Don't Leave Us (Sequel to Something Blue)

10. New House

I walked out o to the strip once again. The suns rays were blinding, but I shaded my eyes with my hand and looked about.  People milled along the strip, many taking photos of the picturesque shore, and more ogling pricey items in the shops.

The baby blue bag in my hand held my clothes. I was wearing my bikini, with only my white tee shirt and shorts on overtop. El and Perrie wanted to keep shopping, but Darcy said she could walk back to the beach with me.

We began heading back, pausing every so often to glance at the stylish outfits in the mirrors. We occasionally grunted when we saw ones we liked, but never entered a store.

Once the beach was in view, I just happened to notice Darcy speed up the slightest bit. I grinned, knowing that she just wanted to see Harry again. Not that I could judge. I was stuck to Niall like glue for the first few months as well.

I saw sunlight glinting off Ni's signature blonde hair, and my heart fluttered. I noticed myself speeding up as well. Harry was sat beside Niall, drink in hand. Darcy broke out into a run, and jumped behind Harry. Harry jumped slightly, but he got up and gave Darcy a quick peck on the cheek. Niall looked around, and once his eyes met mine, he grinned and stood up. I smiled and walked towards him, even faster. He jogged over to me, and wrapped me up into a hug. "Hey beautiful." he muttered into my hair. I giggled and squeezed him back. He planted a kiss on my head and together, we walked hand in hand to where Darcy was now playing with Harry's curls.

Niall wrapped his arm around me. "Harry and I wanted to rent some... What are they called Haz?"

"Sea Doos. The things on the water?"

Niall nodded. "Yeah, Sea Doo's. We've already rented a boat in case you just wanted to relax on there though Mattie."

I smiled. "Sure, I'll relax on there. You kids have fun."

Niall rolled his eyes. "I'm not a child." He stuck out his tongue. Oh yeah. He's the most manly guy I know.

I laughed and poked him softly. "Whatever. We're in LA. Go have fun."

Niall grinned. "The yacht is in the dock. I'll walk you down there."

I smiled and grabbed his hand. Harry said he's go rent the Sea Doo thingies, and Darcy went with him.

Niall and I made our way to the long wooden dock. The sunlight glinted off the saltwater and onto the wood, making it look like it was glowing. Niall took in a long, deep breath through his nose, ad sighed happily. "I love the smell of saltwater. The heat is kind of unnatural though."

I nodded. LA was much hotter than England, or Rome, or Ireland. This was the most intense heat I had ever experienced. "Now I understand why dogs pant when they're hot." I joked. Niall laughed quietly, and squeezed my hand softly. "So how've you been feeling?" he asked me, swinging our hands slowly.

I shrugged. "Tired, a little nauseous, the usual." I said, staring at my feet.

Niall sighed. "Not getting any better, huh?" 

I shook my head. "If anything it's getting worse." 

Niall nodded. "Makes sense, there's only a few weeks left of the pregnancy."

I rolled my shoulders. It felt like I had only seen the test, claiming I was pregnant yesterday. Over the course of those months, so much had changed, but it felt like I still had no idea what to do when the babies were born. I was hoping a material sense would kick in, but I also knew that there was so much yet to learn.

"Feels like it just happened yesterday." I sighed, looking out at the horizon. Niall nodded, and squeezed my hand once again. "We'll get the hang of it." he smiled. I grinned back, and we made our way out to the end of the dock.

I looked around, but there was no boat, let alone a yacht in sight. I turned and arched an eyebrow at Niall. He laughed and sat down on the rough wooden planks. When I continued standing, he looked up, and patted the plank beside him. I laughed and kneeled down beside him, but with difficulty. Niall grinned and began running his fingers between the cracks of the planks beside him. I watched him, interested in his random interest in planks all of a sudden, when he muttered "Got it." and pulled out a beige file that had been in the boards. My interest grew, but he just laughed at me bewildered expression and handed me the file.

I raised an eyebrow again (wow, I do that a lot,) and opened the sleek folder.

Three papers fluttered in the sea breeze. On the first page, sat a large picture of the large apartment, taking up a whole floor in London, its furniture white and clean in the photo. On the second, was the large house, its grey cobblestone making the sky and grass in the photo seem ten times brighter. And on the last picture, was the small house, its white siding gleaming.

I gasped. Niall blushed sheepishly. "I figured we could unpack as soon as we got home, but to do that, we need to buy it."

I grinned, and looked at the papers in my hand. All the houses were... great, no doubt, ad I knew that we needed to choose one, but I was so torn!

"Alright. Let's choose." I tried to grin, but it felt false on my face.

***

We talked on the dock until the sky was dark and my arms were cold. The papers became crinkled and mussed from hours of us pointing at one or the other. It took us forever, but eventually, we decided.

"Alright, so are you sure that's the one?" Niall asked for the billionth time. I laughed and nodded, sure that my choice was the perfect one for our family.

Niall smiled and gave me a soft kiss. "In all honesty, I was rooting for house one from the beginning." He muttered into my hair. I laughed and nodded. The grey brick, large property, and nice size was perfect for a growing family.

I nodded and snuggled into the crook of his neck, breathing in his musky scent.

We must've stood there for ages, cuddled in one another's arms. The water was now a black pool, swaying against the poles holding the dock upright. There were still a few rays of light, making the clouds look like different shades of pink, purple and orange.

"Now I don't know about you," Niall began, pulling away.

"But I'm feeling 22?" I said, a smile gracing my lips. Niall poked out his tounge and shook his head so fast it was a surprise he didn't get whiplash. I laughed. I hated Taylor Swift too, with a passion.

"What I was saying was," Niall begun again. "I don't know about you, but  could I go for a swim right about now."

I laughed, knowing what he had in mind. He winked, before tossing off his shirt, exposing his bare torso to the darkening sky. He kicked off his shoes, and leapt i to the dark water with a splash. Drops of water rained upon me, and I laughed hapily. He popped up above the water, and flicked his wet hair out of his eyes. "Come on!" he shouted, motioning for me to jump in. I laughed, and quickly discarded my clothing so I was just in my bikini. I leapt in, but more careful then Niall, so I didn't hurt the kids.

The dark, murky water was very dark. I couldn't see more than three feet in any direction. I flutterkicked, and my head popped above the water as well. Niall laughed and splashed me slightly. I narrowed my eyes, and splashed him harder.

Together, we splashed and laughed in the dark water, under the night sky.

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ok, so house three won!! remember, house one was the one with grey brick, cobblestone driveway, trimmed hedges and lush gardens. 5 bed, 4 bath, 50 acers of land, located outskirts of london, approx. 30 mins away from their current flat. Thanks to everyone who voted!!