How Did We Get Here // Luke Hemmings & Zayn Malik

Chapter 73: Them

In the morning, someone was annoyingly banging on the front door repeatedly. Since Natalie was at school and Niall sleeps like a rock, I carefully went down the stairs with such burden and aggressively opened the door wide "What do you..." Was it them? Could it be?

After all this time, is it really them? Could I be sleeping and dreaming this, I did wish I could see them one last time but did it come true so fast. It doesn't even feel real. But why are they here? What happened? Why do they want to see me? Do they know about me?

A thousand questions hit my brain like a torpedo that I just remained motionless. They stood in front of me, waiting to see if I respond but I didn't know how.

She then just stepped forward and hugged me. She just openly hugged me. Didn't say a word, she acted like nothing has happened and everything was normal. Then he came and hugged me too. It was all so weird to me.

I stay silent and show them the way in. I close the door slowly and take a deep breath in. what am I going to say? Is he with them? What are they doing back here? All I know is that it's just weird having them here.

I sit down in front of them and stare at the rug. She coughs and shifts to the side "Emma?" I look up towards her direction and smile "Yes?"

She smiles "Emma, how are you? How's Zayn?" why is she acting like this? I would have expected her to blow off her steam, especially knowing us. I would have thought he would be the calmer one but I was wrong. I don't even know how to respond to that. I grin small "Um, well the baby is growing fine, it's healthy and strong." He places his hands on his thighs and leans closer to me "That wasn't her Question Em's." why are they doing this? I haven't seen them in so long, not one phone after all that time.

Thank God Zayn walked into the house "Emma! Guess..." he turns to see us. His happy expression diminished and coughs "Um. Hello." I scoot over in the couch and he sits next to me. He sighs "Zayn, you're working now?" Zayn nods and looks down to the floor. She sighs "How are you guys doing?" Zayn sighs "The baby is great, it's doing perfect." We stay silent and she chuckles lightly "Seems like both of you don't want to answer that question. Fine, what are the plans for the baby?" I look up at Zayn and then down to the floor. Zayn smiles "Well, uh. Emma and I decided to have an open adoption. We already interviewed the parents and seen everything." He smirks "That's good, at least you guys did your homework and you guys feel fine with it." She sighs "Can I bother you guys for water?" I grin "Oh, I'm sorry, of course. Zayn could you help me?" we get up and rush to the kitchen.

I open the cupboard and he whispers "What are they doing here?" I look at him confused "I don't know. They were banging on the door and there they were." He sighs and pours the water into the two cups.

We walk back and I smile "here you guys go." They take the cups and sip from it. He places the cup on the floor and laughs "So Zayn, where do you work?" Zayn chuckles a bit, dipping his head low "I work as a mail man now." They nod and smile. She sighs, resting her hands on her laps "Emma honey talk to me. I know it may be a little awkward but you guys will always have a special place in our hearts." Zayn grins "Thank you. But I think we're doing fine." she scoffs "No you're not Zayn, you guys are not doing fine." I look at her "You don't and wouldn't understand." She smirks, almost frowning "Oh Emma, but I do."

He sighs and stands up "Zayn, why don't I take you to school." Zayn stands up and looking down at me. I smile at him and he walks over to her "Thanks for Stopping by but we're really fine." He follows him out the house.

She sighs, moving her hair to the side "Emma, when I had my first boy, I was 15. I was a year younger than you. I do know what you feel Emma." What the hell? Really? She continues "He was my first love. I can truly say we we're in love. And then slowly I found out. I was utterly devastated. But he stood by me, every step of the way. And I loved him for that. But I still felt like my life was over, like it was the end of my life. I was deep in depression. Just thinking about how to maintain my boy gave me stress. Then my baby was born. Few months after the birth, we decided to get married. I married him. I don't ever regret a day when I loved him, he was my first love and he gave me my kids. But I wish I would have done it better, had kids at an older age with him. I understand Emma, I do. And when they told me, I was speechless. I didn't think poorly on you guys, I loved you guys more. Emma, you are a strong lady. You can get through this."By then she was sobbing in tears and mucus. I didn't know. Now I understand why she is so caring with me even though I screwed up.

I place my hand over my face and start crying. I can feel her cold hand on my shoulder "Emma, its okay sweetie." I turn over to her and hug her "It's so hard! It's so hard being pregnant... I can't even see my future anymore. My plans just were swiped clean after I knew... And I'm so scared! I'm so scared that I won't be able to have my future. I don't know... I'm hurting."

She rubs my back and sighs "its okay Emma. All this is a minor bump in the road to your future. Everyone is in control of their destiny; you could surely mold a new plan. Just don't get depressed. Rely on a journal or your sister." I let go of her and ask "Did you visit because of me?" she smiles, tears rolling down her face, patting my hair down "We came to celebrate our anniversary. We stopped by the house and they told us. We came straight down here after." I sigh, looking down at the floor "You had no clue before?" she nods no "No, no one told us." I look at her, reading her sad eyes "Is he here with you?" She looks down at the floor and nods no, and then looks up at me in pity. I sigh "Liz, Luke knew about me some months ago." Her voice cracks "Luke... He doesn't talk much anymore. He's always in the field playing. He full anger Em's. I don't know much about what happened with you guys but I know my son's hurting right now. Though, he has gotten a lot better in the past few weeks." I stare into her eyes, watching a mother hurt "Liz, I am so sorry. And if you could not mention us to Luke at all, I think he would soon forget about us." she smiles "I hope one day, you guys would re-kindle the lost relationship. You guys we're wonderful friends." I smile, looking away from her "I hope so too."

Then Niall came rushing down stairs "its way passed my breakfast hour!" then he stops mid way, casually stepping backwards. Liz laughs "Who's that?" I roll my eyes and chuckle "He's a friend, more like a brother to me." She sighs "Well I better get going Em's. Me and Matthew plans." I smile, hugging her "Congrats on the anniversary. And if you could please tell Matthew the same." She rubs my back and grips me harder "Can I just tell Luke that you said hi?" I sigh, closing my eyes "I think its best not to. If Luke wants to know, if he asks, then you tell him. But I don't want him hating me even more for not listening to him."

She gives me one last hug and leaves. I close the door and feel relieve that she came to talk to me. For those moments, she wasn't his mother, she was my friend. She was like my provider and protector. Acting like my guardian angel. I needed someone to tell me everything was fine.

Later I screamed for Niall and he came down the stairs like a road runner. He opened all the cabinets and started eating like a pig. I just laughed at him.

At night, Zayn came over. We talked about why they came over, encouraging us to see the positive side on things. Zayn really didn't seem all that thrilled to see them. But I know I was. Even though Liz could be harsh sometimes and Matthew is always lovable, but it's always good to see them.