Chapter 70
{Niall}
After several minutes of sticking the key inside the hole, Louis managed to put extra pressure as he rattled the lock. They heard the other key fall to the floor inside the room and he pushed the door open. Niall's heart softened when his eyes landed on the curled up boy on the bed. He was hugging Ziam tightly, body pulled towards himself. Niall walked forward and sat down by the bed. "Zayn?"
Zayn didn't answer. Niall gently took Ziam away from the toddler's grasp and revealed a sleeping Zayn, eyes closed and lips parted slightly. "He's asleep," he informed the others.
"He must've heard what you guys said," Gemma said, her tone accusing. Liam sighed, his face sad. "We didn't want him to hear it. It's just, there are times like these which makes me think...wouldn't he be better off with real foster parents?"
"Stop thinking like that," Louis mumbled, placing a soft kiss to Zayn's forehead. "You're making me unsure."
Liam looked mad now. "We didn't want this in the first place, remember? Responsibility of another life. What if we're messing up both our lives and his?"
Harry sighed, shoulders slouching. Anne placed her hand on his shoulders and squeezed them reassuringly. "I don't think that's you four's decision to make. Louis is right, he seems happy. It will crush his heart if you send him away."
"I know," Liam muttered with a sigh. Harry walked over and draped the duvet over the toddler's tiny frame, leaving a gentle kiss to his head. "Come on, let's go."
Niall's heart sank and he sighed, standing up. He leaned forward and left a kiss on Zayn's cheek and Zayn frowned in his sleep. Niall wiped the toddler's wet cheeks and stood up. His hands brushed something edgy and he glanced down. Gemma and Anne had left, the boys following them. Harry stood at the door. "Niall, you coming?"
"Yeah, I'll be in a minute," Niall replied absentmindedly as he pulled the faded old photo from under the pillow. He heard the door shut close as he turned it over. Surprise took over his features as he stared at the family. A couple were standing in front of a park, their smiles matching happily. In front of the man was a girl around 10 years old, grinning widely. She was holding a one year old in her arms and Niall recognized the toothy grin immediately. This was Zayn's family. Or what was left of it. Apparently, his mother had died and his father was in jail for having abused him. Niall's heart warmed at the sight. He couldn't imagine what broke such a beautiful family apart, and how such a young soul had to endure it. His thumb rubbed against the tape over Zayn's face, smiling at the one year old. He'd always been so cute it seemed.
Zayn shifted in his sleep, hand coming up to scratch his nose. Niall smiled one last time at the photo before placing it back under the toddler's pillow. Zayn didn't need a pair to keep him happy when he had someone to spoil him, someone to play with, someone to watch cartoon movies with, someone who'd love him more than his father ever could. Niall wiped the slight moisture from his eyes. The four of them would be that someone.
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"This is delicious," Liam praised, wiping the sauce off the corner of his mouth. Maria smiled at him. "Thank you, dear.
Harry invited her over to sit down with them and eat, and Niall noticed there was one extra plate. "Hey, shouldn't we wake Zayn up?"
"It's about time though, considering he's been sleeping quite some time," Anne said, glancing at her wrist watch. "Or else he'll have problems sleeping tonight. Who can go and wake him up?"
"I'll do it," everyone except Niall chanted, because he was busy chewing the vegetables, mind you.
Gemma stood up, placing her plate in the sink. "I said it first, I'll go."
"I think I should go," Louis said with a polite smile. Niall raised his brows in surprise. "I am the only one on his side after all."
"I'm on his side too," Gemma huffed.
Louis held out his fist. "Rock, paper, scissors?"
Gemma sighed. "Fine. Best of five."
Niall watched intently as the two began to battle for whom was going to wake the toddler up and urge him to eat.
"Niall," Anne whispered. Niall turned to look at her. "Hmm?"
"Can you just go and wake him up? If you're finished eating that is."
Niall chuckled, glancing at Louis who seemed to be losing. He finished up his last bite and wiped his mouth before standing up.
Niall pushed open the door and walked over to the bed. Zayn was sprawled on one side, Ziam having fallen to the floor. The Irish lad sat down on the edge of the bed, shaking the younger lad lightly. "Zaynie."
He planted two kisses to Zayn's eyelids and Zayn began to stir, eyes fluttering open. As soon as he saw Niall, his features turned into a giant scowl, eyes blinking groggily. "Jayn hate you."
Niall chuckled dryly, the words somehow making him sad. He'd grown quite fond of the three year old, fonder than he'd admit.
"That's mean," Niall said, pouting.
"You mean!" Zayn replied, sitting up and pointing a finger at the older boy's chest. Niall kissed the finger and Zayn pulled it to himself. "No kishesh." He sniffed. "You gonna shend Jayn away."
"What? No, of course not," Niall assured him. "We were just talking. You know adults talk all the time about boring stu-"
"But you shaid It bettew if Jayn not in you life," Zayn pointed out. He pointed to himself. "Jayn." He then pointed at Niall. "You life."
He frowned, looking around. "Whewe'sh Jiam?"
Niall picked the stuffed toy up from the floor and Zayn grabbed him, shooting the older boy a dirty look. Niall didn't know Zayn could even get this upset.
"Niall loves you," he said with a smile. Zayn buried his face in his stuffed toy. "Jayn don't love Niall," his muffled voice came out.
"Why? Niall's not sending you away," Niall said, starting to feel confused.
Zayn looked up with tears in his eyes. "Becaushe you don't want Jayn!" He threw Ziam at him and the stuffed toy hit Niall square in the face, but right now he didn't even care. "You'we lying. You and Leeyum and Hawwy and Loueh gonna send Jayn away," the toddler cried.
"I'm not lying, I promise," Niall said, though he was uncertain. Had the boys decided to send Zayn to some foster home? He'll adjust eventually, I guess.
Zayn rubbed his eyes with his fist and Niall scooted forward. He tried to wrap his arms around the child, but Zayn pushed them away. "Maria's made lovely food downstairs. You don't hate Maria, do you?" Niall coaxed.
Zayn shook his head. "Jayn shtill like Mawia."
"Well, she'd be very sad if you don't eat," Niall said. Zayn sighed. "Jayn dwon't wanto eat."
"I know, but for Maria?"
"No," Zayn said, lying back down. Niall grabbed Ziam and pretended he was talking to him. "I bet Ziam would want to eat. He must be starving."
"No, Jiam shaysh he don't wanto eat," Zayn said simply, sitting up and grabbing the toy wolf.
"Oh," Niall mumbled. "Okay then."
He sighed and stood up, turning around to leave. Harry was standing in the doorway with a sad smile on his lips. "Let me try," he whispered as Niall walked into the hallway.
Niall nodded. "He thinks we're going to send him away."
Harry bit his lip. "Isn't that for the best?"
Niall gave him a look and Harry raised his hands up. "Hey, I just want what's best for him."
"And that's kindergarten. Kindergarten is his next step while ours is putting the album out there," Niall said confidently. He felt all the pieces come together. An image of the picture under Zayn's pillow came to mind and he smiled. "What if what's best for him is to be happy? And what if he'a happy by staying with us?"
Harry nodded solemnly. Niall was about to make his way downstairs when he heard Zayn say something to Harry the moment he walked into the room. "Jayn hate you too."
<><><>A/N<><><>
This chapter was written with my IPad, then laptop and now my phone 😂I have certain moods as to where to write, apparently.
Am I the only one who couldn't help imagining Zayn gently stroking Ziam while Harry walked inside and then saying the line "Jayn hate you too" 😂? Just like, I've been expecting you.
Anyways, sooo much in store for this book, don't forget to leave a comment on how it's going and what you like the most about it. And of course, if you liked this chapter, it would be great if you'd vote! (:
xx