Wedding Day

Getting to Know You (Niall)

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“Leslie?” Greg called through his mom’s house, looking for his fiancée.

“In the kitchen!” she called back. He walked in the kitchen door, seeing her sitting on one of the stools by the island in the middle of the room.

He smiled brightly at her. “Morning, love,” he said, crossing the room to kiss her on the forehead. “Mum and I have to pop out for a minute to run some errands.”

Leslie laughed. “Mum,” she mimicked.

“You’re still not over my accent, are you?” he asked, amused.

“Nope,” she replied, pecking him on the cheek.

Maura walked in right then, pulling on a coat. “Morning, Leslie. I didn’t want to wake Niall, so he’ll be staying here with you. Is that all right?” Leslie nodded, smiling. “It’ll give you a chance to get to know your future brother-in-law a bit better.”

“Sounds great, Mrs. Horan,” Leslie replied.

“Oh, please, love, call me Maura. You know, you’ll be Mrs. Horan in just a few weeks,” she said smiling fondly at her son and his fiancée.

“Well, bye, babe,” Greg said, pecking Leslie one last time as he and his mother exited. She returned the gesture as she went back to reading the book that lie open on the island.

A half hour or so later, Niall stumbled into the kitchen, shirtless with basketball shorts hung low on his waist. His eyes were half-closed and his hair stuck up in every direction as he walked straight to the cabinets and began pouring himself a bowl of cereal. He seemed completely oblivious to the girl seated at the island, watching him in amusement. When he finally turned toward her, he almost choked on his cereal, turning a deep shade of red.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” she said, laughing. Niall almost choked again as he forgot to breathe. Her laugh was so beautiful. He wished he could be the reason for her laughter. God, this is so wrong, he thought to himself.

“Um, sorry. I-I didn’t realize you were in h-here,” he stuttered, looking down at his bare chest. “I-I should pr-probably go p-put on a sh-shirt.”

Leslie just laughed again. “It’s okay, Niall. It’s not like I’ve never seen a shirtless guy before.” She nodded toward the stool beside her. “Come sit with me. Greg and your mom thought we should probably get to know each other better, considering I’m marrying your brother.”

Niall’s heart dropped at her words. Shit, she’s marrying my brother! I can’t like her! He nodded, though, and took the seat next to her.

Wow, Leslie thought to herself, Niall has a really nice body. And his face definitely isn’t bad either. She inspected his arm as the muscle tensed and relaxed as he brought the spoon up to his mouth and then back down to the bowl. Woah, woah, woah! Am I checking out my fiancée’s younger brother? That is so wrong! I love Greg! Right? Yes, yes, of course I do. I love Greg, and I need to stop checking out his brother, no matter how hot and muscled- No! Stop!

“Leslie? W-why are you s-staring at m-me?” Niall stuttered again.

“Do I make you nervous, or what?” Leslie asked, twisting her face in confusion. “You keep stuttering, and I’m pretty sure that you don’t usually do that.” Niall shrugged, not looking at her. “Niall, just relax,” she said soothingly, putting her hand on his shoulder. She felt him sigh and relax at her touch.

“Sorry, it’s just-,” Niall began, but faltered. What the hell am I supposed to say? I’m sorry, I’m just pretty sure that I’m falling for you. I know that sounds weird, considering we just met, and you’re marrying my brother. No! If I say anything to that effect, holidays would be awkward forever!

“It’s okay, Niall. You don’t have to say,” Leslie said, squeezing his shoulder before pulling her hand away. He smiled in thanks. “So, what do you like to do?”

Niall laughed slightly. “Well, I’m in a boy band, so I like to sing.”

It was Leslie’s turn to blush as Niall continued to laugh at her expression. “Oh, right.”

“I like playing the guitar too, though,” he continued, “What about you? What do you even do for a living?”

Leslie hesitated. “Well, nothing really. I’m only nineteen, so I haven’t even been out of school that long. I really love writing and acting, though. Screenwriting would be like my ultimate dream, but I don’t really see that happening.”

“Why not?” Niall asked, his forehead scrunching up in confusion.

“Well,” she replied, shrugging shyly, “It’s impractical. I’m getting married. Greg and I are gonna have a family. I don’t really have time for impracticality.”

He gave her a small smile, even though his chest felt uncomfortable as she mentioned the marriage again. “Do you even know how many people told me that I would never be a singer? Now, I sing all over the world! Never give up just because something is ‘impractical’, Leslie. Never.” It was silent for a moment as they both smiled at each other. One thing was really bothering Niall about what Leslie had said, though. He hesitating before asking, “Do you not want to get married, Leslie?” Her silence was all the answer he needed. “Why are you doing it then?”

“Greg makes me happy,” Leslie said quietly, suddenly unable to meet Niall’s icy blue gaze. Niall wasn’t sure if his mind was playing tricks on him, but it felt as though Leslie was trying to convince herself of her words.

Niall opened his mouth. “Leslie!” It didn’t come from his mouth, though.

Greg emerged into the kitchen, holding a small white box. “Morning, little bro.” He smiled brilliantly, bending down to peck Leslie on the lips. Niall smiled back, despite the twisting feeling in his chest at the sight. “I got you something, babe.” He held out the box to his fiancée, and she took it, shaking her head at him, but still smiling widely.

“You know I hate how you spoil me.” She opened it and gasped at the aquamarine earrings inside. She smiled at her fiancée before pulling him in for a passionate kiss. Niall watched for a moment, waiting for them to pull away. When they didn’t, he grew impatient. No longer able to take it, he stood and stomped out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room.

He remembered the feeling of hating his older brother. He remembered not being able to stand the sight of him. He remembered the fights and the dirty looks. He remembered the endless weekends they were forced to spend together as they were both at their mom’s or dad’s at the same time. He remembered the boiling disgust inside of him, and he didn’t want it to happen again; but it was.