This is not the end~ Fourth book in PLMI series

Someone up there loves us-59

-Niall's POV-
Sound check started and I tuned my guitar to Mackenzie's. There were some fans in the crowd, then ones who paid for sound check that is. I honestly don't even know why they would pay for sound check in the first place. It's just me and the lads messing around and being idiots. Actually...that's what the actual concert is as well....they aren't even concerts anymore......oh well.
"Niall. D'you have another pick?" Mackenzie asked, snapping me out of my daze. I jumped and she smiled, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink.
"Oh....erm....yeh..." I answered, digging in my pockets for another pick and handing to her. She smiled and nodded her thanks, grabbing my hand gently and squeezing it.
She dropped my hand gently from hers and tuned her guitar with mine in silence, while the lads were singing some song to warm up and make sure the mics were all working.
"Hey snowflake?" Mackenzie said gently, watching me intently. I looked up at her, my face expressionless and tired. I was so tired. And my chest hurt. And......I had a cutting headache, the twinge of it was unbearable.
"Hmmmm....?" I hummed, playing with my ear piece.
"Is your family here?" She asked. I nodded, smiling and looking to the edge of the stage where my mum stood, with my brother and my father. My mum waved at me and I smiled, looking down at my guitar. Mackenzie looked over my shoulder at them and waved. I know how much my mum really loves Mackenzie. She always told me how she loved her. She hasn't met my father yet though......I really hope he likes her and she likes him because...I certainly wouldn't be able to stand thinking that my family doesn't like the one I love most. All I can do is hope for the best I suppose......
"I'm nervous." Mackenzie whispered, pulling her guitar off from around her shoulders and setting it on its stand. I did the same and put my hands on her waist, not bothering that there were about a thousand girls, my family, and my friends watching us.
I leaned forward slowly, resting my cheek against her soft, curly hair and whispering in her ear. "What are you nervous about love?" I whispered, kissing the skin behind her ear. She sighed and hugged me tightly to her. I didn't have to lean down, as we were about the same height when she had heels on. But either way, we fit perfectly. The way her body fits mine as if we were made for each other. It was just all so baffling to me.
I heard her sigh lightly. Even though there were a thousand other people in the room, making noise. The sound of the lads singing. The girls screaming and talking. The band warming up. She was so close, I could hear every thing. She slowly pulled out of our hug to look back at me.
"I dunno. It's just.....your family is here and....this is your home country and...well....I'm a little scared because...what if they don't like me?" She asked quietly, looking a bit scared. Her eyes were gleaming in the light and the makeup she had on really made her eyes pop.
"Oh babe. Don't tell meh that again. You're beautiful, and your voice is beautiful. If they don't love you, it's because they're jealous. You have a beautiful voice." I reassured her. She smiled and bit her lip, her cheeks burning into a red glow. She shook her head, covering her face with her palms like she always does.
"Thanks. You're sweet. Anyway.......how are you? How do you feel?" She asked, her face full of concern and wonder. I sighed and pulled at my oxygen tube. This thing is so annoying.
"I'm okay." I replied, messing with my fingers.
"Niall. You don't have to lie to me....." she whispered gently, stepping closer so I could hear her. I glanced up at her and sighed.
"I'm okay. Really. I just have a headache. And...my chest hurts. And I have a stomach ache.....okay...fine. I'm not okay. Are you happy now?" I asked, slightly annoyed. Overall, I was frazzled. I'm so tired. I just want to sleep.
"Nialler. Why on earth would that make me happy? All I want is for you to be happy. And healthy." She said gently, touching my arm with her fingers. I felt a burning tingle from where she touched my skin, as if just one touch would ignite a spark deep within me.
"Yeah....it was just an expression.....I jus' don' wanna worry you....." I mumbled quietly.
"Worry me? Why?"
​​​​​​ "You freaked out...when....at the hospital...and you did it again...and I...wanted to...to make sure that....you wouldn't do it again. I'm scared." I admitted, my face flaming with embarrassment. Mackenzie shook her head, grabbing my arm loosely in hers and leading me off the stage, on the opposite side of the stage from my parents. She led me into a small closet behind stage and pushed me inside, shutting it behind her with a click. The light switched on with a click and provided us with a dull, tired, dim light; that flickered every minute or so.
"Niall.......listen." she started, but I put my hand up, covering her lips with my finger.
"Babe. I know you say that you won't do it.....but it always ends up happening....I know yeh....can't...can't help it. But baby. Don' yeh realize how much it hurts me to see yeh this way? That's why I never want to tell you how I really am. I don't want teh worry yeh. Does that make sense?" I asked quietly. The dim light in the room was not enough to hide the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Niall. I'm trying. Really I am." She whimpered. Her voice was so quiet I could barely hear it over the buzz of the light.
"I know. Maybe it's time you see someone...." I whispered. She nodded slowly, her face sad.
"I'm scared." She whimpered. I pulled her into a tight hug, feeling her bury her face in my shoulder.
"I am too." I replied, nodding and stroking her hair. I felt her body shake as she took a breath and I sighed.
"Don't cry." I begged, pulling her tighter into my embrace. She nodded slowly, pulling back to kiss me. It was a rough kiss, filled with the taste of her lipstick. I slowly pushed her against the door and put my hands on her waist, feeling the soft fabric of her dress. She was so beautiful. So beautiful.
"I love you." Mackenzie mumbled into our kiss. I smiled and pressed up against her harder, tangling my hands in her long hair, but not enough so that it would be messed up.
"I love.....you too." I murmured, moving my hand to the back of her neck and tilting her head to get a better angle. The heat in the room was unmistakable and I felt myself growing more and more excited by the minute. A groan escaped my mouth when she scraped her fingers down my back underneath my shirt. I kissed her harder, pressing her body into the door and against mine. She suddenly pulled away, our lips practically sticking together.
"We should stop....." Mackenzie gasped, her breathing heavy and ragged. I shook my head, surprising myself as well as her.
"They can get on without us." I said, leaning in to capture her puffy lips with mine once more. She laughed against my lips and pulled away.
"I highly doubt that Nialler.......c'mon.....we should get back out there." She said, grabbing the door handle behind her, but I grabbed her hand in mine, putting it over my heart.
"Wait. Just.........wait....." I whispered, holding her hand over my heart.
"What......what..." Mackenzie started, but I shook my head gently, urging her not to talk.