boys //ziam

chapter eighty-two

over two years later.

"is jordan coming home for christmas?" a fourteen year old noah asks, as he helps zayn set up the christmas decoration.

"he should," zayn replies.

"he didn't come home last christmas mom," noah points out.

"well, that was because of the virus," zayn replies. "i'm sure he just wanted to protect us."

noah nods. the covid-19 virus was really hard on their family. zayn was very overprotective over noah because of his asthma, he made sure they all took quarantine seriously.

they all spent six tense months in the house together. except for jordan, who was away for college and he couldn't come travel back home because of the virus. noah suspected he wanted to stay purposely away.

"there," zayn says, putting the last star on the tree. "all done."

"it looks beautiful mom," noah says. zayn smiles at him.

"thank you for helping noah," he replies. noah smiles at him before leaving the living room. he was the only one of his kids to join in with the decoration.

well, to be fair, lucas was babysitting lana, and theo had to get groceries at the store.

oliver flat out said no and zayn wasn't even surprised.

"why do you celebrate christmas anyway? we're not christians," a new voice says. zayn turns so fast recognizing it, it's zayaad.

fúck, he hasn't seen his brother in so long. he runs to go hug him.

"meri jaan," zayaad says, hugging him.

"zayaad, what are you doing here?" zayn squeezes him tight. he's missed his brother so much.

"i heard about liam," zayaad says. "i'm sorry."

zayn's facial expression changes. "it's okay zayaad."

"if you need to talk-"

"zayaad, the last time i saw you was over a year ago. i wanted to talk then, but i couldn't contact you,"

"i know. i'm sorry jaan," zayaad apologizes.

"i know it's not your fault. but i'd just rather not talk about that now,"

"then we won't talk about it," zayaad says.

"let me go tell the boys you're around," zayn says.

"and girl," zayaad corrects.

"right," zayn chuckles. "i've gotten so used to calling them the boys it's hard for me to remember that i actually have a daughter now."

"you'll get used to it," zayaad says.

zayn disappears and comes back a minute later with the kids who are happy to be around their uncle. they're in good hands, so he excuses himself a bit.

he gets his phone and finds himself subconsciously going through old pictures. especially the ones liam is in. he misses liam so much. he wishes things were different.

"i looked so little," noah says from behind him. zayn smiles at that, he really did. but now, the twins have grown so much. they're so tall now, almost as tall as jordan. lucas still remains the smallest.

"you were," zayn chuckles. "i mean, you still are."

"i'm taller than you," noah points out in a light tone. and zayn realizes, he is. his kids have all grown up so much he can't believe it.

he's excited for this christmas. he doesn't celebrate, zayaad was right but it's a good excuse for him to spend time with his kids and be domestic.

...