Isn't She Lovely (h.s)

Chapter 17

Samantha

"Mummy! Mumma! Look who's at Daddy's!" Catherine squealed as she ran and jumped into Louis's open arms.

"Daddy?!" Two of the four boys exclaimed. The one sitting on the left of the light blue loveseat I immediately recognized as Liam Payne. He had dark chocolate eyes, cropped caramel hair and was wearing an black Adidas hoodie with the black ink from his tattoos creeping out from the sleeves. The boy sitting next to him on the right side could be none other than Zayn Malik with his beautiful olive complexion, large mocha eyes and jet black hair. He nervously played with the frayed hole at the knee of his white jeans as he stared at Catherine with wide eyes. Sitting on the couch was Louis with a very pleased looking Catherine in her lap, telling him all about how she finally met her Daddy as the other two boys looked on in bewilderment. The only other unfamiliar face in the room looked unphased by the sudden commotion, a hint of a smile playing on his thin pink lips. His blonde hair was brushed up off of his forehead and his pale, tattooless arms were crossed over the Derby County football jersey he wore.

An awkward silence fell over all of us as I struggled with what to say to them.

"Uh...h-hi guys." I said as I cautiously made my way over to where Louis was to unwrap Catherine from around his neck. The boys just stared at me.

"Daddy?!" The two boys repeated again, as if that one question summed up the hundred that they had running through their minds right now. I was just about to explain myself when I heard Harry drop the bags in the doorway.

"Hey babe, I was thinking you, me, and Catherine should-" He stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed the four boys seated in his living room.

"What's going on here?" Louis shifted nervously in his seat as the other boys sat gaping open mouthed at Harry.

"I'm sorry Haz," Lou started, running his fingers through his soft fringe, "As soon as we got the call from Simon about the new stadium tour, we just got so excited to tell you and so we were going to surprise you since I have the spare key to your flat, but I totally forgot today was the day, that, you know... well I forgot about it until Caty Cat here ran in, and oh Hazza, I'm really sorry, I swear I had no idea..." Louis's ramblings trailed off as he shot a look of apology towards Harry while Catherine was busy tracing the outline of the rope tattoo around his wrist.

Just then Liam cleared his throat, "Um, Harry, is there, uh, something we should know about?" He gestured towards Catherine as she sat once again talking animatedly with Louis. Harry sighed and rubbed his neck.

"Um, Lou, could you please take Catherine to put her stuff away in the guest bedroom?" Louis nodded and stood to grab Catherine, but Niall stopped him hesitantly.

"Wait... w-would ya mind if I did that?" I turned to face Harry with a look of worry as if saying 'should I trust me daughter with this strange man I just met?' But he just smiled lightly with a nod, taking Catherine from Lou's arms.

"Catherine, sweetheart, this is Niall, one of Daddy's very best friends. Niall is going to go show you to your room and help you put your things away. Is that okay?" Catherine glanced at Niall once before turning back to Harry and nodding vigorously.

"Otay daddy!" He smiled and kissed her cheek before handing her to Niall. She smiled up at him and he made a funny face back, making her giggle and crinkle up her nose

"Yous funny Ni-..Ni.." She started to look frustrated as she tried to pronounce his name, failing in the process. It was so cute, I couldn't help but stifle a laugh at her look of determination.

"You can just call me Ni, princess. Now let's leave your daddy and mum to talk to daddy's friends." I smiled at how well Niall seemed to be with children, it really was endearing. I could tell right away that he was a true sweetheart. He grabbed her cheetah print suitcase and walked her down the hall and into the last room on the left, closing the door behind him. As soon as the door was shut we were bombarded with questions.