Parenting

Chapter Twenty

-Christine's POV-

Turning the tap off to the shower, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself. My eyes caught a glance in the mirror before they widened.

The bruises... there was so many. The ones on my chest were more raw then the ones on my arms. I couldn't look underneath the towel; god knows how disgusting the bruises are there.

Deciding to not look, I left the bathroom and made my way back to the spare room.

"Alright buddy, Uncle Harry and Liam are going to take care of you today. So be a good boy." I stopped frozen in my tracks as I watched Niall zip up the baby bag.

William saw me and smiled widely as he reached his arms out. Niall looked up at him until he looked over at me. His eyes widened as I felt my cheeks flush.

This was definitely not something I wanted to happen.

"Christine..." He breathed straightening his stance. His eyes ran over my body, and I wasn't sure if it was because I standing half naked in front of him or if it was because of my bruises.

"S-sorry!" I stuttered pacing from the room and slamming the door shut. My heart raced as I put a hand over my chest while gripping tighter onto the towel.

Alright Christine, just get dressed.

Nodding to myself, I went into my walk-in wardobe and picked out some clothes for the day. Eh, these looked lazy enough. Getting dressed, I let my dry hair out from it bun and pushed it out of my face.

On the other side of the door, I could hear my phone begin to ring as I slipped some socks on and came to the device.

"Hello?"

"Hey!" The familiar voice of Indie made me smile.

"Hey Indie." I chuckled putting the phone on loud speaker before grabbing some shoes.

"So I was wondering," she began, mischief in her tone, "you wanna come hang with me today? My dad gave me these discounted coupons at the RSL and I have extra."

Her proposition tempted me.

"I don't know..." I teased tying my shoes up and putting my hair back in a bun.

"Oh come on!" She laughed as I took loud speaker off and put the phone back to my ear.

"Alright, alright! What time and where?"

"My house around eleven?"

"Perfect. Just let me glamour myself up."

"Alright babe, see you soon."

"Bye Indie." I smiled hanging up and connecting my phone to its charger.

A knock cane to my door as I took my makeup bag from under the bed into my hold.

"Come in!" I called and saw Niall step into the room.

"Hey." He smiled and put his hands in his hean pockets.

"Hey Niall," I stood, "sorry about before. Didn't know you'd be there."

"No, no. It's all good." Niall waved off as he sat on my bed watching me take my mirror out and begin the makeup process. "So, uh... I was thinking..."

He trailed off rubbing the back of his neck as I perked an eyebrow.

"William is out for the day and I was hoping we could... get to know each other? Maybe?" My hand held the bronzing brush still as I slowly looked up at him.

"Shit... sorry Niall, I've made plans." He muttered an 'oh' and looked away. "But you can come with me if you want." I smiled. Indie wouldn't mind that much would she? Nah. I'm pretty sure she'd been ok getting to know more about the boy I'm in the news with.

"Where are you going?"

"Just out with a friend for lunch. She's pretty cool; you'd like her." I smiled as Niall returned to smile.

"If it's alright with her then I'd like that." He stood and made his way to the door. "Oh! And how were you planning on getting there?"

Oh. I didn't think of that.

"Bus maybe?" I shrugged. Niall rolled his eyes and smiled.

"I'll give you a lift darlin'." And with that, he left the room as I looked at my reflection.

Darlin' huh? Well, it's slightly better then babe I guess.

• • •

"Is this it?" Niall asked as I nodded, letting him pull up in front of the house.

"This is the one." Niall gave a toot of the car horn and we watched as Indie came out, waving to somebody inside the house.

I stepped out of the car and smiled as she cane over and pulled me in for a hug. "Hey you!" She giggled as we pulled away.

"Hey. You ready?" She nodded and looked over my shoulder before going wide eyed.

"I-is that..." I looked back as Niall waved from the car.

"Niall Horan? I think so." I teased and gestured her to the car. "Come on Indie! Those coupons aren't going to use themselves!" She snapped out of her daze and ran over, opening the door behind my seat and getting in.

"Oh. Nice... baby seat." She whispered as I laughed putting my seatbelt on.

"Niall, this is my super attractive friend Indie. Indie, this is lover boy Niall." Niall threw me a confused smile as he reached a hand back and shook it with Indie.

"Nice to meet you." Niall offered a smile leaning back in his seat.

"Likewise lover boy." Indie joked as we settled in and pulled out.

Today should be a good day; I hope.