Sugar ♡ Niam AU [COMPLETE]

SEVEN

"Daddy, want mac 'n cheese, 'kay?" Isaac asked while Niall brushed his hair.

"Sure," Niall nodded, not one hundred percent paying attention, but just agreeing so Isaac wouldn't throw a fit.

Sena toddled into the room then, curly brown hair into two tiny pigtails. "Dada!" she cheered, stumbling into Niall's lap.

"You're set," Niall said to Isaac, tapping his little shoulder, and he scampered off to wait by the door for Liam. "Hello, my little princess!" Niall cooed, peppering kisses to Sena's little face.

His phone suddenly chirped in the hallway where he'd left it on the front table, and he went to find it with Sena on his hip.

"Zo, you almost ready?" he called as he unlocked his phone.

From: Unknown
I'm on my way to get u sweetheart x -Liam

Niall couldn't hold back his tiny smile.

To: Liam Payne
How did you get my number?

From: Liam Payne
Zayn.

Niall rolled his eyes. Of course it was Zayn. Niall went and did his best to help Zoey with her hair, managing an only semi-chaotic side braid, and he'd just finished tying Isaac's shoes when the doorbell rang.

Heart in his throat, he went to the door and opened it. Liam was standing there, a smile on his face that made the sides of his eyes crinkle.

"Hi, Niall," Liam murmured, voice deep and warm. Niall shivered.

"Hi," he breathed back.

"Hiiiiii!" Isaac cheered, galloping over to Liam and raising his arms to be picked up. Liam obliged, and Isaac giggled happily.

"You ready to go?" Liam's gaze flickered to Niall, and he nodded.

~ ~ ~
Niall's hands were shaking as he buckled Sena into her high chair at the restaurant.

"Are you okay?" Liam's voice floated over Niall's shoulder, and he sat down beside Liam, swallowed hard. Liam gently put his hand on Niall's thigh, and Niall squirmed a bit.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay, I just..." He fidgeted. "I've never...been on a date before."

"Really?" That actually surprised Liam. "Well, you're doing just fine." He winked at Niall, who blushed, switching his gaze to his fingers in his lap. "Hey, Isaac," Liam called, and the toddler looked up from his kids' menu that he was coloring.

"Huh?"

"I got you something, kiddo." Liam rummaged through his backpack for a second and pulled out a Lightning McQueen blanket. Isaac's obsession with the film Cars had spiked in the last few weeks.

"MCQUEEN!" Isaac shrieked, and then clambered down from his chair to hug Liam. "Fank 'ou!"

"You're welcome!" Liam chuckled, overwhelmed with fondness. For the entire dinner Liam felt really good, almost as if this little family were his home.

But on the drive back to his lonely apartment, his phone rang. His father was calling.

"Hi, Dad," he said. "Don't worry, the plan is in motion. Mr. Horan will definitely give up his restaurant soon."