Again -n.h-

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I finish cleaning off the dishes, hearing a lot of laughter coming from the living room. The sound of Sydney, Emma and Nathan laughing as they talk to Sydney's boyfriend, Damien, makes me smile.

This is the first time in a while since I've heard them laugh like this, and as a mother that's all anyone could really want.

My phone rings, and I quickly dry my hands, answering Niall's phone call, "Hey."

"Hey, Jess. How are you doing today?" Niall asks, his voice is soft and barely coming out as a whisper.

"I'm doing good. The girls and Nathan are all cracking up with Damien," I say as a chuckle escapes my lips, "How are you? How's the road?"

Niall's chuckle echoes through my ear, and it makes my heart sink. I miss him. I miss waking up to him, kissing him, cooking with him, the advice he gives to the kids. I miss everything about him, and talking on the phone doesn't replace any of that.

"Sounds like Damien is doing a good job fitting in," Niall says, "Sydney let him talk to me yesterday. He seems like he treats her fairly."

"Yeah, I think he does," I say, draining the water from the faucet and watching it.

"The road is okay. Everyone's sleeping, hence the whispering. We've been on the road for hours, I don't even know where we're headed today. Just a couple more weeks until I get to see you," he says sighing.

"I can't wait," I respond, smiling, feeling my heart beat faster.

"I can't wait till I get to wake up next to you those three days, till I get to kiss you, undress you, —"

I laugh, interrupting him, "I get it, babe."

Laughter riots from his mouth, and I close my eyes trying to pretend that he is standing right in front of me. As if he's laughing right in front of me.

"So, I was thinking," Niall says, "When I get home, I'll have either your mom or mine, take the kids for a night. We go out for dinner, watch a movie, spend some quality time together."

"You're in a mood, aren't you?" I tease, chuckling.

"When it comes to you, Jess, I'm always in a mood," he responds, and I can practically hear the grin in his voice.

"And that's how we got three kids," I tease, chuckling.

I talk to him a little bit more before hanging up and joining the kids in the living room. They put on a movie, and Nathan immediately crawls onto my lap. He places his head in the crook of my neck but keeps his eyes on the television.

I can't help but glance at Sydney and Damien every now and then. They are both sharing a blanket, and I know what they're doing. I've been young before too, and I used to do the same thing, just not at fourteen years old.

I let a sigh escape my lips, placing my head on top of Nathan's, "I love you, kiddo."

I feel Nathan smile against my skin, "I love you too, Mummy."

We watch a couple of movies throughout the night, and when Damien's parents arrive to pick him up, Sydney walks him out. Her wobbly legs prove what I knew what was happening under that blanket.

I tell everyone to get ready for bed and after I've said goodnight to Emma and Nathan, I head towards Sydney's room. Knocking on her door, she tells me to come in and I do. She is laying on her stomach, texting on her phone.

"Hey," she says smiling, sitting up and putting her phone away.

"Hey, sweetheart. Can we talk for a second?" I ask as I shut the door behind her. My phone immediately starts vibrating, and I see Niall's name pop up. I decline, telling him I'll call him back.

"Yeah," she says softly, surprised.

I put my phone back in my pocket and sit down across from her. I let a sigh escape my mouth, this is weird. Who would have known that having a talk about sex would already happen?

"So, I know what happened earlier, under those blankets," I say. I see her cheeks turn a dark red and she gives me a forced smile.

"Mum -"

"Let me finish, okay?" I ask, and she nods. "I am not opposed to the idea of you having sex or messing around, but you are fourteen. Having sex, like your father and I have explained, is a big deal and it can be a very big responsibility."

Sydney nods.

"I am not going to shame you for having sex. Do I think you're still too young, yes, but this is your decision and your body. You're always going to be my little girl, and I just want you to make sure that this is what you want and not what Damien wants. If he forces you at any point, you let me know and we will take action."

Sydney nods, smiling, "Mom, I really like him."

I smile, "I know, but sometimes liking someone isn't enough to give them all of you. When I was younger, I was mistreated by a man and that utterly broke me. You can ask your dad, it was hard on me. I don't want that for you. I don't want you to feel like sex is a necessity because it's not, especially not with a man that forces it out of you."

Sydney's face falls, but she nods, "But if I do decide to have sex with him, that's okay?"

I let a shaky breath escape my mouth, "You have to be okay with it yourself. You have to make sure that's what you want, and I don't fucking care what he says.. you use a condom. I swear, Syd, if you come home pregnant at fourteen."

Sydney nods, crawling over to me and pulling me in a hug. I hug her back tightly. My little girl is growing up and I'm not sure if I'm ready to watch her get this serious with a guy.

"I love you, Sydney. I just want you to take care of yourself."

Sydney nods, "I know, Mum. I love you too."

"Alright, now go sleep. You've got school tomorrow," I say chuckling. Sydney rolls her eyes, pulling away from me.

I get up from her bed, and walk out of her room. When I shut the door behind me, I sigh another time. This is absolutely insane. I can't believe that I had to witness my daughter doing that under a blanket.

I really need to apologize to my own mother.

I grab my phone, calling Niall back, "Niall, we got a situation," I say softly, walking into my bedroom.

"Are you okay?" Niall immediately asks.

"I mean, it's not entirely bad, but I just had to give Sydney her second sex talk."

"You what?"

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Daddy Niall (😉) realizing his kiddo isn't that innocent now huh.

Thanks for reading!🤣❤️