One Little Direction

Chapter Five: Bare Bums

{Zayn's POV}

“Dadda!” I hear Ellie squeal from my bedroom door. I sit up and she’s running into the room. She climbs onto the bed, with my help and I give her a giant hug. Ellie places a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

“Merry Christmas Ellie.” I smile at my little girl.

“Merry Christmas Dadda.” Ellie replies. “Santa came!” She yells. Really? Never would’ve guessed!

We get out of bed and head into the lounge. The lights on the Christmas tree are still on and the curtains are still closed. The room is all decorated with lights and tinsel and there are presents everywhere.

I take photos on my phone.

“Can I open them Dadda?” Ellie asks jumping around. I nod and she starts with the presents from Santa.

I watch her happily open all her presents and I look at all the gifts she got from Perrie, ‘Santa’ and I.

Four Peppa Pig books, Duplo Lego, a blue spikey rubber ball, a red trike, a burgundy Gap jumper, blue pajamas, a black beanie with double pom- pom ears and a tartan dress also from Gap. Crayola paints and paintbrushes, an easel, four in one puzzle and a pencil case, pencils, an art smock, place mat and art set from Stuck On You, all personalised.

I finally hand her the card from Perrie and I. She gets me to read the card. It says:

Dear our beautiful Ellie, Merry Christmas gorgeous girl! We hope you have an amazing day and live your life to the full! We love you very much baba, we always will. Lot’s of Love forever and ever, Mumma and Dadda xxoo

Ellie places the card on the coffee table with the other cards and then comes back over. I hand her the card from Perrie and she get’s me to read that one too.

Dear Ellie, I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there my gorgeous girl. Have a great day and look after Dadda for me! I love you very much baba girl. Love Mumma xxoo

Ellie smiles and places her second card on the coffee table.

“Now you have to open yours Dadda.” Ellie says.

I open my card in the sack and read it before opening my gifts. All sorts of different things that I really like.

“Um, Dadda,” Ellie pipes up. I nod for her to continue. “This is for you.” She hands me a bit of folded paper.

On the front is a drawing of a Christmas tree and below it are three people; one smaller than the other with a dress on and a bigger one with a dress. The final is just a stick figure. Then there’s also what I think are two cats, a duck and a dog. Perrie, Ellie, Hatchi, Lou Duck Tiger, Prada and I.

I open the card and there is writing. “What does this say Ellie?” I ask grabbing a pen so I can write it on the other side.

“Dear Dadda.” Ellie starts. I nod for her to continue. “Merry Christmas. I love you very much. Thank you. Love Ellie, kiss kiss, hug hug.” Ellie tells me.

I write it and then hug Ellie tightly. “Thank you beautiful.” I kiss her forehead.

“That’s okay. Hold it up.” She points at my card and I hold it up and smile. Ellie takes a photo and then I take a video of her. I post them both and then we go and check if Santa and the reindeer ate their food.

Once we’ve done that we have toast and Nutella and then I get changed and do my teeth and hair before going to Ellie’s room with her.

I change Ellie out of her drynite and into undies. I then change her into black leggings, a navy blue jumper, socks, her all black high top Converses, a black snapback with Ellie on the front and her denim jacket from last night.