Forced Family 3

T W E N T Y T H R E E

"Guess who?!"

Annika turned in her chair toward the door with a grimace growing on her cheeks, "Papaw, go figure," she muttered, Liam gulping as he cleared his throat, "Anna be nice," he scolded softly attempting to erase any evidence of the sadness that had just occurred.

Liam stands greeting his Papa, "Hey Papa," he calls hugging the man, "W-where's Lou?"

"Lou's feeling a bit down baby," Harry admits frowning, "I know you wanted to see him," rubbing Liam's arms soothingly, Harry presses a kiss to his forehead, "Maybe Daddy can bring him over when he gets up from his nap," he offers scooting past Liam to Thomas that sits in his highchair gushing at the new affection, he's unaware to the tension in the room, something Annika is grateful yet envious of. 

"Anna-Banana," Harry sings crouching next to her chair, "I've got a surprise for you my darling," Annika lifts an uncaring eyebrow, she knew she needed to hide her disgrace for the man, yet he just came off so repulsive to her, "Papaw has managed to get Granddaddy's credit card and we're going to the mall!" 

"Th-the mall?" 

Niall feels his heart crack hearing the innocent hope in Annika's question, he has to turn away knowing his frown would give him away, "That is if daddies are okay with it," Harry remarks knowingly, his gaze shifts to the parents, Liam hovering in the doorway still trying to piece together where Louis was, Niall, managing to plaster a passing smile with a forced nod seeing the darkening emerald orbs boring into him, "Of-of course," he whispers, Annika squeals wrapping her arms around her Papa, "I'll get help," she whispers softly to him, Niall placing his hand on the back of her head kissing her temple, "Please don't," he begs ruffling her hair to conceal the words he'd spoken to her.

Annika furrows her eyebrows at the man thinking he was just scared of being found out. She could handle this. Returning her full attention to her papaw she smiles taking his hand, "I-I'll go get dressed, t-then we can go, right?"

"We sure can darling," Harry assures tapping the end of her nose sending her off upstairs. He scoops Thomas in his arms kissing his cheeks, "Ugh, I miss when Liam was this age,"

Liam has to cover his mouth to stop sickness from overcoming him, he gags involuntarily shifting to the side managing to cough concealing the noise, "Pa-pa, Papa," steadying himself, "Y-you don't have to buy her anything we-we've got it-"

"Liam she's my granddaughter, she will get whatever her little heart desires,"

"Except being let go," Niall mutters rising from the chair, he takes Thomas in his arms glaring at the man, "What you're doing is cruel,"

"I'm doing what you don't have the balls to do," he growls, "Louis knew he could fall into headspace the minute he saw those kids in the park and he knew he wasn't alone," Niall scoffs rolling his eyes, "Louis fell so you'd let me go-"

"And look where you are now," Harry returns, he steps forward wrapping a supportive arm around Niall pulling him close, "Married to my son," Liam's head snaps toward the pair, "Papa do-do you mind if I-I go see Louis, today?"

Annika returns to the room unaware this time of the growing war she'd missed, "Well don't you look adorable," Harry calls drawing attention to her, he steps away from Niall ruffling Thomas' hair, "Next time I'll bring you too, my sweet boy," kissing his cheek he gives a pointed look to Niall, "I will call Daddy and see if Lou's up for visitors later honey, he truly didn't feel the best this morning."

Liam nods, "I-I just miss him," he admits, Harry cooing as he pulls Liam in for a hug kissing his temple, "You know you're more than welcome to come home anytime to see him when he's well,"