Keeping Up With One Direction 2

> 35 <

Dedicated to my faithful reader, icantbedoingthis , I hope you enjoy this! 

The family had endured several quiet car rides in these past years. The ones after outings, award events, ones where there was a promised belting at home, even car trips where everyone but the driver had fallen asleep - however Zayn knew he couldn't blame the silence on sleep this time.

As he drove back to their house he kept himself composed although all he wanted to do was scream.

He knew he needed to have a conversation with his management, he thought everything had been approved in the three going public with their marriage, clearly, things had been side-railed.

Harry sits with his knees to his chest in the passenger seat, he'd been silently crying the whole way home, he'd begged his management not to stunt with Olivia, and while they'd initially agreed and allowed it to just be a rumor, Gemma had called him earlier that morning about Olivia's Instagram story that was posted to look like Harry was there with her. 

Finally, Zayn pulled into their driveway, Harry feeling a sigh of relief when he was able to untangle himself and step out of the car. He covers his mouth with his hand stifling a sob, sniffling he opens the backdoor helping to unbuckle his youngest, Niall taking Louis' hand he pauses meeting Harry's tear-slick cheeks, "Are you okay?"

"N-no," Harry whimpers, Zayn clearing his throat standing with Liam tucked in his arms, "Hazz it's not true, she's not pregnant,"

The man nods, "B-but th-that's wh-what they'll say, y-you-your r-real child," Zayn shakes his head rounding the car, he pulls Harry into a hug kissing his temple, "I won't let them, you're my husband and these are my children," Meeting the fiery hazel eyes Harry nods, he sniffles once more, "I-I don't want to do this again,"

"And we won't, we're going public tomorrow," Niall announces, he gestures to the family, "This is us, we deserve to be us all the time."

What was once a dream, now is ticking down to reality, Niall has the webcam set up on the dining room table, Zayn sits in front of it with Liam on his lap the two coloring waiting for time to pass. Against all orders of their contracts, they all agreed that for the sake of their family this needed to happen regardless of the consequences. 

When noon neared, Harry took a seat next to Zayn in the middle, "do we want the kids in this?"

Zayn ruffled Liam's hair shaking his head, "No, not this time. Are you ready?" Niall strolls into the room, Louis following him, "Max is down," motioning to the baby monitor, "N-no mo-more Gigi?" Louis asks, Zayn nodding, "After this no more Gigi bud,"

Harry inhales deeply patting the seat next to him for Niall, "Lou Lou can you and Liam go play? We'll be done in just a second,"

Louis nods taking Liam's hand, "No hitting," he teases, Liam rolling his eyes racing Louis to the living room.

Feeling his heart beat loudly in his chest, Harry chews his bottom lip grabbing Niall's hand under the table, "I'm terrified," he admits, Niall tightens the hold, "I thought the beach would be the hardest part of this year," Zayn clears his throat gaining attention, "This is for them," Harry nods dabbing at his eyes, there was another Instagram story posted this morning with a poorly edited photo of Harry and her walking together.

He knew the backlash would be vile, but when Zayn turned the camera on, placing his hand on Harry's thigh, the storm calmed. 

"Hi everyone," It was a live stream, thousands of fans popping on in excitement, the comments began filling the bottom of the screen, Niall waving, "Hey guys,"

Harry plastered a smile, he has to hold his breath when he sees Olivia had entered the live stream, tears prick his eyes when suddenly Zayn raises his hand, "We need to be honest with you all and tell you something important,"

While he spoke all Harry could focus on was the comments, the "How is Gigi?" or the "Are you ready to be a father?" Even the comments directed towards himself pegged him as a "lady's man" or a "man whore".

"We're married!" Harry rushes, his eyes wide with anticipation, his breathing quickens, Niall snapping his look to the man, "W-we're married," he copies, Harry nodding hurriedly, "We're married," Zayn wraps his arm around Harry's shoulder, "We've been together for ten years, our children you know, Louis, Liam, and little Max; we live together because we're married, not just because we're bandmates,"

Zayn had always thought it was such a strange narrative that people could believe he lived with these men, adopted hybrids as children with these men, and yet the general public could still believe he was "madly" in love with a woman.

Harry felt immediate relief from the confession, his eyes wandered to the comments seeing them light up with rainbow hearts and crying emojis, his eyes drift to his phone that's suddenly ringing loudly non-stop, "I-I think this will be it for-for a while," He announces, "T-to the fans thank you, but-but we need time." Zayn nods in agreement noticing his own phone, "We'll be back soon, we love you all,"

Niall blows a kiss to the camera meeting his husband's face, "And I love you both,"

Ending the live stream, the room fell silent. It was over. It was done. There was nothing much to be said afterward.

Zayn's the first one to stand, he glances at his phone before setting it screen-down on the table, "Best not check that yet," Niall frowns rising, "We did it, we fucking did it." Harry nods his eyes flickering from his own phone, "D-do we feel better?"

Wrapping his arms around his husband, Zayn kisses his temple, "I do," Niall joins in on the forced cuddle pecking Harry's lips, "Funny, I do too,"

It was later that night the family avoided social media and phone calls all day that their movie marathon was interrupted by someone knocking at the door.

Zayn adjusts Liam to sit in his recliner without him as he strolls to the door glancing out the peephole, he sees Simon standing there with his arms crossed. Frowning he opens the door stepping outside with the man on the porch, "Our kids are home-"

"You've always respected me enough to keep me involved," Simon growls, "why, why fucking today of all days did you feel the need to live a truthful life?"

"You've always respected me enough to tell me what fucking lies I have to tell, Gigi is pregnant?!" Zayn retorts, Simon rolls his eyes, "It was the beginning of a breakup, it's not yours, it would've ended amicably." Zayn laughs crossing his arms, he nods staring down at the man, "I don't believe you."

"you don't have to, you choosing to go public violated your contract," Simon barked, Zayn steps back placing his hand on the doorknob, he nods attempting to look humble, "Oh," he mutters, smirking as he opens the door, "Then sue me,"

>Okay, not the direction I was headed, but here we are. I guess there is more than just one direction. Haha. Get it? Cause, One Direction? Alright. Well I hope you all enjoyed it, I'll be back next week with another update, I promise less drama and more fluff is coming. I just wanted to add a little spice to this book. All the love in the absolute world, Emma :)