Lost & Found

Chapter 19

Lindsay woke up to Elise hitting her shoulder. She looked at the child's green eyes, almost seeing Savana's eyes. 

"Lindy." Elise whispered, holding her bottom half and teetering. 

Niall heard it, and hurried over to pick Elise up to rush her to the toilet. He came back with her in his arms. It was nearing eight in the morning on a Saturday, and she was wide awake. Lindsay sat up, groggy and sick feeling, to see what they were doing. 

Elise's bed head was almost laughable. She looked like she had a mane of dark brown hair. She was a little messy just from sleep, but other than that she was nearly perfect when it came to looks. Lindsay had no idea what her actual parents looked like, but she was pretty sure no one would argue if Savana said she was her mother. 

Niall played with her, a smile never leaving his face. "Do you want to help me, E?" She nodded excitedly in response, "We're gonna make everyone some breakfast. Why do you think they'd like?" 

Elise thought for less than a second before clapping her hands together, "'sicle." She smiled up at Niall, who hid a laugh. 

"I have an idea," He set her down, "You go wake everyone up and ask what they want, then come back and tell me." 

Lindsay shook her head and laid back down. Little feet hurried out and the bed dipped down shortly after, she turned to see Niall next to her. "You know she's one and won't remember anything they say." 

"Mm, yeah," Niall groaned as he turned over and snuggled closer to her, "Why do you think I sent her away?" Lindsay giggled as she laid her head back down on the bed, nearly falling back asleep. 

After being woken up by a toddler, Liam went into the kitchen with Elise ad began to make her breakfast. She kicked her feet as she sat in her high-chair, patiently awaiting her food. She watched as Liam heated up some rice cereal as an additive to her food, a trick Michael showed him to get it a thicker consistency. 

Liam walked around the kitchen in his pajamas and messy hair, doing his best to make this food in a timely manner. He finally finished the small bowl of pureed fruit medley mixed with rice cereal and it almost looked appetizing to him. He spoon-fed it to Elise, who did a better job at keeping it in her mouth than usual. He ran a hand through his hair and looked at her as she slammed her little hands on the tray in front of her. "What should we do today, E?" 

She looked past Liam, into the kitchen, and used her hands to make small fists and hit them together. Elise looked up at Liam with an almost distressed look in her eyes. "What's that, E?" Elise promptly rubbed her tummy with an open palm and kept the same expression. She did both intermittently and he became more and more confused as time went on. She was getting irritated as well, and began to cry. 

"Oh, okay, um.." Liam smiled, but still had no idea what to do. He picked up his phone, thinking about calling Savana or Michael, but they were probably sleeping in. He set the phone down, still clueless about what to do with a, now, very upset baby. 

Sierra walked out of the hall, in a hurry, and looked at the mess that was unfolding in front of her. Elise was banging her hands on the table, kicking, and screaming. Liam stood a foot or two in front of her, trying to cheer her up, but ultimately having no idea what to do. She walked over to the baby and took her out of the high chair. 

Liam took a deep breath as Sierra soothed Elise to the point of her just sniffling, but the sniffles shook her whole body. She leaned Elise back on her hip and looked at her calmly, "Whats wrong, E?" 

Elise, through the sniffs, repeated the hand movements, and Sierra knew immediately what they meant. She dragged the high chair into the kitchen and set her in it, immediately upsetting her again. 

"What are you doing? Why's she crying again?" Liam said quickly. 

Sierra, continuing to make more baby food, replied, "Savana's been teaching her sign language, I guess. It's easier for babies to learn than for them to speak in most cases. She's been signing 'More, please' to you. She's still hungry." 

Liam sighed with relief, "Oh, I thought I hurt her or something." He looked at her and rubbed her cheek softly, something she'd loved since she was smaller. It was calming her down a little bit. 

"Here," Sierra handed him the food, "I have to go get ready for something." She walked down the hall before Liam had a chance to say anything. 

Ashton and Niall walked out together, looking at Liam. "You're looking a little worse for wear. Rough morning?" Ashton sat at the table beside Elise, whose face was tear stained. 

"I have to learn baby sign language through a one-year-old, who can't speak what she can sign." Liam rubbed his face between Elise's bites, "I don't know how they're going to handle two. I can hardly handle the one, and she's an easy baby."

"They've had time to adjust," Niall shrugged, "and they have so many willing baby-sitters. I'm shocked we don't have her more."

Elise ate her entire second helping, and was let to play with toys as the boys ate at the table. She wanted to sit in Ashton's lap after a little bit of playing, and he let her as they discussed the day. 

"Where's Sierra headed today?" Liam turned to Ashton, assuming he'd know. 

Ashton shook his head, "Something about a secret interview with Savana. She set it up after the rumors sprung about with Luke. She's still pretty pissed about it, and I wouldn't mess with Savana. Much less now that she's six months pregnant, so we'll probably see a pregnant lady on the news later today." 

They all laughed it off as they saw Sierra hurry around for her purse. She shouted a quick I love you to Ashton as she kissed his cheek and shut the door behind her. They all continued eating as Elise drove a small car on the table. 

Lindsay walked out of the hall, sniffing the air hungrily, "What's that smell?" She spoke raspy, as if she'd just thrown up. "I'm so hungry." 

Niall got her a plate of food and watched as she early inhaled it. She looked up at him, full of life again, and whispered, "At eleven weeks, the morning sickness eases up and my appetite goes into overdrive to nourish baby and I." He nodded and watched as Elise fell asleep in Ashton's lap. 

He couldn't wait for that.