The Side You Don't Hear (1D)

Chapter 2

Alice's POV

                "Have you tried calling him recently?" Peter asked for the billionth time this week in between bites of his sandwich.  I sat across from him with Clark in my lap, a fork in my hand, and a mouth full of pasta, giving him a death glare.  He raised his hands as if saying, 'forget I asked' before focusing back on his sandwich.  I sighed; the poor boy cared so much and deserved an answer.

                "I tried last night, but he didn't answer," I responded, getting a look of pity from his sweet blue eyes.  I looked down at Clark, who was playing with his teddy bear, before continuing, "At least it didn't go straight to voicemail this time," I offered, trying to look on the bright side.  Peter smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.  The waiter came with the bill, breaking the awkward silence.  "You spoil me too much." I joked as he laid a few dollars on the table for the tip and stood up .

                "Anything for you and Clark," he smiled as he donned is coat and lifted the baby off my lap to put him back in his stroller, "you actually don't let me spoil you enough!  I'd be more than happy to drive you two around instead of having you walk around in the rain all the time."

                "Thank you, but that's doing too much!  You don't have to cater to us.  I may not have a car, but at least Clark makes sure I get my exercise this way." I laughed, starting to push the stroller out of the tiny restaurant.  He sighed, knowing I'd answer him that way, as I always do.  It was about five blocks back to our apartment: not far if you ask me.  Peter, however, lived a few blocks closer, but he insists on walking past his home to make sure I get back in one piece.  Most days, he stays at my house for a few hours before heading off to work his night shift, but he left me alone today, knowing that I needed it.

                I had just put Clark down for bed a few hours after returning home and quietly closed his door when my small, prepaid cell phone rang.  I hurried across the apartment in an effort to not wake Clark up, then proceeded to answer the call from an unknown number.

                "Hello?" I said, unsure of who would be calling me when I had already seen Peter today.

                "Alice?" a familiar deep voice asked.  I knew that voice, and although it brought back unpleasant memories, they weren't the worst ones I had.

-Five Months Ago-

                "He's not coming," Liam said sadly, hanging his head.  He was sitting in the chair next to my hospital bed as I sat holding my new born son.  I had asked when Harry was going to come meet Clark, and Liam's answer left me confused.   What did he mean harry wasn't coming?  Surely he wanted to see his son, as he had chosen the name just last week.  Liam looked up at me, his eyes teary, and it was clear he didn't want to be the one to tell me his bad news.  "He doesn't want anything to do with Clark.  He's working things out with management.  I'm so sorry." Liam finished, a tear finally escaping his eye and rolling down his cheek.

                He couldn't be telling the truth.  this had to be some kind of joke.  Harry had been excited to be a father, at least he had been yesterday.  He wanted nothing more than to hold Clark in his arms and raise him to be a gentleman, I just knew it.  But I suppose I was wrong, as he isn't here doing so.  Liam waited patiently as this information sunk in.  His eyes never left mine, and I could tell that it honestly pained him to have to tell me these things.  I looked down, unwillingly accepting that Clark and I would be alone from now on.  This isn't how I imagined his first day to be, but this is what it has come to.  I have to stay strong for Clark and be everything that Harry was supposed to be.  I looked back at Liam as he stood up.  He reached back and pulled out a piece of paper and a small teddy bear from his back pocket.

                "This is for Clark," he said, lying the teddy bear next to my sleeping little boy, "and this is for you," he continued as he put the paper on the table next to the bed, "It's our management's number if you have any questions about how Harry will be involved from here on out." I couldn't bring myself to thank him, as I was still in complete shock from the unbelievable information he had told me.  Liam leaned down and kissed Clark's head, followed by my forehead, before walking to the door.  He looked at me one last time, nodded remorsefully, and exited the room, leaving the two of us completely alone.

-Present Time-

                "Liam?" I asked, after the initial shock and recognition of hearing his voice.

                "Yeah, hi Alice.  How are you?" Liam asked as sweetly and genuinely as only Liam Payne could.

                "I'm hanging in there, thanks.  Sorry, but can I ask why you're calling me?"  I couldn't think of any other way to ask this.  I knew it was pretty rude of me, but what was I supposed to say to someone I hadn't spoken to in five months that once was someone I could talk to about everything?  He had left just as suddenly as Harry, but at least had the decency to say goodbye.  I heard the click of a closing door on the other side of the line and followed by a clear hesitation on his part.

                "I just... wanted to know how you've been holding up.  It's been too long." He offered, but I could tell that there was more on his mind than what he was saying.  Part of me wanted to question him, but another part of me was overwhelmed by the simple fact that I was speaking to him again.

                "Well this isn't how I planned the last few to go, but I've played the hand I've been dealt the best I can," I answered him, but couldn't resist trying to get more information, "Liam, what's the real reason you've called?"  He seemed to hesitate again, but sighed, giving in and choosing to give me a real answer.

                "I just got tired of watching Harry ignore or deny your calls when it was clear you had something important to say.  I decided that if he wasn't going to talk to you, I would, and then attempt to convey your message into his thick skull." he laughed and I smiled.  Liam was so sweet, it was almost too much to bear, making me emotional.  I missed him, I missed all of them, secretly even Harry.

                "That is very sweet of you, Liam," I answered, "but it's really more of a personal issue that I needed to speak to Harry about." Of course I wanted to talk to Liam, but I just couldn't about this.

                "I'm sorry, but he's not going to listen to you," he said bluntly, catching me of guard, "Look, we're all flying home tonight.  Let me take you out to lunch tomorrow and we'll talk about things and catch up."  I hesitated, not knowing exactly what to do in this situation, as it was so unexpected.  He could clearly sense my uncertainty and saved me from answering, "I'll take your lack of declination as a yes.  I'll text you the address of the restaurant, don't forget to bring baby Clark, and I'll see you tomorrow!" He finished in a hurry, as if he didn't want to be caught talking to me, and hung up before I could say goodbye.  I was dumbfounded.  What on God's green earth was  I getting into?