Always In My Heart (Sequel To Love Hurts)

Chapter 31

"How long can you safely eat Christmas dinner leftovers?"

Boxing day woes. Niall wondered digging on yesterday's food. The Maliks were visiting, actually only Trisha, the rest were chasing Boxing day sales. As if the prices aren't the same as two months earlier. Trisha as always had brought in food, lots of. Everyone was saited and the kids half comatose from eating too much, Mason to be specific. Liam was also visiting with his son, but his little daughter was with Sophia. She had her family to visit with plans for Liam to join later. Zayn, Harry and Niall were his family too. And Louis even though not physically present.

"We won't know till you get ill, Niall" Liam answered patting his own belly.

"Eat away, Ni. You can be our little experiment and when you do perish from food poisoning, the words, there lies a man who dared, would be written in rainbow colours on your stone" Harry nodded.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, I know I can always trust on you all to look after me.." Niall said sarcastically.

"It's what we do, and why were here for. You're welcomed..." Liam replied.

"..just don't be dramatic if you get ill yeah, call an ambulance and leave us out of it..ouch, baby, why?" He whined feeling a pinch from Zayn.

"Don't worry Ni, eat away I'll make sure Harry drives you to the hospital while Liam rubs your back.."

"Thanks bro..I know I can trust on you"

"Always Ni, always.."

"What about me?" Harry asked his best friend.

"What about you?"

"You don't trust me?"

"You're about to dissect me like a frog and use me as an experiment, so no"

Everyone sniggered quietly when Harry replied with an, " I don't trust you too.."

"So childish" Trisha shook her head smiling at them, "you know sonshine what you just said made me think of something.." she said to Zayn.

"Um, what did I say?"

Trisha chuckled softly at his confused face, "Always.."

"Um, I don't want to say what to you mom, but what?"

"You and Harry say the word always to each other to show support and love. And since we don't have Thanksgiving like Americans do, I'm thinking let's have our own tradition. That's not linked to religion where we say our thanks. We can call it..reflections.."

"Like, reflecting on your year type of a thing or just generally?" Anne asked,

"Just generally. It can be deep or not. Little things or big. Something that sort of made you go, wow, I wasn't expecting that but I'm grateful for it, if that make sense"

"Course it does, mom. And I love it. For the year I've had I could honestly write a book on reflections, good and bad.."

"Reflection is still a reflection, good or bad. It's what you've learned from it that makes a hella of difference.."

"Shall I start then?" Liam excitedly clapped his hands..

"Here's to all of us pretending to be surprised you starting Liam" Niall lifted his glass of beer to all, "Cheers.."

"Cheers.." they all said laughing, in a good way.

"Okay, Liam, you start. What's made you go, wow?" Trisha said.

"You sound like Oprah, mom"

"You sound like a Stepford housewife. Have you been keeping with your daytime TV then, Zee?" Trisha joked.