You're The Shining Distraction That Makes Me Fly

Chapter 11

It was the day before Christmas Eve, a light snow fall settling on the ground as Zayn watched Liam and Mezi playing outside through the kitchen window, his own hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea.

They had spent the last few days between the hospital and the Payne household, making sure Karen and Geoff rested and ate while they prepared for the holidays, running endless errands and cleaning around the house.

Liam and Mezi had gone out to get some of the presents Karen wanted while she stayed with Geoff, Zayn insisting on starting the numerous holiday meals that were needed. Truth was, Zayn was a little bit out of his element amongst the kitchen tools and recipe books, but he made it work as best he could, following every instruction with extreme precision.

The recipes weren't exactly what he was use to, his mother's cuisine being adapted to his father's culture but some things just never changed. Sugar cookies remained the same in any culture and with his artistic talent Zayn figured the beauty of them might distract from the taste.

Karen walked into the kitchen just as Zayn was washing out his cup, a bright smile on her face as she carried in some left over wrapping paper.

"I swear every year there's more and more presents to wrap," she laughed as she placed the scrapes into the recycling bin, looking up at Zayn who tried smiling back.

He still felt guilty that he had been unable to buy any gifts. Every single dollar he'd put aside for Christmas being spent on emergencies left him empty handed in a home that was nothing but generous to him. Liam had insisted that it really was no trouble, that no one expected anything and as a family every present Liam gave also came from Zayn and Mezi; but being as stubborn as he was, Zayn still struggle to accept things.

"These cookies smell delicious, Zayn," Karen praised as she checked the meat pies in the oven, the smell escaping through the room, filling it with a delectable aroma. "I can't thank you enough for doing all this."

"Please," groaned Zayn, shying under the approval, cheeks blushing a bright red that matched the decorations littering the house. "It's the least I could do after you welcomed me and my son into your home."

"It's what family does," countered Karen, genuine affection in her voice as she ran her hand down Zayn's arm, a motherly gesture he realized he'd missed. "The boys are just coming in, the tree is finally thaw enough to start decorating it."

Following Karen into the living room, a plate of sugar cookies in hand, Zayn found Liam helping Mezi out of his snow suit, the boy's hands no longer bandaged. They had been to the local hospital yesterday, the doctor assessing the boy's cuts and assuring that he could take the bandages off.

Mezi had been more than excited, wiggling his fingers all over the place as Liam had kissed every inch of the boy's hand, sad tears in his eyes. Zayn had made sure later that night to kiss every single part of Liam's body in exchange, wanting the man to move away from his guilt, to see Zayn's own forgiveness as the key to his own absolution.

The minute his boots were off, Mezi was running through the house as if it was his own, squealing in delight as he grabbed a cookie when he zoomed past Zayn. Shaking his head, a reprimand on the tip of his tongue, Zayn was quickly stopped by strong arms that wrapped around his waist, Liam's chin falling upon his shoulder as warm lips were pressed to his neck.

"Let him go," whispered Liam, plastering his entire body to Zayn's back who sagged contently into his boyfriend's body. "My dad just called him in, said the tree was ready."

"It is," Zayn said as he exhaled, turning his head to press a sweet kiss to Liam's lips. "He's still dying to decorate a damn tree."

"And my entire family is dying to watch him do it," Liam replied simply, untangling his arms from around Zayn who immediately felt a little cold at the lost, sighing in appreciation when Liam's large palm pressed itself at the bottom of his back, guiding him towards the living room.