Further On (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12;

"I gotta get you dressed don't I," I pat Joel's diaper as we lay down.

He tries to sit up while laying on my stomach, looking like a seal. I lift him up in the air and he sucks in a laugh. When I bring him back down to my face I kiss his forehead. I laugh from his little fits of giggles and stand to make my way back into the nursery.

I go downstairs, Joel's dressed and clean and so am I.

"You're going to go get Noah?" Arielle asks while chewing on something.

"Yep, wanna come?"

"No, uhh, I'm actually going over my moms." She mumbles.

I laugh, shaking my head. "No you're not." I say. "Not after what you pulled."

"We're going to talk about Joel's first birthday party."

What?

"I swore you said you didn't like giving the big birthday parties when they turn one, you just like being with us. No one else just me you and our kid."

"But, she wants to throw him a party."

"Because she wants to throw him a party you just say yes?"

"She's excited about it."

"And you don't want to do it." I say. "I can tell."

"I don't, but she does."

"You grovel at her feet Arielle, she didn't give a shit about you or Joel not even two months ago," I hear my voice raising. "She met them only two months ago, she said Noah was a devil child do you not see the warning bells, Arielle?"

"Well, she is trying to . . ." She takes a deep breath. "She's trying to be more in their life now she just resented me that's all."

"No, I doubt it. From now on don't take my kids to her house I don't want them seeing her and showing them fake love and false hope."

"She really does love them Zayn," her voice shakes.

"Wake up Arielle!" I finally snap.

"Dada!" Joel screams and stares at me.

I almost forgot I was still holding him. She sniffs and takes him from me.

"All you do is yell at me anymore," She says quietly, adjusting Joel on her hip.

I take Joel back.

"Come on Joel let's go get you're brother, mommy is being a hypocrite."

"Don't tell him that!" She grabs my shoulder back when I grab his coat. "He's not going."

"Yeah he is, he wants to." I reply.

"You don't know that."

"That's because he can't tell me, but you can tell your mom that you really don't want to throw him a party. She'll know that." I say matter-of-factly.

"What do you want from me?" She gives up with a deep exhale, pushing her hair out of her face.

"I want you to tell your mother the truth."

"No."

"Then that's not a good relationship to have with your mother. All I know is that none of you," I point to her and Joel. "Are allowed in, around or near that house."

"How am I supposed to talk to her about the party."

"Easy," I shrug. "You don't." I give her a smile and walk out the door.