Niall:
I felt my eyes open and there was an unfamiliar weight on my back. There were squirmy legs on both of my sides and I faced Laney who was still sound asleep. As the figure moved off of me I rolled on to my back so I could see just who it was. The blonde haired baby flopped down on my bare stomach and wrapped his arms around my neck.
“Hi!” he exclaimed in a high pitched babble. I put a hand up to my lips and motioned him to stay quiet. “Laney’s sleeping” he copied my gesture and then giggled softly making his curls bounce. The little boy was wearing a pair of striped shorts and a shirt with a monkey on it. His chubby toes were on my chest and his fingers were in his mouth. “What’s your name?” I asked catching him as he tipped off of my stomach. “Eden” he said pointing his slimy fingers at me. Laney quickly turned to the sound of his voice with a look of horror upon her face.
“Go upstairs Ethan, now.” She screamed. Ethan’s lip fell into a pout and his bottom lip was trembling. He threw his hands over his wet eyes. “I mean it, Ethan. Go.” He scooched himself off of my and his little feet slapped the floor with every step as he climbed the stairs to the main house.
“Who was that?” I asked curiously laying a hand in Laney’s hair. “Ethan” she said sternly. “Well I know that but who is he? Whose kid is he?” Without answering my question she rolled over and went back to sleep. Just then I felt my phone buzz beside me. I picked it up to see a voicemail from management. “Shit” I mumbled as I crawled out of the warm bed and headed toward the bathroom.
“Niall, I know we gave you two weeks but we need you back now! Your flights paid for, you leave tomorrow at 9:00 am US time. Don’t miss it, and that’s not a question! Paul will be there to pick you up when you land.”
As I listened to the message I pulled my boxers off and started the shower. I tapped my finger on the sink while I thought of how to spend my last day with Laney. I let out a sigh and pulled the shower curtain open. I stood under the hot water letting it touch every inch of my skin. Wishing it was Laney.
I ran my fingers through my hair and over my face trying to scrub every bit of confusion out of me. Things were happening so quickly I barely knew how to deal with them. I wanted to know who Ethan was. His big hazel eyes led me to believe he was Laney’s, but wouldn’t she have told me?
I contemplated under the heat of the showerhead until I heard a knock at the door. “Niall, are you almost done? Well I mean, can I come in?” a smile found its way above my chin and I let out a loud “yes.” The door opened in within seconds Laney had made her way into the shower right in front of me. Immediately my head filled with excitement. I averted my eyes from her and looked up trying to avoid the unavoidable. I felt her wrap her arms around my middle and give me a tight squeeze. Her wet hair clung to my chest as her fingers trailed up and down my spine. She looked up at me and moved her fingers around my neck. “Kiss me” she whispered slowly closing her eyes. I did as she asked and leaned my head down to reach hers. My eyes were closed and I felt our lips crash together as her sweet flavor coated my tongue.
“Soap me” Laney grinned as she pulled out of the kiss. Reluctantly I did as she asked and washed both her hair and body. I felt myself turn red as my body hardened and I started apologizing instantaneously. “What are you sorry for?” she asked winking at me with a cheeky smile. I scratched the back of my neck and turned an even brighter shade of my already lobster like hue. She giggled pointing at my crotch and bluntly said “I’ll go change, you fix that.” And she left me alone in the shower once again.
