Daisy's Daycare 🧸 Zouis {COMPLETED}

CHAPTER 3

It's Saturday and Zayn is at home in his apartment with Niall, who's been fussy all morning. He refuses to eat anything, which he never does, and he won't stop crying. "Wiam."

Zayn sighs. That's the fifth time today that Niall has asked to see Liam. Niall has been going to Daisy's Daycare for about a week, and he's become really attached to Liam.

"You want to go to the park, Niall?" Zayn asks, hopefully. He loves Niall with all his heart, but sometimes it can be really hard taking care of the boy without any help.

Niall nods quickly. "Wiam come," he says, and Zayn sighs again. He picks up his phone and clicks on Louis' contact, pressing call.

"Hi, Zayn," Louis says, and it sounds a bit shy, Zayn can't tell if he's imagining it or not. "Is everything ok?"

"Well sort of," Zayn says, and Louis can tell he's tired just from hearing his voice. "I don't know if you're busy or not, it's fine if you are, but I was wondering if you could take Liam to the park today? Niall keeps asking for him and he's really upset."

"Uh sure," Louis says. "I'm not busy today. Did you want to go right now, or-?"

"As soon as possible would be great," Zayn laughs, relieved. "I'm going to head over to the park now, you can meet us there whenever you're ready."

"Ok," Louis agrees.

Zayn says goodbye and hangs up the phone. "Ok, Niall. Liam is going to the park with us," he tells Niall, who instantly cheers up.

"Wiam come!" he says, happily. Zayn almost drops to the floor sobbing with how relieved he is. He helps Niall get his shoes on and they head out to the car, Niall smiling the whole way to the park.

Zayn is pushing Niall on the swing, when Louis arrives with Liam in tow, Harry and the twins are also with him. Zayn smiles at Louis with gratitude.

"Hey," Louis says, trying to act casual, despite the fact he's secretly super happy that Zayn invited him. The time they have been working together at the diner has been really fun, and he's glad to have an extra chance to hang out with him.

"Hi. Thanks for coming," Zayn says, gratefully. He helps Niall out of the swing, who runs up to Liam immediately. "You don't know how much I appreciate it."

"No problem," Louis says. He doesn't know what else to say, too caught up in how pretty Zayn looks today, his hair a little messy and his eyes just as stunning as when they first met.

"Louis," Daisy says, interrupting Louis' staring. "Can we go over there?" she asks, pointing at a skate park across the street.

"Uhhh," Louis says, hesitant. The girls are only eleven, but the skate park is close by and he should be able to keep an eye on them. "Sure. Be careful though."

"Thank you!" Phoebe says, her and Daisy giggling as they walk over to the skatepark, pointing out which guys they think are the cutest. Louis watches them wearily, but he figures they'd have more fun over there anyway.

When he turns his attention back to Zayn, he's holding onto Liam's waist and taking him across the monkey bars while the boy laughs and grabs the bars with his arms. Louis smiles softly at the sight.

"Woo!" Louis glances down at Niall who's in front of him tugging on his pant leg. Louis smiles, figuring the boy meant to say "Lou" but isn't quite able to form his L sounds yet.

"Hi, Niall," Louis says, reaching down to pick up the boy. "What do you need, buddy?"

"Swing!" He says, pointing at the swings. Louis smiles and brings Niall over to the swing. Zayn walks over with Liam and sees Louis pushing Niall.

It feels weird, seeing Louis pushing Niall, the smiles on their faces. It almost feels like Louis was meant to be here at this moment, meant to be a part of their lives, but Zayn knows it's too soon to even tell if his friendship with Louis is permanent. He might get tired of Niall, and tired of him, realizing that they're more trouble than it's worth.

Zayn has never felt like he was a good person. As much as Niall makes him happy, it also makes him sad to know that he brought Niall to this world, by mistake, and forced him into a life with Zayn, who always felt like he wasn't cut out to be a father. Instead of a happy carefree life with two parents, Niall was forced to be with him.

Niall doesn't get to live in a nice house. His own mother didn't want him, and his father is struggling to take care of him. He doesn't get to have all the toys he wants, Zayn having trouble even affording food for him.

What happens when Louis realizes what kind of messed up situation he's bringing himself into? Maybe Zayn should have kept things professional, talking to Louis at work only. That way he doesn't have to lose someone else when the time comes.

"Zayn!" Liam yells, startling Zayn a little. "I want to swing too! Push me!" he demands and Zayn brightens up a little. The two walk to the swings, Zayn pushing Liam while Louis pushes Niall. Harry comes and swings with them as well.

After that the boys go to play in the sandbox and the twins come back from the skatepark, gushing about the cute boys they met. "Jack is so cute," Phoebe says.

"Ryan's cuter," Daisy counters.

"And you two are too young for a boyfriend," Louis interrupts, a serious look on his face. "I'm serious," he adds when they just roll their eyes.

"You're just jealous that you don't have one," Daisy says, grinning at him.

"Ah you little-" Louis pauses when he sees Niall and Liam in the sandbox and takes a deep breath. "Just promise me you'll wait until you're older before you date anyone."

"Ok, Louis," Phoebe says, deciding to take mercy on the embarrassed boy. "We promise."

When they leave the park, Louis feels a bit melancholy. He's only known Zayn for a week, but he already loves to spend time with him. At least they will see each other at work on Monday.

He thinks about what Lottie said about love at first sight, and no, he doesn't think he's in love with Zayn. But maybe, just maybe, he has a teeny crush. Crush at first sight.

Louis does feel a bit worried though, he doesn't want his feelings to conflict with their developing friendship. It would probably be better if he didn't say anything for now. Besides, he still hasn't figured out if Zayn is into guys, much less figured out if he's into him.

Which, he probably isn't. Louis doesn't think he has much to offer, no one's ever really taken interest in him before, why would Zayn?

Besides, he needs a friend more than he needs a boyfriend anyway.