Further On (Zayn Malik)

Epilogue

~1 year later~

I sit at the front of the airport in my car playing an old game I forgot I had, Candy Crush. I laugh as I make about seven in a row disappear and convince myself I'm a pro.

"Da-deee!" Suraiya squeals in the backseat holding her arms out to the window.

I spot Zayn looking around, then takes out his phone and puts it to his ear. My game gets interrupted when I see Zayn calling me, but I just let it ring, just staring at it. Once the ringing stops, I text him telling him to look ahead and his head shoots up and looks directly at me. I smile at him, unlocking the door and getting out.

"Hi," I grab his bags once he reaches me. "H-how was the flight?"

"Fine." He tells me, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Suraiya is in the car, screaming for you." I chuckle.

"Here, I got them, you don't have to-"

"I'm okay, Zayn. Just get in the car." I smile, opening the trunk.

Suraiya is squeals and giggles as she kicks her legs and stretches her arms out for Zayn to grab her.

"Da-dee!" She claps, her hands greedy to give him a hug.

"Where's Joel and Noah?" Zayn asks.

"Your mother's." I answer.

"Cool." He gives his daughter a kiss on her forehead saying, "I love you, sweetheart." Then he hops in the passenger seat.

Zayn and I haven't really...I don't know. We've been on the outs a bit with him traveling back and forth. I don't really get to see much of him anymore. It's usually just me and the kids, we're lucky if we see him through FaceTime.

"Are you hungry?" I ask him.

"Sure, yeah." He nods.

"Great, because I've cooked something really good. Well I hope." I laugh, pressing the button to start the car.

"Well, I'm pretty sure it'll taste great."

--

"So good to see you!" Tricia hugs Zayn tightly. "You're gone for like 5 months at a time!"

I chuckle, staring at them, holding Suraiya in my arms. Noah and Joel don't run to Zayn like I had expected. They look up at him and just smile, as if him leaving and coming home isn't a big deal to them anymore.

"No hugs for daddy?" He asks.

"I'm busy." Noah whispers, building his Legos.

"Come on boys," I say. "Time to go home." I shift Suraiya to my other hip.

"I can have apples and caramel!" Noah jumps up.

"Yes, of course!" I smile at him, holding his hand to walk out with him.

--

Zayn is upstairs doing god knows what while I'm downstairs in the living room playing with the kids.

"Daddy!" Joel calls. "Daddy choo choo!"