Chapter Twenty Six – Liam
Liam pulls up outside the expensive and crowded restaurant, about an hour after leaving Ruth's, looking over to see Zayn shaking his head "what's wrong?" he asks gently. Zayn bites his lip and lets out a sigh before answering "Li, this is too much, I can't let you...I mean, we can't go here" he stumbles and Liam sighs. "Zayn, I want to spoil you, please just let me, just this once, please?" he asks, practically begs, and he can see Zayn's resolve wavering. Liam decides to go with the low blow he knows will make Zayn agree to using the reservation Liam made three weeks ago, "plus you never get to go out without Bella, except to work, let me do this for you" he murmurs. Zayn nods slowly, "you don't play fair" he mumbles "but fine, let's go in" he sighs. Liam inwardly cheers, before climbing out of the car and running around to help Zayn out, he ignores the paparazzi shouting questions at them in favour of helping Zayn climb out of the car. A valet appears as if from nowhere and takes the keys from Liam, who nods appreciatively before pulling Zayn in close to his side "just stick close to me, and ignore every word that comes out of their mouths, okay?" he murmurs. He feels rather than sees Zayn's nod in response, and starts to make his way the short distance to the door.
Once they make it into the dimly lit building, Zayn turns to look at him, "babe, what was that?" he asks slowly and Liam chuckles, "that was a glimpse into what happens when I go to these kinds of places" he answers. Zayn's eyes widen, "why have we never had this happen before?" Zayn asks. Liam shrugs he's not really sure, he assumes it's because they generally stay in, or go places that Liam wouldn't normally frequent. "Name?" a hostess asks stopping Liam from answering Zayn, "Liam Payne" he responds, and she arches an eyebrow, looking them both up and down, "right this way mister Payne" she purrs before leading them into the back of the restaurant. Once they're seated, she passes them each a menu, her fingers brushing over Liam's as she does, Liam looks up in time to see Zayn's eyes narrow, before a low growl slips from his throat. "Thank you" Liam mumbles clearing his throat, and the hostess disappears, with a glance over her shoulder at the pair. Liam reaches across to grab Zayn's hand "down boy" he teases, rubbing his thumb in what he hopes is a soothing manner over the back of Zayn's hand. Liam smirks as he watches Zayn's body relax, under his touch, "mine" Zayn mumbles, eyes locking on Liam. Liam grins and nods, "all yours babe" he murmurs, and Zayn smiles flipping his hand over to lace their fingers together.
Dinner after that is uneventful and Liam is grateful that the hostess never returns, and that the paparazzi aren't allowed inside the establishment, because he gets to spend time with just Zayn. He understands that the paparazzi are a part of his life, given that he's one of the youngest millionaires in the world, but he does enjoy time with his loved ones without being harassed. Zayn groans as he sets his fork down, having finished the chocolate cake he begged Liam to order him, "that was so good. But I'm so full" he groans and Liam laughs at him shaking his head, "you gonna make it, babe?" he teases, smirking when Zayn pouts. "So, what's next?" Zayn asks quietly, as their waitress brings the bill, Liam passes over his credit card without even looking at it, and she disappears again. "I was thinking movies" Liam says, because he wants to just do something relaxed, Zayn nods, "sounds like a plan to me" he mumbles. Liam knows Zayn wants to call to check on Bella, it's just eight o'clock and she'll be getting ready to go to bed, he quickly signs the receipt, taking his card back, and tucking it into his wallet. "You ready to get out of here, we can call Ruth's from the car" Liam murmurs, watching as Zayn's eyes light up at the idea, and he nods quickly.
Liam quickly calls Ruth as soon as they're settled in the car, it ringing loudly over the speakers, before Ruth picks up, Liam smiles because he can hear all the kids in the background, "hello, Liam, and I'm assuming Zayn" Ruth chimes. Liam chuckles "you got it, someone wanted to check in" he teases, looking over to see Zayn cross his arms and scoff, "as if this wasn't your idea" Zayn mutters. Liam laughs, as Ruth giggles, "all is well here, we made mini pizzas for dinner, and then watched a movie" she explains, and Liam watches Zayn relax. "Good, can we maybe talk to Bella for a minute?" Liam asks after a moment, Ruth laughs "of course, let me just get her" she answers. There's a slight banging sound as the phone is put down, and then they can hear Ruth's voice in the distance calling for Bella, "see Zayn, she's doing fine" Liam murmurs, Zayn nods, "I know, and I knew she would I just, it's hard" he murmurs. Liam nods because as much as he understands, this is something he really doesn't have any experience in "Daddy, Baba?" Bella asks suddenly through the phone, and Liam jumps, "hey baby girl" Zayn coos, "hi, princess" Liam greets, "we have pizza, and watch Tinkerbell"Bella exclaims. Liam chuckles, because of course it was Tinkerbell, that's Kenzi's favourite "are you being good?" Zayn asks gently, Bella makes a funny noise and Liam can imagine her rolling her eyes, "always good Baba" she mumbles, and he laughs, "I know you are baby" he replies. "What are you guys doing now?" Liam asks curiously, because neither Ruth or Bella is offering that information "getting jammies, then Auntie Ruth putting on movie in bed" she chimes. Liam exchanges a glance with Zayn at the name for Ruth and wonders if his sister heard it, Liam knows she's nearby, and wonders her reaction. Zayn nods, and clears his throat, "alright then I won't keep you, keep being good, and I'll see you in the morning. I love you" he says, Bella giggles "I love you too Baba, to the moon and back" she exclaims, Zayn grins, "to the moon and back" he agrees. "Goodnight Bella" Liam coos, "night daddy" she calls, before there's shuffling again and they know Bella's handed the phone back.
It's quiet for a minute but Liam knows his sister is there, he can hear her sniffling a little, "Ruth, are you okay?" Zayn asks, before Liam can. "What, me yeah, I just, she caught me off guard" Ruth answers slowly. Zayn chuckles and Liam grins, "yeah she kinda does that" he laughs, "is that okay?" Zayn asks suddenly, and Liam can see the worry in his boyfriend's eyes. Ruth lets out a breath, "yeah, I mean are you okay with it?" she asks worriedly and Liam smiles, knowing his sister is secretly thrilled by the term. Zayn bites his lip, as Liam watches him carefully, before nodding, "yeah, I mean she already calls Liam daddy, and you're mum grandma, this just makes sense" he decides. Ruth lets out a long breath and Liam knows she was holding it to gauge Zayn's reaction, "okay, good. Because I loved it" she exclaims, Zayn laughs and Liam shakes his head, "I knew it" Liam teases. "Yeah, yeah" Ruth scoffs, "but really I should be going, finish getting the girls ready, and make sure Mason isn't being a little pain, again. Zayn you really have a sweet little girl, and remember you can call back if you need to" she adds more gently. Liam's eyebrows furrow "what do you mean, little pain?" he asks seeing Zayn's eyes widen, Ruth sighs, "he just has been kind of picking on the girls a little, nothing too bad, and Ethan always defends them, don't worry. I just think he's jealous, and you know how he gets when Ben's out of town" she explains. Liam can see Zayn is conflicted but also understands, and Liam knows his youngest nephew always acts out a little when his dad is out of town on business. Liam reaches over and rests a hand on Zayn's leg, the younger instantly dropping his on top and tangling their fingers together, "yeah, just keep us updated, please?" Liam asks, and Ruth sighs again "will do, goodnight guys, love you" she chimes before hanging up, leaving them with a dial tone.
Zayn is quiet on the drive to the movies, but Liam doesn't press it, knows he'll tell him whatever it is, when he's ready. Liam's just bought their tickets and popcorn, and the pair are heading into the theatre to sit, they still have twenty-five minutes until the movie starts, so Liam hopes Zayn will open up. He's not disappointed because as soon as they sit down Zayn reaches for his hand, "she's okay, right?" Zayn mumbles quietly and it takes Liam a minute to understand what he means. "Bella? Yeah, you heard her she sounded happy, so whatever Mason is doing, can't be that bad" Liam soothes, rubbing his thumb over the back of Zayn's hand. Zayn bites his lip and nods, but Liam can tell there's something else bothering him, "plus Ethan has a soft spot for your girl, he won't let Mason get away with it" Liam adds, and Zayn grins, "I've noticed, he's a sweet kid" he says. Liam nods, because Ethan really is one of the sweetest kids he knows, always so loving and gentle. "Is that everything Zee?" Liam asks quietly, Zayn shrugs, and nods his head, "I just miss her" he murmurs and Liam gets it, Zayn's usually only away from Bella if he's working, "we'll see her first thing in the morning, promise" Liam soothes, as the lights go down and the previews start on the screen. Liam keeps a lock on Zayn's hand and smiles to himself when the younger rests his head on his shoulder to watch.
"Now what?" Liam asks slowly as he and Zayn walk back to his car from the theatre, Zayn shrugs, playing with Liam's fingers as they walk, Liam bites his lip, it's now or never. "We could go back to mine?" he asks carefully, Zayn stops walking and it tugs Liam back a little, "yeah, sure" he mumbles. Liam bites back a grin, because Zayn's never been to his, he understands it, he does, it's easier for Liam to go to him and Bella, but he's excited at the thought of having Zayn completely alone in his apartment. Liam nods as he opens Zayn's door for him to get into the car, "it's not far from here, and we can probably check in with Ruth again when we get there, if you want" Liam explains. Zayn grins at him nodding, "sounds good Li" he murmurs, before Liam shuts the door and jogs around to get into the driver's seat. The drive is quick, like Liam expected and he's helping Zayn out of his car in the parking garage less than twenty minutes later, Zayn's eyes widen "you live here?" he asks in awe, and Liam chuckles, "yeah,I mean it's kind of ridiculous for just me, but I like the building" he explains. Zayn shakes his head but doesn't say anything else, so Liam pulls him into the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor. "Of course" Zayn mumbles and Liam grins but doesn't respond. The elevator ride up is quick and it's not long before Liam is tugging Zayn down the hall and to his door, unlocking it quickly and falling inside.
Liam leads Zayn into the living room and watches as his boyfriend's eyes scan the whole room, "what do you think?" he asks carefully, and Zayn turns to him eyes still wide, "this is insane Li" he gasps. Liam chuckles "yeah it is kind of big" he laughs, shaking his head. Zayn turns to him again from where he was looking at all the framed pictures "big? That's kind of an understatement don't you think?" he asks, Liam chuckles before nodding, "yeah I guess. You want a drink?" he asks, Zayn just nods and continues to look around at all Liam's pictures. Liam leaves him to it and heads into his kitchen to find them both a drink, he's not sure what he expects from tonight if he's honest, he doesn't want to push Zayn into anything, and he won't he knows he won't. Sighing Liam grabs two beers from his fridge and heads back to find Zayn, who is holding a picture in his hands, Liam notices it's one of Zayn with Bella, that he got Louis to send him so he could have it, they're both laughing freely, and it's the most adorable thing Liam's ever seen. "Where did you get this?" Zayn asks quietly, turning to take the offered drink, Liam grins, "I saw it in your apartment and got Louis to send me a copy" he explains. Zayn bites his lip and nods before he's launching himself at Liam, who stumbles back as he catches him, before slamming their lips together in a heated kiss.
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A/N: Hey have an update! Sorry this took me a couple weeks, I've been sick and then I had family visiting, plus work. But here you are. Fluffy Ziam alone time, and overprotective Zayn and all kinds of stuff. Let me know what you think, and as always I love you all
Until next time xoxo