Cheryl’s fears over Liam and Maya’s baby plans
Insiders say Cheryl has concerns over hints that her ex Liam Payne and his fiancée Maya Henry are ready to start a family together and could have a child before her
❛ SHE’S WORRIED THAT IF MAYA FALLS PREGNANT, LIAM WON’T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HER AS MUCH ❜
He cited his engagement to model Maya Henry as a “blessing” last week, as he gushed about how “fortunate and grateful” he was for his American fiancée in his first interview since his proposal in September.
In the candid chat, loved-up Liam Payne praised his wife-tobe for being understanding, and went on to share social-media snaps of 20-year-old Maya flaunting her huge diamond ring, while she shared intimate pictures of them kissing. During the same interview, Liam, 27, also opened up about his joy of being a dad to threeyear-old son Bear, who he shares with his ex, Cheryl, 37. Revealing how he basked in Bear’s excitement over Christmas, the ex-1D star said, “He completely gets it now. He’s been watching Home Alone – and ‘Merry Christmas, you filthy animal’ was one of his first phrases! I think it’s absolutely hilarious; I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
BITTERSWEET
And while pals say Cheryl – who’s made no secret of her longing for another child – is happy her ex is in such a good place following their 2018 split, she can’t help but have mixed feelings over the fact that he and Maya are so loved-up they could have a baby before she does.
A source says, “Liam’s
matured a lot in recent years, which he’s proven in his role as a doting dad, as well as his commitment to Maya.
“Before the latest lockdown, Liam spent a lot of time at Cheryl’s house, watching movies with Bear and reveling in his excitement over Christmas, which Cheryl loved to see. But it is bittersweet, because she also knows it could be sooner rather than later before Liam has more babies. He has achieved so much in his life, but having Bear has taught him that what matters the most is family. Bear has filled a void in his life and given him something money can’t buy.
“He and Maya are so loved-up, and Cheryl knows how quickly Liam moves in relationships. She wouldn’t be surprised if they were to announce a pregnancy in the not-too-distant future.
She can’t help but have a few understandable fears around how Liam and Maya having a baby of their own will impact their family dynamic with Bear, as Liam will have to split his valuable time in even more ways than he does now. Plus it means Bear could be spending longer periods of time with them and a new sibling, which would leave Cheryl on her own at home.”
OVERWHELMED
Former X Factor judge Cheryl fell pregnant with Liam’s baby just months after they began dating in 2016. Shortly after becoming a dad, Liam revealed how he was “open” to having another baby. But following his split from Cheryl, the singer admitted he had felt overwhelmed by fatherhood at the age of 24. He confessed, “I think I built fatherhood up so much in my head that it kind of messed me up to start with. I think it spooked me out early on, and I was just worried I would not be enough to look after the both of them.”
He was forced to miss chunks of Bear’s early life, including his first two birthdays, due to work commitments. And during the first lockdown last spring, he revealed he was unable to see his son for “various reasons”, adding, “It’s not unusual for me to be in and out of his life.”
However, Liam has recently revealed how he dotes on his son, saying Christmas was “hollow” for him before he became a father, while Cheryl has credited him with being an “amazing” dad whom Bear adores.
Last month, Liam and Maya relocated from London to Buckinghamshire, renting a £5million mansion so he could be closer to Cheryl and Bear. And while in his latest interview he admitted it took him a “while to find my footing” as a parent, he now revels in his role and has been fascinated “watching him grow into a wonderful person.”
The source adds, “Liam has shown more maturity and devotion to Bear than ever, but now that he’s found his feet and feels so confident as a dad, Cheryl can’t help but feel it’s making him broody for another.”
SUPPORT VOW
Last year, Cheryl revealed she was looking into “other options” to conceive “at least two more [babies]” in the absence of a partner. The former Girls Aloud star – who’s said she wants “100 children” – confessed, “If time was on my side and I was in my twenties, yeah, I would wait and consider more options, or wait for somebody I felt was right, but… You don’t necessarily need to be in a relationship. I’ve got a friend who has had two children using donors. Not everything has to be conventional.”
Insiders recently told Closer how Cheryl had reached out to former X Factor co-judge Natalie Imbruglia, 45, for advice, after Natalie used a sperm donor and underwent IVF to conceive her son Max, who was born in October. While Liam has reportedly vowed to support Cheryl when she gives their son a sibling. With fertility clinics remaining open during lockdown, Cheryl is said to be pushing ahead with her plans – but insiders say she’s concerned Liam’s vow of support will be diminished if he has another child before her. The source says, “While Liam’s been supportive of Cheryl’s plans to have a baby on her own, she’s now worried that if Maya falls pregnant before she does, he will be stretched too thin and won’t be able to support her as much.”
And while Cheryl has appreciated Liam’s tributes to her in the aftermath of their split – citing her as the “most important person” in his life – pals say she hopes that won’t change once he expands his own family. A source adds, “Liam’s happiness is important to Cheryl, and while she wants to embrace the set-up they’ve worked so hard to achieve, she just prays that if he has another baby before her, it won’t affect their dynamic.
“In Cheryl’s ideal world she’ll have a baby this year, and Liam and Maya will follow. But for now, she is trying not to obsess over it and focus instead on expanding her own family.”