Turning Pages (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Forty-Five

Danielle’s POV:

I laced Niall’s fingers with mine and held onto the plate of cookies I had made only a day ago. We both stood silent in front of Maura’s huge front door. Either I had grown smaller since I was last at Maura’s, or the house had grown. I bit my bottom lip out of habit and sighed as a queue that I was ready.

Niall knocked on the door and I heard little feet scramble inside. A little boy who looked to be around four years old opened the door and gripped onto Niall’s legs. He hit Niall so hard and fast that I was sure he would fall backwards off of the porch.

Niall ruffled the boy’s hair and bent down to hug him properly. He kept a steady grip on my hand the whole time. He must have known how nervous I was.

Thanksgiving had to come a little early if Niall wanted to celebrate my American holiday with his family. Niall’s schedule was tight around the original date for Thanksgiving, so we made a few adjustments and some quick plans.

A woman whom I had only seen in pictures spoke to the little boy as she raced towards the door. “Charlie, what did I say? You can’t go outside unless –“ Her eyes stopped on the two of us and Niall stood to his feet. “I didn’t know you were here yet!” She took Niall into a big hug and he let go of my hand to hug her back.

“It’s great t’ see ya, Denise!” He chuckled.

“Is that who I think it is?!” A man yelled from inside. He stepped out and both him and Niall hugged and patted each other on the back. “I missed ya, lad.” The other man said with a smile.

“I missed ya too, buddy.” Niall tugged on the hem of his long-sleeved shirt.

“This must be Danielle!” The woman who seemed to be Denise said to me. I nodded and felt her take me into a large hug.

I shook the other man’s hand and smiled politely but stayed silent. “This is Greg and this is Charlie.” She beamed. I waved to Charlie but he hid behind his mother. I watched his face turn red just like Niall’s. Charlie’s cheeks looked rosy and I bet they were warm to the touch.

We ventured inside and I slid my flats off. Niall took off his loafers just as Maura entered the foyer. An apron was wrapped around her body and she held a dish towel in her hands. “Are those loafers?” I couldn’t tell if she was more surprised or humored. Niall rolled his eyes and glared at me.

“Your son is a changed man.” I teased. I convinced him to slip on a pair before we left for the airport.

“I told her we were jus’ gonna eat ‘n’ drink. I wanted to be comfortable. But no.” His hand rested on the top of my head and tugged lightly on the neat bun in which my hair was tied up in.

I handed the plate of cookies to Niall before Maura hugged me tight. She smelled like freshly made bread and airy perfume. She placed my head near her chest and rested her hand on the back of my skull. She whispered that she missed me in my ear and then loosened her grip on my sides. “Wow, look at you! Very nice! Do a little spin for me.” I spun myself around and modeled my new outfit I bought for the occasion. “You look like you lost some weight. Let’s fix that.” Maura finished and led me into the kitchen.

I missed the place. I was sure Niall knew how lucky he must have been to have lived in a house like the one we were in. It wasn’t just a house, it was a home.

Maura asked me to cut up loaves of bread while she checked on the ham. I did what she asked and felt small eyes on me. I looked up to find Charlie in front of me. He was sitting on the other side of the counter staring at me. Actually, he was kind of gawking.

“She’s pretty, huh Char?” Denise embarrassed him. He looked away as the red flush on his skin spread up to his ears.

“She’s the pretties’ girl I know.” Niall said proudly. He walked into the kitchen and grazed a hand across my back on his way to the fridge. I heard the clink of beer bottles thumping each other. He set an open bottle in front of me and tossed one to Greg. He pecked my cheek and I felt my face get hot. “She jus’ won’t admit it.” Niall finished and walked into the living room.

I rolled my eyes at him even though his back was towards me.

“Would ya like some wine, dear?” Maura noticed the untouched beer in front of me. “I’ve got some locked away if you’d like.” She wiped her hands on her apron.

“Give ‘er some, would ya?! She won’t hardly touch that beer I set in front of her!” Niall yelled. I bit my bottom lip. I knew I didn’t have the same taste as the Horan’s when it came to drinking. Maura smiled sweetly and set off to find me what soon became the best bottle of wine I ever had.

Niall’s POV:

The food was great as it always was when I was home; but the company was even better.

Danielle was on her third glass of wine and was starting to get a little tipsy. I couldn’t say that I didn’t enjoy it.

The air outside was a chilly October and the heat inside the house was already on. It was getting warm with all the body heat and I could feel my cheeks turning red. They also hurt from laughing and smiling accompanied with good conversation.

We eventually said our goodbyes and I drove the rental car to a hotel not too far away. Danielle kept sipping on a bottle of wine and singing along with the radio. I was glad that the alcohol calmed her nerves. I knew she was nervous about meeting more of my family. She shouldn’t have been, but she was. I guessed that was just who she was. She’s a worrier.

I parked the car and looked over at Danielle. She was fast asleep and cuddling with the glass bottle. Part of her hair was sticking up and her eye shadow had creased in her eyelids.

I already signed us into the hotel and they were letting us come and go as we pleased. I pulled out the key from my pocket and held it with my mouth. I jogged over to the other side and opened the door very carefully. I didn’t want to disturb her.

I put one arm under her knees and the other around her back. I closed the door with my foot and walked across the parking lot.

I was lucky that someone was in the elevator once I got there. They pushed the button to the fourth floor for me and stared at the back of my head.

Once I got to our room, getting the key in the door was a bit of a challenge. I finally managed and swung the door open. Our luggage was already sitting by the small couch next to a coffee table. I passed by and set Danielle down on the hotel bed. She immediately reached out for me, noticing that my touch was absent, but I whispered for her to go back to sleep. She curled into a ball on the top of the covers.

I checked the menu for room service but decided to wait until morning. I propped open the glass door that led out onto a small balcony to let some cool night air in. I rid of my sweaty clothes and helped Danielle change out of her clothes. “You’re naked.” She said as I pulled down her tights.

“You’re drunk. Plus I’m wearing boxer-briefs.” I argued. I slipped off her skirt.

“Where’s my wine?” She asked and sat up. I lifted her arms and took off her long sleeved-shirt. I then took her long hair out its bun.

“It’s in the car. Leave it.” I turned off the light and slipped under the sheets.

“It’s cold in here…” She mumbled. Her weight was holding down the covers.

“Well then get under the covers.” I chuckled. She did as I said.

I brought her body closer to mine and wrapped my arms around her bare stomach. I couldn’t help but rest one hand on her chest and rub the fabric of her bra in between my thumb and finger.