Walls

Chapter Twenty-Three: Happy Homecoming?

"Alex wake up." Niall whispered and shook me. My eyes opened reluctantly as I looked around.

"What's going on?" I yawned.

"We're about to land." He said and reached up to stretch his arms. I smiled sleepily and reached over him to shake my sister. Her head snapped up groggily.

"Huh?" She yawned.

"About to land." My mouth opened to yawn. Niall looked at both of us and laughed.

"Hello passengers, sorry to wake you." The pilot's British accent said through the intercom, "We have landed in Dublin International, it is a crisp Irish morning at 8:30AM. The fasten your seat-belts sign is now off. Thank you for flying with us." The intercom clicked off and we all tried to stand. Melissa grabbed her bag first and then Niall grabbed mine and his. All the passengers flooded into the airport and went to baggage claim. I looked around nervously.

"Pull up your hood." I whispered.

"Why? Oh right." He smiled and pulled his hood over his head. Surprisingly our bags were the first out. I went up to try and grab mine, but it was too heavy. I grunted to try and pull it out.

"Let me help you." An older man, maybe 40 or so, smiled down at me and helped me get it on the ground.

"Thank you." I panted.

"It's ok." He laughed, "My wife was in the same situation."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Pregnant." He smiled, "Is this your first?"

"Yes." I smiled hesitantly and rubbed my belly. "Well I've got to be going, thank you." I called and wheeled my suitcase over to Niall and Melissa.

"Who was that?" Niall asked.

"Some guy who offered to help me." I shrugged and Niall nodded.

"I could've helped you." He pouted.

"It doesn't-"

"I don't care!" Melissa exclaimed, "Lets go! I wanna see Mum!" I glared at her and rolled my eyes as I stepped out of the airport and flagged down a taxi. I gave the driver my address and we all put our suitcases in the back.

After about a thirty minute ride we were at my apartment complex. Niall smiled and paid the man a few euros as we all pulled out suitcases out of the trunk. I trekked my way up the stairs as they trudged slowly behind me.

"Lex there's a elevator!" Melissa whined. I rolled my eyes.

"It's not that far of a climb." I snapped and opened the door of my floor and soon we were in my apartment. "Ok bathroom breaks, freshen up, and grab a snack then we got to walk to the station," I heard Melissa about to whine, "Which you rode to school everyday, you know it isn't that long of a walk." She rolled her eyes and went to my fridge. I stuck my tongue out at the back of her head as I headed to the bathroom. I knocked on the closed door.

"Occupied." Niall called through the door.

"Hurry up." I whined and banged on the door. The door flew open showing an agitated Niall. "Hi." I laughed and pushed my way by him, when I felt a sharp pain. "Ow." I yelped.

"What's wrong?" Niall asked, his brow furrowed.

"Oh nothing." I smiled weakly and grabbed his hand, placing it on my stomach. She was moving. He laughed.

"She kicked me!" He pouted playfully. I rolled my eyes and placed both of my hands over his big paw. Once she settled down he looked up into my eyes. His eyes were so full of awe and wonder. I bit my lip, my eyes falling to his lips which were forming a smile. His face inched closer to mine, our lips brushing over each other finally ending in a kiss.

"Hey guys you ready to-oh." Melissa came running down the hall, smiling at me slyly. We immediately pushed away from each other, blushing profusely.

"L-let's go." I mumbled, grabbing my purse and suitcase. Melissa started laughing at us as she grabbed her own stuff.

Lets skip a few hours ahead. Nothing interesting about riding the train to Mullingar. It's almost noon and we had just arrived at Mum and Danny's flat.

"Don't say a word about this." I whispered to Melissa after I knocked on the door. In a split second the door was thrown open revealing my mum's smiling face.

"My girls!" She squealed, forcing me into a warm hug. I smiled.

"Hi Mum." I said as she ran to hug Melissa as my stepfather shook hands with Niall and took our bags upstairs.

"You brought Niall?" She smiled and ran to hug him, "It's been such a long time! Come have tea!" She smiled leading us to the table as Melissa went upstairs to visit with her father. My mum was a naturally thin woman who didn't really care about her weight. She made amazing food with real fat and real sugar. Its completely, utterly, and shamefully delicious. "America must treat you well Alexandria!" I cringed at the use of my full name. "You were so skinny when you left Ireland! Now you look healthy and glowing with health!" She gushed and sat a cup of tea in front of the both of us.

"About the weight I've gained, Mum..." I said, slurping up some of my tea.

"Yes sweetie?" She cocked her head to the side quizzically.

"I'm uh...pregnant." I mumbled, hiding my face behind my cup.

"That's all?" She asked.

"I thought you would be mad at me." I bit my lip.

"Honey! You're a grown woman with a steady job and boyfriend. If it was Melissa it would be different, but I'm actually happy for you." She smiled. I never told her Niall and I broke up. This is awkward. "Is it a boy or a girl?" She asked.

"Girl." Niall smiled and turned to face my mother.

"Yeah." I agreed, "Out of curiosity, why aren't you upset?" I asked my mum.

"Oh because I knew you and Niall would get married and have kids, even if you have the kids first," she joked, "mother's instinct." She smiled down at Niall and squeezed his shoulder. I sighed and sipped my tea, she doesn't even realize how vastly far from the truth she is.