Chapter Text
Liam stands in the kitchen of Alex and Henry’s new place in Texas and can’t get over how much it sings of a perfect blend of the two of them. He’s only really gotten to know Henry the last few years, after all, the first almost year of their relationship a secret. Then, well, they dealt with so much, and Liam had no clue how to help with any of it, no matter how much he may have wanted to. He was also, of course, going through his own struggles at the time and had been slightly amazed when Alex had offered up the opportunity to get away to New York and stay with them for a bit while he figured out what his next steps would be after him and Spencer ended things for good. Of course, he met Percy while there, which changed the projectory of his life more than he ever thought possible.
Their New York brownstone had felt so much like Alex and Henry’s own personal bubble sometimes, and he didn’t think it was possible for something to feel more “just them” but somehow they accomplished it here. Even today, with the house seemingly filled wall-to-wall with people, it just feels so much like it’s just theirs. He’s startled out of his thoughts as Pez comes up behind him with the newest Claremont-Diaz-Holleran in his arms.
“Oh, look who we found; it’s your Uncle Liam, little one; he’s a little slow to warm up, but don’t you worry, you just bat those beautiful eyes at him, and he’ll be wrapped around your finger like the rest of us.”
It’s not that Liam doesn’t like children. It just still hits him in the face sometimes when he sees their friends moving to the stages of life that tore Spencer and him apart. Of course, Pez can generally tell when he’s feeling that way and knows that exposure to the cuteness of whatever moment generally gets him out of his head. He turns to Percy, extending his hands for the bundle in his arms, “Come here, baby girl, let’s get you into the arms of someone who's got more practice in the art of baby-holding, shall we.” He nestles her in the crook of his arm, and she looks up at him; his heart is so full at that moment.
Of course, the moment is broken when Alex comes into the kitchen with a smart-ass comment. “Pez, you better put a baby in that boy so he doesn’t steal that lil’ one.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, your pretty lil’ head about that, strumpet, we’re practicing for when that happens. Practicing the baby-making too, just to no avail.”
“Oh, I do not need to hear that,” Alex pauses and sweeps his eyes over them both, “Well, maybe I can stand to hear a bit more.”
Alex’s exaggerated eyebrow waggle sets them all off laughing, and Liam thinks he’s utterly happy to be with their friends through these moments.