Jamie was quick up on his feet as a knock on the door was heard. He raced towards the hall, wanting to open the front door and let our guests in. I chuckled and got up from the couch as well, Dakota following me closely with Taylor resting on her hip.
Jamie stretched up towards the doorknob for dear life. It was a funny sight but also a normal thing to see.
"Too short, kiddo." I told him before picking him up.
I helped him turn the doorknob and I pushed the door open, seeing Ben waiting on the other side with a blonde girl standing next to him.
"Welcome to the Horan's!" I exclaimed, stepping aside to let them in.
Jamie squirmed in my arms and I put him down on the floor before grabbing the wine bottle Ben was handing me.
"Ashleigh picked it out. It's her favourite." Ben said, meaning the wine I now held in my hands. Then he placed his hand on the young woman's back, letting her forward.
"Ashleigh, this is my old friend Niall."
"Old huh? I thought we agreed that three years aren't that much." I chuckled and grabbed her hand. "Nice to meet you. This is my wife Dakota."
I gestured towards Dakota. She moved Taylor over to her other hip so she would be able to shake Ashleigh's hand.
"Well, I'll let you two talk. Ben, do you mind helping me in the kitchen?" I asked.
I went to the kitchen, Jamie running past me to get there before me.
"He's so big." Ben chuckled as we reached the kitchen.
"Yeah." I chuckled agreeing. "Unbelievable, isn't it?"
I decided to open the wine bottle right away, and like always, Jamie placed his hands on the edge of the kitchen counter, getting up on his tiptoes to see what I was doing.
Always so curious
"Are these yours, Jamie?" Ben asked, looking at the small drawings on the fridge.
"Yes!" Jamie hollered, and I placed my hand over his mouth to quiet him. Then he walked around me to show Ben more of his drawings. He explained what it was and I couldn't help but smile at how proud he sounded. Then he tugged at my arm.
"I made this too!" Jamie continued and pointed at the bracelet I had around my wrist.
Ben laughed, looking up at me.
"I bet the entire apartment is filled with stuff Jamie made at kindergarten."
"I'd lose that bet." I laughed. "Just take a look in the living room."
"You're a great dad, Niall."
I smiled thankfully and with the help of Ben, we set the last things on the dining table in the living room. Ashleigh and Dakota were already sitting there, and Taylor was in the chair on the edge as usual.
"Should I tuck her in?" I asked Dakota, nodding towards our daughter.
"Not just yet. Wait until after we've eaten." She smiled and I kissed her cheek as I sat down next to her.
The dinner was filled with chatter and laughter. I couldn't help but notice the fond in Ben's eyes every time Ashleigh spoke. She was a lovely girl and she fits him perfectly.
Eventually she asked the question everyone asks; how Dakota and I met.
"Here we go again." I sighed, lightly chuckling and buried my face in my palms.
YOU ARE READING
Goodbye for now || n.h
Fanfiction"Throughout the years, people have told me we're too young. We're too young for marriage and we're too young to be parents. Some people actually told me that marrying young would be the end of my freedom. But it wasn't. Marrying young has been one o...
