Enchanted n.h. au

Chapter 11

Gypsy's P.O.V.

My hand stroked the grains of wood where I imagined his face to be. He was here. Everything could be okay. Before I could open my mouth to say anything, I heard the heels. Those heels were the sound of death to me. Then came the voice, that shrill, terrible voice that caused me to flinch every time I heard it.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

I could hear the lethal venom, the snake inside her trying to come out. There was a brief silence before loud chaos erupted. I could hear Niall's Irish shouts of curses and the twins protests, Katie's screams, and Maggie's wrath. Someone hit the door, causing me to snap.

I'd waited all my life to get out of here. To leave Maggie and to find someone. I wasn't having the people that were the only ones I care about taken away from me. I pounded and hit the door, screaming in rage. My knuckles stung at the breaking open of skin. My bruises were being hit repeatedly. The physical pain wasn't the worst part.

My dirty, greasy hair flew as I continued to launch myself against the door. Hot tears flowed freely again. The grime that had covered my face smeared on my cheeks. I knew I looked disastrous, but I hoped Niall wouldn't care. That my dress would be enough for him to recognize me. I slid down the concerete wall, cowering on a step.

As quick as the chaos started it stopped. Soft feet padded across the floor coming to the door. There was an sudden outburst, "There's no one in there!" It was Maggie. I wondered who the soft feet could belong to, that would cause such an outburst.

The lock clicked and the knob slowly turned. I felt myself unconsciously holding my breath. The door creaked opened quickly, blasting to the side. Light flooded in causing my eyes to squint. It took a moment but I could make out the shape of a man. He crept closer to me, bending down. He was handsome, I'd place him at about thirty. He wore a crisp blue button down shirt, and slacks with a pair of loafers. He remained in a squat stance for a second before offering his hand. I cautiously took it having noticed his name tag: Peter Green, Child Service Department. Social Worker.

"Gypsy?" he asked softly. I nodded. "C'mon, we're getting you guys out." My tears could burst out again, but I didn't want to seem weak or spread my dirt even more. Smiling, he lead me out into the house.

"You!" Maggie screamed attempting to run toward me, but her handcuffs made it difficult. An officer lead her away while countless social workers rounded up kids.

Several approached the twins and Katie. My stomach jerked, my grip tightening on Mr. Green's hand. He cleared his throat at the two guys, "I'll take 'em. I think these four are a package deal." the two walked away leaving us and Niall.

Niall stepped toward me. His eyes gentle, a smile on his face. He reached under his shirt and pulled out my locket. As much as I hated my parents, as much as I wanted to find them and scream at them for ruining me, I needed the locket.

His fingers shook slightly as he pushed my hair to the side. He didn't cringe at the dirt, he just ignored it.. To which it was thankful.  He clipped it together, his fingers lingering on the skin. His touch was gentle, soft despite his calloused fingers. An excited sigh escaped his lips. He wrapped himself around me, pulling me into a hug. A hot liquid hit my neck, as his fringe tickled against my neck. He mumbled something I couldn't quite catch.

Releasing me,  he  tore my hand away from Mr. Green's and replaced it with his own. I looked up at Niall, letting myself be taken in by his whirlpools. Mr. Green cleared his throat. "Let's get you guys back to the office, then we'll talk."

Niall walked into the social workers office with me. He carried my bags that had some of my clothes. The office was nice, but it felt natural for me to hate it. As an orphan, a foster kid, I was supposed to hate. Not trust these people, but they had a shower. A hot shower.

Cleaned and changed, I walked into Mr. Green's office. Niall was seated in a chair, jiggling his leg. The twins paced back and forth, messing with books on the shelves. Katie was pacing with them, brushing her hand against Andrew's.  Mr. Green smiled up at me, "Someone cleans up nicely." he said with a chuckle.

I shrugged, not fully trusting him.  "Sit." he offered cheerfully. Taking the armchair next to Niall, I felt his hand crawl over to reach mine. "Ms. Carpenter, you've recently turned eighteen." I nodded, it probably was the worst birthday that has ever occurred. "You have some options." Yes, I know this. "You can stay in the foster system." There was no way that was happening, ever. "Or you can leave it." There you go Peter, that's the right direction.

"I'll leave." I blurted quickly. He chuckled slightly at my immediate response.

"Doesn't surprise me. Well, you and Mr. Horan are free to go, and I'll check in every once in a while." he said "You and Mr. Horan" so casually, it puzzled me. It must've shown on my face, " Aren't you staying with him, I got the impression the two of you were a couple."

Heat flushed to my cheeks as I turned to Niall, he smiled at me cheekily. "I've got more room than I need."

I stood from my chair rather clumsily, pushing my hair back. "O-okay."

I was staying with Niall Horan. He wasn't joking, I was his princess.  It would just be me and him. The two of us. At that thought, I looked to the twins and Katie. They needed me, I couldn't leave them. The twins were so close to age, they could be emancipated, but Katie was to far off. Chewing on my lip I looked from Niall who's hand was outstretched, to the twins and Katie. I couldn't leave them, they were family and I wasn't bailing on my family.

"I-" I was cut off my the twins laughter. I looked up at them with piercing eyes.

"We "

"got"

"emancipated". They pulled out the form, revealing Mr. Green's signature. That deflated my breath, but Katie.

She approached me with a hug. She reached behind her, grabbing something. She left my chest, but still hugged my waist. She held out a sheet of paper- an adoption form. I read through it, I'd never had the opportunity to see one up close. There at the bottom, again, was Mr. Green's signature.

Glancing over at me, he mouthed "We've always wanted kids." he pointed to a picture frame with a photo of him and another handsome man. I smiled, she'd have two dads. I studied him for a second, before running over to hug him.

"Thank you." I whispered into his chest. He shrugged, placing a kiss on my hair.

After some teary goodbyes, the twins, Niall, and I walked to his car. Since the twins needed a place to stay, Niall offered them to stay with us. The twins had piled into his backseat, when I stopped him.

"Somethin' wrong?" he asked, brushing his thumb over my cheek. No, for the first time nothing was.

But  I settled with,"Are you sure?"

"Sure about what?"

"That I'm your princess." I needed to know. Once I heard him say it, I could gladly go with him.

"Yes," he whispered breathlessly, "you're my Cinderella." he said before placing a tender kiss on my cheek.

a/n: guys I'm 20 reads away from 100! Why didn't I just say 80 reads? Oh well, I'd really, really, really love it if we could get to 100. Read, vote, comment, do your thing. Thanks, I love you guys. xx