New Beginnings. (Jiam AU)

Chapter 07.

Jade's POV

I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop the tears from rushing down my face at the sudden thought of him. He was the man I loved, I had no doubt about that- but who was I to know about love? I was such a foolish mess, thinking about love at such a tender age. Liam was the one who took my innocence away, and I hated the fact that it seemed like nothing to him. I had fallen for him in such a short time and given him what he wanted; I was the definition of an idiot.

I wipe my tears with the sleeve of my sweater, deciding to check on the little girl. As I stand up from the bed, I notice the bathroom door wide open, which meant that Jay had probably gone downstairs during my daydream. I quickly make my way out of the room, sprinting downstairs. I hear laughter coming from Zayn and Perrie's living room, and I head there.

Once I reach the living room, however, I find everyone in there. Perrie was cuddled up with Zayn, Leigh was with Harvey, Liam was with Niall, and Jayla was sitting on Jesy's lap.

Liam looks at my daughter, a wide smile on his face. "What's your name, love?" he asks. She must've gone downstairs a couple minutes ago.

"I'm Jayla, Jayla Thirlwall," she says, looking up at the young man.

"Jayla Anne Thirlwall." I correct with a small grin as I stand in the doorway.

Liam looks up at me, taking his lower lip in between his teeth nervously. "Is she your sister?" He asks Jayla, his eyes on me.

My eyes widen at his question, worriedly glancing at Perrie, who gives me an assuring smile, knowing my dilemma.

From the corner of my eye, I see Jayla shake her head. "No, sir, she's my mummy!" she exclaims, looking at me with a toothy grin.

I force a smile onto my face as I nod, walking towards her and taking her into my arms. "And you're my little Jay."

She wraps her arms around my neck, leaning her head against my chest as she yawns. She was so tired lately, and I had to deal with that since she was born.

Sensing everyone's eyes on us, I clear my throat. "Um, guys, Jay and I have to leave early. She has an appointment with Jaime." I nod, looking at the girls for approval. I was always the first to leave during events like this, ever since the band was formed. I was lucky, though. The girls understood that my daughter came first before everything.

Perrie gives me a small smile, as do Leigh and Jesy. "We understand," Leigh mouths to us, and I nod thankfully.

"Say goodbye to uncle Zayn and his mates, Jay," I tell my daughter, who obediently nods, squirming out of my grasp and kissing Liam's and Niall's cheeks, and giving Zayn a big hug.

"Uncle Zayn has a ticklish beard!" she giggles, pointing at Zayn's beard as she looks at Perrie.

She nods, laughing as well. "He sure does, doesn't he, munchkin?"

"Mhm," the child replies, going back to Jesy and Leigh.

"I'm going to get Jayla's stuff ready," I announce, turning on my heel to leave the room.

"I'll help, Jade." Perrie stands up, looking at me as I turn. I nod at her and turn around to make my way upstairs once more.

Once we are both upstairs and in the guest room, I sit on the edge of the bed, heaving a sigh as I bury my face in my hands.

"Tell me what's wrong, Jade." Perrie speaks up, turning the lock on the door.

"Nothing, it's just- nothing." I mumble, trying to suppress the tears that threatened to pour out of my eyes.

"I know something's wrong, baba," she murmurs, her voice softening. "I've known you for a long time now, and you can't hide your emotions from me. I'm your sister, your best friend, remember?" she adds, sitting next to me on the edge of the bed.

"It's him. He's the problem. He's back, and he's here to ruin me. He's here to break down the walls that I've worked so hard to build around Jayla and I. He's here to stay for a short while, and then he's going to leave, like he did to me so long ago. I'm so scared, Pez. I'm so scared of him- yet I love him so much." I cry softly, the inevitable tears rolling down my cheeks.

My best friend looks at me sadly, wrapping her arms around me in an effort to calm me down. "Sh," she whispers softly, rocking me back and forth like a child. "I'm here, Jadey. I've always been here and I hope you know that I always will be."

Once I manage to calm down, I look up at her with red, puffy eyes. Her eyes widen as her curiosity gets the best of her. "Who's he? Who's leaving?" She asks, biting on her lower lip to keep from asking any more questions.

I refuse to answer her questions, knowing she would find out sooner or later. I look down at the ground and back up at her. She stares at me, her eyes wider than previously as she says the words that I had tried to hide for the longest time.

"Liam is Jayla's father, isn't he?"

Zayn's POV

Perrie was taking a bit longer than expected. Niall was about to leave, and if I knew the boys, Liam was bound to leave soon as well. I quickly make my way upstairs, walking towards the guest room. I stop in my tracks as I hear a muffled sob through the door. What was happening?

I lean in and press my ear to the door. I didn't want to eavesdrop, but I wanted to know the reason one of the girls were crying. It couldn't be Perrie, she never cried. So it must've been Jade, I concluded.

After a couple mumbles and inaudible words, I hear one sentence that stands out.

"Liam is Jayla's father, isn't he?"

Well, shit.

(A/N: Dun dun dun dunnnn. Eh, it sucks. Sorry for not updating in a while, I've been so busy. I love you all! Comment, vote, and share! I'd love to get to know my readers. x)