Hey! Just wanted to go over some of the characters in case you have forgotten!
Laura- Valerie’s Mom
Mr. & Mrs. Ross- Lacey’s parents
Jacob aka Jake- Jessie’s son
Jessie- Laura’s sister
Steve- Valerie’s dad
Annette- Steve’s mother
Marcus- Valerie’s new step brother
Valerie- a girl who goes door to door selling bibles
(im just kidding)
Chapter 53
I furrowed my brows as I started to walk deeper into the living room. My eyes drifted from my mum, to Jessie, to my father, to Annette.
“See how she addresses us?! Steve, she is so disrespectful, I have no idea what has gotten into her. Clearly her mother as raised her with no respect what so ever.” Annette scolded as she pursued her lips tightly. My mum opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.
“Well maybe I would be better behaved if your son was there to raise me.” I told her, venom laced on my words.
“Valerie, we’re passed this. You came to my wedding, I thought that was the done deal, I thought I was forgiven?” My dad asked as he turned his body towards me.
I squinted my eyes at him, a bitter laugh coming out from my mouth as I leaned against the wall.
“The only reason I went to your wedding, was for Ashley. I didn’t even think I was invited from your side.”
Dad scrunched his eyebrows, “That’s crazy, you’re my daughter!”
I closed my eyes as I tried to get the words out of my system. It was now or never. Dad needed to understand the hurt he has caused me, and the damage that he created that can never be healed. I ended up being a little girl who grew up too fast due to his choices, and it wasn’t fair.
“Correction. I was your daughter, until you left me crying on the top of the stair case the night you walked out on us.” I spit out before I lost the courage. My voice was shaking, but grew louder with every word that left my mouth.
“Valerie.” Mum warned, trying to get me to behave, but I had enough of it.
“We are over that Valerie. It was a mistake, and I can’t do anything about it.” Dad told me, sighing as he sunk into my couch. His actions angered me beyond words, and before I knew it, I was inching towards him.
“What the bloody hell do you mean?! I can’t just forgive you for ruining my life! Because of you, I would have to eat dinner by myself most night because Mum was out and working, trying to keep the house we were living in! Because of you, people made fun of me, bullied me. Because of you, a little girl grew up to fast, her childhood nothing but a pure nightmare!” I told him, my voice rising, all sorts of emotions coating my words.
“Are you raising your voice at him?” Annette asked, shaking me from my thoughts. I turned my attention towards her, wanting to call her out right here and now for being the reason for my parents arguing in the first place. I lowered my head, trying to collect my scattered thoughts, and trying to remain calm.
“Are you going to let her behave like this!?” Annette yelled at my mother. I snapped my head back up to her, anger running through my body.
Before I could even open my mouth, I heard Niall’s voice come from upstairs. His voice drifted through the living room, and every pair of eyes were on me.
“Just come to bed a little longer. Valerie you must be exhausted over last night-”
Niall had stopped talking once he walked into the living room, looking from me to my father to my grandmother.
A couple moments of uncomfortable silence passed before Annette cleared her throat.
“I told you they were seeing each other Steve.” She said her voice carrying no emotion. I was confused as to what was going on, and why in the world my father would care who I was dating.
“Are you two dating?” My dad asks looking in between Niall and me. I wanted to so desperately tell him off, tell him that he had no right to my personal life.
“Yeah we kind of are.” Niall said, knowing I was just going to get myself into more trouble.
My dad glanced between us once again as he cocked his head to the side, “Valerie, can we talk?”
I didn’t even have to think before the words left my mouth, “We are talking right now.”
“Alone.”
I shook my head stubbornly, “If you want to say something say it here and say it now, before I leave.”
My father sighed, running a hand through his graying hair, “Are you sure about this Val? I only want the best for you and I don’t think Niall is it. With all due respect to him, he is famous and relationships like this don’t end well. I think you two were meant to be best friends and this turn can ruin your friendship.”
I leaned against the wall, resting my head against it. This it was all too much, I couldn’t do this right now. When I moved out to London, I was done with people telling me how to live my life, I was done being told right from wrong. With my dad getting re-married, Annette coming back into the picture, Lacey’s health, Josh and Taylor’s arguing, and Mason, I felt like I was suffocating.
“Sorry to break it to you dad, but I don’t care. Now you guys can sit here and talk about me all you want, but I’m leaving.” I simply stated, no emotion coming through my words.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Annette asked curtly. Her voice made me angry, I was done being treated like a child.
“It is none of your business.” I snapped at her.
Mum turned towards my grandmother and sucked in a shark breath, “She’s going to the hospital to visit someone. My daughter is more than you think of her, and I don’t at all appreciate you barging into her home and criticizing her. I don’t even know why you’re here. We broke all ties with you, so I don’t understand why you made the effort to come see us if you are just going to come here and insult us.”
“Lacey’s in the hospital?” A little sleepy voice asked from the entrance of the living room. All heads turned to focus on the mess of blonde hair and shocked filled green eyes.
“Jake.” Jessie simply said, her voice calming.
“I don’t get it, she told me she as fine.” He stated, sounding so lost. I tried to flutter my lashes and hold the tears in, I was not about to have a break down in front of my dad and my so called “Grandmother”
I gave Jake a small smile, trying to collect myself, “Go get your coat, kiddo.”
Jacob nodded before he turned and walked down the hall. I glanced back at everyone else who were staring at me.
“I’m going to go. You guys can stay here, order pizza, I really don’t care. But I hope this is the last time I will ever have to talk to the two of you. At 16 when I got my brain tumor, I realized that I didn’t need certain people in my life, and father, you and Annette are not one of the people I need. You both cause me more pain being around me, so maybe we should just end it here.” I told them, forcing a smile onto my lips. The smile was bitter, filled with venom, but at least it was a smile and not the middle finger.
Annette gasped at my harsh words, but out of the corner of my eyes I saw Jake standing in the doorframe.
“Let’s go bud.” I told him, giving him a smile. Jake nodded as he started to walk towards me.
“Do you want me to come along?” Niall asked quietly. I shook my head. As much as I cared for Niall, I just needed to get away from everyone right now. I needed some time away from all the drama and shit in my life, and no matter how comforting Niall was, I couldn’t rely on him. Every time I was sad, I turned towards him which angered me because I had grown so attached to him. And I couldn’t help but think about what was going to happen. Tour was starting in less than a month, and I didn’t have a clue as to how we were supposed to manage. Also, college was also starting in a month’s time and I needed to turn in a couple of essays for placement as to where my writing ability is. It seemed as though every little thing weighed on my shoulders, all the world’s problems in my hands.
Niall nodded, his eyes cold as he leaned against the wall himself. I grabbed Jake’s hand and started to make my way out of the house.
*
~Taylor’s Point Of View~
I had left for the hospital as soon as I had awoken, wanting to see Lacey as soon as possible. When I had gotten there neither Mr. or Mrs. Ross was in sight, which baffled me since we had been here for a couple of hours. I was soon to learn that both of them had been called in by the doctor, discussing something that I yet had to discover.
Josh was seated across the hall, lost in his own thoughts, his head buried in his hands.
After a lot of silence, Josh’s head was out of hands as I basically felt his eyes on me. I squirmed under his harsh glare, feeling uncomfortable. I didn’t even have to look up to see how harshly he was staring at me.
“I called you so many times last night.” He told me, his voice coming out slow, emphasizing every word.
I sucked in a sharp breath, knowing that Josh would eventually bring this up. I mean what was I expecting, for him to let it go?
“I’m aware.” I responded, picking my words carefully, not in any mood to start another argument.
“Well maybe you should’ve answered; you know that’s what you’re supposed to do with a phone.” Josh said harshly. I sucked in my cheeks, and bit my tongue trying to hold back the harsh words I wanted to tell him.
“Sorry if I wasn’t in the mood for an argument.” I snapped back at him. Josh sighed as he ran a hand down his tired face.
“Why do you always assume we are going to fight? How are we ever going to talk about things if all you do is snap at me?” Josh argued back.
“Well, we are fighting right now, so my point is proven!” I harshly whisper, waving my arms in the air for emphasis.
“We aren’t fighting!” Josh whispered just as harshly as I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t get why you care so much! Just drop the subject maybe it will be better if we just stop talking to each other!” I told him, my voice rising as I earned a few harsh glares from other people.
“Maybe it would be easier to stop talking if you weren’t so obsessed with me” Josh snapped, his words harsh. I turned my head as quickly as I could as I looked over at him, shaking my head.
“I can’t believe you just said that.” I told him, adding a little broken laugh at the end. I stretched my legs before I stood up from the hospital chair.
Josh sighed, “Where are you going?”
His words barely even registered as I started to walk away from him. I had no idea where I was going, I just couldn’t stand being with him for any longer.
“Taylor.” He warned, as I quickly turned around to face him. I wasn’t expecting him to be this close what so ever and I ended up bumping my face into his toned chest.
I immediately backed up, glancing over at him, anger flooding through my veins, “Look Josh I’m so sick of this! You literally just insulted me and now you’re going to ask me to stay! It’s what you do every time!”
He shakes his head, his hand gripping my upper arm as it melts under his touch.
“Stop being so difficult!”
I snorted at his words, trying to break free from his grasp, “You’re kidding me, I’m being difficult?!”
“Very.” He nodded, but I didn’t miss the little smile that crossed his lips.
“You’re annoying.” I told him off, trying to tug my arm away from him, but he held on tight.
“I’m very aware of that.” He laughed, his chest rumbling with the action as I couldn’t help but bring a little smile onto my own face. Josh and I have been on and off like this ever since that stupid kiss ruined everything, and I don’t how much longer until one of cracks.
*
~Niall’s Point Of View~
As Valerie stormed out of the house with Jacob in her arms, it left her dad, her grandma, her mum, Jessie and I to our thoughts.
“You are just going to let her walk out like that?” Steve asked after Valerie had angrily slammed the door.
Laura turned towards him, giving him a glare filled with so much venom that I myself had o turn away.
“She is going through a lot right now.” She said curtly, clearly angered at her ex husband randomly coming to visit.
“Can you please enlighten me, tell me what a kid is ‘going through?’” Annette snorted with a roll her eyes. Her words angered me and I suddenly become very protective of Valerie. Her and I have been on and off since yesterday, fighting over little things, but it didn’t change the way that I felt when someone insulted her.
“Maybe if you could just stop judging her you would know that she is hurting because someone she loves dearly is suffering from cancer.” I snapped not having it in me to hold back.
The room was silenced for a couple of moments, my outburst suddenly taking everyone aback. Valerie didn’t deserve the way her grandmother always bought her down, and it angered me how little Annette thought of her own granddaughter.
“And who are you to be talking? I know teenagers, and I know all you’re looking for is a good time with Valerie and then you are going to leave her like she was nothing.” Annette observed.
I was taken aback at her words, baffled that she would even think that for a second.
“You have no right to come here and judge Niall if you clearly know nothing about him” Jessie quickly spoke up.
“Tell your mother to keep her opinions to herself.” Laura quickly added bluntly.
“She is sitting right there, she can here you. And I agree with her. The Niall I’ve watched grow up is not the Niall in front of me. Laura he is famous for crying out loud do you really think he will be able to give Valerie whatever she needs?!” Steve replied harshly.
My fists were curled at my sides, anger pulsing through me, but before I could speak up, Laura had cut me off.
“Real nice of you to start caring for your child now. Valerie is an adult and can do whatever the hell she wants and I will support her. So this is a waste of your time, it would be better if you would just leave.” Laura replied coolly.
“I knew they wouldn’t listen, do they ever? Let’s go Steve.” Annette muttered as she stood up and flattened out her skirt. She fixed her blouse, and ran a hand through her hair, making sure she was perfect. That’s why Valerie couldn’t stand her. In Annette’s eyes everything had to be perfect, not even a single strand of hair was poking of her bun for crying out loud!
“Please don’t come here again and insult my girlfriend and her family. We don’t appreciate your company anyways.” I spoke up, finally finding my voice.
“We are her family, and you can’t change that.” Steve spoke up.
“Well, sure didn’t seem like it when you walked out on her. Do you know who was left to pick up her broken pieces after you left to start a new life? Her mum would have to handle working all day and all night and come home, trying to make time for Valerie. And when Laura was working, I was the one to dry the tears that fell down her cheeks. You are the reason that she can’t trust anyone, the reason why she has her fall wrapped up all the way around her heart.” I reminded him, my voice growing angrier with every word as Steve and Annette pushed passed me in order to leave.
“I can’t turn back time I don’t know what you people expect me to do!” Steve shouted as he unlocked the door.
“All we are asking you to do is accept her.” Jessie said, having the last words of this conversation as Valerie’s dad and grandmother slammed the door, leaving her house.
“Who needs cable when you are a part of this family?” Jessie laughed once Annette and Steve had left. I couldn’t help but laugh even though the drama that had happened moments ago.
“Amen.” Laura and I said at the same time which sent us into hysterics.
*
~Valerie’s Point Of View~
The entire day was spent at the hospital, and all three of us had called in sick from work. Harry had somehow gotten to know about Lacey’s health and rushed over to the hospital and stayed with us the entire time.
Niall had come around an after I had arrived, and we all sat in silence, waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Ross, we tried calling them but they didn’t answer. We asked the nurse and they said that Mr. and Mrs. Ross were working something out with the doctors, but I don’t understand why it took the entire day.
The sun was dipping below the horizon, our entire day spent in thoughts. I had so much going on, with Annette and my father; I didn’t know how to handle it. I was terrible dealing with my emotions, and all of these things piling on my plate wasn’t helping.
I was so tired of it all, and so done with my dad. All he has ever done is hurt me, and I think I’ve made my final choice. There is certain people I need in my life and it’s sad to say, but my father isn’t one of them. He was never going to accept me, so why should I forgive him if we all just end up back at square one? It was pointless, really. And how did he have the guts to show up to my house, uninvited, along with my grandmother who was the cause of my parents’ divorce?! I had to take some Tylenol before I arrived here as I was getting a migraine from everything going on. Not to mention Mason…Every time I looked at Niall I knew that holding it in wasn’t going to help as it was all going to come back to me and bit me in the ass. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him, as selfish as this may sound, I needed Niall right now and I couldn’t afford him getting angry and leaving me. I wasn’t even mentally stable enough to think, how was I going to get through this without him holding my hand as I went through this? And I hated him for it. I hated how he was the reason I smiled, and they key to my happiness. I didn’t want to be so dependent on him, yet here I was running back into his arms every time.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on know?” Jake asked breaking the silence. Our heads slowely rose as we stared at the little boy we had forgotten about. Jake’s nose was pressed against the glass as he tried to peak into Lacey’s room, but no luck.
Everyone stared back at me wide eyed as I swallowed. The entire time I had been trying to bring this up to Jacob slowely, but I was unaware as to how.
Everyone was looking at me, waiting for me to tell him.
“Um, Jake, come here for a second.” I whispered as I pointed towards my lap. Jake tore away his face from the window and turned towards me, his glaze questioning.
He slid out of the chair as he walked towards me, as I tried to collect my thoughts.
He slid into the chair next to mine, as I coughed anxiously.
“As a wise man once said, ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope’, do you understand what this mean?” I asked, trying to ease in the situation with a quote. I mentally face palmed remembering Jake was only 7 of course he has no idea what I’m talking about!
Jake shook his head no as it confirmed my suspicions.
“Basically it’s just saying that even when life gets difficult, you need to have hope. Hope is what keeps everyone going and without hope we would have nothing. Understand?”
“Yeah”
I nodded my head slightly before continuing, “Lacey, she isn’t feeling that great at the moment. But you don’t have to worry, because we all have hope that she will get better.”
Jacob nodded, already knowing this much. I mean he wasn’t dumb, he figured that Lacey wasn’t feeling good as to why we are in the hospital in the first place. I didn’t know where I wanted this conversation to go, I just wanted Jake to know what no matter what, he should never give up hope. Even in the darkest times in my life, there was one thing that kept me going, which was hope, and I wanted Jake to look at it the same way.
“Why do these things happen to the best people?” Jacob asked after a while. He glanced up at me, his eyes shining with innocence, making my own brim with tears. I wanted to open my mouth but I didn’t have it in me. He looked at me as if I was his hope in answering the question, but I myself had no answer. My bottom lip quivered as I tried to keep the tears at bay.
Harry let out a small cough, shaking me from my thoughts.
“Things like these happen to the best people because these people are strong enough to have hope and keep going.” Harry answered for me. I tore my eyes away from Jake and looked over at Harry, nodding my head as to try and say thanks. He gave me a tired smile, as a way of saying ‘No problem.’
“The same thing happened to our neighbor. Mom says that she was just an angel who forgot how to fly.” Jacob said, he himself lost in his own thoughts.
I nodded my head, the tears falling, as I made no effort to hold them in.
“That’s right buddy.” I told him, a small laugh leaving my lips. Niall took his larger hand into my own, and I didn’t fight back the sense of comfort it provided me.
“But Lacey’s going to be okay. I can tell.” Jake added before glancing up at the rest of us.
“Hell yeah she is.” Josh smiled back at him. Jacob let out a little laugh as we all settled back into our seats.
After another hour or so, we all started opening up, talking more, and occasionally smiling. Deep down, we all knew Lacey will be able to get through this, she was our little fighter. Slowely, one by one, the entire group had shown up and we all sat in the uncomfortable hospital chairs, trying to make one another laugh.
It had been way to long since we all hung out, and even though we were in a hospital, it didn’t matter. I remembered to take my own advice that I had told Jake, we need to keep hope.
“I still remember when I first met Lacey. I just knew I would have to show her a few tricks up my sleeve.” Louis laughed slightly. We all agreed and started saying our first impressions of the little girl who was in therapy in the door right across the hall.
We heard footsteps come down the long hallways as we all turned our faces. We were all greeted with Mr. and Mrs. Ross who wore smile on their faces as we all stood on out feet.
We all so desperately wanted answers, but in the moment, it was as if the cat had gotten our tongues. I couldn’t even breathe I was so nervous for whatever they had to say.
“She’s doing fine. The doctors said the radiation is working perfectly and her body is accepting the treatment. If her body keeps reacting well to the treatment then she’s going to e just fine.” Mr. Ross smiled. His eyes were tired and the smile wasn’t big enough to see the crinkles by his eyes that usually appear when he was happy, but who could blame him? It had been a rough couple of days, and we had all been stressed beyond words.
The second the words left his mouth, we all gasped, as tears brimmed my eyes once again. My heart hammered against my chest as I felt a huge brick had been removed from my shoulders. My mind couldn’t even process anything, my hand had flew over my mouth trying to keep in the happy scream I wanted to let out.
Mrs. Ross was crying, tears springing from her eyes as Mr. Ross took her hand in his own. I was immediately concerned, and I guess that Mr. Ross had noticed but he shook his head.
“They’re happy tears.”
We didn’t need any more words to be said, and seconds later we were all in each other’s arms. I was getting hugged from Niall, to harry from Louis to Danielle, all of us so thankful that our pumpkin was going to be okay. But in our hearts we knew all along, Lacey was meant to be a survivor.
It was amazing how one simple sentence can change the atmosphere in the entire room, but hey, who was complaining?
“So tomorrow I want you all to go out and celebrate. Go to a club, lighten up. Forget everything, have a drink or two and most of all remember to keep hope.” Mr. Ross told us as we all laughed. Niall’s arms were draped around my waist as I nuzzled my face into his chest.
“Are you encouraging us to get wasted at a club?” Taylor piped up, as she scratched her nonexistent beard.
“You are putting words into my mouth, Ms. Vincent. I said no such thing!” Mr. Ross stated, laughing along with the rest of us.
I let out a breath that I felt like I had been holding in for a couple of days, and just like that, my mind was at peace.
*
Bob’s Point Of View
Though life may have its crazy turn of events, I would never let Niall and Valerie go. I know what true love is, and no matter what tests these two are put up to, I know they will be able to get through it.
Many people must wonder why the hell am I so invested in a relationship that isn’t even mine…I can’t even begin to explain how much I see myself in Niall and Valerie. Although I wasn’t in a famous boyband, and didn’t have thousands of girls screaming and chasing me wherever I went, I’ve been through love that is so real that words cannot even begin to describe it. My love story went a bit different from Niall and Valerie’s as the love of my life worked at a little ice cream shop… (Hint: Refer back to Chapter 13)
This story will unfold itself, little by little just be patient young ones.
Author’s Note~
OKAY FIRST OF ALL 20 MILLION READS I DON’T KNOW HOW I DON’T KNOW WHEN I DON’T KNOW WHY I JUST I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY ITS 5 IN THE MORNING AND IM TIRED AND I REALLY WANT TO GO HORSE BACK RIDING. But really you guys 20 million!? That is so crazy I can’t even wrap my brain around that. I still remember sitting and thinking “I wonder what it feels like to have someone appreciate your writing” and now you are all so sweet and honestly I just don’t even know what to say. You are all the kindest people ever and I love you all from the bottom of my heart. Honestly it’s so hard to wrap my brain around and each comment makes me smile so much and I have read every single comment you have all left me. On the last chapter I cried like 10 times reading the comments, stay strong babies, and keep praying!
(And Talia as well is getting better, please keep your prayers coming for that little angel <3 And not only for Talia, but for every single in this planet who is suffering whether that being from cancer, another disease, anything. “If we give a little love maybe we can change the world” *Ariana Grande reference ahaha* So just take a moment to close your eyes and pray for everyone, and radiate positive energy!)
Sorry if my updating schedule is going to be out of whack, it’s Ramadan so I won’t be getting a chance to write as much, I’m sorry. I hope you all understand, I feel really bad but I’ll try to update every chance I get! :) If you guys comment like crazy I will be more encouraged to write, I cannot express enough how much your comments help me stay on track and keep writing! Just a reminder that you are all perfect and don’t have to change for anyone!!!
Love, Husna
IG: Heyitshusna (Post a picture of Valerie with the hashtag #WithYourLoveFanfic I want to see what you all imagine her like!)
Twitter: tomlinvintage