The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 22

•Louis•

I had just got out of work and Niall had picked me up from the NYT office for my every afternoon regular training session. We were now at the gym and Mason was running around, messing with the bouncy balls, of course.

"Lou, we have a problem," Niall whispers as he hands me my regular boxing gloves.

Taking a seat on a small stool next to the ring, I begin to lace them up.

"Talk to me,"

My best friend clears his throat, "I'm not gonna be able to pick up Mason from school this whole week,"

My fingers stop fiddling with the strings and I glance up at him.

"What? Why?" My voice rises.

"Somethings going on with the company. We're having these meetings after they're out of work and they're ending late. I think some rich asshole is trying to buy off the whole thing,"

I yank off the glove I had just strapped on and slammed them down on the floor. Just great. Just fucking great. What am I suppose to do now?

A frustrated hand ran through my matted hair. Niall could tell I was already worked up about the situation and it was written all over his face that he felt terrible.

"I'm sorry, Louis,"

"No," I sigh, "It's not your fault. I'm not mad, if that's what you're thinking. I'm just - I don't know how I'm gonna pick him up. I'm still at work when he gets out,"

"Maybe they'll let you out early? I'm pretty sure they'll understand,"

"They won't. They're real strict about everything. Even Liam warned me,"

"I can pick him up for you," a voice peeps.

Our heads turn to the direction of its source and we're met with a familiar face that happens to be walking up the staircase.

Elisabeth.

"No," I refuse, "I can't make you do that. Besides, you're still at work by the time he gets out,"

"Trueee, but I have the rest of the week off,"

My eyebrows rise. How the hell did she manage to pull that off?

"Why?" I gape.

She shrugs off her bag as she places it next to a couple of chairs and makes her way over to us. "I managed to pull in some extra hours and I got permission from the editor since the assignment with Malik is due next Monday,"

"Well, there you go!" Niall shouts.

Elisabeth smiles and I sigh. I can't make her do this for me. She's done enough already.

Suddenly, little feet are heard pattering in our direction.

"Is Ice Cream Lady really picking me up from school?" Mason asks excitedly.

We laugh and smile down at my son.

"She has a name, Mason,"

His eyes flicker up to her, "Well, what is it?"

"Elisabeth," she smiles.

•Elisabeth•

Mason's blue eyes look confused and his lips begin to move as he struggles to say my name.

"Alisaba-Elisbeth-Isbeth-Lisabeth," His lip pout and he huffs, making me giggle slightly, "Can I call you Lissie? There's a girl in my class with your name and we call her Lissie,"