Turning Pages (Niall Fanfic)

Chapter Sixty-Six

Danielle’s POV:

I sipped on a glass of water while I took in my surroundings. I leaned against Eleanor’s marble countertop while at least a dozen girls surrounded her. She wore loose clothing to try to hide the baby-bump. I could still tell that she was pregnant, but I had to admit that the cloth gave some sort of illusion.

The group of girls dispersed and El slowly walked towards me. “How did you get all of the boys to come here?” They weren’t here yet but I heard rumors that all of them were going to show up with Louis.

“I talked to a few people and had them convince each one of the boys to come over for lunch.” She put air-quotes around the word lunch. “And I told them about the baby thing. They totally understood!” She laughed. I handed her a glass of water. I nodded my head and looked around.

“The place looks great. I’m glad everything came together.” I pointed to balloons and cheesy baby decorations.

“I’m really enjoying it, but I wouldn’t have the baby’s room without you. Thank you, Danielle. I really wish I could explain how grateful I am for your help.” She rested her hands on her belly.

“It was fun. I learned a different side of me while working.”

“I’ll have to get your name around to my other girlfriends. I’m sure they already know who you are, but I bet they don’t know what a great interior decorator you are.” Eleanor smiled.

“Louis’ car just pulled up!” A woman shouted over the noise.

“Everyone grab a handful of confetti!” Another person yelled. Confetti. How cheesy.

Everyone threw a handful of confetti up in the air before Louis’ walked through the door. He was in mid-sentence and was cut off by everyone clapping and cheering. The rest of the boys followed behind. I glanced at Niall and found him grinning. His face was flushed. The look on his face made me smile.

Louis still looked extremely confused even once he reached the kitchen. The rest of the group seemed to have caught on. “What is this?” Louis asked after everyone had quieted down.

“I’m pregnant! God, you’re so bloody ignorant!” Eleanor laughed.

“Are you really? Hmmm…’ Louis went on.

“Are you being sarcastic or?” El asked him.

“I guess you’ll never know.” He replied.

I felt large hands wrap around my waist. “Is dis why you’ve been over here so much?” He growled into my ear.

“Missed you too.” I replied as his lips kissed my neck.

“Let’s cut the cake!” One of Eleanor’s friends exclaimed. She was the main hostess (if there was such a thing). I couldn’t ever remember her name.

“Cake?” Niall asked to no one in particular.

“It’s a special cake, bub.” I walked Niall over to the table where the cake was sitting.

“Fancy, huh?”

“You see,” I whispered to Niall while everyone gathered around. “El had to get ultrasounds done for the health of the baby. At one point, she asked for the gender of the baby to be put in an envelope. She then gave it to a baker with instructions. If the baby was a boy, the cake batter would be colored blue. If the baby was a girl, the cake batter would be pink. Simple, right?”

“You cut it, Lou! I can’t do it!” Eleanor squealed and handed him a knife.

“Blue or pink. Blue or pink.” Louis repeated to himself. I wondered if he was listening to me explain the cake to Niall. He took a deep breath. I figured today would be full of emotions.

Louis cut a slice and set it on a plate. He held it up for everyone to see. The inside was light purple.

“Purple?!” El questioned. “Danielle! Please grab that envelope that baker gave to me when I picked up the cake.” I reached for it and tried to hand it to her. “No, no. You open it.” She began to fan herself. Hormones.

I opened the envelope. Niall looked on with me. “You’re having twins.” We both said in unison. “A boy and a girl!” A couldn’t stop grinning.

I looked up and found everyone looking at me. I felt my cheeks get hot. I heard Louis muster something along the lines of Oh my God.

“I need to sit down.” El grabbed a chair and placed her bottom in the seat.

“Let’s eat!” Niall reached for the knife and cut a few more slices.

Niall’s POV:

I grabbed two plates once everyone started to cut their own slice. “Come wit’ me.” I whispered into Danielle’s ear. She followed me to the backyard.

“Niall, it’s freezing!” She exclaimed. I watched her rub her bare arms with her hands. I set the plates down on a cleared-off table and gave her my coat. She thanked me. “Why are we out here?”

“I wanna eat our cake out here.” I lied. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe they’re having twins! I did not see that coming! I mean, I had thought about it…” I watched her get lost in thought after her lips formed multiple sentences. She wouldn’t stop talking.

Here goes nothing.

I bent down on one knee. The ground was cold and I felt heat from my body warming up the concrete and snow beneath me. I was sure my jeans would be soaked. She was still looking around outside and rambling.

“Danielle…” I called out. She looked down at me. She brought a hand to her chest. “I’m on one knee.” Her eyes grew wide. “Remember what I said about one knee?” I watched her bite her bottom lip.

I couldn’t think of a better time to propose. The anxiousness was eating me alive. I figured I would just do it. I pulled the small box out of my front pocket.

“I honestly haven’t prepared anything… Umm...” Dear Lord, how romantic. Get it together, Horan. “Danielle, I couldn’t think of anyone else I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I know that sounds commercial, but it’s really what I feel. We didn’t have a perfect start. I kind of t’ink you wanted nothing t’ do with me… and I like that about us. We don’t have the picture perfect relationship or life. You still have morning breath and you get pimples every once in a while and I’m not the strongest or the best looking…” I opened the box.

“…But I feel like we can still make it work. You and I have gone through some tough shit and look where we are. I feel like I’ve know you for my whole life and all I needed to do was find you… even if it was in a run-down Chinese restaurant.” She smiled and laughed. I could have sworn I saw her tearing up. I locked eyes with her and waited for an answer. She stayed silent. “Will ya just give me an answer already?!” I laughed. “I think my knee’s ‘bout t’ give out.” I laughed.

She laughed with me. “I honestly never thought this would be my life. I’m just some emotionally unstable girl from the states!” She covered her hand with her mouth.

“You’re killin’ me here!”

“Yes!” She laughed at the sky. I reached for her hand and slid the ring on her finger. Just like in the films.

I got up on two feet and hugged her tightly. I lifted her off the ground and kissed her face repeatedly. She giggled and tried to push me away.

“How did you even know what size to get? Or what I would like?” She looked curious.

“When we all went shopping with Libby… She helped me pick one out for you.” I replied. She still looked confused but I didn’t think it really mattered how I got the ring.

“Let’s keep this quiet for a little while, okay?” Danielle asked once I set her down.

“Deal.”