Parenting

Chapter Thirty

-Christine's POV-

It's been five days since I woke up with an incredible hangover dressed in my underwear. Not the best of things to remember but it happened.

My bags were packed for tomorrow, ready to go back to my house. This place is crazily perfect, and I know I'll miss it, but I've burdened Niall enough.

"Christine?" Harry's voice brought me back into reality as I looked across the table at him.

"Yeah, sorry." I apologized. My mind keeps wandering off lately and I've been pulled back quite a few times. "How's yours?" I gestured to his half eaten plate as he smiled.

"This is really good. You should have gotten it."

"I know," dramatically sighing made him chuckle, "but I don't want to add to Niall's bill. It's bad enough he's paying for both of us."

"I do it out of the purest of my heart." Niall defended with a pout as he wiped at William's mouth. I laughed to myself and looked over to see Harry smiling particularly at me.

My eyebrow raised as he nodded his head at Niall then at me.

"No." I whispered as his body slumped in disbelief.

"Really?" He muttered as I shrugged. Harry looked back at Niall and shook his head disapprovingly. "He's an idiot."

"What?" I asked before pulling my pesto pasta onto my fork.

"Isn't it obvio-"

"Dammit William!" Niall groaned wiping the little boy's white shirt that now had red stain on it. "You're lucky I brought your jacket young man."

William pouted his bottom lip and looked over at us. I went cross eyed with fish lips causing him to giggle. Harry laughed at me as well before I relaxed my face.

"So what did you have planned tonight?" Harry asked and Niall glanced over at me.

"I don't know to be honest. Ice cream and movies?" I hadn't had ice cream in a while. Crap, now my sweet mind has gone off. "Or maybe butterscotch pudding with ice cream. Or waffles with cream! Or pancakes with ice cream, cream and syrup!"

I was getting excited by the thought of the foods.

"That sounds amazing." Niall drooled as I copied him, thinking about ice cream and syrup.

"Well, Niall..." Harry began as Niall looked at him. "Since Lou and Lux are going to the movies tonight..."

"Oh god." Niall laughed in a joking matter at his friend.

"Could I take William with us? Plus I can take care of him for tonight. Please." With his hands together in a beg, Niall looked away as Harry snuck me a wink. I blinked back smiling at the boy. What a cheeky ass.

"Well..." Niall sighed looking at William. "He doesn't have clothes."

"Lou has spares! Come on mate." Harry tugged at Niall's arm childishly making Niall groan and throw his hands up in defeat.

"Ok, ok. You can gave William tonight." Harry smiled and gave me an unexpected high five. "But," Niall pointed his finger as Harry sat straight in his chair, "you have to bring him back by nine thirty tomorrow morning. Ok?"

"Yes Niall, ok." Niall smiled weakly as Harry full on beamed.

"Thank me later." He whispered for my ears as I rolled my eyes suppressing a smile. Well done Harry Styles.

• • •

"-cream, pancake batter, Starburst lollies, snicker pods and plsin Smith chips." Niall went over our food we had just bought from the grocery store as I nodded. I'm so freaking excited to eat all of this!

"Perfect! Let's go!" Niall laughed at my eagerness and took two bags as well as me. We crammed them into four plastic bags so hopefully nothing will break.

It had been real quiet for us lately. But as soon as we stepped out the building, I guess I spoke to soon.

There was a crazy amount of paparazzi surrounding us as we came onto the street pathway. Fans came up out of nowhere and took selfies with Niall. I stepped back looking down as we walked back towards the car.

Left right and centre, we were surrounded by yelling and blinding lights.

I wasn't used to this. This was too much.

"Come here." I felt fingers brush my arm but was shoved back.

"Move!" My eyes widened at the pap that pushed me. What was I supposed to do? Cause a scene and push back?

"Hey!" Niall yelled and glared at him before coming to me. He pulled an arm around my waist and walked us up the pathway. "Don't tell her to move! How dare you! You're just some freaking pap that'll make ten quid off my pictures! Don't push her ever!"

Niall went off as my strides became longer and I picked up pace. We eventually came back to the car and I climbed in putting the groceries at my feet. Niall followed with a slam of his door as he threw the groceries in the back seat.

I stayed silent as he screeched out the parking spot and back onto the street.

I dare not say a word for I might get yelled at. It's best to keep my mouth shut for now.

Niall's breathing was heavy as his fists clenched at the steering wheel. His eyes narrowed onto the road as I stared down at my lap.

Moments later, he snatched my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. I was shocked to say the least. Never did I think he would do that with me in the car.

"I can't believe they fucking did that." Niall growled tightening his grip. "You dont ever deserve that. Who the fuck does he think he is?"

Was Niall angry because of what happened with me? It doesn't make sense, he shouldn't be. It's not that even big of a deal.

"Niall-"

"No Christine. Don't you dare tell me it's ok. You deserve better baby and that's all you should get. The best."

It's been a while since he called me that. Baby. It does sound to bad.