We MaDe It

12.

"Congested." Mason enunciated the word slowly.

"Can I have a definition please?" Maddy, his little sister asked.

"Overcrowding of a place preventing free movement of traffic or people." Mason read the definition from his phone.

Zayn smiled. His children were playing the spelling bee. A favourite hobby since they watched a film of the same name. In Harry's absence, Mason was the host. If he's being honest his son was giving out the best words for the girls to spell, not easier ones like Harry.

His bedroom was overcrowded. Amelia, Maddy and Toni spread themselves out on the floor. Mason also seated on the floor, his back supported on the bed.

Leo, his youngest, joined him on the bed. They were lying on top of the covers. As did Liam.

At breakfast he announced to feeling unwell and retired to his bed. Zayn hadn't forseen Mason gathering the youngest siblings to the room to cheer him up after Harry had left for soccer practice duties with Elijah. Yazz went along, as well as Jackson.

Harry hadn't wanted to go. Things needed to go on as normal Zayn said even though he was not his normal self, and his eyes had been welling up with tears as he said that. When by luck one of Elijah's friends called to say their dad offered to take him for practice, Harry thought to take them on the offer. One hard look from Zayn shut that down. With a heavy heart, he left.

"Congested." Maddy hummed, "Can I hear it in a sentence, please?"

Mason glanced up at Zayn. "Our baba woke up this morning feeling congested." 

"Conjested. C-o-n-j-e-s-t-e-d." Maddy said confidently, spelling the word as well as saying it incorrectly.

"Incorrect." Mason shook his head. "Toni, your turn."

"Can I ask why that was incorrect?" Toni asked.

Of which Mason replied. "Besides the obvious, Maddy spelling the word wrong, no you cannot."

"Can I hear the word in a sentence again?" Toni asked again.

"Failure to spell congested correctly will see Amelia crowned champion, yet again." Mason said. "I can throw in a clue for you if you wish."

"I wish." Toni quickly said.

"That's against the rules." Amelia countered.

"I make the rules and give out the clues, Amelia. Wait your turn. There is high probability Toni repeating what Maddy said anyways." Mason said with a sigh.

Liam chuckled amused. Expecting same reaction from Zayn he looked at him, Zayn's eyes were closed. "Are you sure you don't want Mary to call the doctor?" he asked him. 

Zayn shook his head, not trusting his voice not to falter when he speaks. He kissed Leo's hair who was nestled against him quietly playing a game on the phone.

"Are you pregnant?" Liam teased.

That got Zayn opening his eyes to look at him. "Excuse you?"

"I just wanted to hear your voice. It sounds so deep and rough." Liam smiled at him. "I still can't believe you got ill from just swimming."

"Water doesn't like me I swear." Zayn sniffed for extra effect. His nose was congested, that wasn't a lie. 

What was a lie was the reason for the blocked nose. He told everyone the pool was responsible. When in fact, it was from crying himself to sleep after his shower with Harry. Then some more after Harry left. Karma was definitely a bitch.