Let Go

Two

-Aliyah-

“He has to sign the papers Niall,” I walked around the hole I have to call an office and searched for some papers for the child to attend. It’s a mess right now and it’s driving me absolutely insane. Once I found what I needed I sat in front of my computer and looked at the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen. She’ll be a heartbreaker, I already know it. Niall sat down with her in his lap as if she were his. She stood on his thighs and played with his hair while I talked to him about his friend.

“Look, he’ll be here tomorrow to sign them,” his look was hesitant but he continued, “he’s just sorting things out at work.”

I shook my head at Niall but knew I’d eventually give in. It’s Niall, how can I not? We met at Christmas Eve last year, the day I was forced out of my room. He was dating my cousin at the time and we just became really close friends after that.  

“Come on, he’s not good at this whole pre-school thing. If he didn’t have me he probably wouldn’t have sent her to school when she’s of age,” and that was no joke. Niall looked dead serious and he’s never serious.

“Where’s her mother?”

His face dropped, I guess I won’t be bringing that up again. I hate when there are touchy subjects; why does there have to be secrets? Why can’t people just tell it as is? I guess that’s pretty hypocritical but no one knows I have a secret. No one has ever asked besides Niall and he knows to leave it be.

“Just let her stay today and if he doesn’t come tomorrow we’ll forget about it,” he smiled and kissed; Leigh-Anne is what he called her, on her forehead before letting her loose on the cement floors which need to be cleaned. It’s ridiculously dirty from people tracking in mud. I need to put some kind of gravel out front so the parents don’t have to step through filth to get to this hell hole of an office.

“And look at this face,” he whispered something into her ear and she made a pouty face. I couldn’t help but laugh and stand up.

“Fine, but he needs to be here tomorrow on time. If not then I won’t be able to keep her here. She’s cute but cute isn’t going to pay for her schooling. And he needs to be here at three, aka- on time, so we can do her daddy-daughter horseback riding for her birthday.”

I smiled at Leigh-Anne and waved cautiously. She’s adorable; those green eyes and dimples are going to catch a few guys when she gets older.  

“You’re the best!” Niall skipped to the other side of my desk in this tight space and hugged me with the Leigh-Anne in his hands. She’s cute and it’ll be good having another little one. We don’t have as many kids this summer so it’ll be nice having one Niall knows. I’m sure Maggie, the pre-school teacher, will love a new face.   

“And what are you doing for your birthday?” nothing, I wanted to say.

“Just going to my parent’s house; we’ll probably have cake or something.”

Niall smiled with a knowing stare. I’m not doing anything for my birthday and he recognized it in my voice and the overdose of eye contact.

“Well happy birthday.”

He dropped a box on my desk with a grin. He’s the only one who has given me an actual gift rather than money in the past two years and I love him for it. Just to remember my birthday is great. There are so many people in my family it’s hard for my parents to even remember.

“He’ll be here at three for the lessons tomorrow, don’t worry.”

“Are you ready Leigh-Anne?” Niall asked her at eye level. Her finger was picking at her nose with a shy glance. She stood in her spot staring at Niall like he’s the biggest goofball alive, which he is, and shrugged her shoulders. It must be a trait she’s found from her parents.