Everything has Changed

Chapter 13

***NIALL'S POINT OF VIEW***
Right now we're in the car on our way home with a bunch of groceries. Like a million bags of food. JUST FOR US. That's crazy, I've never had someone buy me food, I always just got the scraps and left overs. I really like my new family, I couldn't have asked for a better one even if I tried because they're just so nice and they treat me so kindly, always giving me hugs and kisses. Kids my age would be embarrassed to be treated the way I get treated, like a baby. But I don't mind at all, yeah I was a little embarrassed in the beginning that I had to wear diapers and that I have to get bathed by them but to be honest it makes me feel more safe and wanted. It feels nice not having to worry about having wet smelly clothe from an accident, and Liam is just so gentle when he changes me I don't even mind being changed. Plus it's not my fault that I have so many health problems that make me so dependent. I have to admit I'm not even shy about them seeing me naked, because I know they won't hurt me or make fun of me. If anything they make me feel even more loved because I know they don't have to put me in diapers, they could just let me struggle with my problem, but they do it because it's what's best for me and they want me to have it easier. I remember in one of my old placements I wet the bed once and the boy who was my foster parents real son started making fun of me and then he told his dad, because he wanted to see me being spanked. He was really mean, sometimes he got me in trouble just so that he could see me being punished, and the sad thing was that he wasn't even the worse one. I hated all my foster siblings, they were all so cruel and mean to me, always telling me I was worthless and a looser. They would tell the kids at school, and I'd get teased all the time. It was really lonely being in the foster care system, no one tried to help me, they were there for the money and the money only. I was just forgotten. The only time when I wasn't forgotten was when I was getting teased or punished and even then I'd rather be ignored rather than remembered. I always used to get in trouble because of my accidents, I would try to hide them but my foster siblings never let me live it down. When I wet myself they would laugh at me and take pictures so that later they could remind me that I'm nothing but a stupid baby. Gosh I hated that word "baby" when they used it they used it out of spite like it was something bad, they used it as an insult and it always made me want to cry but now that word has a whole new meaning. Now when I get called baby it's being used as an endearing term that makes me feel loved, not hated. I like when they call me baby, it's like treasured or something, at least that's how it makes me feel. Mainly what what I'm trying to say is that I love my family, they've given me something I never had and took away the things I never wanted. They showed me love and kindness, they make me feel safe and wanted and that's all I've ever hoped for. To have people that make me feel like I'm not a waste of space, that make me feel like I'm worth something.
"Alright guys we're here" daddy says as he takes his seatbelt off. Wow I didn't even notice we got home.
"Hey baby boy, how about we get rid of that ring pop? Too much sugar isn't good for you" daddy tells me as he gently takes the candy out of my mouth. He then unstraps me from my car seat and lifts me up.
"Louis sweetie can you take Niall inside so I can help papa bring the groceries inside" daddy asks Boo after he kisses my cheek.
"Ofcourse, I'd love to" Boo says as he then takes me from daddy and places me on his hip.
"Here Harry you can open the door, we'll take care of the groceries" Zayn says as he hands Hazzy the keys to the house. Hazzy then goes to open the door and Boo carries me inside.
***HARRY'S POINT OF VIEW***
As we enter our new home I look over at Louis carrying Niall. I can tell Louis really loves Niall already because he's always trying to hold him, and he's constantly talking about him to me I can't say I blame him though Niall is precious and he is our brother now. I would do anything for him, except change his diaper though... Sorry but as much as I love him I can't handle the smell, I'll leave that part to Louis.
"Harry you want to hold him?" Louis asks me as we enter the kitchen.
"Ummm not it's okay, you can keep holding him. I don't want to hurt him" I reply nervously.
"Hurt him? Harry stop being weird, you aren't going to hurt him by carrying him. Plus you held him this morning" Louis tells me as he bounces Niall.
"That was a reflex though, I didn't even know what I was doing till I had him in my arms. Louis you just hold him, I'm afraid to drop him" I tell him walking backwards a little.
"Harry you're being silly, you won't drop him" Louis tells me walking closer to me.
"But he's so tiny... What if he slips out of my hold? What if I hold him too tight and it hurts him? What if I drop him and I don't catch him in time? What if.." I'm about to say but Louis interrupts me and pushes me to sit in the breakfast bar stool.
"Harry stop with your what ifs'. You're acting like you're about to hold a bomb, not a baby" Louis tells me as he places Niall in my arms and I instantly wrap my arms around Niall's torso.
"See nothing to worry about" Louis says as he coos at Niall.
"Right Niall? You aren't hard handle, you're just the calmest baby in the world aren't you?" Louis says leaning down and doing a baby voice that has Niall giggling.
"Harry here is just being dramatic" Louis says continuing the baby voice.
"I'm not being dramatic, I'm just scared that'll I'll hurt him. That's totally rational Lou" I tell him as I bounce Niall in my lap.
"Okay Haz I'll give you that" Louis says as he stands Niall between my legs.
"Harry just look at him, OH MY GOSH he looks so much smaller next to you! He doesn't even reach your chin and you're sitting down..." Louis says as he holds Niall's hands and I hold his hips so he doesn't fall.
"I know I can't believe how tiny he is..." I say as Niall laughs at the funny faces Louis is doing.
"And the overalls he's wearing... Ugh I could just die from how adorable he looks right now" Louis says as he kisses Niall's cheek. After a couple minutes Liam and Zayn get all the groceries from outside, telling us that it was getting chilly and to stay inside.
"Okay guys what should we have for lunch? I was thinking sandwiches and crisps how does that sound?" Liam asks us as he puts the last grocery bag on the counter.
"Yeah I could really go for a turkey on wheat right now" Zayn says as he too comes into the kitchen carrying what I am sure now are the last 2 bags of groceries.
"Yeah! That sounds good" I tell him, still holding Niall.
"Okay then it's decided, sandwiches it is. Let's just put away all this food so I can have some space to work with" Liam says as he begins to take some food out of the bag. Soon we all have the food put away and Liam is starting on our sandwiches, with Niall in his high chair right next to Liam.
"Kiddos what do you want on your sandwich" Liam asked us as he started to take out condiments.
"Ummm I don't know, you choose" I said and Louis agreed.
"Can I help?" Louis asks as he goes towards Liam.
"Sure thing babe you can put the mayo on the bread, how does that sound" Liam says and Zayn swiftly picks Louis up by the armpits and sits him in the counter. In the course of 15min Louis spreads mayo and mustard in the breads and Liam makes us turkey sandwiches with lettuces, cheese, and tomato, and a tuna sandwich for baby Niall. He puts some baby carrots on all of our plates and gives us a small bag of crisps along with our lunch. It's fun overall, Zayn makes us laugh as I stand between Louis legs with Liam occasionally feeding Niall veggies when he starts babbling. It feels nice, natural really, like we've been a family for a long time. I can tell Louis is really happy here because he hasn't stop smiling, and not fake smiling like the one I've seen one him throughout the years, no it's he's genuine smile that makes crinkles by his eyes. He giggles as he spreads the condiments and I watch him, equally as happy, that were finally a part of something good. Zayn is really funny, like actually laugh out loud kind of funny, not just smile funny. Liam is so nice, I can tell for a fact that he's the more maternal one in the relationship, he has this calming vibe to him that even makes me just want to cuddle with him. Right now Zayn is making Niall's formula bottle, well really he's just putting it in the bottle maker, as Liam cuts Niall sandwich into four and cuts ours into two.
"Zayn, babe, I'll give Niall his formula after lunch. His nap is at 3 so I'll just warm it up and it'll make him sleepy, that way he will nap faster. Just give him some pink lemonade in his sippy cup" Liam tells Zayn as he plates all our food, and Zayn nods in understanding.
"Okay lunch is ready babies, go sit down" Liam tells us and I help Louis down from the counter as Zayn wheels Niall to the table. Liam then brings us all our food and drinks as Zayn changes the channel from Disney channel to nickelodeon. Me and Louis nearly moan in delight because the simple meal is just so delicious it makes my mouth water.
"Guys you also have to eat the veggies not just the crisps, got it? I want you guys to eat healthy but also let you guys eat some junk food once in a while" Liam says as he uses Niall's baby spoon to scoop up the tuna falling from the corners of Niall's mouth.
"You guys heard him, eat your veggies" Zayn says with smugly.
"Zayn I was talking to you too" Liam says and that makes me and Louis crack up, even Niall points his finger at Zayn and giggles like mad. After a while we are all about done with eating and we're just sitting down having small funny conversations and picking at what's left in our plates and occasionally drinking some pink lemonade.
"Well it's someone's nap time" Liam sing songs and we all turn to Niall and see him nodding off. Liam then picks up Niall and cradles him in his arms, Niall instantly cuddles close to Liam as Liam gently swipes his hair from his forehead.
*** LIAMS POINT OF VIEW***
As I take Niall into my hold I see that he's has a cute little food belly and I can't help but smile at that.
"Okay I'm gonna take this little guy upstairs and put him down for a nap. Denise (the house keeper btw) will be here any minute so you don't have to clean up. In fact why don't you guys go ahead and watch a movie, that way your tummies can settle" I tell Harry and Louis as I stand up to grab Niall's baby bottle.
"Sounds great" Louis says with a big smile as Harry is rubbing his stomach.
"Babe I have to go to the set right now. I know I promised that I would take a week off but it's an emergency" Zayn tells me after he looks at his phone.
"No problem Z, I can handle the kiddos. Just call me if you're not gonna be back by 7pm" I tell him as he starts to get up.
"You're the best, babe" Zayn tells me as he hurriedly places a peck on the side of my lips. "Be good for daddy" he says as he kisses Niall's cheek, and the top of Harry's and Louis' heads. He then runs to the door and I can hear him hurriedly put his shoes on, and grabbing his keys. I then hear the door close and he's gone. I can tell that Harry and Louis are sitting in their seats unsure on what to do next, so as I wait for Niall's formula to warm up I talk to them.
"Harry, Louis you guys don't have to ask to go anywhere in the house, feel free to go wherever you want ok sweeties? This is your house now" I tell them as I pat Niall's nappied bum. They both nod but I can tell that they probably don't want to be left alone.
"How about you guys come upstairs with me as I get Niall ready for his nap, then I'll show you guys how to work the projector?" I ask them and they both automatically nod their heads yes.
"Alright then come on darlings" I tell them as I go get the warm formula. I then begin to head upstairs with both boys following me. When we get to me and Zayn's bedroom I can see confusion in their faces.
"Does Niall sleep in you guys bed?" Louis asks me as Harry sits in the bed.
"No honey, Niall's doesn't sleep in our bed. For now he's sleeping in our room so I can keep a better eye on him at night." I tell him
"So he doesn't sleep in his room either?" Harry asks this time.
"No, not for the time being. We set up a little nursery in our bedroom for him. Here I'll show you" I tell them as I walk to his part of the room, with Harry and Louis close behind me. As I pull open the curtains to reveal his nursery I can hear Louis coo and Harry gasp.
"Oh my gosh this is so cute!!!" Louis says in a hushed yell, keeping mindful of Niall being nearly asleep.
"How long is he going to sleep here?" Harry asks as they both walk into the room more.
"I don't know sweetie, it's hard to say. Since he was abused, he has many problems and I wanted to figure them out before I let him sleep in a room alone. For now I'm going to keep him here, until I see he's getting better" I tell them and Niall begins to squirm.
"Poor baby" I hear Harry say quietly, and not to anybody in particular. They both continue to look at the medium size nursery and as I move Niall up higher and I feel his diaper sagging.
"Harry, honey, could you hold the bottle. I need to change Niall" I ask him and both him and Louis make their way to me. As I lay Niall down in the changing table he opens his eyes and reaches his arms towards me, indicating he wants me to pick him up.
"I'll hold you in one minute baby boy, I just gotta change you so you don't sleep in a dirty diaper and get a rash" I tell him as I gently take his hands in mine and kiss them. As I gather all the things I'll need I gesture Harry and Louis to come and watch so that they'll be more comfortable with changing diapers in the future as well so they know what to do. I then begin to take his overalls off and unbutton his onesie at the crotch.
"Louis baby can you take Niall's beanie off for me" I ask him and he nods and does so, then continues to run his fingers through Niall's hair. I then untab Niall's diaper and he starts to cry at the cold breeze.
"I know baby, I know. Daddy will be quick" I tell him as I grab a wipe from the wipe warmer.
"What's wrong? Why is he crying!?" Harry asks me as I lift Niall's legs using his ankles and wipe his little tush.
"Nothing is wrong darling. He just got a bit cold when the cold air hit his little bum and bits" I tell him.
"Shhh shhh it's okay baby, I'm almost done" I tell Niall as I caress his bare tummy. I then lower his legs and grab the a bit of rash cream to rub on him since he's a bit pink. He wasn't in a dirty diaper for more than five minutes, he has really sensitive skin, maybe I'll take him to a pediatrician to see if I need to get him anything special, I think to myself. Niall then stops crying and I see it was probably because he's too tired to put up a fight. As I spread the rash cream on his little bum and penis I can see Harry and Louis looking at Niall sadly. I can't imagine what is going through their heads right now. They both entered the system when they were about 10, Niall was born into it so they probably can't help but think that this could've been them. As much as I love Niall and love doing this for him, of course I would him to be a normal 6year old. Not because I don't want to treat him like a baby but because it would mean that he is healthy. I look down and see Niall looking at me and the boys, he isn't embarrassed or uncomfortable even though he's laying naked and exposed. He seems relaxed.
"Did he put up any sort of fight when you put him in diapers?" Harry asks as he reaches his hand to caress Niall's cheek, which Niall then reacts by holding one of Harry's fingers in his small hand.
"Not really. When he was at the hospital he had an accident and the nurse put him in one because it was hospital policy, also because it was the second time that he had an accident. The first being back at the house he was staying at, so when he got to the hospital he had wet pants. From there the doctor said to keep him in them because it seemed that he had no control over it. So we did. It makes it easier on him, that way he doesn't have to lay on wet sheets till he wakes up or be in wet sticky pants" I tell them as I grab the baby powder.
"He seems comfortable in them" Harry says as he softly smiles at Niall.
"Yeah he does, doesn't he? It's probably because it cushions his little bum, he still has some bruising so the padding helps ease the pain" I tell him as I powder Niall's bum and spread his little legs so I can do the same to his front.
"Was he spanked a lot?" Louis asks sadly.
"It appears so yes, he was both spanked and beaten. At least that's what the doctor says from looking at all the marks on his body" I say as I lower Niall's legs and begin to tab his diaper close. From the corner of my eyes I can see anger in Harry's eyes, and Louis having tears clouding in his.
"He wasn't you know... touched. Like sexually. Right?" Harry asks tensely as Louis leans to kiss Niall's temple.
"No. Thankfully he wasn't. The doctors said the abuse was physical and emotional, they didn't find sexual abuse whatsoever" I tell them and I see Harry's shoulders untense and relax in relief and Louis whisper I love you in Niall's ear, then kiss it. Niall is smiling lightly with nearly closed eyes, completely content with all the attention he is getting. I button Niall's onesie at the crotch and decide to just keep him in that for his nap, then put away all the supplies as the boys continue to love on Niall and rub his little pudgy tummy. The boys then back off of him as I go to pick him up. I cradle him in my arms and Harry hands me his bottle.
"I know we just ate lunch but could we eat a snack during the movie?" Harry asks shyly while looking at the ground.
"Of course you can darling! You don't have to ask. If you want you guys can go and pick snacks and drinks, there's a bunch of them in the screening room. Pick whatever you like, okay? You guys are allowed to eat in there so don't be shy about bringing food in there. I'll be down there as soon as I put Niall to sleep" I tell them and they both look to each other excitedly.
"Thank you Liam!" They both say, then kiss Niall gently and make their way downstairs. I smile at myself, happy to know that I am making a difference in these kids life. That I'm giving 3 kids the love and safety of a family.

I move to the rocking chair and sit down with Niall in my arms. As I'm about to feed Niall his formula Choco, Midnight, and Tubby walk in. As if they knew he was going to take a nap and didn't want him to be alone. Choco goes to lay in his dog bed, that Zayn placed right by Niall's crib, and both cats jump to the crib and lay inside. After watching the cute scene, I place the rubber nipple in Niall's lips and he automatically opens his mouth to drink. As I hold the bottle and feed him, I rock the chair slowly. The only noise being the suckle noises he's making. After a while he begins to slow his drinking and I tilt the bottle lower so that not as much formula is pooling at the bottom. Niall then places his hands on top of mine and my heart swells at the cute gesture. He slowly tilts the bottle higher so more formula is at the bottom, making it faster to drink. Another 4 minutes later and the formula is all gone. I stand up and bring Niall's head to my shoulder so I can burp him, I pace the room for a while as I pat his back and then finally he burps. After I make sure that's all the gas he has I gently cradle his head and hold his bottom and gently remove him from my shoulder. As I slowly put him in his crib I stop and kiss his forehead, and then lower him completely. I put a dummy in his mouth as both midnight and tubby come to lay by him, then cover him with a baby blanket.
"Sleep tight angel. Daddy loves you very much" I tell him softly as I put some of his hair behind his ears and then move to turn on the night light and sound machine. As I turn off the light in the room I look back to my son, my child, and tear up a bit. I'm finally a dad, and I'm love with it. Raising kids with my one and only love, Zayn. I then leave to go help my other babies.
How did we not foster earlier I think to myself as I hear Harry's and Louis' laugher echo from the screening room as I walk down the stairs.