Paper Hearts (Book Five)

Chapter Two

Major time jump. A.J. is six, the twins are three and Audrey is two.

Chapter Two

When I fall to the floor

Cuz I can't feel anymore

You can have my heart girl

You don't have to steal anymore

"Alexander Jace, you're going to be late!" Niall called from the bottom of the stairs, walking back into the kitchen while shaking his head. I was currently sitting at the table, feeding Audrey as Jemma and Jonah chatted quietly amongst themselves. The only one missing from the table was A.J., who was not so surprisingly in yet another bad mood.

But I couldn't blame him.

School was absolute hell.

I wouldn't want to go there either.

So I feel for the little guy.

"I'm not going." He called back, earning what seemed to be the twentieth sigh from Niall today.

And to think it was barely eight.

"You deal with this. He's your son." Niall said, sitting down at the table.

"He's your son too... I mean you're the one who carried him for like seven months so..."

"Harry." Niall gave me the "you should stop talking before I murder you" look, which was actually quite effective in shutting me up.

"Alright... I'll go talk to him." I said slowly, standing up from the table. I kissed the top of Audrey's head before walking out of the kitchen and towards the stairs.

"Alexander? Are you dressed?" I called from the bottom of the stairs, already figuring I probably wasn't going to get an answer from him. I sighed as I walked up the stairs, going to the first door on the right. A.J. wasn't even out of bed, the covers pulled over his head.

"Alexander..."

"Go away." His voice muffled from the blanket, but he made no move to leave his bed.

"You're going to be late for school squirt."

"I'm not going." I sighed before walking over to the bed. I sat down next to him, moving the blanket away from his face. He looked up at me with the same blue eyes that Niall had, he even had the same pout.

"I wish it was that easy kiddo." I whispered, giving a sad smile as he continued to look at me.

"I don't want to go Dad. I really don't want to." He said, sitting up a little in his bed as he started to play with the edge of his blanket.

"I understand, but unfortunately we have to do things that we don't want to."

"You always say that. You and Papa always say that, but it's stupid." A.J. said defensively. I sighed as he continued to look at me, almost daring me to try and make him go.

Unfortunately for him, I don't back down.

And unfortunately for me, he doesn't either.

"Your mum and I are only trying to help."

"He's not my mum. I don't have a mum." A.J. said, now refusing to even look at me.

"A.J...."

"I'm not going to school."

"Why not? Give me one good reason why."

"Because school sucks Dad. School is stupid and it's stupid that I have to go. I'm not going."

"Too bad. Get ready." I said, standing up off the bed and walking over to his dresser.

"I'm not going." A.J. said again.

"Yes you are. Now come get your clothes or I'm going to pick them out for you."

"I'm not going."

"You're being difficult Alexander."

"Dad. I'm not going to school."

"Yes you are. You're going to school and when you get back you and I are going to have a talk, is that understood?" A.J. ignored me, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked anywhere but at me.

"Are we understood Alexander Jace?" A.J. finally looked at me, a glare on his face as silent tears fell down his cheeks.

"Understood."

"Good. Now get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast." I said, motioning to the dresser but A.J. still made no move. I sighed again, walking over to him before picking him up.

"Do you want me to help you squirt?"

"I really don't want to go." He whispered, hiding his head into the crook of my neck.

"I know squirt... I know, but it'll be okay." I said, kissing the side of his head as he continued to hold me close.

"Promise?"

"I promise. How about we make a deal? If you go to school today, I'll pick you up after and we can go get ice cream... And then we can have our little talk, how does that sound?" A.J. let out a sound of affirmation, his grip around my neck loosening a little so I could set him down.

"I'll see you downstairs." I said before leaving him alone. I walked back down the stairs to see Niall with his head down on the table, Jemma was underneath the table and I had no idea what Jonah was doing.

"Mummy asleep Daddy!" Jemma squealed, poking her head out so she could look at me. Her green eyes were shining, a grin showing off her dimples.

"I can see that... What are you doing under the table?" I asked, kneeling down so I was almost at her level.

"I'm hiding from dragon." She whispered, looking at me very seriously.

"What dragon?"

"The one Jo is fighting. He say I hide, he fight."

"I save Jemmy Daddy." Jonah nearly yelled from his spot at the table. Niall let out a groan before sitting up. He looked over at me, taking note that I was underneath the table with Jemma.

"Harry? What the hell?" He said, earning three gasps from the children around the table.

"Mummy! Swear jar!"

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My lord.

We're starting this story off with a bang.

I was watching The Office when I wrote this lol.

That show is my life

Well what little life I have.

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Connie xx