Planning Direction (Daddy Direction Series)

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

L E X I

"Zayn, this isn't the right cake," I panicked as we drove back to the house to get ready for Lea's second birthday party.

"You're overreacting, babe," he tried to assure me as he placed his free hand on my thigh, his eyes never leaving the road ahead.

"No Zayn, this really isn't the right cake."

"How do you know," he asked me.

"Because our daughter's name isn't Elian," I told him, seeing his face crack a smile. "This isn't funny! We have to go back!"

"Babe, relax," he said as he finally looked at me, our car coming to a halt at a stop light. "I picked up the cake this morning while you were still sleeping. I set this one up just to see what your reaction would be."

I hit him in the shoulder. "Zayn Malik don't you dare do this to me again! I almost burnt the place down," I smiled, resulted in us both laughing our asses off.

"Everything is set and ready, babe. Nothing to worry about," he promised me as we continued our drive home.

"Happy birthday Lea," Liam exclaimed as he arrived to the party, the first guest as always. Lea ran up to him and jumped into his arms, Liam faking as if she had tackled him to the ground.

"Sorry Uncle Lee," she giggled as they both got up from the floor.

"First party foul, I see," Louis said as he stood in the doorway. "Liam's already out on the floor!"

"Uncle Lou!"

Louis picked her up, placing her onto his hip before planting a small kiss on her cheek. "Hello there, darling. How are you today?"

"I'm two," Lea exclaimed, climbing out of Louis's arms and running in between Harry's legs.

"Hey now! No running in the house," Harry complained jokingly. "That's..."

"Rule one," Lea finished.

"Correct."

Everyone had basically arrived except for Niall which had me a little worried. He was the only one to know that Perrie has been wanting to see me, and I was hoping that he wouldn't bring her around here for reasons that were obvious to the both of us; it was Lea's second birthday and I hadn't even told Lexi about Perrie wanting to see me.

"I brought the booze," Niall exclaimed once he finally arrived.

"You brought alcohol to a two year old's birthday party," Liam questioned him for all of us.

Niall shrugged. "Me dad had me started on this stuff when I was her age."

"Nice try, but you're not getting anywhere near Lea with that stuff," Lexi told him, putting her hands on her hips.

"Party pooper."

I picked up Lea, bringing her into the kitchen where her cake was. I didn't mean to rush anything, I wanted this day to last as long as it could, it was just that Lexi and I had an appointment to get to.

"Are you ready for your cake," I asked her, placing her in her highchair. She nodded frantically.

Lexi brought out the cake and Lea's eyes completely lit up. It was a two tier cake, the theme being Doc McStuffins with a special twist to it; I had the baker make Lea as well standing next to Doc. I knew that she would love it and just the expression on her face proved it.

We all sang Happy Birthday and dug into the cake, Lea getting all over her face and clothes. Then, the doorbell rang and that worried me.

"I'll get it," Lexi said before I could stop her. She was already at the door when Niall and I exchanged glances. "Um... Zayn? There's someone here to see you."

Fuck.

Everyone was quiet except for Lea who was still face deep into her marble cake. Taking a few sips from Niall's beer, I wiped my face and headed towards the front door.

"Hi Zayn," Perrie greeted me awkwardly. "Can... can we talk?"

I looked over at Lexi who was holding herself behind the door, her eyes glossy.

Double fuck.

L E X I

I didn't know whether I should've been mad, upset or both. This pregnancy wasn't really helping with the hormones and the way Perrie looked wasn't helping my self-esteem. I knew she was pretty but I didn't think she was that pretty. Her bright blue eyes totally complimented her pale skin and her blonde, nearly white hair. As soon as she took off her sunglasses, I knew who she was and the look on her face told me that she knew who I was too.

"Who's at the door," Louis asked once I made my way back into the kitchen. I looked around at all of them, lastly landing on Niall who wouldn't make eye contact with me.

"You knew she would come here, didn't you," I asked him, ignoring Louis's question and their stares.

Niall was quiet for a minute, answering my question. "Lex, I didn't think she would show up today."

"But you knew she was coming. How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long did you know she would be coming here?"

Quiet again. "A week."

"So, you knew a week in advance and you didn't think to tell me?"

"It wasn't something I should be telling you. He should've told you," he defended himself.

"I thought we were friends!"

"We are friends, Lexi! But I don't get into people's relationships, especially when it's not my thing to tell."

The room went quiet, even Lea. I could feel the tears beginning to form in my eyes and it felt as though the room was getting smaller and smaller.

"I need to get out of here," I said, turning on my heels and not listening to the voices calling me back into the kitchen. I grabbed my coat and car keys, slipping on my flats. I knew I would have to pass them to get to my car, but I wouldn't let Zayn see that I was really hurt. I pulled on my coat and took a deep breath before walking towards the front door.

"You don't have to stand out there in the cold," I told Perrie, trying to be nice because frankly, she didn't do anything to me. She did me no wrong.

"That's okay love, I was just going to-"

"No, I insist. You and Zayn can catch up. There's cake in the kitchen. I have an appointment to get to." I rushed passed Zayn, the tears coming down now.

"Lexi wait," I heard him call after me but it was too late, I was already in my car, starting it up. "Lexi, get out the car."

"No," I told him, putting it in drive.

"You can't go. I won't let you," he complained and then did the unexpected; he got onto the front of my car.