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Chapter Fifteen

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Niall's POV

It has been a few months now since I met the strange man inside that house I had to deliver a pizza to. His name was Jack Cox if I remember correctly. I still don't trust him, though. I never have. He acted so weirdly when I asked him if the boys he was looking for were his sons. I've been following him around since that day. I heard him talking to a woman that same night. He told her he wasn't coming back home until he found the 'fag'. His use of words makes me sick. And it got me thinking... What if those boys aren't even his sons? What if 'Jack' is a big homophobe who's beating up people he doesn't like? Or maybe those boys are his sons, but he's hating them for being gay. That would be insane.

I despise Jack a lot. I just feel something is wrong so I'm sort of spying on him now. I know.. Call me crazy, but I just need to figure this out.

I watch him get out of his taxi as I jump off of my bike and hide behind some bushes. Jack looks around before he walks into the police station. It's almost as if he feels I'm watching him.

As soon as he disappears from my sight, I get out of the bushes. I wait a few more seconds before I step inside the building as well. I spot Jack at the information desk. I'm scared he'll recognise me so I hide in the corner of the room and grab a magazine to hide my face behind.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THEM?" I hear Jack yell furiously.

"Sir, calm down. Can we please not do this here?" a policeman says in a low voice. "Can you come with me to my office?"

The officer seems quite young as he leans on the information desk and looks Jack in the eyes. The guy has short brown hair at the sides of his head but like a quiff on the top. His eyes are brown as well and they get a little darker each time Jack starts to yell at him. The officer has got some stubbles on his cheeks and chin and the police uniform looks pretty good on him. The pants really fit his bum. Wait.. What am I saying?

"Just follow me, Sir. My name is officer Payne" I can't help but stare at the policeman, but then Jack starts to shout once more. I immediately hide my face behind the magazine again.

"I DON'T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE! I WANT YOU TO FIND THESE BOYS OR I'LL-"

"We're doing the best we can" officer Payne cuts in angrily. I watch him take a deep breath before he opens his mouth to speak again. But he's shut up by Jack as he grabs the officer by the collar of his blouse and pulls him closer. I can feel Jack's anger and his eyes must be shooting fire

~(**)~ \(^^)/

Louis POV

It has been a few months since Gloria told us she was pregnant. I was absolutely shocked about the news, but I'm so happy for her now! Not as happy as Harry, though. The only thing Harry talks about since Gloria told us is babies. He's also treating Gloria like she's made out of glass. Harry's even more protective than Zayn now! And it's getting worse. Though, that's what I love about Harry. He's so caring and sweet. I'm so lucky to have him.

Gloria is about eight months pregnant now which means one more month to go! Of course Gloria has gotten even fatter, but it's adorable.

Harry, Zayn and I went baby shopping last week since Gloria was too tired to leave the house. I can imagine how hard it must be to carry a baby with you for nine months! But it's also pretty amazing I think. To feel and protect the child growing inside of you (Harry's words). And Gloria is doing a wonderful job! The boys and I bought the baby's first clothes. Since we know what it's going to be! A little baby boy! We also bought a lot of diapers and everything else that is necessary. The furniture for the baby will be delivered next week and Zayn has already been busy painting the baby's room.

Harry and Zayn are sitting on the couch opposite of Gloria. I'm just weirdly placed on Harry's lap with the curly lad's arms wrapped around my tummy. Gloria said she had something she needs to tell us, so she gathered us together. I assume she just needs to tell us something about her pregnancy or the baby's future. But when I see her eyes tear up a little, my stomach turns.

"Guys, I don't want you to get mad at me for telling you so late" she begins and looks up to make her tears go away. "I just wanted to be sure about it myself first"

"What is it, auntie?" Zayn asks as he straightens his back and reaches forward to grab Gloria's hand.

"I'm sick"

I feel Harry's body tense under me. Gloria sees, but she gives Harry a look telling him to let her explain first. I take both Harry's hands in mine, unseen by the others.

Gloria takes a deep breath. "I'm really sick and I can't be cured or heal anymore. Honestly, I don't even know how long I've got until I die" I watch Gloria in disbelieve as her eyes fill with tears again, but she blinks them away once more. "I maybe have a couple of months left. Or a few weeks, a couple of years is possible too or I might just have a minute. I don't know"

I turn around to look at Harry. I recognized the expression on his face. It's a look of disbelieve and anger mixed with sadness and pain. I know that when Harry looks like this, he won't be able to hold it together.

My eyes travel over to Zayn. He's looking at Gloria with his eyes wide open and filled with tears. He seems to be in shock and disbelieve as well. The woman who has always been there for him, the woman he proudly calls his 'auntie'... The aunt who always shines and who's always so loud and happy, who's always smiling.. She'll be gone. And now that I think of it, some of that has already been gone. Gloria has not been energetic and very happy lately. I just wish I'd realised something very big could be wrong with her earlier...

Tears are rolling down Gloria's cheeks, but she manages to keep strong. She must be breaking inside and I know for a fact that Harry is too.

I'm not sure about Zayn, but if I were to have such an amazing aunt who's spent her entire life taking care of me, I would feel like my world is tumbling down and I'd be torn apart.

I am, on the other hand, not so sure how to feel or what to do. I mean, my heart is aching and I want to throw a chair through the window, but I just feel so weird. I'm in denial. I tighten my grip on Harry's hand and I just keep silent. Just like the others.

"Bebês, I'm not death yet" Gloria says kind of jokingly. But the tears are still floating down her cheeks. "It could also be like five more years until you guys are rid of me!"

I watch how Gloria tries to smile, but at that point, Harry loses it. He lets go of my hand and pushes me off of him. Even though Harry's panicking, he pushed me off carefully and gently. I admire this boy so much. When he gets up, he walks and turns, pulling his hair as he's not sure of what to do. His eyes are red and puffy and tears are streaming down his cheeks.

"Harry" I say and get up. I take his head in my arms and pull his face to my chest. I'm holding him still as I whisper for him to calm down. I rest my head on Harry's and curl some of his locks around my finger.

Zayn stands up as well, crying. He rubs his face repeatedly with his hands. And he clutches his stomach in pain he must be feeling. Gloria pulls him by his wrist, but when Zayn's doesn't step closer to her, she gets up with all the power she has left. She covers Zayn's ears with her hands and pulls him to her chest too. Both Gloria and I cradle the crying boys while she just looks at the floor.

I can't help but stare at Gloria in disbelieve and sympathy. This can't be happening.

When Harry has calmed down a bit, he walks over to Gloria. Gloria frees one of her arms and holds it out for Harry. He embraces her as he sobs, telling her he can not live without her.

I feel a little stupid for being the only one who isn't sobbing. I'm breaking inside and I feel tears roll down my cheeks, I'm just not a crying mess.

Yet.

Gloria smiles at me with what seems like the last glimpse of life she's got left inside of her.

I find myself sniffing and wiping my eyes. A pain in my stomach appears and it's growing bigger towards my heart. It's aching and I'm weak at my knees. I just want to fall on the floor and cry.

Though, I don't.

Gloria's holds out her hand signalling me to join the group hug. And she's just in time, because when I embrace their tight hug, I can't help but sob hysterically. My breath hitches in my throat and I can't swallow the pain away.

"I don't want to get rid of you, Gloria" Harry says.

His voice is broken and quiet. It reminds me of the days Harry sat in my room, back in London, also crying because Jack had beaten him up again and his mum had insulted him. Jack used to do that regularly to Harry. But whenever Harry's mom insulted him, he cried the most. Because that was what really broke him down.

"I can't go without a mom" Harry says, breaking my heart.

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Niall's POV

"If you do not find these boys by the end of this week, I'm going to make your life miserable. And believe me, I am capable of such things. You're not the first life I will ruin" Jack hisses after he has pulled officer Payne by his collar. The officer swallows hard and nods slowly.

Why is there no one else around here? Why does no one help the poor policeman? Why don't I?

"Good, I'll be back here on Friday" Jack spits. "I expect you to have the exact location by then and of not... You know what I'll do" I can't see clearly, but Jack opens his jacket and shows the officer what's underneath. Mr. Payne's eyes grow bigger. What is Jack showing him? A knife? A gun?

Without saying anything else, Jack turns around and makes his way outside. I abruptly lift the magazine to go after Jack as fast as possible but being the arse I am, I slap myself in the face with it. I bite my lip to hold in my whimper until I'm sure Jack has left. Then, I throw the magazine to the side and rub my eye.

"Ow!" I shout as I jump up and down.

My eye starts to tear up and it burns. I can feel it getting bigger. Dammit! I'm so clumsy. What kind of idiot hits himself with a book?

"Are you okay there?" I hear a voice ask. I turn around and look straight in the big brown eyes I will now recognise out of thousands. I'm covering one eye with my hand as I smile brightly at the officer.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just poked myself in the eye" I answer as if it's the most normal thing it the world.

The officer giggles, which sounds like heaven may I add.

"Do you need a napkin maybe?" I feel the policeman grab my wrist carefully and he pulls it away from my eye. He takes a look at it. A frown appears in his face, but he's trying not to laugh at the same time. "Ouch, looks pretty bad, mate. It's all swollen and red. You really hurt yourself"

"Well, thanks for the info. I didn't know that yet" I say sarcastically, but it causes Mr. Payne to giggle again. I sigh. "But it's fine. I don't need anything. Thanks"

I smile at the very good looking officer, but then I remember I'm supposed to be following Jack. I'm losing time. Jack had probably already left. I might've lost him. Great...

"Those pants look very good on you" I blurt out and turn on my heels. 

I hear the officer laugh loudly behind me, but I start to run. Not only to get a trail of Jack but also to get away from the sexy policeman. Oh God, what am I even saying? I've never felt like this before!

Shut up, Niall. You need to find Jack.

A/N: Maybe a little short chapter... But well.. Hope you liked it! Thank you so much for the votes and the reads! It makes me so happy, I can barely explain it!

Keep on voting and commenting and fan! I love you xxx