All Your Little Things

Chapter 38- The Baggage Claim

December

Niall

I got to the baggage claim at Heathrow airport after my flight from Dublin. I had visited Mullingar for Christmas and was coming back to spend New Year's Eve with the boys, and wait in anticipation for the birth of Eleanor's twins. Her due date was the previous day.

I watched, and finally saw my bag. I reached over to get it and bumped into someone else.

"Oh, sorry, there."

"Oh, no, dear, you're fine." I looked up. I would know that voice anywhere. Elizabeth was standing right next to me, and grabbing her own bag.

"Elizabeth!" She looked up.

"Niall! Oh my god!" She gave me an awkward hug. "How've you been?"

"I'm well, thanks. You?"

"I've been fine."

"Are you here for New Year's?"

"Yea, and to see Eleanor. I can't believe she hasn't popped yet!"

"I know. We're all excited."

There was an awkward silence; I broke it. "Hey, are you going to Harry's?"

"Yea, I'm just going to stay with them for a few days."

"Do you have a ride?"

"No, I'm surprising Ali. I was just going to grab a cab."

"Oh, my car's here, why don't I give you a ride? Harry's apartment is on the way to my place."

"Oh, Niall, really you don't have to."

"No, it's fine. Come on, then."

She smiled in agreement, and I took her suitcase for her. We got to the doors, with some flashes outside. Paps.

"Paps." Lib commented. We got outside, and she tried to stay strong, but buried her face in my arm, and I settled my arm around her shoulders. The paparazzi always scared her a little bit. Most of the time, she faced them head-on, but after a few months of them leaving her alone, it was hard to get used to it again. I can't say I didn't enjoy holding her.

We got to the car, and I put the suitcases away; I put the key in the igniton and started driving. "Well, you look great."

"Thanks, you do, too." She smiled. "What have you been up to?

"Well, I was just in Mullingar for Christmas."

"Oh how are your parents? And Greg?"

"My parents are well, they are. And Greg actually just had a baby."

"Really?"

"Yes. Her name is Elena Marie, and boy, she's beautiful. She's got both my brother and I wrapped around her finger."

"Congratulations. That's really awesome. You're great with kids. I can totally see you gushing over a little baby girl."

"God help us all if I have a daughter. I'd protect her from everything and everyone."

"You'll be happy with kids, don't worry." She laughed.

"How's everything back home?"

"It's good. School's going well. I miss having Ali there with me. "

"She's been doing real well with Harry. They both look really happy, but I can tell she misses you tons."

"Thanks. It's been weird not being around all of you a much."

"I know how you feel." I told her, nodding my head.

"What do you mean?" She looked at me.

"Since July, I just haven't been around much. It's not that I don't talk to everyone, I do. They're all my best friends, but I'm in Spain whenever I get the chance. I've got a place down there, and I go and sit in the city, and play guitar. It's quieter, and I'm alone."

"I'm sure the boys and everyone misses you being around."

"Yea, they do, but right now, I just can't be in London. Something just doesn't feel right about it anymore."

We pulled up to Harry's place.

Ali

"HARRY!" I screamed. "LET GO OF ME!" I began giggling. He had his arms around my waist. "Come on, we've got to get back to the apartment."

"And why is that?"

"Because I ordered food, and it'll be delivered soon!" I grabbed his hand and we walked back to the apartment from the shops. We unlocked the door, and got inside.  I set down the shopping bags on the table and sat up on the counter. Harry put his hands on my waist, and stood in between my knees.

"Did you have a merry christmas?"

"The merriest of them all!" I giggled, and leaned in and kissed him.

"Well, because you had SUCH an amazing Christmas, I feel like I really have to out-do myself for New Year's."

"I can think of a few things you could do."

"Well, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've already thought about a few things."

"Really? Well, Styles, I hope you haven't screwed anything up."

"Hey!"

"Well, let's face it. Your best ideas have had a reputation for turning...not so great."

"Like when?"

"Oh, I don't know, what about my birthday? When you tried cooking breakfast? And lunch? And dinner? And burned at least one item in every meal?"

"But then I threw you a party!" He portested, and I laughed.

"I know, darling, I know." I kissed him again.

"OH COME ON!" A girl screamed, her heels clicking down the back hall.

"What the hell?" I looked to Harry, and he smiled. I looked to the hall, and Elizabeth emerged.

"Harry, could you have taken any longer, I've been back there for an hour and a half waiting to see my best--"

"ELIZABETH!" I crashed into her, and we squeeled, catching up on everything.

It really was going to be a trult incredible, truly memorable New Year's Eve.

--------------------

"So, what's up?" Elizabeth and I were sitting on my bed.

"Everything's good. Uh, school's going well, and I like my new roomate. Yea, it's great."

"Lib, what's wrong?"

"N-n-nothing's wrong."

"You're lying."

She looked at her lap, then back up to me. "I-I-I, uh, I really miss him, Ali." I saw a tear escape her eye. "I told him I had to leave to figure myself out, and I couldn't do that with him around. Well, I've got myself figured out now, and I think it might be too late. I want him to want me the way he did before, and I don't think he will."

"Oh, sweetie." And she just burst into tears.