December 24, 1999, Christmas Eve. Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland.
Grinning like a Cheshire cat and swinging his left arm that was holding his father's hand, six year old Niall James Horan couldn't hide his happiness and excitement as he and his father-Bobby, along with his older brother-Gregory, walked through the streets of Mullingar filled with Christmas decorations and twinkling Christmas lights, carrying grocery bags for their Christmas Eve dinner that night. The smiling six year old couldn't stop his excitement as he knew they would pass the toy store with the large glass window showing the different toys they sell, along the way to their small house a few blocks away.
The reason why Niall was so excited on passing the said toy store was because of the teddy bear that sat at the corner of the glass window. A large, light brown fluffy teddy bear with large dark colored eyes with a red ribbon tied around it's neck sat there at the corner, around with the many wonderful toys being displayed there. The moment Niall saw that teddy bear nine days ago when he and his older brother passed the toy store, he fell in love with it.
And when the two brothers got home later that afternoon, Niall immediately rushed to the kitchen to his fathers side, tugging on the mans jeans, looking up at him with the biggest blue eyes and a small pout on his lip asking for his father to buy him the teddy bear he fell in love with. His father looked down at his youngest son and dropped down on his knees so he was eye level with Niall. He carefully explained that they are short on money, having his dad not recieving his Christmas bonus yet and he can't possibly buy the teddy now. He chose his words carefully as to not hurt the little boys feelings and make him cry. Niall looked at his dad with glimmering big blue eyes, his bottom lip trembling and the little boy was holding back tears. Bobby felt guilty, so he promised his youngest child that if he can wait till Christmas Eve, and if his dad will recieve his Christmas bonus from the butcher shop he works at, then maybe he could buy the teddy bear for Niall.
The young boy immediately smiled at his dad and threw his little arms around his father's neck promising his dad that he will wait until Christmas eve. Everyday Niall and Greg would walk down to the toy store and just look at the teddy bear behind the glass window. Hoping, praying and wishing that his father would buy him the teddy bear.
So that is why Niall was completely dragging his father towards the toy shop on Christmas eve, his little feet having a skip in its step. His father tried to keep in with his sons eagerness, trying not to trip or stumble or drop the grocery bags he held in his other hand that wasn't holding Niall's little ones. His oldest son, Greg jogged up to them, two grocery bags on both his hands. When the three Horan's reached the toy store, Niall immediately let go of his fathers hand and rushed towards the stores glass window. He pressed both of his small palms on the window and he looked for the big brown fluffy teddy bear, but it wasn't there anymore. His smile dropped and he kept looking, tilting his head up, from side to side, so he could see if the tedy bear is there. But it wasn't there anymore. The spot where the teddy once sat was empty. Niall's smile dropped and his lips began to quiver, his big blue eyes stung with tears and he rushed towards his father, who knelt down to hug his child who began crying on his shoulder. He picked up the crying boy and they walked towards their small house in silence, with the occasional sniffles of Niall.
When they arrived home, Bobby set down Niall who immediately ran upstairs towards his bedroom. Bobby watched his youngest sons retreating figure and he sighed. He looked towards the living room to see Greg placing a box, wrapped in red Christmas wrapper with a gold ribbon tied around it underneath their Christmas tree. He smiled at it and headed towards the kitchen to start their Christmas Eve dinner.
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When it was time for dinner. Bobby called down his two sons. He placed the ham at the center of the table, alongside the other foods that were placed there. There were china plates and silverwear, and candles to lip up the table. He heard the thumping of small feets coming down the carpeted stairs and two boys came down, in their small christmas jumpers and pajamas. The three of them sat at at their seats at the dining table and began to pray for the food and blessings. Once done, they began to eat the food Bobby had cooked. Classic Christmas songs played softly in the background from their stereo at the living room.
