Take Me Back

20 - Niall

"Are you even listening to me?"

I jerked my head up and saw my wife giving me the death stare. She was explaining how this dinner was going to work, but I was distracted by my nerves. Telling people about a baby is stressful. Even though these were my best mates, I still had no clue how they would react.

"Sorry love, I was distracted. Say it again please?" She rolled her eyes, but went back to the start.

"So, when they get here, I'll start them with appetizers while the meal is still cooking. We can play games, chat, whatever you want. Then, we'll eat. After everybody finishes, I'll go grab the so-called dessert. But, when I open up the lid to that cake stand I bought, there will actually just be the pictures from the ultrasound. Of course, I got ice cream to actually eat too because one, cravings, and two, I know not to trick men with food. Got it?"

The whole plan seemed a little elaborate, but Jenna took a while to plan it, so I nodded.

"Awesome. I'm gonna get dressed, you should too before they arrive. Gym clothes aren't appropriate for dinner parties, you know"

I tightened the belt around my pants and looked in the mirror. My outfit looked pretty good, not to toot my own horn. I was wearing a simple black shirt, but jazzed it up with some purple pants. Jenna loved it when I wore these. She claims it's because she loves the color, but I know it's actually because my arse looks pretty good in them. I heard the door open, and I scoffed. The one thing I don't like about my friends is that they don't believe in knocking.

"Oi, Nialler, where you at lad? I'm starving, haven't eaten a fucking thing since breakfast" Louis complained, and Harry scolded his boyfriend for his rude entrance. 

"I'm enjoying the comfort of my own home, the home you came into without knocking. You know, technically that's illegal!" The two men laughed, and I scowled at them. Jenna came up from behind me and snaked her hands around my waist.

"Lighten up, love. You two know you're always welcome here". She smiled at our guests and laid her head upon my shoulder. "Zayn and Liam should be here soon, but who knows? Those two never seem to be on time". Almost like they were waiting for their cue, the last of our friends stumbled through the door.

"Jesus Christ, why are there so many stairs and hallways in this place? Like a maze trying to get up here. We almost gave up and went home"

"Whatever. I think we all know you wouldn't pass up a chance on a home-cooked meal. Speaking of, I'm going to go check on that". Jenna began to sit up to help me, but Harry put his arm out to stop her.

"I'll help him, you just sit down and get off your feet. I'm sure you both could use it". God, he wasn't good at being subtle, was he? Might as well tell the whole world his best friend is pregnant.

We went into the kitchen, and I opened the oven door to check on my chicken. I had garnished it with carrots all around the sides, and I thought it looked delicious.

"Where's the seasoning on that bird? Please don't tell me you've been cooking an unseasoned chicken for the past hour". I sheepishly grinned and shrugged my shoulders. Harry shook his head in disapproval, dissing my food under his breath. "Flavor, Niall. Pregnant women need flavor, they crave it 24/7. Jenna and the kid don't want this...piece of fat. Come on lad, I'll help you out here". He proceeded to rummage through my cabinets, pulling out little bottles of spices. Once he had what he needed, he put on an oven mitt and removed my meal from the heat of the oven. Like a master chef, he sprinkled and lathered on these things I had no clue we even owned. When he was satisfied, he stepped back and admired his work.

"Okay, I'll admit, that looks like a damn good chicken compared to what I had before". Harry smirked, letting the narcissist in him get their way.

"What can I say? I live for my cooking. And for Louis, of course for Louis. Oh, speaking of him, I have to confess something". I grinned, hoping this was what I thought it was. Seeing two of my best friends in a budding romance was such a content feeling, especially when I knew they were meant for each other all along.

"I may or may not have told him about the baby"

"You what?" I yelled, enraged by the fact that despite how good of a person he was, Harry Styles could not keep a secret for shit. He widened his eyes at me and covered my mouth, telling me to be quiet. 

"Relax, he was sleeping. Or at least I think he was. But I couldn't help myself! You know me!" I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "He didn't react, so I'm gonna hope he didn't hear. I just wanted to tell you so it wouldn't stay on my conscience. No karma for this guy". He gave me his goofy signature grin, and all was forgiven.

"All I'm saying is, never mess with Louis and I and you don't get bit in the ass!" The table erupted with laughter from Zayn's story.

"You locked me out of my own house in the middle of the night in January!"

"Well, Payno, maybe you shouldn't have cheated then!"

"WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING I COULD CHEAT AT!"

"Yeah, I just thought it would be funny to watch you freeze"

If I had to choose the thing I missed the most from my days in university with these boys, it would have to be the never-ending rivalry between Louis and Liam. They bickered like an old married couple, never even stopping to figure out what they were even arguing about. Half the time, it was just Louis, and sometimes with the help of his partner in crime Zayn, antagonizing the more sensible man, even though they both knew Liam could knock them out in a split second.

"How are you still friends with this guy?" Jenna asked, spitting out her drink at his previous remark.

"Eh, we couldn't live without him. He's our brother", I replied.

"Not my brother! That would be really gross..." Harry exclaimed, causing another outburst of giggles from everybody else. "Niall, this chicken was really good. I'm proud of you for making this all by yourself". He winked at me, letting me know that I could take the credit.

"Thanks lad. I should be on one of those cooking shows"

"Give it a rest, Niall. I think we all remember the time you nearly called the fire department because you thought you caught water on fire. Harry, thanks for saving dinner". Liam called my bluff, and I hid my face.

"Aw, don't worry love. I know you tried your best. So, who wants dessert?" The guests all hollered their approval, and Jenna grinned as she excused herself from the table to grab the so-called dessert. I shifted a little in my seat, excited to finally share the news. When she returned, I grabbed her hand as her other one lifted the lid off of the cake stand. On it rested a picture of our little bean, looking precious even as young as they were.

It was difficult to read the room, everybody had a perplexed look plastered on their face except for Harry, who was smiling like a fool. After giving them a moment to let it process, she let out a little squeal.

"Surprise!"

Louis grabbed the picture, holding it closer to his face to get a better view. He looked up at Jenna and shifted his glance from her, to her stomach, to the photo in his hands before jumping up and giving her a huge hug. Zayn and Liam were still confused, so he cleared it up.

"We're gonna be uncles!"

Everybody stood up and hugged the two of us, giving us congratulations and well wishes. I knew that our baby was going to be showered in more love than it could ever imagine.

a/n: ZIGI BABY ZIGI BABY ZIGI BABY AHHH proud to say i was online when z tweeted. also golden mv?? manifesting. sorry for not updating in forever, i recently went back to school in person so this was low on my list of priorities. anyways, vote and comment! love you all!