Keeping up with ZIAM (The Contract Sequel)

First week

Liam complimented him and Ezra felt a sense of pride. It was what he felt when his coach complimented him, his teammates, and importantly his mother. His number one fan. Sure there was times when his coaches expected a lot, and even his teammates relied on him, but his mothers approval surpassed that. It just felt different when she said it, and now hearing it from Liam, it felt that same way.

They moved inside to cool off have a quick lunch snack. Liam prepared sandwiches for them and apologized that he wasn't as good a cook as Zayn which caused Ezra to laugh. After some silence the boy couldn't help but want to ask Liam something he's been wondering his whole life.

"Can I ask you something?" He hesitated.

"Yes what's up?" Liam said with his laptop opened as he sifted through all the emails he had.

"If you knew I-I existed would you have uhm... came?" He said looking down to his half eaten sandwich. Even though Sophia never really talked about him, he knew he was out there. He just had a feeling. All the other kids had two parents so he knew there was a big chance his father was still out there.

Liam paused at the question. There was no hesitation to what was going to come out of his mouth next. "Certainly. I really am sorry Ezra... I didn't know you existed but if I had, there's no doubt that I would've tried to find you. You're my son." He said with a smile.

It felt like a weight had been lifted off him. The question that has been eating at him since he could remember had just been answered. How could he not feel at ease? It had only been one night and he was already enjoying his time here. How strange. He thought.

Later on when Zayn got home, he entered the living room where Liam and Ezra were playing the console. It was Fortnite and Liam was trying his hardest to keep up with Ezra's character. "I swear this guys using cheat codes." Liam grunted. Zayn smiled sweetly because myseeing Liam get all frustrated was cute. Sometimes when they went to Louis place, they played card games and he would act the same.

Zayn greeted them as he walked in and they looked to him quickly with a "hi" then turned back to the screen. He couldn't help but laugh as he walked around the back of the couch to place a kiss quickly on Liam's cheek. With that he moved to the kitchen to start on dinner.

When he was finished he set up their plates at the table and called them over. Loki made his way around the table to Zayns feet, knowing he would give in and give him some. They sat in a comfortable conversation about their days, and everything felt okay, great even. That is, until bedtime came.

That night it was actually Zayn who, while on his way downstairs, heard faint sniffs coming from the boys room he chose. He softly knocked as Ezra stopped and came to the door. You could tell he had been crying and the way his face was red with marks only proved that he rapidly tried to wipe and them. Zayns heart ached again. He softly asked if he was okay which then turned to Ezra hugging him tightly and breaking down in full blown sobs. They were so loud that Liam heard from the floor above and rushed downstairs.

The sight he saw was one he didn't even know how to comprehend. The boy looked to him as he apologized frantically clinging to both of them as he approached. After a few minutes of just standing there letting him calm down a bit so he could speak, he explained that sometimes going to sleep was hard because he would think back to the accident.

Zayn looked to Liam with tears in his eyes as Liam sadly frowned. He couldn't even comprehend what he was going through. Fortunately he had his parents even if he butted heads with his father, and wasn't ever left partially orphaned. Neither was Zayn so he too was feeling very humbled just listening to how Ezra spilled what he had been feeling since the accident. How scared he was about being alone, ending up in an orphanage, or worse, not in one at all and just on his own.

It was at this moment each adult knew that no matter what, Ezra wouldn't be going through that, because they wouldn't allow it. Soon the boy had fallen asleep as Zayn and Liam exit the room leaving the door open and their just in case. They were both still distraught, but soon fell asleep as well.

The next morning was different. Zayn had an early morning shoot so that left Liam and Ezra alone. The boy slept in due to the tiredness he felt from last night. Liam got up when Zayn left because he couldn't sleep. He peaked into Ezra's room just to make sure he was okay, but was met with him wrapped in the covers while Loki slept right next to him.

He shut the door quietly then went to the kitchen for some breakfast which was just the ego waffles Zayn had gotten for Ezra, and fruit that he always prepped. He's honestly never had them in his life. While he sat at the breakfast nook eating the surprisingly good frozen waffles and on his laptop, Ezra came down with Loki hot on his tail. They both said good morning to one another, as he made himself some of the waffles and sat with Liam at the nook.

He apologized for the night before but Liam reassured him there was nothing to ever be sorry for. Ezra almost teared up at how Liam was so understanding. They laughed it off as Ezra barked on the floor begging for some food again. Liam waved him off as he pouted.

Later on when Zayn got home, he had help with dinner from both Liam and Ezra. Loki however wasn't much help. It was a nice family moment. Yes, they felt like a family. Somewhere within those days, Zayn fell in love with the reality of Ezra being apart of their family, and of course Liam fell in love with the the reality of Zayn accepting him with open arms. Ezra started really warming up to them only after a few short days given the trajectory of how much his life was changing.

Since the boy hadn't been out of the house for days, Liam and Zayn decided it best to take him out for a drive after dinner. Don't worry, Liam's range was blacked out with tint. They stopped by a creamery to get ice cream which was strange because Liam never allowed eating in the car. Even when they had Freddie which he made Ezra swear he wouldn't tell the boy.

When they got back they FaceTimed Andy who called to check on the boys couple of days there which to his surprise, he had been perfectly fine and seemed content. The awkward air between the three when he first introduced the son to his father, was gone. Andy felt a sense of relief go over him knowing things had been good. He talked to Liam for a few minutes, then hung up.

They were all on the couch. Zayn was scrolling through TikTok's with Liam and Ezra watching a final match for the premier league when the doorbell rang. Zayn looked up instantly with questioning eyes. Liam wondered if maybe Louis or Niall was coming by. Zayn looked to Liam as the other man shrugged. He got up and made his way towards the front door. Ezra was too busy lost in the match to notice.

When Zayn got to the door he opened it and was surprised to his mother, and mother in law standing with bright smiles. Trisha attacked him in a hug as Karen followed as they walked past Zayn. It wasn't ever a problem them walking in like that, but this time they would be walking into the living room where Ezra was sitting. To them he was just a random kid. They didn't know that for Karen, he was her grandson, and for Trisha, he was her step grandson.

Zayn tried to keep them in the entry way, asking what they were doing there but failed as they walked into the living room. Liam turned to ask who was at the door but saw his the two woman standing there. He went wide eyed as he looked to their faces that turned to confusion as they glanced at Ezra. What we're they doing here? He thought as he looked past them to Zayns expression which looked worried.