The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 33

•Louis•

The bright, shining sun was irritating my tired eyes as I pulled into the familiar driveway of my best friend's home. The red jeep found a place behind Elisabeth's BMW and I shut off the engine.

Why is Elisabeth here? Is Niall even home?

Scared of the scolding to come, I quietly crawl out of the vehicle and slowly shut the door, trying not to alert the people inside that I just arrived. My body is in extreme pain and I sort of regret not coming home earlier to take my pain medication.

As soon as I made it to the front door, I quietly creak it open and tip toe inside. My eyes examine the area and I see no sign of anyone anywhere. I only hear slight chatter coming from the kitchen, and as much as I want to see my son at this exact moment, I just want to crawl into bed and plop some pills into my mouth to ease my sore muscles.

Slowly, I start to make my way over into the hallway, every step and movement of my joints sending a jolting ache down its limb.

"Ehem," I hear Niall clear his throat behind me, aggravation laced through his tone.

My body completely freezes and I dread turning around to face him, but I do it in a swift manner, trying to hide the fact that I'm in so much agony.

"Niiiiallll," I hum, laughing nervously, "How are you this fine afternoon?"

He did not look amused. Standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, a hard look covering his face that was complimented with glasses. Glasses. Shit! He worked today.

"You worked today, didn't you?" I ask shamefully, already knowing the answer.

"Yup, and I had no fucking vehicle to get to and from, now did I?"

"Daddy!" My child chirps, little footsteps pattering on the floor interrupting us as he runs out of the kitchen, "I missed you!"

"Mason!" I hear Elisabeth call out, following after my son, "Slow down, you're gonna fall!"

She laughs but just as her eyes connect with mine, her giddiness dies and she stays by the doorway.

Ignoring her, I reach down to scoop Mason into my arms.

"Ah," I groan, "Hey, kiddo. You okay?"

Bringing him up to my hip, I try to push all feeling of soreness behind, but it's just too over powering.

"I'm okay! Lissie and Niall have been here with me. Oh and Zayn took care of me, too!"

"That's great, squirt. I missed you so much,"

He giggles and nuzzles himself closer into me, sending this warmth feeling all throughout me.

Despite his tiny size, the strength he uses to give me another embrace puts my limbs into a complete torment.

Grimacing, my jaw clenches, exposing my teeth and a shaky sigh falls from my lips. I need my tablets fast.

"You in pain, huh, Tommo?" Niall asks with a smug smirk.

He obviously knows the damn answer to that. Fucker.

"Not so much," I lie, plastering on my fakest poker face, "Just a few sore muscles,"

"You know that could've been avoided if you would have gotten home last night,"

"Yeah, yeah,"

I brushed him off and focused on Mason who was still in my arms and had his tiny head laid on my shoulder. He looked calm and well relaxed. It's been a hell of a long while since I last held him for this long.