Parenting

Chapter Twenty Five

-Niall's POV-

Holding William's hands, I let him bounce up and down on my thighs as I slouched back into the couch. He was having the time of his life and I couldn't want anything more for him.

Though my mind slipped elsewhere to the girl baking the 'surprise' is the kitchen. I heard the electric mixer before and I am so tempted to stand up and just barge in;ruining the surprise.

But something tells me Christine wants to keep me light on my toes. Just at the thought of her name makes me smile.

Shit! Stop it!

"Fuck." I groaned tilting my head back. Why did I have to kiss her and make everything awkward? Why can't I control this testosterone of mine?!

"Fu..." William tried to say as I shot my head up at him wide eyed.

"No, no, no William! Don't say that word. That is a very naughty word." He sat back on my lap and went quiet as I bit my lip hearing footsteps.

"Well the surprise is in the oven so you're not allowed to go in for thirty minutes." Christine wiped flour from her cheek as I found myself giving her a look over.

I always thought the chefs in cookbooks covered in flour mixed with messy hair looked tacky. But Christine brings a whole new alternative thinking to that now.

Her messy hair made her seem hard at work; like she wasn't concerned about her looks. And the flour on her face and neck -for me- was a plain cute. That she put in so much effort even though she knew she wasn't the best made this surprise sound so much better.

"I-I can't wait." The stuttering wasn't expected though Christine didn't choose to acknowledge it thank god.

A twisting sound was heard as both Christine and I looked at the door to finally see Louis stumble in.

"Fucking shit! Deciding to be a knob ass wanker and not-"

"Louis?" He stopped cussing and stood up with an instant cheery face.

"I am here! Calm down!" Raising his hand like we were a raging crowd, he shut the door and strode over.

"Lou!" William threw his arms up as Louis gave Christine a smile of recognition before making his way over to us.

"How are ya little champ?" Asking Will, he pulled him up and spun him round. William just laughed as Lou settled him into his chest. "So what's going?"

"That's what I'd like to know."

"Well," he sighed overdramatically while shrugging, "friends cancelled plans on me and you were close by."

"How do you always get into my apartment?"

"You gave me a spare key twat." Whispering the last word, I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

I can't believe out of all the lads, he got the key.

"Hey, I smell something cooking." Sniffing loudly, he began his way to the kitchen though Christine jumped in front of him.

"You can't go in there."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow at me and back at Christine. "And why's that?"

"Because I'm making the surprise." Her whispering made a wide smirk spread across Louis' face.

"Is it dessert before sex? You know, to get Niall in the mood?" My eyes widened as Christine's just laughed.

"Yes Louis, that's exactly what it is." She sarcastically spoke and rolled her eyes.

"I knew you were both secretly dating." He winked as I covered my face in shame. Louis is truly fucked up.

• • •

"-cover your eyes." Christine said to the three of us as we sat at the dinner table. I put one hand over William's eyes and watched Louis try and peek through his fingers. This hot him a slap on the back of the head.

"Ow! Alright, alright!" He sighed covering his eyes as I smirked covering mine.

"Idiot."

"Shut it Niall."

The room then fell into a sort of silence before we heard a plate slowly being put on the table. Christine let out a shaky breath as I raised an eyebrow. Was she nervous?

"Ok. You can look now." Pulling my hands away, my eyes widened to see the baked goods in front of me.

"Christine..." I breathed looking up at her shy figure.

She'd made three rows of cupcakes, all with light green icing and all baring letters on them.

'Thank you for everything'

"I-it's just a thank you." Her cheeks turned red as I smiled widely at her. "For letting me stay. I know I'm a burden sometimes and I can't thank you enough Niall."

Louis looked between us trying to hide his smile. I stood up and gave William to Lou before walking to Christine without a word.

Then I pulled her in for a hug. A long warming hug. Her arms wrapped back around me as I smiled into her hair.

"Thank you." I whispered leaning back and pushing hair behind her ear. Her blush deepened as I gave a friendly kiss to her forehead. "I can't believe you did this."

She shrugged as I pulled her in for another embrace.

"Alright love birds," Louis started as we looked over at him, "we going to admire these cupcakes or eat them?"

"Wait! Let me take a photo first!" I yelled grabbing my phone from the lounge room and snapping a picture.

This is definitely going on Twitter and Instagram.