Through The Dark

Grown Up

"Are you ready?" Sam asks once the gate buzzes. It was Louis and Katie with the kids. Of course, I was slightly terrified. We are getting two new kids that barely know us. Sam and I are just learning how to manage the one that we have now. We're being thrown two kids that have already developed their personalities, that have already faced the lose of both of their parents, that don't realize what is going on.

"There's no going back now." I say and open the gate. The truck comes up the driveway, slowly passing every curve. I open the door once they get out. "Thanks so much Louis." I smile at him, then down at Mason, who's clung to Katie's leg. "How ya doin' lad?" I ask him and he turns away from me without saying anything.

"He hasn't really said anything to anyone but me, since it all happened." Katie picks him up, resting him on her hip. "He doesn't really get it yet, but he remembers what he saw." She walks in past me and into the kitchen. "Louis is getting Mere, she fell asleep on the car ride over from the airport. She did a lot of crying on the flight, so she'll be exhausted today." Louis walks in with the sleeping girl in his arms.

"I'll get the bags, if you just hold her." He lays her in my arms and she just cuddles up to me, going back to sleep. The room is quiet, as Louis makes several trips, bringing in their stuff. He comes up and down the steps several times, taking all the boxes up to their room. "I'm supposed to give these to you." He hands me two envelopes. One with Meredith and one with Mason written on the front. Sam takes them from me and walks upstairs.

The rest of the day is long and quiet. Mason sits in front of the TV for hours and Meredith just sleeps. Of course, Sam makes dinner for everyone, like usual. Meredith is wide awake by dinner and I set her up in the high chair. Mason sits on the booster seat. Louis and Katie sit next to each other. Sam and I sit on opposite ends of the table, with Olivia next to Sam. "We're going to need a bigger table." I mutter. No one really says a word and we just eat in peace.

***

"Olivia, miss Olivia." I hum as I put her in her pajamas for the night. She lets out a big yawn and I tickle her tummy once I button her onesie. She smiles and I kiss her cheeks, before laying her down in the crib. "I love, I love, I love Olivia." I continue to hum the old song as I walk out of the nursery. I check in on Meredith, who's asleep in her crib. I walk into Mason's room and he's laying in bed, but he's still awake. "Time to go to sleep, bud." I tuck him in and start to walk away.

"Nia?" He says and I spin around. "I stayin' here forever?" He asks and I sit down on his bed.

"Yeah. Until you're a grown up. Then, you can get your own house." I answer.

"So, not going to go back to city?" He asks. I shake my head and stand back up.

"You get some sleep Mason. Maybe we can get out of the house tomorrow and do something fun. Good night, bud." I walk out and up to our room. I walk back down the stairs, noticing the kitchen light is still on. Louis sits at the edge of the counter, pouring whiskey into a glass of ice. "Stealing my booze, Tomlinson?" I ask and he jumps.

"Gotta sleep." He mumbles.

"You're not sleeping either?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"I haven't been sleeping because of all this traveling and stress and the kids." He takes a sip from his glass. "I got all screwed up with jet lag and everything."

"You know, you can take the spare bedroom upstairs. You don't need to be on the couch." I take the whiskey and fix myself a glass.

"Katie is up there..." I nod and sip the glass.

"What are you two.... Did you 'define the relationship'?" I ask and he rolls his eyes. He reaches for the bottle and refills his glass. "You're downing those pretty fast." I say and sip.

"I don't know what we are." He says. "We shared a hotel bed the other night in New York, but that's it." I take a seat at the stool next to him and we sit in silence for a bit. "I do like her. She's great. She's funny, and cute, and very beautiful. I just don't know. I know Harry wouldn't like us having a relationship."

"You can't control who you have feelings for." I say, thinking back to Madison. I finish off my glass and place it into the sink. "If you like her, go for it. We sound like school boys." I chuckle a bit and walk passed him. "G'night Lou." I walk up the stairs and stop at the first landing to check on the kids. I peek my head into Mason's room, he's fast asleep all cuddled in bed. Meredith is asleep as well and I stop in Olivia's room. She is sprawled out on her back, sleeping quietly. I step into her room and look down at her. Her lips move, like she's sucking on her pacifier. I admire her eyelashes as they are peacefully laying on her cheeks. "I live for you and long for you Olivia..." I want to place a kiss on her cheeks, but don't want to wake her. I step out and head up the next landing. When I get to our room, Sam is asleep in the middle of the bed. I crawl in next to her, trying to make room for myself. "Goodnight sweetie..." I kiss her and pull her into my chest.