Just Trying to Keep Up {Niall Horan Fan Fic}

Chapter 8 {A Nice Chat}

Niall's POV:

I entered my hotel room and plopped on the bed. The first thought that entered my mind was Florence. Everything that I left with her, the magazines, the articles, she would finally know the truth. That I just waited too late to realize what I lost. I've made that mistake a lot in the past years. I knew there was some mistakes that I should make up soon, or else it would be too late, and I couldn't do that with these people.

I pick up my phone and dial a familiar number. It took a couple of rings for them to answer but they eventually did.

"Hello? Who is this?" They ask.

"Hey! Liam! It's me!" I say, a deep pit in my heart hoped that Liam would still remember me, it's only been four and a half years since we've last seen each other... Four and a half years.

"I'm sorry, I don't know who this is." Liam says.

I could feel that pit grow deeper and through my heart. My best mate doesn't remember me.

"It's...um... It's Niall." I say less excitedly than before.

There's a long pause and Liam finally asks "Is that really you mate?

"Yeah, it is. Niam for life, lad." I say and hear a deep chuckle from Liam.

"Niall... I'm so sorry-" but I cut him off there.

"Don't be, things happen ya know?" I say.

"Yeah.." Liam says.

"So, how has life been?"

"It's been good, you know with the band ending last year, Danielle and I have finally had a chance to start a family. She's 7 months pregnant, were so excited!" Liam says happily. Hearing him have that perfect family warmed my heart up, just knowing that my best friend is living his full on dream.

"That's amazing, is it a boy or a girl?" I ask.

"It's a boy! My first son!" He says joyfully.

"That's great, have you picked out a name?" I ask.

"Yeah... Danielle and I compromised on James. I guess you can tell where that came from." I could feel tears warm up in my eyes. James. That was my middle name, and to think Liam still considers me in his life may be the happiest things that's happened to me in years, except for seeing my daughter.

"Liam, this will sound cheesey, but that's one of the best things I've heard in years. Thank you, mate."

"Your welcome, Niall." I could hear Liam sniffling through the phone, I wouldn't have thought this would he emotional for him too. But things can change.

"So, how have things been for you?" Liam asks.

"Oh um... Fine. I'm in New York now. Visiting people."

"Didn't you and Florence stay in New York when you had the time?"

"Yeah, we did." I say sadly.

"Yeah, speaking of Florence have you seen her in your visit?"

"Yeah, to be honest she's the only reason I came here." I could hear Liam laugh through the phone.

"Oh Niall, you never really got over her did you?" Liam asks.

"No, never." I say seriously.

"I saw the interviews, the articles, why didn't you ever tell me or the lads?" Liam says concerningly.

"It wasn't a topic I liked to talk about, honestly. I felt like if I talked about it I would of never forgotten about it, but either way I never did."

"Have you seen your child?" Liam asks.

"Ye-ah." My voice cracks as I say that, and I swallowed the lump down my throat so I wouldn't cry so badly in front of Liam.

"Niall, you don't have to put on act on."

"I know Liam, but what I did. Five years ago. It was a mistake. I hate missing out on those five years, those five years were apart of my life. And I missed it. I missed out on my family. My love. My life." I say weepingly. I could feel a burn of regret inside my chest, and I knew it wasn't going to go away easily.

"Niall, I'm sorry but I got to go. Danielle isn't feeling good, but I swear Ill fly down to New York."

"No, you don't have to do that Liam." I say honestly.

"I want to." He says seriously.

I sigh and say "Okay, I'll see you soon then."

"See you soon." He says, then he hung up.

I smile softly to myself. Hearing and talking to Liam was... Heart warming. He always brought me up when I was low, and I really needed it now.

My phone rang softly interupting my thoughts. I picked it up and answered.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Hey, Niall. It's Florence." She says.

"Hey, what's the craic?" I say as I did when I was younger. She laughs a little and says "I want you to come over later, for a family dinner."

"A family dinner?" I ask.

"Yeah, with me, you, and Emma Claire." She says.

"Oh, yeah. That will be great!" I say.

"Okay, good. I'll see you at six. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Great, I'll see you tonight." She says happily, and hangs up.

I knew she read the articles, she wouldn't have been this nice. Or maybe she was just generally being nice. No, she read the articles. My heart warms up to this thought, she knows the truth now. What really happened after I let her go. She knows I regret it. She finally knows.