A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Chapter 16

LIAM'S POV

Waking up with Isabelle beside me was one of the best feelings I have had in a while. Every moment I spend with her, is time I see myself opening up to someone again.

Danielle and I had broken things off a while ago. She said she couldn't handle the stress of all the paparazzi and the media all the time. I knew we had been growing slowly apart. I just never knew it would have come so soon.

Now Isabelle is in my life and I have someone new to try and share it with. That's only if she will have me. I want to surprise her in the next few days. I don't know what yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be good.

The bus made a slow stop as I was just starting to wake up. With Isabelle nuzzled in between my arms, I slowly unravelled myself from her and went to check what everyone else was looking at.

We hadn't told anyone that we were coming, so the lack of screaming teens was a good surprise. The boys were staring at the beautiful countryside that the girls called home.

Spring time brought out blooms of flowers that covered the hills where the girls lived. It looked like someone dropped a little patch of heaven down on them.

"It's so beautiful.", I whispered.

"Good. Then you will be happy to know, right after we get of this bus, we're all going horseback riding!", Isabelle shouted excitedly.

"Yay! I get to ride my first pony!", Louis jumped up from the table and squeezed Isabelle tightly.

"Can't. Breathe. Louis.", she murmured.

"Sorry love, I just can't wait!", he apologized.

"Everyone, welcome to our home.", Isabelle pointed as we began to exit the bus.

A gust of wind blew past us, carrying the sweet smell of all the blooming flowers. The clouds were nowhere in sight and it was a bright and sunny day, prefect for a horseback ride.

I guess we had stopped at one of the girl's houses. Abby ran from the bus to hug her parents. She began to cry and Niall must have noticed, rushing over to her he rubbed small and delicate circles on her back. Niall and Abby's father shook hands and he introduced the rest of us.

"I'm Liam.", I said briefly, not wanting to talk much.

"Nice to meet you Liam. I'm Mr. Higgins, but call me John.", Abby's father smiled.

I hear Niall calling out the rest of the boys names and all I can think about is how nervous I am to meet Isabelle's parents. We're not technically together, but I still am nervous. I have to ask permission to take their daughter all over the world for months on end with five guys who act like children most of the time. How was I supposed to convince them that this is a good idea?

I put those thoughts on the back burner and packed some of my bags into a large SUV that is taking us to our hotel after the horseback ride.

We all changed from our pajamas into some ride worthy clothes. Isabelle walked out of the house in a beautiful plaid blue and green shirt with ripped jeans and boots. She had her blonde hair straight and it was whirling around in the wind as we made our way to the stables. All of the girls had their own horse and Isabelle walked up to a stall which housed very tall Tennessee Walker.

Her eyes lit up when she saw him. He ran over to her and nuzzled his large head into her chest. She hugged him and I could have sworn she shed a tear.

"You ready to pick out a horse?", she asked me.

"As I'll ever be."

"I think this one is a good choice for you", she said as she pointed to a tall chestnut horse. "By the way, his name is Storm!"

"Well hello Storm, I'm Liam!", I introduced myself.

He came up to the stall door and nuzzled my hand, probably for a treat.

"I'm sorry boy, I don't have any treats today. I'll get you one later, promise."

"Let's get them saddled up and go check and see if everyone has a horse!", she beamed.

We...well, Isabelle saddled up the horses and we walked out of the stables to find everyone was already on their horses and ready to ride.

ABBY'S POV

I asked Bailee what I should wear to go riding. She pulled a blue plaid button up shirt and my oldest jeans out of my closet. I searched the bottom of my closet for my old cowboy boots. I didn't wear them much anymore, but Bailee insisted I wear them.

"You have to wear those boots, it makes you look hot! Plus, Niall will be all over you if you do.", Bailee said with a small smirk on her face.

"What about my jeans, they're all ripped and torn?"

"Boys like to see some skin. Just put that on. Trust me, Niall won't be able to keep his eyes and hands off you."

"Okay I'll put this on, but I don't think he's going to notice me. I bet Catherine is going to wear something ten times hotter than me. She is always the prettier one.", I sighed.

"Abigail Elyse Higgins, you are a very beautiful girl and Niall will love you for who you are on the inside, not for your boobs or butt. If you like him, let him know. I'm sure he feels the same way."

"Thanks so much. You're like a sister to me.", I hugged her really tight and went to the bathroom to change into my riding clothes.

We walked outside to find Emilia and Louis and Harry and Catherine already saddled up and ready to go. Niall was in the stables standing by my horse. Bailee went off the find Zayn and get him a horse.

"It has a name you know?", I shouted from across the stable.

"Oh! I didn't notice you there. I was to busy playing with your horse and...wow! You look amazing. Do you always go riding in that?"

"Spirit. He's named after my favorite movie. That's something new you didn't know about me and no, I usually just go in shorts and a tee."

"Well, for starters I didn't know you live in such a beautiful place. Your parents seem nice,but your dad scares me. Also, I didn't even know you had stables and a horse!"

"You might want to stand back, Spirit is quite the big boy. He might scare you.", I started to laugh but he quickly grabbed me by my waist.

"Why are you laughing Abby?", he said with his head cocked to the side.

"Oh, no reason. I just think Spirit is to big for you to handle by yourself. He takes time to adjust too", I said, trying to cover up my laughter.

"I can handle you can't I?", he whispered as he leaned in close to my face.

He pulled my waist closer to his. I wrapped my arms around his neck and softly kissed him. In that moment I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time. True, undeniable, inexplicable love. I really did care for Niall and before I met them Niall was always my favorite. Now I know that I really, truly love him.

I pulled away for a moment to catch my breath,"Niall. I..I..I Love you."

"Abby, do you know how long I've waited for you to say those words?", he asked me.

"No, how long exactly?"

"From the moment we met. I knew we had something special, something real. I didn't want to say it so soon but now that I know you feel the same way, I love you Abby and nothing's going to change how I feel for you."