The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 81

- Talia -

-SIX MONTHS EARLIER -

"Hey, sweetie," Talia said as she put down a cup of hot cocoa on an empty chair. "I made you a cup. I put extra cinnamon in yours, just how you like it,"

Talia then sat down at her usual chair with a cup of hot cocoa for herself in her hand. It was the height of winter and everything outside looked cold and dry. Like all the days before, she chose to stay in her cottage today. The closest thing she got to stepping outside was sitting in her chair and looking out the window. She could see the mansion from here and that was enough. Sometimes she'd see the maids or the guards walking by. And sometimes she'd even catch a glimpse of Violet or Damon. They would stop and wave at her, but she would just pretend like she didn't see them.

It wasn't like Talia was holding a grudge against anyone. What happened to Adrian was a tragedy, but it wasn't Damon's or Violet's fault. So as much as it hurt her, she wasn't mad. She just wanted to be left alone.

"Spring should be coming soon, though," she said as she sipped her drink. "I can't wait for the flowers to start blooming again. It's gonna be super pretty this time around,"

A smile curved up her lips as she thought about the tulips that would bloom this spring. They planted the seeds last fall and they should be colorful and beautiful in a couple of weeks' time.

"This winter is tough without you... tougher than usual..."

Talia's smile fell flat as she turned her head to the empty chair next to her. The cup of hot cocoa was sitting there with a warm smoke coming out of it. Whenever Adrian had some free time, this was his favorite thing to do with Talia. They loved sitting by the window, drinking hot cocoa, and watching the garden from the comfort of their cottage. They could sit there and talk for hours, talking about nothing and everything. It was probably the thing she missed the most about Adrian. She missed having her best friend around. Talia and Adrian had known each other since they were kids. They pretty much grew up together. Adrian was with her throughout everything, including losing her parents during the Red Wedding. They got through it together, they got married, and she was happily pregnant with his baby. If God hadn't been so cruel and taken him away so fast, her life would've been the definition of perfect.

But now that Adrian was gone... Talia found it difficult to continue with her life. Things seemed to have returned to normal as Damon came back, but there was nothing that was normal for Talia. Not having Adrian around felt foreign and wrong. The only thing that kept her going was the baby inside her. She wanted to be with Adrian again more than anything in the world. If it wasn't for the baby, God only knows what Talia would have done.

"...Anyway, I had a check-up with Dr. Lee the other day. She says everything is going great, our baby is healthy..."

Talia glanced down at her stomach. She was only ten weeks along, so she wasn't showing much. But still, she could feel the life forming inside her. Her eyes went glassy as her hand went to her stomach. Talia's heart was breaking at the thought that this baby would come into the world never knowing their dad. Never getting a chance to meet him. Or to feel his touch.

"....I really wish you're here, my love... I'm really scared... I don't know how to do this without you..." "Who are you talking to?"

Suddenly, Talia heard a voice. She looked up to see Liam standing in the doorway. When did he get here?!

"Uh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Liam said again. He took a step back when he saw the shocked look on her face.

"W-what are you doing here?" Talia said as she stood up. Her hand quickly went to her eyes, wiping the tears away.

"I... Elena wanted me to bring you some food," Liam said as he lifted the cardboard box he was holding. "She knows how much you like lemon meringue pie,"

Liam walked into the cottage and put the box down on her kitchen counter. Talia followed him reluctantly, and she peered into the box. There was everything from fruits to canned goods, freshly baked goodies, milk, juices, and more.

Talia was choosing to stay in her cottage a lot more now, sometimes she didn't go for lunch and dinner altogether. Elena must've been worried about her.

"I'm not in the mood to eat," Talia said curtly. "Everything I eat just comes out anyway,"

"Well, then eat it anyway," Liam said as he began unpacking the box.

Talia scowled and crossed her arms as Liam started putting things into her fridge. No one in the house dared to bother her, not Violet or Elena. But of course, Liam had no restraints. Liam was a distant cousin to Adrian and he grew up with all of them together too. Liam knew Talia since they were kids. So if Damon, Violet, or Elena were too scared to say anything to her, Liam would be the guy they send.

"Do you have all your vitamins and supplements?" he asked as he closed the fridge door.

"Dr. Lee got that covered," she replied shortly.

"OK," Liam nodded and grabbed the empty cardboard box as he sauntered to the door. "Well, feel free to call us if you need anything else,"

Talia stood in her spot and she glanced at the plate of freshly baked lemon meringue pie on the kitchen counter. She barely had any appetite lately, but this pie sure looked delicious.

"Hey, Liam," she called out just as Liam was leaving the door. "...Thanks..."

Liam just shrugged cooly and exited the cottage. Once he was completely out of sight, Talia grabbed a fork from the drawer and began devouring that lemon pie.

"Hmmm!" she muttered and nodded her head approvingly.

Talia was eating and eating, and before she knew it, almost half of the pie was gone. That day was the beginning of Talia's love affair with the citrusy pie. Ever since then, she looked forward to the days Liam would stop by and bring her a pie. Some days she'd even make a request, maybe key lime or sour cherry. And every time she asked for it, Liam would always deliver. Come rain or snow, he would always be there.

Sometimes when he came to deliver the food, Liam would also stay and make tea. Talia never offered it, but he'd make it for himself. Liam wasn't much of a tea person, but he was doing it to keep an eye out for Talia. He just wanted to make sure that she was OK and she wasn't lonely hiding out here.

As time went on, Liam would come over more frequently and he'd stayed for longer. One time, he even stayed to watch a movie with her. On another day, he stayed for three hours and they just talked. They talked about the old days, the current days, and the future and what it might look like as Damon was switching this family's direction.

Slowly but surely, Talia started gaining hope. About two months after Adrian's death, Talia finally stepped outside and took a walk in the garden. It was early spring and the flowers started blooming. Talia took in a deep breath as she smelled the fresh scent of the trees. Ahh. I've missed this.

Talia threw her glance around the garden and a smile curved up her lips. It amazed her how something as simple as the flowers in spring could make her smile again. After Adrian's death, she thought she couldn't ever feel peace again. But here she was, smiling in the garden. "Miss Talia? Is everything OK?"

Suddenly, Talia heard a voice. She turned around to see Elena, walking with a laundry basket in her hand. Elena had a shocked look on her face, and she was worried.

"Oh, hey, Elena," she said. "I'm fine, I'm just taking a walk,"

Elena let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good to hear," she said. "It's nice to see you out and about,"

"Yeah, I kinda wanna stretch my legs a bit today,"

"Well, you picked the perfect day. It's nice and much warmer compared to last week,"

"I know," she nodded, pausing for a beat before adding, "By the way, Elena, thank you for sending me those pies. I really enjoyed them,"

"What pie?" Elena looked taken aback.

"The lemon meringue. You sent one like every couple of days,"

Elena looked even more confused.

"Miss Talia, I never sent you any pies,"

"Yes, you do. Liam brought them over!"

Elena was shaking her head in confusion.

"I don't think I know what you're talking about, miss..."

Talia let out a scoff and cocked her head to the side.

"Whatever," Talia sighed. "Nevermind,"

That was a weird little exchange and it was enough to send Talia back to her cottage. She put two and two together and realized that Liam was lying about the pies. But why would he do that? Talia went back and waited for Liam to come around. Several hours later, like clockwork, Liam came by.

"God almighty! This peach pie sure looks amazing!"

Liam was chuckling to himself as he stepped into Talia's living room. Talia was sitting on the couch and Liam made a beeline to the kitchen counter, dropping off a fresh plate of pie.

"Liam," Talia's tone was stern. "Where are those pies from?"

"What?" Liam's smile fell instantly.

"Elena said she didn't make them. Where are they from?"

Liam was caught off guard. He put the pie down rather awkwardly and started shuffling in his spot.

"Oh, I... uh... I got them from the farmer's market,"

"You got them from the farmer's market?"

Liam nodded his head and glanced away, unable to keep eye contact with her.

"Why?"

"Because I know you like them. And you haven't been eating well lately, so..."

"So what?"

"So I wanna see you healthy, that's all," he shrugged and put his hands in his pocket. "I'm just trynna be a good friend,"

Talia narrowed her eyes, full of suspicion. Meanwhile, Liam just stood there with an innocent look on his face. As Damon's number one killing machine, it was a look that was rarely seen on Liam Grimaldi's face.

"Well, that's very sweet of you..." Talia said, pausing for a beat before adding, "Thank you,"

Liam just shrugged and cleared his throat. He wasn't used to getting this kind of compliment. It showed because he was blushing. Yes. Blushing.

"Anyway, I think the game is on," he said rather abruptly, moving to sit next to her on the couch. "You mind if I watch it here? The guys are hogging the TV watching that dumb Batman movie,"

Talia scratched her head before picking up the remote and giving it to him. At this point, what else could she do?

"Thanks!" Liam beamed and turned the TV on.

The next few minutes went by quietly. The sound of the football game on the TV was the only thing that filled the air. Both Liam and Talia didn't say one word to each other, but there was this unspoken tension that was so thick, you could cut through it with a knife. Talia didn't know what this was. She glanced at Liam who kept his eyes on the TV. When he noticed she was looking at him, Liam quickly turned to her. His cheeks were blushing again.

"What?" he asked.

"Do you want some pie? Or tea?"

"Um, yes. Please,"

Talia went to the kitchen counter and prepared a plate of pie and some tea. Liam was still on the couch, eyes glued to the TV, and yet there was still some tension there.

What is that?

Talia came back moments later and put a plate of pie and a cup of tea on the table.

"Thank you," Liam said as he eagerly grabbed the plate.

Talia sat back down and she purposefully left a gap in between them. She was feeling self-conscious all of a sudden.

"So, uh, how are you feeling?" Liam asked after a while of silence, keeping his eyes on the TV.

"Not too bad," she shrugged. "I took a walk today. It was nice,"

Liam turned to her instantly. He found the fact that she went outside rather intriguing.

"Yeah, the weather's getting warmer," he nodded. "And hey, if you want, I can drive you to the hills sometime,"

"You'd do that?"

"Of course," he said reassuringly. "Just tell me when,"

Talia fell silent for a moment. The Smiths Hills was where Adrian was buried. She never went back after the burial. She was still emotional, she thought she couldn't handle it. But now that Liam mentioned it... somehow it didn't sound like a bad idea. "Actually, that'd be nice. I might take you up on that offer," she said. "Thank you. You're a great friend, Liam,"

Talia's hand reached out to touch Liam's elbow. He flinched a little at the contact.

"Sure thing," he said, flashing her a quick smile before turning his eyes to the TV again.

Talia looked at him quizzically. Liam looked rather uncomfortable all of a sudden.

Was it something I said?

*