Your Greatest Mistake

Chapter Twenty One

Riley's POV

We got to the house pretty fast. There was an ambulance outside. Who called them? We ran upstairs leaving the car double parked outside. I ran up the stairs and into the living room. Lynn was getting put on a stretcher and Austin was crying. My dad was on the couch holding Jake.

"Dad." I said.

He stood up and handed Jake to Austin who put him on the couch. Austin ran to Niall and I and burrowed his head between us. My dad walked over and hugged me and gave Niall a pat on the back. I stood there motionless as I saw the body bag on the stretcher. Niall put his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

"What happened to Lynn?" I asked.

"She p-passed o-out." Austin sputtered.

I grabbed my little brother and hugged him. He was going to make himself sick with all this crying. I left Austin with Niall and walked over to my father.

"Dad, what happened?" I finally asked.

"Riley I'm not sure that you want to know that." He said.

"She was my mother. I need to know." I said.

"She committed suicide. She left a note, but I would prefer that you didn't read it." He said.

I wasn't even sure what to say. My dad was waiting for me to say something, but I was silent.

"Austin found her." My dad muttered.

"But Lynn was the one who called me." I said.

"Austin woke Lynn up and told her. Apparently he went into hysterics." He said.

"How?" I asked.

"Overdose." He whispered.

"I'm gonna go see if Austin needs anything." I said.

I walked over to Niall and Austin. I silently stood next to Niall and grabbed his hand. How could she do this? How dare she leave her children like this! My grandmother came and picked up Jake. He's only five and my dad thought it would be better if she watched him for a day or too. He rode in the ambulance with Lynn to the hospital, which left Niall and I to watch Austin. We didn't have to, but I didn't want to leave him alone. I put on some movie that Austin used to love. About halfway through he fell asleep. I was sitting next to Niall. He may have been there for me today, but I haven't forgotten what I heard.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I heard what you said today about liking the kiss." I blurted out.

I didn't really mean to say it. However, I was glad that it was out in the open.

"Riley I was confused. You know I only have eyes for you." He said.

"Apparently not." I muttered.

"I'll admit that I didn't stop it. But I did think I liked it. But being with you today made me realize that it's only you. It always was you and it will always be you Riley." He said.

"The last thing she ever said to me was that she hated me. She said that I was worthless. She said that she was ashamed to claim me as her own." I said.

"Don't make yourself upset." Niall said.

"I can't help it. She knew those were the last words she would ever say to me and she was okay with that." I said.

I decided that it was better for me to just shut up. I heard Austin moan and yawn.

"Is the movie over?" He asked.

"Yeah." Niall said.

"Oh well. I've seen it enough time anyways." He said.

"How you feeling?" I asked.

"Fine." Austin replied.

Lie. That was a lie. I heard the front door open and someone coming up the stairs. My dad and sister walked into the living room.

"Thanks for keeping an eye on Austin." My dad said.

"No problem." I mumbled.

"I'm gonna stay here with them tonight and then probably bring them back to my house." My dad explained.

I forgot that him and my mother divorced. I hope they would be okay with going to his house. I wonder if they had ever been there before. I hadn't.

"Um, we're gonna go then. If you need anything just call me." I said awkwardly.

My dad nodded. I gave my siblings hugs and my dad a kiss. Niall said his goodbyes and we headed out. The ride home was quiet. He knew I didn't want to talk. I knew he was curious to why I wasn't a mess or why I wasn't crying. The answer was simple. My siblings needed me to be strong. So I was. When we got to the house I went directly to the bathroom. I took a warm shower and left the bathroom in a towel. When I got into my room I saw that Niall was already in bed. My bed. I sighed, but didn't argue. I grabbed my pajamas and changed. I was fully aware that he was watching me change. I took my towel and threw it at him. He laughed and patted the area next to him. I got into bed next to him and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Can we just forget about these past few months? I love you and I just want you to love me again." He said.

"Love you again? Who said I ever stopped?" I asked.

"I hurt you again. I have to be the stupidest person alive. How could I do that to you? I am so sorry love." He said.

"It's okay, I guess. Someone told me that I need you just as much as you need me and I know that's true." I said.

He kissed my neck and I smiled and cuddled with him until we fell asleep. It was nice to finally have this Niall back again. The Niall I fell in love with, the Niall that I'm in love with.