A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

Home

"Yeah, of course..." I force out as he stands before me wide eyed and awaiting an answer.

My voice is squeaky, which is a tell-tale sign i'm lying.

I turn on my heels, entering the kitchen and immediately busying myself by rummaging through the fridge to find ingredients to whip something up for dinner. Sticking my head in the fridge while I rummage is the best attempt I could come up with to buy myself some time to compose myself.

"I was thinking we could just order in..." He says behind me.

"But why don't you tell me what's bothering you first?" He asks, pulling me out of the fridge and shutting the door.

I know he's worried that i'm upset about Jaxon again, or about the fact that he's leaving in the morning and I don't want him to know that this is all over social media. That seem silly.

I want so badly not to break down and cry, but my eyes are locked with his and it's prying the truth out of me. I pull my eyes away from his and put my head in my hands as the tears finally spill out.

He doesn't say anything he just pulls my close to his chest and rubs his hands over my hair.

"What's got you so upset?" He whispers.

"It's stupid Niall, really. I shouldn't be this upset!" I say pulling my head off of his chest, wiping furiously at my eyes.

"But you are upset, so it's obviously not stupid. Come on, Ev...you've gotta tell me or I can't make it better." He says calmly, brushing a strand of hard out of my face and behind my ear.

I look at his for another second before finally caving.

"I went on Instagram."

"Ev...Come here." He sighs, pulling me back and hugging me tightly.

"I know! It's stupid! It shouldn't be this big of a deal..." I say, tears spilling out uncontrollably.

"No. It's not. People say horrible things. The comments that stick with you aren't the good ones." His words calm me down as usual and my sobs ease up becoming just a few tears every now and then.

"I'm sorry." I whisper against his chest.

"No need to be sorry, love. This is not your fault. You can't apologize for things that nobody is asking you to apologize for." —My man in all his wisdom.

"I know you're strong, Evie, but you don't have to do this on your own. You can't do this on your own. Believe me, you have to have a support system in this world, it'a my fault you've been drug into all this anyway. You have to let me be your support system." He says, palms on my cheeks and looking right into my eyes before he kisses me on the forehead.

"Thank you." I whisper.

"Why don't you go take a bath and i'll order us some dinner. Relax for a bit, ok?" He says calmly and I don't put up a fight.

Niall orders Chinese food for the both of us and as i'm getting dressed after my bath I hear the doorbell ring letting me know the food has arrived.

I put on a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, with my wet hair hanging around my face as I walk back to the front of the house.

I venture into the dining room, finding Niall lighting candles. Our takeaway is plated and on the table, the flower arrangement from this morning is set in the middle surrounded by candles.

I stayed quiet and leaned against the frame of the door, watching his every move. 

The last time I was in this dining room under candle light with dinner for two, the circumstances were dramatically different. It was the night Jaxon ended things.

He lights the final candle and shakes the match to put it out. He turns to walk back to the kitchen and sees me.

A smile spreads over his face which I return with one of my own as he walks over, placing his hands on my waist and gently placing a soft but romantic kiss on my lips.

"Feel better?" He asks, quietly.

"Much. Thank you." I smile at him.

He smiles back and then takes my hand to lead me to my chair, which he pulls out for me.

"This is the nicest takeout I've ever had." I joke.

"Well it's a special night, and I would love to take you out but this felt more like a 'stay in' kind of night." He smiles as he sits in the chair across the table from me.

"I agree. This is much better than going out." I smile.

This is perfect.

A romantic candle lit dinner, beautiful flowers, i'm in leggings and a sweatshirt and Niall's in baggy gray sweat pants and a tight white t-shirt . It's just the two of us, and I suspect he's made sure Beck will keep my sister out late so we can be alone.

This is what home feels like.

I can't believe that the wonderful man across the table from me, is mine.

After dinner, Niall tells me to go relax on the couch while he quickly does the dishes. I try to persuade him to leave them for me later, but he won't hear of it and he promises it will only take a minute. I lose the battle and end up on the couch, relaxing and waiting for him to join me as promised.

I must have relaxed a bit too much, as I'm woken up by the feeling of the couch cushions sinking next to me.

"Shhhh...It's ok, just sleep." He whispers as I snuggle up to him on the couch.

I realize i'm quite chilly as Niall's warm hand rest on my arm.

"You're freezin'. Here..." He says, taking his hoodie from the chair next to him and giving it to me to put on.

I sleepily pull it over my head, relaxing all the more at it's warm and the smell of him.

He slowly runs his fingers through my hair until i'm peacefully back asleep again, perfectly content. 

This is home.