Devotion [h.s]

205

what Briar looks like^

Harry Styles

Left, right, left, left, right, left.

My fabric covered knuckles hit the punching bag over and over again as it hung from the tree in the backyard. With a black beanie on my head and the hood of my sweater up over it, I nailed my fists it's the black leather object to get the adrenaline rush I needed for the day.

"Babe-" I hear Amelia's quiet voice say from the door, tuning out the sounds of my racing heart and staggered breath.

I turn my head to the door and see her standing there with Briar in her right arm. Briar was resting on Amelia's hip, her forefinger in her mouth.

"You've been out here for nearly an hour, are you okay?" She asks while standing with the sliding door open.

"Yeah, of course. I'm fine. Just lost track of time that's all." I say from between pants.

"Well it's getting cold, coming in before you wear yourself out and get sick." She frowns, making me nod. She is right, I have been out here for a long time. I guess I just lose myself sometimes when I'm out here.

"Okay babe." I walk over to the backdoor where she stands with Briar on her hip. I grab the small child and lift her up in the air from her underarms, making her laugh as I shake her playfully.

I bring her back down, carrying her on my hip and walking inside, shutting the sliding door and entering the keypad next to it to seal the unbreakable glass shut.

It's kinda a bitch to have a security keypad lock on every single possible entrance in the cabin, but I couldn't bare sleeping at night knowing someone could break in and try to hurt Amelia or Briar. So we decided months ago that I would set up a very high security system that is set with cameras all around the outside premises and vacuum seals on every window and door. The glass is none breakable- and this way we could stay here. Amelia really didn't want to leave, she loves this cabin and wanted Briar to get to grow up here.

But, it's not like all this equipment went to any use - no one has even tried coming here. I haven't seen one member of Salvation or Deception around these forests. Maybe Erica really did forget where this place was- or maybe she died. Either way it's been six months of nothing from any rivals, but I still keep this place locked like the fucking White House.

The kitchen was warm compared to the windy air outside, and it smelled good.

"Are you making dinner?" I arch my brow because it actually is smelling nice in here.

"No Niall is." She chuckles as Niall walks around the corner with vegetables.

"Ah, thought so." I chuckle and kiss her cheek.

Niall, surprisingly was actually a good cook. It's something that he's been enjoying more and more lately. I don't know if it's a coping mechanism or not from the whole Erica thing.. but it's a hobby he's picked up.

And I mean, I'm not complaining.

These past few months have been calm, and good. Amelia and I have been learning new things everyday about Briar and parenting, and overall I think we aren't too shabby. Louis moved out, but not because of the baby. He moved back to his own house because all the renovations were done, and now Liam stays with him.

Liam has been, difficult to say the least - or so I hear.

I didn't want him staying under the same roof as Briar and Amelia, it was still too risky so Louis offered to let him stay with him. But in these past six months he hasn't made any attempt to hurt any of us. Louis tells me that he really just stays in his room all day on his own. Lou hasn't really done anything to try and get him out of his shell, but what did I really expect him to do?