One Big Family

Niall the Brave

Niall was still sad that Fletcher passed away, it was his second time dealing with death and he still will never be used to it. He just felt so attached to the duck even though he only knew him for a day. Harry was already out of bed and downstairs for breakfast, Niall stayed laying in his bed staring at the ceiling he was sad so very sad.

"Niall, are you okay? can I come in?" Somebody asked from behind the door, Niall recognised them to be Liam. He stayed silent not feeling like he was able to talk. Liam walked in any way holding a plate of chocolate chip pancakes, Niall's favourite breakfast.

"Hey buddy, you alright?" Liam whispered thinking that talking any louder would scare his little brother. He sat down next to Niall on his bed, waving the plate to try to bribe Niall in getting him to move.

"Chocolate chip pancakes, mmm... your favourite" He smiled.

Niall sat up on his bed ready to drown his feeling in the food, he was sad but it was chocolate chip pancakes.

"Thanks, Li" he whispered taking the plate.

"HE SPEAKS," Liam cheered enthusiastically. Niall stayed silent focusing on eating his pancakes.

"It's going to be okay Niall, do you remember Bubbles?" Liam asked

"You fish" Niall answered.

"Yeah he was my fish and I had him when I was 7 for a month and one day he died. I was so heartbroken Dad let Bubbles be buried outside. I was really, really sad but eventually I moved on and I know you can too Niall and you know why?"

"Why?" Niall asked sounding uninterested in where this is going.

"Because you are brave." He explained "You're Niall when the world pushes you down you get back up on your feet and keep marching through life. Tell you what, not many people can do that." He finished hoping for getting somewhere with Niall. He stayed silent. Niall put his now finished plate on the table and threw his quilt off of his making Liam scramble off the bed.

Liam was right Niall was brave and Fletcher wouldn't want him to be sad.

Niall marched downstairs full of bravery and inner strength, the boys and Simon were happy to see him better. Honestly, the house gets depressing when Niall is even a little blue.

"Good morning everyone" Niall chirped. Simon got up from his seat and gathered Niall into a big hug.

"Good morning, feeling better," Simon asked kissing his cheek.

"Much. Liam helped me realise that Fletcher wouldn't want me to be sad, he'll want me to get up again and get through the day," He smiled.

"That's the spirit" Simon added giving Niall a thumbs up and flashed a smile.

Niall sat at the table with the rest of his brothers including Liam who followed Niall from upstairs.

All was right with the world which meant everything has to start going wrong. Simon walked over to his smallest son, his baby Louis. Simon was about to pick him up and give him a cuddle when it happened. Louis dodged. All eyes turned to the duo as Louis got up from his seat and walked past his father a straight up to his room without a word. Everyone in the kitchen was stunned at what they had just witnessed. Louis had never turned down any possible snuggling with his Daddy, ever. Niall could tell with the sad look on his face that Louis had just broken Simon's heart.

"What just happened?" Zayn asked confused. Ignoring Zayn's question, Simon began to panic.

"Is he mad at me, did I do something wrong?" He cried still with the sting of his baby's rejection, fresh in his gut.