This Isn't Happening

Chapter 9- Complicated

The night I agree to date Zayn would be the night for surprises. I hadn’t met any of the other boys, but now here sat Louis. Zayn was literally in shock and I don’t know why. Well to be honest, I didn’t care because I heard Ryder crying from his bedroom.

     I shoved past Zayn, and then Taylor and Louis, who were now on their feet. I heard Zayn say something, but I wasn’t interested in knowing why Louis Tomlinson was in my house.

      Turning on the light, I saw Ryder pulled up on his crib, with a runny nose and flushed cheeks. “Come here, little man.” He put his arms up, reaching for me, and we went to the kitchen to find medicine.

     How did he get so sick, so fast? I wonder how long he’s been up, my best friend too preoccupied to notice.

     Within seconds of the medicine being in Ryder’s system, his eyes were closed. I walked into the living room and it got silent.

     “Has he been crying, Taylor?” I asked, ignoring the stares from Louis and Zayn.

     “I haven’t heard him… until just now when you walked in.”

    Zayn’s eyes were focused on Louis again. If he was the one that kept Taylor from hearing my sick son, we might have a problem.

And as I stared at Taylor, I realized that I might just have another problem.

     “How am I supposed to go to work tomorrow?” Taylor couldn’t baby sit. She had to be at work too.

     For the first time, Louis spoke up. “I’m really sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean to show up at your home without being invited. It was actually a funny story. See...”

     Zayn cut him off. Apparently he had heard my question to Taylor. “I’ll watch Ryder tomorrow. If that’s okay with you of course.”

        I agreed for him to keep Ryder, but it was getting late and I needed sleep, so I told everyone goodnight and took Ryder to bed with me. Taylor crashed on the couch again.

        I was up a lot throughout the night, trying to keep Ryder’s fever down. Needless to say, the alarm went off earlier than I wanted it to.

     But I got up, and hid the tiredness of my face with makeup. Listening to Ryder’s light, congested snore coming from my bed, kept me awake while I got ready.

Taylor had already left for the morning. She said she had something to do before I got there. So it left the house somewhat quiet as I fixed coffee and packed Ryder’s bag for his day at Zayn’s.

          Another skill that I had mastered a long time ago was picking up a sleeping baby without them waking up. That came in handy today as I pulled a blanket over Ryder and we headed out the front door.

     It only took Zayn about 3 seconds to open the front door. He immediately took Ryder from my arms. We walked to the living room and Zayn set him on the couch.

     “Thank you so much.” I said but he quieted me with a soft kiss.

     “Don’t thank me… Have fun at work. I’ll see you later.”

     I gave him a quick run-down on Ryder’s schedule and how much medicine he needed and when he needed it. Zayn started laughing and when I questioned him, his only response was, “I hope Ryder doesn’t talk as much as you.”

     After another quick hug from Zayn, and a kiss to Ryder’s forehead, I dashed out the door, not wanting to be late for my first day at People Magazine- London.

       I followed the directions Taylor had given me yesterday. I realized I was at the right building when I saw her standing by the front door.

“Good morning, Ellie!” she screamed in my ear when she hugged me. Maybe too much sugar in her coffee this morning.

She led me through the building, introducing me to everyone. They seemed to respect me, just because my title was editor. I could get used to this.

 “Here it is!” Taylor slung open a door to a small office, and sitting on the desk was a name plate with my name engraved on it. “So what do you think?”

It was so amazing. Definitely better than Starbucks. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much, Taylor.”

“Oh no need for you to get all sad on me. Enjoy it. I’m sure the boss will be coming to talk to you soon. Oh wait! That’s me!” She laughed at her own joke. “So I guess welcome, Ellie. Nice for you to join us.”

I had to laugh with her this time. There was a reason this girl was my best friend. “Thanks again.”

And that was that. I got to stay in my office unless we had a meeting and all I had to do was read the articles on every page of the magazine and edit them. Really creative with the job title “editor”.

 All day I thought of Ryder and Zayn. I’d occasionally send Zayn a quick text to see how he was and for a reply, I’d get a “he’s sleeping” or a picture of him playing with one of those millions of toys Zayn bought him.

At four o’clock, there was a knock on the office door and Taylor came in, smiling.

“You can head home now. Or to Zayn’s I guess. I know you miss Ryder.”

I wasn’t supposed to get off for another hour, but as Taylor put it, I was the editor. I could do what I wanted. So I packed up my stuff and headed out the front door, waving at everyone I passed.

It was colder than I was used to it being in March, when I walked outside to get in the car. I was still getting used to things…

Before I knew it, I was at Zayn’s house. All I could do was pray that he did a good job of watching Ryder. He might have to do it tomorrow too. I couldn’t send him to daycare sick.

This time, I didn’t knock. I knew he’d be more then thrilled to see me. “Knock knock.” I said, after I closed the door. It was strangely quiet, but when I walked into the living room, my heart melted.

     Zayn was asleep on the couch with Ryder lying across his chest. My life might be complicated, but this was definitely a sight I could enjoy coming home to.