Sugar ♡ Niam AU [COMPLETE]

THREE

Liam wasn't sure what he'd expected when he pulled up to a bakery called The Gingerbread House, but it wasn't this.

He wasn't sure why he'd expected something industrialized, all silver and white, no heart. This was not at all what he'd expected.

The building's exterior was designed like a gingerbread house, fake gumdrops on the sides and the sign on the front in a font that looked like icing. He found himself smiling at how cute it was, and then shook himself and straightened his tie.

Once he stepped inside, he was overwhelmed by the scent of cinnamon and the sound of kids' laughter. He blinked twice as a little boy ran past him, squealing, a donut in his hand.

"Isaac!" a voice called, surprisingly affectionately, and then the little boy was scooped up and set on a man's hip. "You little troublemaker."

"Hi!" Isaac giggled at Liam, and Liam blinked twice in surprise.

"Hi," Liam laughed back, and the little boy beamed.

"Hello," Niall said carefully, staring at Liam's intense business suit and feeling a bit intimidated by his intensity. His entire countenance had softened when he'd spoken to Isaac, though, something he hadn't expected.

"Hi," Liam said softly. He cleared his throat. "I'm Liam Payne. Payne Construction." He put his hand out to shake.

"Niall Horan," Niall smiled, laughing a little when Liam shook Isaac's hand before he shook his. Isaac giggled, too, nuzzling his face into his father's neck. "Eat your donut, baby," Niall instructed, and Isaac cheerfully stuffed his donut in his mouth, cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk. It was almost painfully cute. "What can I get you, Mr. Payne? Would you like a donut? A muffin maybe?"

"Donut good," Isaac smiled, chocolate all over his mouth.

Liam chuckled, unreasonably fond of these two already. "I suppose I'll have to have a donut then, huh?"

Niall smiled, surprising Liam, and went back to the bakery to grab Liam a donut and a glass of milk.

"Thank you," Liam said genuinely, expression gentle, and Niall's stomach tightened into little knots. He'd expected Liam to be old and unattractive...he hadn't expected this.

"So what can I do for you?" Niall asked, sitting down with a baby in his arms. This was a little girl, and she was playing with Niall's fingers, giggling to herself.

Liam swallowed. "We're looking to make you an offer, Mr. Horan."

Niall shook his head. "I talked to Mr. Tomlinson yesterday. I already told him no."

"I know." Liam finished his donut and had to refrain from licking his fingers. It was delicious. "I guess I just wondered why."

Niall sighed, shifting his daughter so that she faced Liam. She smiled at the sight of him, waving at him adorably. How could Liam not wave back?

"My best friend and co-owner and I have been dreaming about this place since we were kids. I'm not giving up yet." Niall shrugged, and Liam's heart throbbed a bit in his chest. He was about to respond when the door to the kitchen flew open and Isaac scampered out, giggling, Zayn following. Surprising everyone, Isaac clambered into Liam's lap.

"Safe now," he beamed, and then tugged on Liam's tie. "Why you wearin' this?"

"Because I like it," Liam explained, unsure of how else to say it.

Isaac paused, pondering. "Can I have?"

"Isaac!" Niall scolded, but before he could say anything else, Liam had loosened the tie and was looping it over Isaac's head.

Isaac beamed, and then hugged Liam. "Fanks!"

Liam laughed. "You're welcome, kiddo."

"I tried to grab him," Zayn stammered. "He's too quick, Ni, and I was watching Zo-" He cut himself off to introduce himself to Liam. "Zayn Malik," he said, shaking his hand.

"Liam Payne," Liam nodded. "So that's still a no, then?" Liam asked Niall.

"Nope," Niall smiled.

"Okay." He nodded, ruffled Isaac's hair, and lowered him to the ground. "See you tomorrow, then."

"Tomorrow?" Niall questioned.

"Yep. I'll be here to ask again." He winked at Niall, turned on his heel, and left.

"He was so hot," Zayn grinned. "He totally likes you, Ni."

"No, he didn't," Niall rolled his eyes, cradling now-asleep Sena to his chest. "But. Yeah. He was so hot."