Clarity « Niam

Chapter 21

His hidden double life was exposed within seconds. As soon as an ambulance showed up at the hotel, Liam knew his private life was going to be blasted and plastered on every form of social media, newspaper stand and magazine cover.

Niall was erratic, screaming and crying because he didn't know what was happening with Aybrum and none of the paramedics could tell him anything helpful. 

Both climbed into the back of the ambulance, trying to ignore all the flashing cameras and questions and comments the overbearing photographers were shouting at them. They ended up needing a police escort just to get the area cleared so the ambulance could have a clear path.

Two hours later Niall and Liam were sat in a blocked off waiting room - Liam's bodyguard and a few other bodyguards came to keep fans and reporters from coming near the pair, or anyone from sneaking in with a camera.

Niall sat silently in a chair - he hasn't said much since the doctors came out and asked basic questions about Aybrum. Liam sat beside him, just wanting to comfort Niall the best he could.

"I swear I didn't do anything to him." He murmured, leaning forward and put his head in his hands.

Niall shifted away from him, "Then why wasn't he breathing, Liam? I fucking trusted you with him and now - he's all I have, I can't lose him."

"Why would I ever want to hurt him? He's my own son." He slightly shouted, lowering his voice seconds later. "I woke up to him coughing, he stopped before I switched a lamp on and when I went to check him. He wasn't breathing."

Niall deflated back against the chair, lolling his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "I'm sorry, I'm just upset and I don't know what's happening. I just want my little boy to be okay, he's my life and I am absolutely nothing without him."

"You know that isn't true. Yes, Aybrum is a massive part of who you are. But you're still worth something on your own." Liam clarified, not wanting Niall to feel anymore pain than necessary.

He shook his head, gently rubbing his aching temples. "Just stop, this isn't about me. Aybrum could be sick or dying, so I don't want to speak to you until I know what the fuck happened to my baby."

Liam decided to keep his mouth shut, not wanting to say anything to push Niall's buttons. Because at this point, he's lucky Niall hasn't forced him to leave the hospital.

"Which one of you are Aybrum Payne's parent?" A male dressed in scrubs and a lab coat questioned, glancing down at the clipboard in his hands.

Niall jumped up, "I am, how is he? Is he going to be okay?"

"I am." Liam simultaneously said as he stood up two seconds after Niall had.

He looked between the two of them, "You're both his parents then, yes?"

"Yes, but I'm his primary parent." Niall spoke up, slightly stepping forward and placed himself in front of Liam.

"Right, well Aybrum is going to be fine. He had a severe asthma attack in his sleep that was triggered by an allergic reaction, but we've given him the proper medication and he should be okay'd for release within the next half hour or so." He smiled, nodding along to his own words. "We'll give you an inhaler for him otherwise he should be fine but keep an eye on him over the next fourty-eight hours."

"I-I don't understand, he's not allergic to anything and since when does he have asthma? I - he was tested at his one year checkup." Niall sputtered, confused about the whole situation.

"Predicting allergies is still unpredictable itself, and asthma can develop at any age." He explained, "But he had a reaction to a fruit, kiwi to be exact and it caused his high temperature, the redness and for his throat to swell shut, triggering the asthma attack."