Pride {l.s.}

62- Three Little Birds

The Story So Far:
Niall has a crush on Cheyenne. Zayn and Liam are dating and growing strong. Louis has come out of the closet. Harry's body is attacking his thyroid. Harry and Louis are at Harry's childhood home for Christmas Day and a small vacation with Anne and Gemma. Louis is still not on speaking terms with his family.

Spanish Version Available: Pride | l.s. [Traducción al español] by InLarryLove

We leave Vermont after tight hugs and promises to be back. Anne cries over her son and daughter leaving her again like any mother would, but she makes sure to shed a tear for me.

"Harry told me about how you weren't the most accepted in your family," Anne says once she pulls me off to the side at the airport. "I just want you to know that you always have a home with us."

I pull her into a hug and hold back my tears. "Your son has taught me with home feels like. I thank you for him. You have a very special boy."

Anne's words ring in my head as Harry, Gemma, and I board the plane together. We take our seats together in a row of three with Harry at the window, me in the middle, and Gemma next to the aisle. I look past Harry and out the window. I let out a shaky breath. Going back to Florida means going back home to a place I may have once called home, but it might not be a place I ever really call home. It was more of a house that I was always a temporary resident in. Even as I lived in that house when I was younger, it was never mine.

"Don't worry," Harry reassures me quietly once he notices my frigid posture. His hand slips into mine. "Everything little thing is gonna be alright."

"Did he just quote Bob Marley to you for reassurance?" Gemma asks loudly as she leans over to look at her younger brother.

"Bob was a wise man."

"He was high the whole time, Harry," Gemma argues back.

"High with love," Harry replies with a giggle that makes my heart melt.

Gemma rolls her eyes and leans back in her seat. "You two better be quiet while I sleep. If you wake me up, Harry, you're dead."

"What about Lou?"

"He's too cute. I'll let him live," Gemma says with a laugh before she turns away from us slightly and closes her eyes. The plane finally takes off, but it doesn't bother her. She's probably done this many times. I'm still slightly tense on airplanes, and Harry doesn't let go of my hand.

***

We had planned earlier in the week for another group dinner, so on the Friday night when we return, everyone is at our house within minutes. Zayn and Liam bring Watson over since we were all dying to play with the puppy more. Watson runs ahead of the couple and jumps right at me. I manage to not fall over, and I look up to see Harry laughing at me. He squats down next to me, and we both take the time to pet Watson.

"Wow, Lou. Nice to see you too," Zayn says sarcastically, drawing our attention away from the little Great Dane.

"Sorry, man," I reply with a laugh. I hope up off the floor and intercept him in a quick hug. "I missed you too."

"Ahuh, I'm sure you did," Zayn continues the banter.

"Hi, Zayn!" Harry says excitedly as he stands up and pulls Zayn into a hug.

Zayn replies to Harry's greeting over-dramatically. "Oh, Harry! My favorite person who actually greets me with excitement! How are you?"

"I am lovely!" Harry yells before pulling Liam into a hug next. I roll my eyes at Zayn's joking attitude. Harry and Liam start a conversation about our time in Vermont. I turn to Zayn for a moment before actually saying something sincere to him.

"I did miss you. We don't hang out as much anymore, which is ridiculous since we work in the same place, but there have been so many vacations and yeah. I did miss you, Z," I reply quietly enough so that only Zayn can hear me.

Zayn pulls me into a genuine hug that lasts a bit longer than our brief one from before. "I missed you too."

"WHERE'S THE FOOD?" A loud voice shouts from the door, and we know that our blond friend has arrived.

"Chicken is on the stove, Niall!" Harry calls back. "You can start cutting it-"

"On my way!" Niall yells. We see him sprint past us into the kitchen. He grabs a large knife and begins to cut the rotisserie chicken.

"Don't worry about him. I taught him how to use a knife finally before he kills himself."

We all turn to see the newest member of our small group enter the room. She looks as gorgeous as always and embraces us all in hugs.

"We are forever thankful for you, Cheyenne," Liam says with a laugh after he gets his hug. "That boy will be the death of me."

"I can hear you!" Niall yells from the kitchen. "And don't worry. My girlfriend takes good care of me."

"WHAT!?" Cheyenne yells with a look of pure shock on her face.

"What?" Niall replies confused.

"You just called me your girlfriend, you idiot!" Cheyenne replies with a fierce look in her eyes. The argument continues across the island in the kitchen until Cheyenne circles around and stands directly in front of Niall.

"I just... I don't know. I just like assumed because like we kissed on Christmas Eve when I dropped you off, and like I really like you. We hang out all the time. I'm sorry to break it to you, but friends don't cuddle while watching movies. I really like you so I thought-" Niall babbles on nervously. The rest of us continue to stand there and watch this odd exchange.

"You have to ask a girl if you want to date her, Niall!" Cheyenne yells with a laugh. The humor of the situation is getting to all of us as we watch Niall struggle for words.

"Okay, um, will you be my girlfriend?" Niall asks nervously. He looks up from the ground into her eyes. I can see the love and care he has for her.

"Hell yes," Cheyenne replies before she grabs Niall by the jacket and pulls him in for a kiss. The two gay couples in the room erupt in applause as the new couple pulls away from each other. Niall is smiling so wide as he presses a soft kiss to Cheyenne's forehead. Cheyenne is red in the face. "Okay, now that we confirmed that ordeal, let's eat, yeah?"

With hugs and claps on the back, the group heads from the kitchen to the living room with food, drinks, laughter, love, and a puppy.

A/N

It's about time Niall got the balls to do that. Fun fact: this is how I started dating my current boyfriend. Thought it was funny enough and odd enough to match them.

xoxo raindropkiss1