Our Summer of Direction

Niall's POV

Niall’s POV

“Not in a parking lot!” Emilea scolds as I reach for the hem of her shirt.

“Sorry…” I say sheepishly taking a step away from her.

“It’s okay.” She laughs climbing into the car, I get in too and she grabs my hand while smiling happily.

“Soo…we have to go back now.” She says after a moment of me just staring at her beautiful face.

“Right.” I say pulling out onto the highway. Without Emilea rambling in my ear about her excitement the ride doesn’t seem to go as fast.

“Em.” I whisper as we pull into the parking lot next to my flat. She doesn’t respond so I get out of the car and lift her out. She doesn’t stir while I carry her in and when I open the door to the flat I hear noise. I see the television on and Katie asleep across Harry. I look further and see Lou and Eleanor snuggled up on the loveseat. I trip on the rug going upstairs and barely catch Emilea and manage not to fall.

“God, are you loud enough?” Katie asks opening her eyes slowly.

“I’m sorry.” I whisper apologetically.

“It’s whatever. How was the concert?” She asks pulling Harry’s arm off of her. I motion for her to wait right there and carry Emilea upstairs and tuck her into bed. After kissing her cheek I run downstairs and see Katie sitting at the kitchen table. I hear a soft beep and Katie pulls two cups of tea out. I smile happily as she adds honey to both and passes me one.

“So? How was the concert?” She asks again sipping her tea.

“Em absolutely loved it. I liked seeing Cher again. Em got a kick out of seeing how many people Cher had backstage.” I laugh taking a big gulp of tea. I gag a little at how hot it is but swallow anyway.

“Burn your tongue?” She asks trying to hide a smirk. I laugh and nod before taking another scalding drink.

“What did you guys do?” I ask after a moment.

“Well, for a while Ellie and I played hide and go seek with Harry and Lou until we walked in on Dan and Li doin’ it. Well actually we ran again. Then we watched a movie and apparently crashed. Next thing I knew, you were here.” She says leaning tiredly against the table.

“You look pretty beat.” I say getting up and grabbing a Monster out of the fridge.

“Isn’t that one of Louis’s ‘touch and die’ drinks?” She asks nodding to the monster I was popping the top off. I leaned over to her tea and poured as much Monster as would fit and then dumped some into mine. I tossed her one of the hidden spoons and we share a grin.

“This needs a name.” She says while stirring her tea.

“What does?” I ask stirring mine.

“This. Our little late night conversations with Monster tea.” She laughs taking a drink and shaking her head in surprise.

“This is actually good!” She says excitedly looking way perkier.

“Let’s just call it ‘Tea Time’. We never drink tea late anyway.” I say taking a drink and realizing she’s right about it being good.

“That is such a wimpy name.” She mutters taking a large gulp. I gently take the teacup away when I visibly see her start to shake. Not even two minutes later I hear soft snores.

“Katie?” I ask turning towards her. She is slumped over the table and I hide a small smile. I pick her up and carry her back to Harry. Even in her sleep she snuggles up to him and I grin. I nearly pass out too and run back upstairs to see Emilea all curled up to a pillow. I take the pillow and replace it with me and kiss her forehead when she cuddles up to me.