Small Bump [Liam Payne]

Part One

"Thank you, and goodnight Berlin! Thank you so much for the best end to a tour ever!" He hears Louis shout off to his right, and then he and the four other boys are sprinting offstage, gratefully grabbing the towels and water bottles handed to them by various people.

It's been four years now, and Liam is still in love with the rush. People are herding them, shouting, but he's still on his performance high. He showers in a daze, poking fun and shouting with the other boys, and then they're being guided once again as they're quickly pulling shirts on, heading out to the bus waiting at the back of the venue. German fans are screaming his name, and he waves at them before Paul practically shoves them on the bus, and he has to physically pull Harry away from the crowd. He collapses onto the couch at the front, waving Zayn off who excuses himself to the back of the bus because Perrie's back there with her cousin that Zayn just has to meet because they'd just get on so well , and grunts when Louis flops down straight on his stomach.

"Lou, go sit on your boyfriend for pete's sake." He groaned, shoving the older boy off of him, who only laughed in response and threw himself onto Harry's lap. Harry smiled down affectionately at Louis before Paul whacked him across the back of the head, ordering fondly, "Oi, no cuddling. We got a visitor in the back." Louis stuck his tongue out but abided, moving instead to sit in between Harry and Niall.

"Lads, I know I say this every time," Niall paused to shake some of the water off of his hair, "But that was the best show yet." Everyone laughed, teasing him, but suddenly Liam's attention was diverted as he saw Paul answering a phone call with a worried expression. The large man made eye contact with Liam, but quickly turned away, closing the door between the front of the bus and the lounge.

"What was that about?" Harry muttered, and Liam shrugged.

"Dunno. Maybe it had something to do with Perrie's cousin." He looked in the direction of the back of the bus, "Have any of you met her before?"

Louis and Harry shook their heads, and Niall furrowed his brow, "I think I did, once. A few years ago, but she was nice. It was right when they started seeing each other again, after their first break up. She's funny, from what I remember."

"Well, if she's related to Perrie, I have no doubt that she's got an interesting personality." Louis snorted, propping his feet up on the table.

"Payne, come here." Paul's voice carried over to them, low and angry. Confused, Liam stood, hearing Louis whisper to the other boys, "Liam never gets in trouble! What'd he do this time?" With a frown and a flipping of the bird in their general direction, Liam turned and walked over to Paul, who closed the door behind them so it was only them and the bus driver.

"What's up?" He asked, concerned.

Paul sighed heavily, rubbing at his forehead. "Phone call for you. Maybe it makes a bit more sense to you than me." With that vague statement, he handed his phone over, and Liam took it warily.

"Hello?"

"Hi, yes, Liam Payne?"

"This is he."

"Hello Mr. Payne!" Chirped the voice on the other end of the line. "I'm so sorry to be calling at such a late hour, but my name is Jenna Karrin, President of the Orphanages Centers and Programs in London."

"Uh, hello, Ms. Karrin." Liam responded, completely bewildered. Paul was still staring at the ground with a tired expression.

"Call me Jenna, please."

"Well, what can I do for you, Jenna?"

"It seems we have a situation down here that has caused a bit of an uproar." He heard her sigh, not unlike Paul's. "We received a child today that we believe to be your son."