Cheryl & Liam’s marriage pact
● Liam claims a wedding to girlfriend Cheryl “is not on the cards” ● But friends believe the pair could still shock fans with a secret do ● Pals say the mum-of-one wants to be a “proper family”
Liam Payne continued to open up about his relationship with notoriously tight-lipped girlfriend Cheryl last week, as he revealed for the second time in as many weeks that he won’t be marrying her yet – and said they’ve already discussed having more children.
Closer recently reported how Cheryl was left frustrated after Liam, who is on the promo trail for his new solo single, let slip in interviews details about their private life as well as how she thought she was “big” despite losing all her baby weight.
After previously revealing marriage “isn’t on the cards” for him and the singer – who gave birth to their son Bear in March – Liam, 23, seemingly went on to confirm his decision last week, adding: “I see marriage as more of a religious thing and I’m not really a religious person, so no, not yet, unfortunately.”
But Liam added that the pair were completely committed to each another, saying: “We have a baby together! Our love for each other can’t be more serious, so it is what it is I guess.”
BECOMING MRS PAYNE
However, sources close to the pair say that despite Liam’s stance on marriage, he and Cheryl are still not ruling out the possibility of a secret wedding somewhere down the line.
A source says: “They both want to focus on looking after Bear and promoting Liam’s solo career at the moment and are keen to deflect attention from them as a couple. Of course, they haven’t ruled out getting married – even if it’s not a religious ceremony. In fact, they could even consider a shock wedding before they start trying again for another baby.”
Closer has previously reported how twice-married Cheryl, who once said: “I just want to be a wife,” hasn’t given up on her dream of becoming Mrs Payne and is longing to tie the knot with the father of her child and become a “proper family.”
Last week, Liam’s former One Direction bandmate, Niall Horan, revealed that Liam and Cheryl will be taking baby Bear to the US soon. During an interview in the UK, Niall said: “I’m gonna try and see them this week. I haven’t met the kid yet. I keep missing them. They’re going to America, I’m coming back here and vice versa.”
A source says: “Cheryl hates being apart from Liam; she’s in the process of getting Bear a passport so they can join him in LA later this summer. She wants them to be together as a family. She wants their trip to America to be really low-key and relaxing; she’s still not ready to step back into the limelight just yet.”
COVERT ANTICS
Cheryl has a history of surprising fans with her covert antics. She famously eloped to Mustique to secretly wed her second husband, Jean-bernard Fernandez-versini, in 2014 after just three months of dating, then kept her shock romance with Liam under wraps for months. Cheryl also refused to officially confirm she was pregnant and, at the time of going to press, still
hadn’t been pictured since Bear was born. A source says: “Cheryl knows how much interest there is surrounding her and Liam, given they’re both such big stars. They are also keen not to give away too much about what is going to happen – especially when it comes to their marriage plans – and friends wouldn’t be surprised if they eloped. They are totally committed to each other, but have so much going on at the moment. They’ve made a pact to get married only when they feel the time is right.”
A SIBLING FOR BEAR
After months of refusing to comment on the pregnancy, Liam revealed last week how Cheryl has already got Bear into a regular sleep pattern at just 11 weeks old and also hinted about the prospect of adding to their family.
When asked about the possibility of having another child, the former 1D star said: “We have spoken about this. We’ll see what happens.”
But pals say Liam’s answer was also part of his and Cheryl’s plans to divert their attention away from tying the knot. A source says: “Cheryl wants more babies but she hasn’t put a date on it. She just wants to enjoy this precious time with Bear before having another one.”
Last week it was reported that Cheryl, who has kept a very low profile since the birth, enjoyed her first baby-free date night with Liam at London celebrity haunt The Ivy. And as onlookers commented on how the new mum looked “stunningly beautiful,” pals say Cheryl’s decision to come out of hibernation was down to Liam, who’s keen for his girlfriend to start enjoying a “normal life” again.
A source says: “Liam understood Cheryl wanted to take some time away from the spotlight, but he’s been longing for her to enjoy a night out. “It was tough for Cheryl to be away from Bear, but she felt it was important she and Liam had some quality time together and she knew how much it’d mean to him. Cheryl thinks Liam is a fantastic partner and she thinks he’d make a great husband too.”
❛THEY’RE KEEN NOT TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY – BUT PALS WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF THEY ELOPED❜