Stumbling through the dark

"Let Me Get This Straight"

Jacey felt her heart begin to race with anxiety. It was like Niall had turned to stone. He didn't speak, he didn't move, his face totally expressionless. Jacey whispered 'sorry' and hurried from the room, not looking back. Niall still didn't react. The nurse ,who ended the room shortly after Jacey had left , to do her routine observations, trying to engage Niall in conversation but with not response. He acted like he was in deep trance so, very worried, she summonsed his doctor.

"Shock. Extreme shock" it would appear" the doctor said " maybe delayed from the accident but I doubt it". He had examined Niall carefully , observing closely, but nothing seemed to add up. "Just keep checking on him and alert me if there is any change" the doctor told the nurse then left. He was quite puzzled as ,though Niall had been in shock when he first arrived at the hospital, this seemed increasingly odd.

"I'll just get you comfortable, then you can get some rest" the nurse spoke in quiet and soothing tones as she moved around Niall, taking away some of the pillows that had been supporting him, before pressing the controls to lower the head of the bed. Once the bed was flat, she made sure Niall was warmly covered before dimming the lights and leaving the room. Niall stared straight up at the ceiling. His face was blank but his mind was screaming at him. What had he done!

Liam frowned as his doorbell was being rung without break. He grumbled to himself as he went to the door and stood, shocked, at seeing Jacey standing on his doorstep, her eyes red rimmed and tears pouring uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"Jacey, honey, what's wrong. Niall!" Liam felt himself start to panic . Had something happened to Niall?

"I'm sorry, Li. I didn't know who to turn to" Jacey managed to say, in-between wracking sobs. Liam put his arms around her and walked her into the lounge. He got her sat in a chair then knelt down in front of her, holding her small hands in his own very much larger ones.

"Tell me?" he said simply. Jacey tried to get some air into her lungs, deliberately taking as deep a breath as she could manage. She sniffed and hiccuped then finally stopped crying.

"I'm pregnant, Li. And I told Niall. He just stared at me. Didn't say a word, didn't move. It was like nothing existed, I didn't exist . He was stone" . More tears slid down her face.

"Pregnant?" Liam asked, slightly bewildered . Jacey nodded . "But, I thought that you couldn't have children?'

"I thought so too. I was told that it was almost impossible but they were wrong. I was wrong. Now Niall must hate me" she sobbed.

"Oh ,honey. Niall would never hate you. You've broken down all the walls he put up when Caoimhe died. You've made him come alive again. He loves you, honey" Liam's voice held conviction. He'd known Niall for so many years, had been through so much with him , and he knew that Niall did truly love Jacey. "Look, why don't you go home, get some rest. Things will be better in the morning, yeah?"

"Thanks, Liam. I'm sorry to burden you this way. I just didn't know what to do" Jacey stood up and Liam stood with her.

"Get some sleep. Try not to worry. It's not good for you or the baby" Liam's voice was soft. He escorted her to the door then watched as she drove away. He stood looking at the retreating car lights, frowning in thought. Mind made up, he grabbed his own car keys, his wallet and jacket and , shutting his front door with a small slam, headed towards his own car. It was stupid, Niall was probably sleeping, but he could at least sit in his room and talk to him when he woke up. He had to get to the bottom of this. The behavior just didn't sound like Niall. There had to be something else going on and he, Liam Payne, was going to find out just what was the problem.

Liam started to creep quietly into Niall's room, anxious not to wake Niall as he knew he needed to rest. Immediately Liam knew something was majorly wrong. Niall was sat up in bed, struggling to breath, his lips blue as he groped uselessly , trying to find the call bell. Liam opened the room door and shouted for the nurse before racing back to Niall's bedside and trying to calm his friend down. In moments the room was full of medical staff and Liam found himself pushed outside of the room. He paced up and down, glancing at the closed door every time he passed it.

It seemed like hours and hours had passed although Liam's watch showed it had been less than forty five minutes in reality . The doctor eventually came out and told Liam that Niall had experienced a major panic attack and, although he was more settled, he was put on oxygen as a precaution due to his asthma. Liam was given permission to go sit with Niall under the understanding that he would not disturb Niall as he was sleeping. Liam readily agreed and entered Niall's room. He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and played games on his phone as Niall slept. This soft hiss of the from the oxygen mask and the sound of gentle breathing were the only sounds to be heard.

Liam shut his phone off and closed his eyes to rest them. He was tired but he wasn't able to nap. His mind was trying to process what Jacey had told him. He yawned widely then his eyes popped open when he heard movement. He relaxed immediately when he saw it was just a nurse who had come into the room and was fussing over Niall. Obviously satisfied, she smiled briefly at Liam and left as quietly as she had entered. Liam was about to close his eyes again when he saw, in the dim light, the gleam of Niall's eyes .

"NIaller?" Liam spoke very softly, not wanting to startle his friend. Niall slowly turned his head towards Liam , slow tears trickling down his cheeks.

"Li...I've really f.cked up" Niall whispered

"Mate, no" Liam said reassuringly but Niall only shook his head in denial.

"I got Jacey pregnant. How f.cked up is that ?" Niall continued as if Liam hadn't spoken.

"Let me get this straight." Liam said "Jacey is pregnant and you think that is a f.ck up. Why?"

"Are you an idiot?" Niall said, his voice getting louder as he felt anger surging inside himself. "I got her pregnant, we're not married and I have MS"

"What part of that makes me an idiot?" Liam asked in a conversational tone. He could see Niall was angry but knew the anger was not directed at him. Niall seemed furious with himself. "You obviously love her, you can marry her , if that's what you both want . The MS? What's the problem? Jacey knows about it, she's a doctor, for heaven's sake. I don't see....."

" You don't see?" Niall butted in immediately ." What happened when it gets worse? Jacey won't want to be tied to a man who's likely to become a physical wreck. And what right have I to father a child knowing what will happen?" Niall hadn't given Liam a chance to finish his sentence before he had exploded .Now Liam knew what was troubling Niall. It wasn't the baby, or Jacey as such, it was how they would be affected in the future.

"Niall, mate. I love you but right now I could throttle you" Liam sounded stern " I had Jacey crying her eyes out on my shoulder last night . She thinks you hate her for being pregnant. Mate, you didn't talk to her. You left her hanging, the poor girl. She's in a terrible state. She didn't get pregnant by herself, bro. Ni, , you need to talk to her"

" I know that! I got her pregnant. I am the f.ck up . Don't you think I don't know that? Talk? And say what? I love you but having a baby with me isn't a good idea?" Niall said hotly.

"Mate, you need to talk to Jacey. You need to tell her what you're worried about and mate...." Liam paused and looked Niall right in the eyes " you need to let Jacey tell you how she feels. Whatever you both feel like, there is now a third life involved". Liam put his hand into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He scrolled rapidly through his contacts and selected one. He waited until the call connected then handed the phone to Niall. "Talk" he said as he walked out of the room.

" Hello " said the voice at the other end.