Again -n.h-

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Sydney was finally able to come home three days after I had the talk with Emma. When she arrived home, Nathan and Emma were the first ones to run into her arms to hug each other.

Things between Niall and I have been tense, like really tense.

Josie seems to pop by every chance she gets and even though Niall tells her to leave, he doesn't physically show like he wants her too. It hurts, but I've accepted it. There's always going to be a battle between Josie and I, and for some reason, Niall always seems to fall into her trap.

It really hurts.

Stephanie and the girls have even tried to pull Josie away from Niall, but she always seems to get stuck on him. It's like she's a leech, sucking him in every chance she gets.

I haven't eaten in days because I've been paranoid, hurt, and worried about my kids. Sydney is on pain medications, Nathan seems to really love spending time with Josie and Emma has been very moody. Her attitude continues to get worse and I can't tell whether it's Josie or her first period.

Currently, I'm laying in the bath tub, with my eyes closed to try and relax myself from everything that has been happening.

The fact that Josie has been in my house and has been attempting to spent time with my kids irks me. It irks me with every fiber in my body, and Niall doesn't seem to notice. He watches, forces a fake smile on his face when Nathan tries to spend more time with Josie.

Niall is annoyed, but I'm not sure with what.

The bathroom door opens, and when I open my eyes, I see Niall walking in. My eyes follow him as he takes off his shirt, pants, underwear and socks. I make room for him, and he slides in, grabbing me by my waist to pull me on top of his lap.

Even after all these years, he still looks so damn good.

"You need to eat," he whispers against my lips.

"I just need to unwind," I mumble tiredly, wrapping my arms around his neck. Niall's hands pull me closer, forcing me to sit on top of him.

Niall presses his lips to the corner of my mouth, down to my jaw and to my neck. I let him kiss me, because I don't know when he will next time. Since when have I ever sounded this desperate for his touch? Since when do I act like this? This torn?

"Niall," I whisper, gasping when his lips stay on my neck. I feel his hands push me closer, forcing me to run against his erect member.

Then there's a knock on the door and I close my eyes in annoyance.

"What?" Niall asks loud enough for his mum to hear him.

His mum has been over to try and help with taking care of Sydney. She's been a huge help, and it's been helping me redirect most of my attention to Emma and Nathan.

"Josie is at the front door, Niall. Asking for you."

I push myself off of Niall immediately, suddenly remembering that Josie has been all over Niall. When his eyes meet mine, I can see the hurt in them, and my heart clenches. Why does this happen to us? Why?

"Send her away," Niall says.

"Trust me, I tried."

Niall sighs, "Just give me a second."

This is the most I've heard come out of his mouth since we've argued, and it breaks my heart.

"Go," I mumble, my voice barely audible.

"Jess, I'm trying," he says, almost begging me to listen to him, "She won't stop."

"Not my problem," I say as I get up from the bath tub, grabbing a towel and drying myself off. I wrap the towel around my body and the second my feet step into my bedroom, the door bursts open revealing her.

Maura is standing behind her, pissed as fuck.

"Jessica, do you know where Niall is?" Josie asks, batting her fake eyelashes at me.

"Naked and all ready to fucking go in the bathroom," I say, grabbing my clean set of clothes from the bed and walking past her. I don't miss the disappointed look that Maura gives me as I walk past her, into the bathroom that the kids use.

Shutting the door behind me, I place my back against it and cry. My hand turns the lock and within seconds, I slide down and am sitting on the floor, sobbing with my knees pulled up to my chest.

I need it to stop, I need her to stop. Why does this happen to us? Was this her plan? To finally gain control of Niall and my family? To leave me completely heartbroken and mad?

There is a knock on the door, but I don't stop crying.

"Jess, unlock the door please," I hear Niall say. "Listen to me, she's gone."

Pulling away from the door, I unlock it and let Niall open it. He walks in, shutting the door behind him and then pulls me into his lap.

The second his arms wrap around me, my hands grip his shirt and my sobs are louder than ever before. I miss my Niall. My husband, the father of my children.

I need him back.

"It's okay," he whispers shakily, "It's okay."

I don't know for how long we stay in our position, but it's long enough for Emma and Nathan's voice to echo through the house when they enter. He doesn't move, he just holds me and I let him hold me.

Who knows how long it's going to be until the next time we are alone? Who knows at what point Josie will completely shatter me?