I'm Coming Home (One Direction Fan Fiction)

~Chapter Eleven~

“I-Um-Uh, Wow?” Danielle stutters, scanning Emily’s delicate features. I watch as her little chest rises and falls gradually, her mind away in the dreamland.

“I can, um… see the resemblance.” She admits, sighing. I nod and admire my little girl. Danielle nods as well and closes the door over, blocking Emily from the sound of our voices. I wave my hand and lead her to the living room where Niall and I had watched the movie earlier, the blanket still across the sofa. I fold it neatly and place it on the end of the couch so Danielle and I could both sit down. Her face showed nothing but a blank stare as she worked out everything.

“She’s beautiful, Megan, she really is. What’s her name?” She almost whispers, looking at a picture of the Eiffel tower on the wall. It was one I had taken in my photography class when I had gone on a class trip in Grade 12.

“Emily.” I reply, biting my lip. There was no real romantic or inspiring behind the name Emily. It was my nurse’s name when I was giving birth to my little girl, and Lachlan thought it would be a gorgeous name for her, and that’s what we named her. I’d like to say there was a woman who donated an organ to my aunt or someone who saved my grandfather from a burning house and their name was Emily, but there wasn’t. It was just Emily White, my beautiful four year old daughter.

“Gorgeous name.” Danielle comments. I smile slightly, just so she could see it but not so much that it was enthusiastic. “Was it your ex-boyfriends?” Now normally, my face would fall and so would a few tears, but I still had the guilt building in my stomach from my date with Niall so there wasn’t much emotion on my face at all.

“Oh I’m sorry- that was insensitive.” Danielle sympathetically squeezes my hand.

“No no, it’s fine, really. I, um- yes, it was Lachlan’s. I, uh- It’s,” I sighed, looking for the right words. “…hard to raise her by myself at times. She needs a father.” I admit. Danielle looks like she was about to cry herself.

“Does Niall know?” I almost kneeled over- the guilt physically causing a sharp pain in my stomach. I caught my breath and looked up where her big brown eyes were staring down at me, sadness covering the sparkle.

“Not exactly. He thinks she’s my sister.” I wince, hearing the words come out of my mouth sounded harsh, selfish even. I felt bad for him.

“That’s a bit of a problem then, isn’t it.” Danielle chuckles. I chuckle slightly too, agreeing.

“How do I fix it?” Danielle’s face drops and she stares down at the carpet, deep in thought. I hadn’t given it much thought either really, less than I should’ve.

“I’d suggest time, but in this case- I think you should…” She hesitates but continues. “Show him before someone beats you to it. The last thing you want is someone telling HIM about YOUR daughter- maybe take her to your next date or invite him around like you have me now.” She smiles. It was a good idea, sure.

“He was around here earlier, actually.” I sheepishly admit.

“Oh! Was Emily here…?”

“Oh gosh no, she was at day care, luckily, I guess.”

“Ah, I see. When is your next date then?”

“Friday lunch time, we’re making scones.” Danielle’s face lights up.

“HE’S TAKING YOU TO THE- wait, that’ll be a surprise.” I was suddenly eager to find out where she was about to admit, but I wanted the surprise to be a surprise. The thought arose in my mind- it better be a child friendly place because I was going to bring Emily.