice, and the heat of his breath as it caresses my skin.

The more I concentrate on Liam, the more relaxed I become. Before I know it, I'm no longer in a state of panic. Instead, I feel calm, peaceful even.

Suddenly, I feel a light pressure on the top of my head as Liam places a kiss in my hair. "Hard part's over, Mel. We're in the air. You did so well. I'm so proud of you."

I hold myself steady in his arms a while longer, relishing in the safety of his embrace. He doesn't seem to mind.

I don't know how I would have done that without him. And I didn't even have to ask. He just stepped up and worked his magic.

Still curled against Liam, I try to keep my voice steady as I find my next words. "Thank you, Liam. I don't think I would have made it through that without you." My voice is barely more than a whisper, but I know he hears me.

He doesn't speak. Instead, he pulls me closer, nuzzling his face on top of my head. I let myself rest against his chest, inhaling his scent as I start to relax further. He smells so good- so intoxicating.

I must have dozed off because the next thing that registers in my mind is Liam gently shaking me awake, asking if I want something to drink as one of the flight attendants inches her way closer to us. Sitting up, I notice Liam still has his arm around me, and I was sleeping on his chest.

We get our drinks from the flight attendant and sit back- each of us now occupying the middle of our own seats. We spend the rest of the flight exchanging quick glances and making polite conversation.

The entire time, I can't help but wish I were still wrapped up in Liam's embrace. He made me feel so safe, so calm, so...

Loved.

I want that again. I need that. And the only person I can think of right now who can give me what I need...

Is Liam.