Parenting

Chapter Four

-Christine's POV-

I set my food tray with both Maddy's and I's food on it to a table close to the playground.

"Chrissy!" Maddy whined tugging me pants. "Can I go play with William?"

"Not yet Maddy," I sat and pulled out the chair beside, watching as Niall sat down carefully with William across from me, "you have to at least have three nuggets before you play."

With a large pout, Maddy climbed onto the chair besude me before climbing onto my lap. I let out a exaggerated sigh causing Maddy to giggle while I set out her food.

"Here you go buddy." William's father blew on his chips and gave them to him. It surprised me how fast he devoured his food. I bet it's a trait from his father.

He then looked up at me and gave a faint smile before his face into some sort of realisation.

"I'm Niall." Holding his hand out, I took it with a reply.

"Hey, I'm Christine." Now that we had properly introduced each other, I now knew what to address him as.

A buzz then came from my jean pocket.

Chrisxx: where r u

My eyes rolled as o quickly have a reply.

Christine: it doesnt matter. go home chris.

Putting my phone away, I then felt a tug on my shirt as I looked down at Maddy.

"Done!" She giggled as I blinked back wide eyed to see no nuggets I'm front us.

"Well that was quick."

"Can I go play with William now?" She whined as I leant down and kissed her forehead.

"Alright." A happy squeal came from her as she jumped down and ran over to Niall.

"Can William play with me?" Niall smiled warmly at her as he turned in his seat.

"You wanna play with Maddy William?" William shyly shook his head as I began into my chicken wrap. "Come on buddy, it'll be good for ya!" Putting him down on the floor, I watched as Maddy grabbed the young boys hand and pulled him into the playground.

It wasn't long before the two having the time of their lives.

A light chuckle came from Niall as he continued eating the chips.

"How old is he?" The sudden question had Niall looking at me confused. "William I mean. How old is he?"

"He's turning two in two months." He smiled to himself. Niall thought adoringly about his son; I could see it in his eyes. He was a great father; even in the short time I've known him and I can already tell. "How about you?" The question caught me off guard.

"Maddy just turned four." My eyes wandered over go see my younger sister helping William down the slide. The smiles on their faces making my heart swell.

"She's a cute one." Niall turned and watched our kids as well. "So who's the lucky dad?" My eyes widened looking back at him as he looked at me as well.

"I-I... I'm not-she's not-" the words caught in my mouth like vomit as I caught my breath. "Maddy's my sister." Niall's eyes widened in realisation as he shook his head.

"Shit sorry, I just thought-"

"It's ok." I waved off with a slight blush at him thinking Maddy was my child. "Anyway," let's change the subject, "who's the lucky girl." My eyebrows wiggled as Niall tensed. His fusts balled and his jaw clenched ad my smile widened.

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have asked.

"She-" he stopped himself as he tried calm his breathing. "I'm a sole parent." My lips turned downwards as I nodded in understanding.

"Sorry." I mumbled as he sighed and looked back up at me.

"Don't be. You didn't know." He offered a small forced smiled as I bit into my wrap.

"Oh my god..." I heard whispers and looked over to see three girls a bit younger than me shyly come to our table.

"C-can w-we have a p-photo?" Niall forced another smile and nodded as he took photos and gave out hugs.

After a few minutes, it took him a bit of persuading to the stubborn girls refusing to leave, until they finally left.

"Well, well, well." I chuckled opening my bottle of water. "Somebody's popular." Niall playfully rolled his eyes and leant back into his seat.

"You know it."

• • •

Maddy pulled William into a tight hug which he awkwardly gave back. God they're so cute. You think that they know what love at first sight is? Wait, no... shut up Christine.

"Chrissy!" Maddy whined as she pulled away.

"Yes Maddy?" I smiled kneeling down.

"Can I play with William tomorrow?" The question caught me off guard as I blinked back at her pleading eyes.

"I-I..." My eyes looked up at Niall to see he had a similar expression. "Y-you have to ask Niall darling." I pointed back to him as Chrissy instantly ran and tugged his pants.

"Can I play with William tomorrow?" She brought out the puppy eyes and I stood back watching Niall debate an answer in his head.

"Ok sweetie." His concaving made had me tilt my head, making sure I heard him right. Niall looked up at me and let our a shaky breath before pulling his phone out and slowly handing it to me. "J-just put your contact in there." He mumbled as I nodded.

Once my numbers were in, I gave him back his phone.

"I put my house phone in there as well as my mobile in case you can't reach me." With a short awkward smile, Niall picked up William and said goodbye to us both. I watched him quickly make his way out of the street as I took Maddy's hand.

"I like Niall." Maddy giggled as I raised an eyebrow down at her.

"Oh really?" She nodded. "Then why don't you marry him?"

"Ew!" I couldn't help but to burst out laughing. A vibration was then felt in my pants as I pulled my phone out and put it against my ear.

"Hello?"

"Where the fuck are you?" The angry sound of my boyfriend made my smile drop. "One minute you're at the jewellery store and the next you fucking vanished!"

"Well I would have waited if you didn't piss off and leave my baby sister alone!"

"Don't change the subject! I just-I can't believe how selfish you are! I ask where you are and get a reply from you telling me to go home?! The fuck!" Fighting with this boy was no use. He would never think I was right anyway.

"Fuck off and go home. Don't come to my house and don't call."

"Fucking brilliant!" He sarcastically yelled and hung up as I feowled shoving my phone away. Then looking down, Maddy looked at me slightly confused and concerned.

"Don't tell mum or dad I said those bad words ok?" I smiled, trying to change the mood.

"Ok." And she zipped her lips.