Pushing his way out of the gym doors, Max was just about to head for his car before an unmissable sight caught his eye. It was very difficult to ignore that bright red hair considering it resembled his own almost identically. Those were the genes that had blessed him with the locks you couldn’t ignore, yet the person they belonged to was someone that Max was determined to escape from right now. However being unable to avoid taking a glimpse, it was them his mum caught his eye too and was not going to ignore.

“Max!” Liliana called out and she immediately began making a beeline for him.

Max let out a long sigh in frustration as he knew there was no way he could avoid this now. So instead, he just stood there expressionless, making no attempt to head in her direction, leaving it all down to her.

“Oh my gosh! Max!” She exasperated, her voice getting higher in pure glee. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! How are you?”

Max didn’t know how to answer that question or even how to act in this situation. His mum was acting completely normal, as though there were no issues between them and it didn’t make sense.

“I’m fine.” He responded blankly, knowing that the quicker he could get this small talk over with, the quicker he could escape.

“Great!” Liliana smiled as her eyes skimmed the length of his body and back up to his face again. “Gosh look at you! It’s been only a matter of months and yet you look so different. You look so grown up… no longer a boy, more like a man.”

As Liliana reached out to touch Max’s arm in awe of the man he was growing into, Max immediately pulled away. He cringed at the thought of it, not wanting this woman anywhere near him. However, there was something about this interaction that was standing out to him. His mum seemed normal. She wasn’t drunk, she wasn’t even tipsy, he couldn’t smell any evidence of alcohol on her, which was unusual and he couldn’t help himself from pointing it out.

“Have you ran out of stash or something? Or are you out collecting the booze now?” Max asked bluntly and at first his mum’s face filled with shock at his words before she very quickly recollected herself.

“No…” she muttered, as a sadness filled her voice. “No Max, that’s not me anymore. I’ve stopped. I haven’t had a drink in months. I’m sober now, I finally got help.”

If it wasn’t for seeing her in person right now and the difference within her, then Max wouldn’t have believed it. However seeing her in this state with her own eyes made it so difficult to deny… because she did seem different. She was well dressed and put together, the bags under her eyes were gone and she looked fresh faced and alive once again.

“Right…” Was all Max said because he didn’t know what else to say. He was in shock yet at the same time, slightly unbelieving that this could possibly be true. This woman was far from the mum he had grown up with.

“I heard you moved into your own place…” Liliana said, immediately trying to change the subject. “That’s amazing Max! I’m so proud of you.”

Max just nodded his head, not wanting to hear those words from a woman who had never been present in his life to be proud of anything he did before. He had been the one who kept a roof over his parents heads for years. They had been the reason he had only just been able to do this for himself now.

“I also saw….” Liliana spoke softly before pausing and Max noticed that tears were no threatening her eyes. “I also saw that you have a baby girl now too… I…. I didn’t know… wow… I just… I’ve seen photos and she’s beautiful!”

Max suddenly felt sick at his mum’s mention of Brinley. He had wanted to keep his daughter as far out of his parents lives as possible after everything they had done to him. He didn’t trust them at all and had not wanted that toxic mess in her life. However, now hearing his mum mention her seemed to destroy the distance he had created between them.

“I would love to meet her one day.” Liliana said with hope laced in her voice yet Max immediately began shaking his head.

“That’s not going to happen.” He replied bluntly and he watched as his mum took the blow before recovering from it once again.

“I know I haven’t exactly been the best mum… I know I have failed you and for that I’ll forever be sorry Max, trust me, I feel awful. But I’m really trying to change now. I want to be better and I want to be in your life like I should have been before. I want to watch you grow into the amazing man you are and I also want to be in your daughters life… my granddaughter.”

“No.” Max bit, immediately cutting his mum off with such a sharp and angered tone. “No. She is my daughter but she is not your granddaughter. It would be a privilege to be in her life and you haven’t earned that.”

“Max…” Liliana muttered as she took a step towards him, trying to hard to get through to him.

“I want her as far away from your and dad as possible. You’re both toxic. That house is toxic and she doesn’t need such waste of space humans in her life.”

There was so much anger building up in Max right now and he was struggling so hard to keep it at bay. His chest was rising and falling at such an erratic pace that he felt like he was going to explode. The mention of Brinley had brought fourth a protective side to him to such an extreme that he didn’t really know how to deal with it. He just knew that he needed to get away from here.

Just as his mum was about to say something else, her eyes caught sight of someone behind him, making her way over. Immediately turning around to see where her gaze was lingering, Max caught sight of Grace and Brinley heading in his direction.

His eyes automatically darted back towards his mum with a warning glint in them, daring her not to make a move. Then as she stayed stationary on the spot, debating whether to comply, Max took that opportunity to immediately make his way over towards them. Sweeping Brinley off the ground and into his arms, he didn’t say a word as he grabbed Grace’s hand and pulled her over to his car.

“Get in.” He ordered, his voice coming out more demanding than he intended but right now he just had to get away from here, away from his mum.

Once they were all in the car and belted up, Max took one last glimpse in his rear mirror to see his mum still standing there, making no attempt to move. She looked sad… heartbroken even but right now that was the least of his worries. He didn’t owe her anything and he wanted to create as much space between her and his family as possible.

….

"What about you then? I need an update of your life." Sophie spoke with an expectant tone to her voice, as though she already had ideas of her own looming.

...that was true, she did. She had direct questions she wanted to ask but knew it was best not to. There were things she had heard that she knew Juliet was keeping from her and Sophie wasn't sure why.

"There isn't much to tell to be honest." Juliet replied and those words screamed 'lies' to Sophie. It wasn't a good enough answer.

"Really?"

"Really." Juliet repeated yet there was such force to her voice that it confirmed everything to Sophie, giving her enough reason to direct the topic face on.

"Why haven't you told me about you and Matt?" Sophie asked and Juliet's now paling face was even obvious to see through the fuzzy screen of their Facetime.

"Wh-what?" 

"I know you're not together anymore. Why haven't you told me?"

There was silence for a moment while Juliet didn't say a word and instead just stared into space. She couldn't force herself to speak. No words were leaving her mouth. She just sat there and looked blankly ahead of her into the screen.

"What happened Juliet?" Sophie's voice turned more calming and sympathetic.

"I was going to tell you eventually..." Juliet muttered as her eyes began to tear up once again. This was exactly what she hadn't wanted and it was why she had been avoiding speaking about this to anyone. "I just wasn't ready. I haven't spoken to anyone about it. People know because it's Brighton and the word gets around but I haven't verbally told anyone but my family and kids."

"Did he break up with you?" Sophie asked yet she already guessed the answer.

Juliet looked absolutely broken. How she had managed to keep herself so composed throughout the first half of their conversation, Sophie didn't know.

"Yes... he did. There was a lot to it... it wasn't sudden, it had been a build up."

"Had you been arguing?"

Juliet nodded while looking down at her hands that were now entwining with one another.

"We've been arguing for months now... all revolving the gang and the major involvement Matt has had with it again."

"So he broke up with you over that?" Sophie asked and Juliet could sense her tone getting more and more frustrated. She had anger for Matt but even greater anger that she was across the world and unable to help Juliet, someone she had always seen as her little sister.

"It was a mixture of things but the arguing just became such a huge part of our marriage that I think he... I think he just lost interest in us... he didn't want to put the effort in anymore and found more enjoyment in other people." Juliet muttered causing her voice to break.

"In other women?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Juliet couldn't confirm or deny that point. She had just been putting two and two together yet had never actually approached Matt on the topic. By the time she had figured it out, it was too late, things between them had ended anyway. So instead, she had just been trying to cope with the situation she now found herself in and get over the huge part of her life she had so suddenly lost.

"I just..." Juliet began before shaking her head. "...honestly, I just don't want to talk about this now. I don't want to get upset, I'm sick of it."

This had been the reason Juliet hadn't told Sophie yet... because she wasn't ready. She hadn't felt ready to talk to anyone about it and answer their questions because it just made her upset.

The past few months had been so difficult for her and she had suffered day in and day out with that sudden feeling of loss. A man she had spent so much of her life with was no longer apart of it and everything about that felt wrong.

She had felt lonely, more lonely than she ever had before yet had done everything in her power to push past those emotions. She had her kids and that was what mattered the most. She felt lost without Matt but she could never be alone with her children by her side, supporting her every step of the way.

She hadn't expected any of this but life was a test and this was one she was going to have to battle through.

"Okay... we'll stop talking about it..." Sophie began, her voice soft yet determination suddenly covering her face. "...but just know that I'm getting a flight to England tomorrow and I'm coming to see you."

"Wait...wh-what?" Juliet stumbled her words in complete shock yet she received no answer as the Facetime immediately cut out.


...

to be continued

...

‘I need an update Sophie Carter!” Juliet insisted as she looked at the screen of her iPhone to see Sophie grinning back at her.

This girl was very good at giving absolutely nothing away. Juliet hadn’t spoken to Sophie in weeks yet so far it wasn’t proving so easy to get the gossip she had been hoping for.

“I have read too much shit online, now its time I get the real update from the girl herself!”

“There really isn’t much to tell.” Sophie replied as she rested her MacBook on her office table and took a seat so she was in frame. Now Juliet was able to take in the views behind her, appreciating the large ceiling height windows that provided a beautiful view over New York City.

“Then I will start by asking how you and Todd are doing? How is my dear brother-in-law treating you? Or, how are you treating him should I ask instead?’

As Juliet asked that question Sophie ran her hand through her beautiful blonde locks of hair before flipping it over her shoulder.

“We’re not together anymore.” Sophie said so simply as though it wasn’t going to be shocking news to Juliet.

“Um… what?!” Juliet exasperated as a look of shock covered her features. This was the first she had heard of this and had no ideas as to why this could have happened.

“We're not together.” Sophie repeated as she continued to busy herself by holding up different fabrics to the light of the city below her.

“You’re going to have to give me more than that Sophie Carter because I am so confused right now! This is like breaking news! What happened?”

Chuckling, Sophie placed the fabrics she was holding back on her desk before facing the camera.

“Nothing happened. It wasn’t anything huge. I just decided to end it.”

Initially, Juliet was shocked at how cool and calm Sophie was being about this but she quickly reminded herself of who she was talking to.

“You got bored?”

“Mmm, not bored, I was just ready for a bit of a change. I’m sure we’ll get back together at some point but right now I am truly living my best life. Didn’t anyone tell you that Christmas is the best time to be single?’

“Um…. No?’ Juliet looked at Sophie in question as she got a patronising smile in response. It was one that used to frustrate her however as she had gotten older she had just learned to let it go over her head.

“There are so many parties going on in New York around this time and parties lead to men… hot businessmen, hot sportsmen, and hot policemen…”

“Oh my God! You’re sleeping with Jace again aren’t you?” Juliet exasperated, immediately picking up on the hint.

Sophie didn’t have to say anything for Juliet to know she was right. Although it was partly surprising, it also wasn’t at the same time. The pair had remained friends and as far as Juliet was aware, had continued to meet up on a regular basis. It was inevitably going to happen the moment things with her and Todd came to an end.

“Are you like dating him or something?”

“No! Of course not. I’m single and Jace just happens to be one of the guys I’m sleeping with. Like I said, Christmas is the best time to be single.”

Although Sophie seemed confident in her words, Juliet wasn’t so sure. Sophie hadn’t changed since being with Todd however, time had matured her, yet this woman seemed like the old Sophie was back in full force.

“So how are you spending your Christmas then?” Juliet asked. “Just partying?’

“That will definitely be one of the things I do but I’m having Christmas Day at mine with the kids… my mum, dad, sister and brother will be there with their families too.” Sophie began yet Juliet could tell she wasn’t quite finished by the tone in her voice. “And Aaron is coming to spend it with us as well.”

“He is? He’s coming to spend Christmas in New York? Seriously?’

“Shocking right?’ Sophie laughed and it truly was.

New York had been the starter of all of their problems and Aaron hadn’t been a fan of the place since. When the pair had both moved on to start their new lives, he had avoided going out there and had the kids switch between there and Brighton. Therefore, the fact he was choosing to go and spend Christmas in the city was incredibly shocking to Juliet.

“Is he taking Georgia and their kids?’ Juliet asked referring to Aaron’s girlfriend of many years.

“No actually, he’s not. She’s spending it with her family and they’re doing something for New Year instead.” Sophie replied so casually as though that wasn’t really strange.

“So you and Aaron are getting on well again then? To be willing to spend Christmas with your family instead of his own must mean things are seriously good.”

“They’re good… yeah.” Sophie smiled with that look in her eye that made Juliet’s heart skip a beat.

“No Sophie. No no no no no.”

“What?’

“Please tell me you’re not. Please.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sophie grinned, playing dumb but she knew exactly what Juliet was referring to.

“You’re sleeping with Aaron too aren’t you? That’s why he’s been in New York more! You two are fucking around again and you’re doing it in the worst way!”

There was silence for a moment while Sophie’s attention went back to her fabrics and she acted like they were not having this conversation. She was so unfazed by the mess of this and although Juliet was frustrated by it, she wasn’t surprised. This was Sophie Carter, the girl who had always done what she wanted and got what she wanted, whatever that took. She may have grown up but that girl was still there. The one who had flown through life with guys dropping at her feet was still managing to get exactly what she wanted while never being the one to get hurt.


....
to be continued
…

It was around 7pm and while Lottie put the twins to sleep, everything that Harvey had been planning for so long could finally be put into motion. He collected the flowers, he hung up the lights and he grabbed the two bottles of champagne that had been waiting for that special moment.

The past year had been an absolute whirlwind but it had also been a huge learning curve for the both of them. Harvey and Lottie had taken a short break that they both needed to reflect and that break had only confirmed to them how much they really needed one another. 

Their babies had been a sign, if not fate that they should be together. It had been the blessing that brought them back to where they belonged.

"Harvey?" Lottie called out as she searched the house for her boyfriend. 

She could hear faint music playing yet was struggling to find the direction in which it was coming from. However, it was then she saw the glow from outside the kitchen window and began to head in that direction.

"Harvey?" Lottie called once again yet stopped as she placed one foot on the decking and took in the surroundings before her.

Strings of fairy lights delicately hung from the trees, causing a glow to surround the garden. Individual flowers of all colours left a trail along the floor of the decking, creating a beautiful display that lead to the main event. 

Standing before her was Harvey, looking as breathtaking as ever dressed in a shirt without a cap of any kind covering his head. 

The table beside him was set and finished with a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of red roses, just adding to the magic of this whole set up.

"H-harvey..." Lottie stuttered for the third time and watched as a huge smile spread across his lips.

"Lottie." He responded while holding out a hand towards her.

As she placed hers in his, Lottie felt a wash of butterflies erupt through her, feeling like the first time she had ever touched him. The nerves she was feeling brought her right back to high school when they first started dating yet she wasn't even sure why she was feeling this way.

"What is this?"

"It's..." Harvey began before pausing and taking her other hand. "I wanted to treat you and.... and tell you how much I love you." 

Taking a deep breath, Harvey suddenly felt nervous too, causing an emotion only this girl was ever able to give him.

"I love you Lottie Sky, so much. You're the only girl I have ever loved and cared about this much."

"And I love you too Harvey, so so much." Lottie responded, giving his hands a tight squeeze before he continued.

"From the first time back in school that we spoke I knew that you were different. Even though we lived in completely different worlds there was always something about you that I was drawn to. You weren't like any other girl I knew and I always felt comfortable around you, like I could tell you anything. That's never changed and instead has just grown."

"I've always felt that way about you too. That popular heartbreaker never fooled me." Lottie grinned causing Harvey to laugh.

"No?"

"Not at all. I saw through it and I turned out to be right because that gorgeous exterior also comes along with a teddy bear interior too, which I love so much."

"God I love you more than I ever thought possible." Harvey breathed as he looked into the eyes of the woman who had his heart and always would. "...and even though we have been through some rough times, I never stopped loving you, ever."

"Harvey...." Lottie mumbled once again as she tried to compose the emotions threatening tears to fall.  

"You've given me everything I could have ever asked for. I love you, as my girlfriend but also as a best friend and I wouldn't wish to spend the rest of my life with anyone else."

A gasp fell from Lottie's lips as Harvey began to kneel down onto the ground. She felt her own heart physically thumping against her chest, so could only imagine what Harvey was feeling too.

She knew what was coming and couldn't stop the tears from falling. Everything about this moment felt perfect and as cliche as it sounded, she felt on top of the world.

"Lottie Sky, I know I've done this once before but I wanted to do it again because I know I want it more than anything else..."

Nodding her head, Lottie could not physically speak as she just looked into her boyfriend's eyes with so much love in her own.

"I want to carry on making memories with you by my side, as a family... but not as my girlfriend...as my wife instead..." Harvey trailed off as his own voice began to break. "So Lottie... will you... um, will you marry me?"

There was silence for a moment as Harvey pulled out the ring from his pocket and Lottie's gaze moved from the shimmering diamond before back to Harvey. She already knew her answer, he already knew her answer... they both wanted the same thing and always had, it had just taken a bit of a journey to get back here.

Harvey had always looked at his parents relationship as the goal. Their love and dedication for one another was what he always wanted for himself and that was exactly what he had found in Lottie.

He had found his perfect girl who had brought out the real him back in high school and managed to make him happy every single day since.

"Yes I will marry you!" Lottie finally spoke up when she was snapped out of her daze. "Yes yes and yes Harvey Lawrence! Of course I will!"

A look of relief covered Harvey's face to finally hear her say those words and within seconds he was back onto his feet, swirling Lottie around in his arms. As she buried her head into his neck, he pressed his lips to the side of her hair. Even though they had been here before, back when they were travelling, this felt completely new. It felt like the right time and it felt like the only destiny this world had set out for them.

They had their home and families, they had their babies and they had one another. There was nothing more important and this felt like their own fairytale.

...

When Grace woke the next morning she was disappointed to not see or feel Max laying beside her. Instead, she was completely alone in his huge bed making her feel much colder than she had been when she fell asleep. 

Pulling the duvet right up to her chin, Grace then reached out for her phone before noticing the mug of hot tea sat on the side. A smile spread across her lips at the sight of the biscuit that lay beside it too. It was such a simple gesture but one that made her whole body warm with love.

As Grace then reached out for the mug of tea, it was then she spotted the box that was hidden behind it and that was when the memory of last night came flooding back. Max had done as he said he would and went out and got her a pregnancy test. Instead of freaking out and making a run for it like before, so far he was doing everything right... everything she could have ever wished for.

"I guess we can't stall it any longer..." Grace muttered to herself as she reached for the box instead and stared at it in her hands.

Although this all felt very familiar, it also felt very different too. The last time she did a test she had been alone but now she was laying in her boyfriend's bed after having spent the most perfect night with him.

...

As Grace headed for the bathroom to take the test, she suddenly paused in Max's doorway as she spotted him, Taj and TJ chatting in the kitchen. Quickly stuffing the test in the pocket of Max's shirt she was wearing, she forced a smile in their direction. She knew that it would be good enough to fool Taj and TJ but was certain that Max would read right through it and realise that she had been caught in an incredibly uncomfortable position.

"Morning babe." Max said as he began approaching Grace before any of the guys could speak a word to her. "Are you taking the test?"

Grace nodded in response to Max's hushed tone as the wave of nerves overcome her once again.

"I'm terrified..."

"Whatever the result, it will be fine. We will figure it out." 

"I just want to get this over with." Grace replied and when she looked at Max she suddenly felt slightly more reassured. Having him here meant the world and provided her with even just a small amount of calmness.

"I'll wait in my room."

...

It was about 20 minutes later when Grace and Max were sat on his bed in silence as they waited to reveal the result. Max had hold of her hand so tightly and Grace was sure it wasn't only for her benefit.

They were about to read a result that would determine their fate and their future. It would be a result that could possibly change everything they currently knew and the life they currently lived. 

The main emotions that they were both feeling were nerves but there was also a strong eagerness and anticipation to just get this over with.

"Should I check it?" Grace asked, unsure if she was ready but knowing it needed to be done.

"Yeah..." Max trailed off as he watched her get to her feet and reach out for the test which she had placed on the side.

There were a few seconds while Grace held the test yet refused to even look down at it. It wasn't until Max cleared his throat behind her that she finally gave in and let her eyes fall to the result.

"I'm...." She began before holding the test out towards Max, causing him to finish the sentence.

"...pregnant."


....

After a good few hours asleep on Max's lap Grace had eventually woken up and gone to put Brinley to bed. It was already hours past her usual bedtime and if it got much later then they would have a grumpy girl to deal with in the morning.

After settling Brinley down, Grace had made her way to Max's room and immediately laid back on his bed, while staring blankly at the ceiling. There was so much running through her mind right now and she didn't know how to deal with any of it. She knew that she needed to talk to Max but she was too scared to do it. She didn't know how he was going to react and with things going so well at the moment, Grace wasn't prepared to ruin that.

'You need to tell him Grace. This is his problem too, not just yours' was the message Grace had received from Francesca in their group chat. Her two best friends had been the support Grace had needed and also the encouragement to convince her to finally have that important conversation with Max.

Grace: I will, I will. I am going to do it now.

Lila: Good luck! xx

Throwing her phone down on the bed beside her, Grace then slowly began to sit up before placing her focus on the door. She counted to three in her head so many times before finally taking the lunge and shouting out for Max.

"Max!" She called and there was silence for a few moments before he responded.

"Yeah?"

"Can you come here for a minute?" 

There was no response but Grace's heart began to beat so fast when she heard his footsteps getting closer to the bedroom. When the door was pushed open and she saw him standing there, she suddenly regretted doing this now. If this didn't go down well then they had a group of Max's friends sat in the living room who would hear it all.

"You alright babe?" Max asked as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. It was obvious that he could see something was up but he wasn't sure what that was.

"Yeah... yeah... um... I just need to talk to you."

"What's up?"

"Can you come here?" Grace asked as she pointed to the space beside her. Having him standing over her at the minute was only putting her more on edge.

"What's wrong babe?" Max asked once again as he took a seat beside Grace and reached out to take her hand in his.

The soft rhythmic motion of his thumb over her skin was momentarily reassuring before the reality of the situation very quickly came flooding back, bringing her anxiety with it.

"Just promise me you won't freak out..." Grace pleaded with a deep sigh.

Max was watching her intently at this point but wasn't saying a word. It was as though he was trying to figure out what she was thinking before she even said it out loud.

"Max please just promise me that."

"Yeah, I promise. What's going on?" He asked with slight panic in his voice this time and his hand dropped to her thigh.

She could tell that he was trying to ease the nerves in her yet he was also incredibly apprehensive with the uncertainty of what was going on here.

"Right... well, um..." Grace stuttered and wanted to slap herself for acting like this. She just had to spit it out but she was really struggling. "... this all could be nothing but it also could be something so I need to act on it and take it seriously."

"Take what seriously? What is it Grace?"

"Well um... I... I've missed a period and have been feeling kind of sick and everything and um, yeah... I don't know if I'm pregnant."

As Grace finally spit out those words her whole body filled with butterflies as Max's froze. He didn't say anything and he didn't give off any kind of cues to what exactly was going through his mind. He was completely unresponsive and something about that made this whole situation ten times worse.

She had been through this once with him and it hadn't gone as she expected. Max had been angry and ended up just leaving her to deal with it completely alone, so now Grace was terrified it could all happen again.

"I..." Grace began to say, as she felt as though she needed to fill the silence however Max cut her off, not with words though, but with the most reassuring gesture she could have asked for.

Opening his arms, Max urged Grace into his warm embrace before laying her back against the bed sheets. Her body was held so tightly to his that even though he wasn't saying a word, he was doing everything right to make her feel better.

He may have been terrified, he may have been angry or upset by what this could be. However, he wasn't showing it and instead he was doing everything in his power to make sure that Grace knew she wasn't alone.

Everything about Max in this moment was reassuring. His embrace was strong but it was warm and comforting at the same time. Even though Grace had been absolutely terrified, she now felt safe and protected from any negativity that could have come from this.

Max Rowen's response to the situation had been a complete 180 to what it had been over Grace's pregnancy with Brinley and that was enough to show her the man that he was growing into.

"Have you done a test?" Max muttered as he pressed a kiss to her head.

"No..." Grace whispered back, wanting nothing more than remain snuggled into his body right now and not do anything to face the truth. "I just... I'm scared..."

"We'll forget about it tonight, we'll get some sleep and I'll go and get you a test in the morning." Max replied and his tone of voice was so soft that Grace's heart melted. 

She was suddenly overcome with emotion and for some reason felt like bursting into tears. However, those tears were not just due to the fear or anxiety over what was happening, instead they were also due to the intense love she was feeling for this man right now.

"I love you Max, so so much." Grace said as her voice began to break.

"I love you too, baby." Max replied as his thumb ran under her eye to wipe away the first tear that fell from it.

**

"So you're moving out of this lads pad then, aye?" Harvey asked with a grin across his face as Max was mimicking the look.

"I thought it was about time. I didn't know how much longer I could deal with these twats." Max teased as he glimpsed over at TJ and Taj who responded with a middle finger gesture. 

Even though living with TJ and Taj had been some of the best years of his life, max knew it was the right moment in his life to make the move. He had Brinley to think of and she needed space away from the guys and their crazy antics. In addition, things with Grace were beginning to progress but there was only so much progression that could happen while sharing a house with your two best mates.

"But seriously, I do just think I'm ready for my own space, as much as I love this party palace it's about time." He remarked while chuckling at the nickname their home had been given. It was a very accurate one too as this home had become the life of the party and there really was never a dull moment or silent night.

Although Max loved it and knew that he would miss it, he was also excited to start something new.

"What does Grace think of it all?" Harvey asked, already having his own ideas about the whole situation but wanting to hear it from Max himself.

"She's happy for me, yeah... very. I think there is a high chance that she'll be staying over enough to pay rent." Max joked and that had been exactly what Harvey had presumed.

Max getting his own place wouldn't only be beneficial for him but his relationship with Grace too. They were getting serious and constantly having the guys around wasn't always the best for them. There was never any peace and quiet and they didn't really get any time for themselves but that was all about to change.

"It makes a difference, trust me. It will be really good for you both." Harvey replied and knew himself how beneficial it could actually be. The dynamic between himself and Lottie was totally different when they had their own space.

"We're just going to miss our boy." TJ spoke up as Taj nodded in agreement.

"Yeah man, you're always the party planner. What are we gonna do without you?"

It was a big deal for everyone in this household as things were going to change dramatically. Max had always been known for his party ways and even though him moving out didn't mean that was going to stop, it did mean that it would change.

"I'll just be a phone call away, no need to get soppy about it." Max smirked, just as some footsteps were heard coming down the hall.

It didn't take long for the innocent face of Brinley to appear as she looked around at all the men before her focus zoomed in on her dad. 

"Hey baby girl!" Max sang as he opened his arms to his 1 year old daughter. 

She did not hesitate and immediately charged for his arms, flinging her body into his. As she landed on his lap, Max immediately began tickling her sides and throwing her up into the air causing her to erupt in fits of laughter.

"Stop, you're going to make her sick." Grace laughed as she entered the room shortly after and said a quick hello to the guys surrounding. 

"Nah I'm not, am I Brin?" Max grinned as he continued to throw his laughing daughter around.

"Yes you are!"

As Max finally brought it to a stop and placed Brinley back down on the ground to also greet the guys, he turned his attention back on Grace.

"You're just jealous it's not you." He teased as she rolled her eyes back at him.

"No I'm not."

Although it wasn't true, she did feel desperate to be in his presence right now. She was utterly exhausted and fed from the day she had experienced so had been dying to get round here to see him.

"Come here." Max urged as he now held his arms out towards Grace.

Not wasting anytime, Grace let herself be guided down onto Max's lap, before she immediately wrapped her arms around his chest and buried her head into it too. Although the room was currently full of his friends, all she wanted to do was cuddle into him and pretend that none of them were there.

"You alright?" He mumbled as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

She wasn't. She felt far from it but although no one in the room was currently listening to them, it was still difficult to have any kind of real conversation with him right now.

"I'm just exhausted... and I hate work... I hate being back so much."

Max knew that was playing on her mind and had been since she went back at the beginning of the week. It was very rare to see Grace show nerves but the night before had been hard to miss and they had continued for the rest of this week too.

She had been off for so long, living in her little bubble at home with Brinley. However, now she was having to leave their daughter to go back to a job that she absolutely hated every single day. It wasn't how she wanted to be spending her days but she knew that she had to.

"Was it bad today?" Max asked as his hand ran up and down her back in a soothing motion.

"Yeah, I just hate it and I know I sound pathetic because it's a job but still..." 

Wrapping his arms around Grace's body, Max then urged her more tightly into him. His warm and reassuring embrace was all she needed right now. Even though it didn't change her situation, it was the one thing that made her feel ten times better. 

It was weird for Grace to suddenly allow herself to rely on another person. She had always been so independent and insisted she would never show vulnerabilities to another human being. However, it had been so different with Max and she was always more than happy to rely on him in these sensitive situations.

She had developed a love for this boy that she did not know existed and it was something she didn't want to ever let go of.

"Why don't you go and sleep for a bit? I'll look after Brin." Max muttered as he ran his thumb along the side of her face and guided it to look his way.


"No... no it's fine. I'm okay. I want to stay here." Grace replied, which was true but it wasn't because she didn't want to sleep.

Her job wasn't the only thing on her mind, there were other major things too and they were causing her that much stress that being alone didn't sound so appealing. Instead, she would rather remain here, laying in his arms where she could fall asleep knowing that she wasn't alone. 

She would fall asleep in peace because of her boyfriend's protective embrace and it was one which she hoped would last forever... regardless of the situation they could find themselves in.

...

Hi! Below you will see a character profile update for Bad Desire: New Generation! There are new chapters coming but as it's been so long since they have been posted the story is going to be fast forwarded a bit more and started from here. 

The new chapters will not be posted that regularly so they will also be more like snippets rather than a continuing story. However, the chapters will tell the story (if that makes sense), it will sometimes just miss small details out or fast forward weeks, sometimes months etc...

Anyway, enjoy the chapters to come!

....

Harvey Lawrence

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Lottie)

Occupation: Lawrence Garage

Relationship: with Lottie

(Played by Brooklyn Beckham)

Lottie Sky

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Harvey)

Occupation: Forensic Scientist/Currently on maternity leave

Relationship: with Harvey

(Played by Hailee Steinfeld)

Louis and Esmé Lawrence

Age: 1 month

....

Max Rowen

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Taj and TJ - soon to be moving out)

Occupation: Lawrence Garage

Relationship: with Grace

Grace Ellard

Age: 21

Lives: Brighton (with Matt and Juliet)

Occupation: Receptionist (back at work)

(Played by Natalie Alyn Lind)

Brinley Ellard

Age: 12 months

Lives: Brighton

...


Taj Larson

Harvey Lawrence's friend.

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with TJ and Max)

Occupation: Lawrence Garage Employee

(Played by Jacob Latimore)

TJ Aven

(played by Charles Melton)

Harvey's friend

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton - (with Taj and Max)

Occupation: School sports teacher

Relationship: single/dating/messing around

Carter Newlan

(played by Dexter Darden)

Harvey's friend

Age: 23

Lives: Brighton

Occupation: Works at the Lawrence garage

Chenric Laí

(played by Ki Hong Lee)

Harvey's friend

Age: 23

Lives: Brighton

Occupation: Trainee Clinical Psychologist

Reece Marshall

(played by Dylan O'Brien)

Harvey's friend

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton

Occupation: Works at the Lawrence garage

Zoe Jones

(played by Alisha Wainwright )

Age: 22

Lives: Brighton (with Kiara and Poppy)

Occupation: Drama student + part time retail assistant

Poppy Taylor

(played by Madelaine Petsch)

Age: 23

Lives: Brighton (with Kiara and Zoe)

Occupation: Trainee solicitor 

Kiara López

(played by Camila Mendes)

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Zoe and Poppy)

Occupation: Travel Agent

Naomi White

(played by Debby Ryan)

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton

Occupation: Nurse
Relationship: single

Lila Bennett

(played by Skyler Samuals)

Age: 22

Lives: Brighton (at home with parents)

Occupation: Midwife

Francesca Stewart

(played by Emma Dumont)

Age: 21
Lives: Brighton (in own flat)
Occupation: Trainee police officer

....

Mia Lawrence

Age: 22

Lives: Brighton - home with Jess & Jack

Occupation: Lawrence Garage Admin (taken over from Louise)

(Played by Bailee Madison)

Addison Lawrence

Age: 20

Lives: Cambridge/Brighton

Occupation: Medicine Student (1st year out of 6) - Cambridge University

(Played by Rowan Blanchard)

Theo Lawrence

Age: 16

Lives: Brighton (at home with Jess and Jack)

Occupation: Year 11

(Played by Romeo Beckham)

....

Ellie Lawrence

Age: 26

Lives: Brighton (with James)

Occupation: Part-Time Musical Theatre Coach

(Played by Maia Mitchell)

James Ellard

(Ellie's partner)

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Ellie)

Occupation: Chef

(Played by Logan Shroyer)

Tyler Lawrence - Ellard

Age: 6

Lives: Brighton

Macie Lawrence - Ellard

Age: 3

Lives: Brighton

Bethany Lawrence-Ellard

Age: 11 months

Lives: Brighton

...

Kian Lawrence

Age: 28

Lives: Brighton (with Leah)

Occupation: Lawrence Garage

Leah Lawrence

Age: 26

Lives: Brighton (with Kian)

Occupation: Retail Manager

Brooks Lawrence

Age: 6

Lives: Brighton

Bentley Lawrence

Age: 2

Lives: Brighton

Beau Lawrence

Age: 13 months

Lives: Brighton

Bryson Lawrence

Age: 4 months

....

Lucas Lawrence

Age: 22

Lives: Brighton (with Connor and Gemma)

Occupation: IT Assistant

(Played by Ricardo Hurtado)

Lily Lawrence

Age: 21

Lives: Brighton (with Connor and Gemma)

Occupation: Retail Assistant

(Played by Jade Pettyjohn)

Lacie Lawrence

Age: 16

Lives: Brighton (with Connor and Gemma)

Occupation: Year 11

(Played by Francesca Cacapaldi)

...

James Ellard

Age: 24

Lives: Brighton (with Ellie)

Occupation: Chef

(Played by Logan Shroyer)

(with ellie lawrence & has kids with her, see above).

Hunter Russle

Age: 22

Lives: Brighton - (with Matt and Juliet)

Occupation: Works for uncle at racetrack part time
Relationship: single

(Played by Simon J Loof)

Ava Russle

Age: 14

Lives: Brighton (with Matt and Juliet)

Occupation: Student - Year 9

(played by Maggie Elizabeth Jones)

Mason Russle

Age: 5

Lives: Brighton (with Matt and Juliet)

....

Phoebe Carter-Harris

Age: 20

Lives: Manhattan, New York (with Sophie and Todd)/Brighton (with Aaron)
Occupation: Assistant for Sophie/Intership

(Played by Sabrina Carpenter)

Tiger Carter-Harris

Age: 16

Lives: Manhattan, New York (with Sophie and Todd)/Brighton (with Aaron)

Occupation: Junior Year

(Played by Tenzing Norgay Trainor)

Kaden Carter-Harris

Age: 15

Lives: Manhattan, New York (with Sophie and Todd)/Brighton (with Aaron)

Occupation: Sophomore Year

(Played by Nolan Gross)

Amiya Carter-Harris

Age: 6

Lives: Manhattan, New York - very rarely sees Aaron now
Occupation: Elementary School - 1st Grade

(Played by Alyvia Alyn Lind)

...