~~~One Year Later~~~
***Melanie's P.O.V***
Darcy sat in the small sand box Harry had built for her, a huge smile spread across her features as her and Harry built sand castles together. She had grown up so quickly, and grew more and more beautiful every passing minute. Harry smiled at her, as she giggled when he lifted his bucket, the castle toppling over.
"Are you laughing at daddy?" Harry playfully gasped at Darcy, placing his hand over his chest, acting hurt. Darcy's eyes lit up with laughter as she giggles, nodding her head.
"Mine is better!" she laughed. Harry gasped at her and she smiled up at him, with her bright green eyes that matched Harry's perfectly. I smiled as I sat on the deck watching them, whilst flicking through my magazine.
"Na-ah!" Harry pouted. "Daddy's is way better!" he teased.
"It fell over daddy!" she laughed, shaking her head, her brown curls bouncing as she did so. Harry laughed along with her, then looked over at me.
"Mommy thinks mine is good, right mummy?" he smirked at me, causing me to laugh shaking me head, and Darcy's laughter grew even louder when I shook my head.
"Sorry, but Darcy's is waaaaay better!" I smirked, Darcy laughing and sticking her tongue out at him.
"See! Mommy likes mine better! she teased. Harry shook his head playfully, and went back to creating another one. I returned my attention back to my magazine, admiring some of the dresses and cringing at some.
I was startled when a finger curled around the top of the magazine, pulling it down, revealing a mop of brown curls, and bright emerald eyes.
"Excuse me Mrs Styles, but I was expecting you to be on my side." he smirked, sitting next to me on the deck.
"I am, but I can't lie now can I? Darcy's actually stayed standing." I teased, causing his dimples I loved so much to appear and he laughed.
"Maybe I need to teach you a lesson, hmm?" he whispered in my ear, goose bumps spreading down my arms as I felt his lips press to my neck, trailing upwards.
"Maybe I should teach you how to built a proper sand castle. Or maybe you could get some lessons from your daughter?" I mocked wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Teasing leads to punishments you know babe." he purred into the crook of my neck.
"Uncle Tommo is here!!"
Harry groaned and I laughed as Louis stormed out onto the deck.
"Uncle Lou!" Darcy cheered.
"There is my favourite little girl!" he beamed racing over to her and picking her up, spinning her around as she giggles happily.
"Careful Louis." Harry warned. I pushed at his chest softly, hinting for him to chill out and he sighed, returning his attention to me.
"Why does he always turn up the minute we're about to have sex?" he huffed.
"He doesn't. It's only been three days." I reasoned.
"Still." he huffed. "He did right now."
"We weren't going to. Darcy couldn't have stayed in the sand pit by herself." I noted
"I would have put her in bed." Harry reasoned.
"At 3:30?" I scoffed.
"Kids need naps." he smirked. "Just as adults need certain things." he winked, causing me to laugh. Louis placed himself beside me and hugged me from the side.
"Long time no see Mel" he smiled. "How have you been?"
"Good, and you?" I smiled. He nodded as his answer but stared out into the distance with some odd look on his face that I couldn't quite decipher.
"Lou, what's up?" I asked.
"Nothing," he shrugged. "I'm good." he forced a smile.
I jumped in a fright a little when Harry's phone went off. He laughed slightly before answering the phone. "Hello?" he asked. He listened to the reply. "yeah I have the paperwork." he replied. "Right now?" he groaned. "Ugh, fine. On my way, seeya mate." he huffed.
"Work?" I questioned, earning a nod from him in reply. I smiled in understanding. He got up after kissing me and headed inside.
"Just got to drop off some paper work. Be back in an hour at the most." he called.
"Okay later babe." I smiled. He blew a kiss, and I chuckled, pretending to catch it, before he walked off. Seconds later I heard the front door close and the car start up.
"Now he is gone," I turned my attention back to Louis. "What is up?"
"I'm that transparent, huh?" he sighed softly, smiling slightly.
"That, and I know you too well." I teased. "So spill it."
Louis let out a laugh, but it wasn't a genuine one. It was forced, and very fake, and I knew something was troubling him. I placed my hand on his shoulder in encouragement, and he took a deep breath, before looking at me with worried eyes.
"It's Zayn." he confessed.
"What about him? Has something happened to him? Is he okay?" I gushed in concern. I knew it was not good news simply by the way Louis was acting.
"We don't know if he's okay, that's the problem. He's gone missing." he spoke quietly. "Last night he said he had something to do and he would be back later, but he never returned. His clothes are all gone,he won't reply to texts, he won't answer the phone. He's completely off the radar, and just vanished into thin air."
"Why would he do that?" I gasped in shock, worry of Zayn flooding into me.
"He still hasn't got over you yet, Mel. He knows you love Harry, and doesn't want to get in between you two. I'm guessing he took off thinking getting away from you would solve everything." Louis sighed.
"Do you think he'll come back?" my voice quivered.
"I doubt it." Lou whispered.
I buried my head into my hands, concern and worry pumping through my veins. I was broken from my thoughts as Darcy tapped my knee.
"Momma, what's wrong?" she asked softly, looking up at me with worry filling her eyes, as she tugged at the hem of my dress.
"Nothing honey." I forced a smile, lifting her up onto my lap. Her beautiful smile returned when I did so as she wrapped her small arms around me. I kissed the top of her head. "Mommy's just tired." I covered up.
"Oh, okay." she smiled. "I'm tired too." she yawned.
"Do you want a nap sweetie?" I asked. She nodded, and I laughed softly, thinking of Harry and how he said kids could in fact nap this early in the day. I carried her inside up the steps, Louis following behind.
I took her into her room, and placed her in her bed. She smiled up at me as I tucked her in, tugging her blankets up to her chin. I kissed her forehead, and turned on the fairy lights and closed the curtains and Louis turned off the main light. "Night sweetheart." I smiled, heading to the door.
"Momma?"
"Yes baby?" I replied, spinning around when she spoke up again.
"Who is J-Jai" she asked, stuttering on the name, not completely sure how to pronounce it. I glanced at the spare crib on the other side of the room and smiled, as I walked back over to Darcy.
"Oh, he will be your brother some day." I explained vaguely. She smiled up at me excitedly.
"Will he be here soon?" she replied. I laughed at her enthusiasm and I heard Louis laughing too, as he walked up beside me.
"I have a feeling he will be here very soon." Louis winked at me and I laughed.
"Good." she yawned. "Night momma, night Lou."
"Night baby." I smiled as we headed out the door and into the lounge.
Louis and I sat down on the couch in silence, both of our eyes locked on the floor as we sat in deep thought, thinking of where Zayn could be.
"You should try calling him." Louis broke the silence. I looked up at him confused at his statement.
"You said he won't answer calls?" I asked.
"Our calls." he corrected. "since he is...ya know, in love with you, he might reply to you." he explained. I didn't think me calling him would be the best idea, but I was worried about him, and wanted to know how he was. I didn't have to say I loved him back, since I don't, but I could still ask how he is.
"Worth a shot." I shrugged, picking up my phone, and calling him.
Ring
Ring
Ring
Ring
"C'mon." I grumbled.
Ring
Ring
"Hi-"
"Oh thank God! Zayn-!"
"You've reached the voice mail of Zayn Malik. Sorry I'm busy right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you."
Beep.
"Damn." I muttered, but cleared my throat when I realized it was recording. "Zanie, it's Melanie. Where are you? Please come home! At least call me! I'm worried about you, we all are. You can't run from your problems. Please," I croaked. "Come home."
I sighed and hung up, throwing my phone onto the couch. Louis rubbed my back in comfort at my attempt.
"It was worth a shot." he whispered. "Maybe he'll get the message and call back."
"Maybe." I muttered.
"Do you think he's okay?" I whispered.
Louis paused to think about it, and nerves knotted in the pit of my stomach. No matter how hard I hoped, nobody knew what he was up to, and that concerned me greatly. Louis eventually spoke up, but it didn't calm me down at all.
"I honestly have no idea."