Khloe's POV*

"My baby!" My eyes shot up from the back of Harper's trunk where I was currently pulling out my suit case and things. She had let me borrow her car for the few days I was going to be here for Thanksgiving since she was going to be with Aston anyways. I can't wait until next year when I'm actually allowed to have my car on campus. I think they do that because there are so many students as it is and very little parking space. But, it's still a pain in the ass.

"Hi, mom." Smiling, she ran down the steps, embracing my body in her arms.

"Oh, I missed you!" I giggled as she pulled my cheek to her lips. "Let me help you." she smiled, her brown eyes gleaming as she pulled out a couple grocery bags full of items that I had been asked to stop and get for the younger kids on Thanksgiving day.

All of our family usually comes to our house for dinner and for some reason, I feel like almost every adult besides my parents have at least one kid under the age of ten. It's very chaotic and crazy.

"Thank you." I told her when she set the seven bags down by the counter. "I grabbed everything you asked. Did you grab the turkey?"

"I did. Thank you so much, sweetie." I smiled and lugged my suitcase along with Bam Bam up the winding staircase. Yes, I brought him. What can I say, he makes a good cuddle buddy and smells like Niall. All the better.

Normally, I would have unpacked my stuff, but the thought of sitting with my parents sounded so much more relaxing, so I went back down to the main floor and dragged them into the living room to watch a movie. It was late, and I was extremely tired from driving, and I just wanted family time to relax. My mom laughed at me as I crawled up onto the same couch that her and my dad were sat at, sitting right between them in the heap of blankets.

I glanced to my mom, a smile creeping onto my face. I missed them so much. Her short brown hair was pulled back into a hair tie, her lips slightly pulled up along her thin face. Her cheekbones lifted high under her eyes which happened to reflect the telly. I don't know where I got my genes from because I honestly look nothing like either my dad or my mom. I have my dad's eyes and my mom'a height and that's about it.

"Did you miss me?" She asked, smiling down at me. I smiled back sheepishly and leaned into her side as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

The movie, The Silver Linings Playback, started playing and we all just sunk into each other and relaxed. I could feel my dad's hands move along my legs which were spread across his lap. A little giggle escaped my lips as he playfully tickled my feet. I curled my toes and moved them around to get him to stop, which he did, but only for a few minutes.

"Dad!" I jerked my leg as he started to tickle me right above my knee cap. He laughed and grabbed my leg to continue his horrid antics. "Stop! I'm going to kick you!" I laughed and squirmed. "Mom, help!" She just laughed and helped hold me down.

I couldn't breathe, I was laughing so hard. I tried to move, but my dad hand a death grip on me with one hand as he continued with the other. "Stop!" I yelled, thrashing, which only ended up on me falling with a hard thump to the floor.

I sat on my hands and knees breathing heavily before looking up to my parents with a smile. They were laughing and moving around as they fixed the blankets.

"I hate you guys." I exhaled, still smiling. Of course I didn't really, but gosh, I cannot stand the feeling of being tickled.

"Mhmm. You love us. Now get back up here and finish this movie so I can go to bed." My dad smirked.

"Speaking of that, what time is it?" My mom asked. I pulled out my phone, surprised to see that it was already 11:30.

"Eleven thirty four." I recited, quickly going to my messages to see that Harper and El had both texted me.

El-

Have a safe trip babe! Can't wait to get you back here and have a girls day!

I'm in desperate need of one of those! :)

To: El-

Of course! Thanks xx

Harper-

;)

I furrowed my eyebrows, reading our old conversation to see if she was just late at replying, but I was left confused as a winking face didn't fit there.

Instead of replying, I exited out, just ignoring it. Maybe she sent it to me by accident. Maybe it was supposed to go to Ashton or something.

"Oh! In that case, we're going to bed. We'll finish the movie tomorrow."

"Okay." I pouted while they stood up.

"You can finish it. Night, girly." My mom smiled as my dad patted my head.

"Night. Love you guys."

"Love you too." They made their way up the stairs and down the hall while I just fell back into the couch with a huff.

It wasn't five minutes later and there was suddenly a loud ding that buzzed through the house causing my ears to suddenly perk up. Who the hell would come over and ring the door bell at close to midnight?! Are they out of their mind?!

Jumping up, my feet that were covered in my lavender colored fuzzy socks slid across the hard wood floors as my hand grasped the knob.

I silently cursed as my dogs started going bizarre in the other room. They were barking and howling and I could hear their paws pattering on the floor and scratching at the door that barricaded them in.

Whoever this is better have a pretty damn good explanation as to why they're here. My parents are not going to be happy.

A scowl set on my face, my lips pursing as my fingers twisted the knob, jerking the door open in a quick motion. "Can I help- Niall?" My voice suddenly dimmed as my eyes went wide, raking all over his face which held a perfect little smile under the moonlight.

"Hi, love." It was as if I was hit by this massive tidal wave as everything began to rush back. The memories, the kisses, the snuggles. But then I was suddenly hit by lightning as I felt the anger start to boil under my flesh. He left me. He couldn't even give me a simple notice, he just took off. I wasn't enough for him to fight for. I wasn't worth his time. Or at least that's what it seems like since he just took of to fucking Australia!

His smile faltered and eyes widened as my face suddenly dropped.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" I shoved him by his shoulders back, so I could step out and close the door behind me.

"I-"

"Are you crazy?!" I yelled in a whisper, my voice puncturing like needles.

"Yes. Very much so." He smirked, his eyes softening. That caught me off guard, making the breath in my throat halt as I suddenly began to choke on my words. I didn't know what to say and he took that as his que to continue. "I've made a lot of mistakes in my life and I'm always going to continue to make them, but the one I won't ever make is breaking a promise."

"A promise?" To say I was confused was an understatement. I was becoming more timid and less confident by the second.

"The very first day that we began dating, I told you that I would never miss a date. I promised you that no matter what, be it the biggest fight we were in, or the honeymoon stage, I was going to be there sitting across from you at that table. Now we have-" he paused and looked down to his watch. "Twenty minutes to get there, or you're going to be breaking the promise, not me."

"I-" I was speechless. He actually remembered that. Wait, but when did we even plan a date? "Who said we were going on a date? You have a lot to fucking explain to me before I go any where with you." I crossed my arms, a piece of hair falling into my eyes, but I ignored it.

Niall thought otherwise though, as he quickly leaned forward and pushed it behind me ear, softly caressing my cheek in his hand. Damn, why does he do that. "I know I do, and I will tomorrow, but tonight, I'm here, it's late, and I'm really fuckin' hungry." He smiled wide. I tried to hold back a small laugh, but I couldn't. This was my Niall.

"Tomorrow, Horan."

"Tomorrow, Ms. Sparks." Butterflies grew instantly in my stomach, almost making me weak in the knees as my eyes fluttered closed, his lips pressing into the crease on my forehead. God, how I've been longing for that. As much as I hate to say it, he's got me where he wants me, despite what the circumstances are.

If we were to get rid of everyone and every problem in out life so it was just us two in a blank space, there's no way that I would be able to control myself. He's got me so invested into him. I'm wrapped around his damn finger, and let me tell you it fucking sucks having no control. It's like a car on ice. You just can't help to have hope that you'll get tossed onto the right path.

"Go get shoes on and let's go."

I was suddenly brought back to reality when I glanced down to see that I was clad in a pair of plaid pajama shorts, a long grey shirt, and fuzzy socks. There's no way in hell that I am going into public like this. Plus my parents are sleeping and would have a heart attack if they noticed me missing, and not to mention that it's breaking midnight.

"Niall."

"Hmm?"

"Can we do this some other time? Now is-"

"Now is perfectly fine. Go get you shoes and let's go."

"I can't go like this?!"

"Why?" Is he blind?

"Because! I look like hell! And you- you look hot!" He laughed, pulling me closer by the waist as his hands locked around my back.

Yes, I am still very much pissed off at him, but I've wanted this so badly recently- I've been craving him so much that when I say that I have no control, I really have no fucking control.

"You look amazing. Stop worrying and just grab your shoes. It's late and I'm really hungry. I've been starving myself for the past few hours trying to get here." I sighed and nodded, turning around to get my stuff by the front door.

He really is crazy.

"What about my parents? What if they-"

"I told you, stop worrying. They already know. I called them a little bit ago and told them I was coming." He cut me off.

He what? Why didn't my parents ever notify me about this? "Did you tell them that we had..." I trailed off, furrowing my eyebrows. Oh god, dare I say it. "Niall?" He turned to look at me as he started to open my door for me. "Are we um...did we break up?"

He knitted his eyes, creases forming on his forehead as he thought over the question. I guess he didn't know either... "Do you...do you want to break up?" I could hear the panic in his voice even though he tried to hide it.

I frowned, glancing to my toes that stuck out of my flip flops. Chipped pink nail polish wearing down to it's finest layer. "I, um, do you?" I looked up. He bit his lip, not saying anything as he ushered me into my seat. I sat down and started to smile as he leaned down to buckle me up like always.

"Why would you ask such a silly thing?" He whispered, his face only mere centimeters from mine. His breath was hot as it fanned against my cheeks. I smiled shyly and shrugged, my eyes staying locked on his before they quickly dipped down to his lips, then back up to his eyes. I really hope that means no because no matter how much he's hurt me, I need him. I hate that I do, but I can't help it.

I shouldn't have to depend on a person for my happiness; I shouldn't have to depend on them for my light; I shouldn't have to depend on them for my breath, but when it comes to Niall, I have no other option other than to depend on him.

He is my life whether I like it or not.

Breathing in a shallow breath from my nose, a took the opportunity to gently close my eyes and press my lips onto his. I could tell that he was caught off guard for a second as he stiffened before slowly relaxing and fixing his lips to mould with mine. They parted together, closing into a tight space, his soft lips dominating mine. I felt his tongue slide through the gap, colliding with mine softly as he hands moved up to grasp my cheeks.

I'd missed this more than I can even explain. I hate fighting with him and I hate what's happened between us. I just wish we could turn back time. That we could erase the clock and fall back into place before all of this went down. But in a way, I'm thankful that it did happen because it gave me a chance to get to know even more about him. How he reacts, how he thinks, his actions, how much he's changed. It gives me the opportunity to learn about him even more.

This was a big test in our lives. If we couldn't handle it, neither of us would be here right now. Everything would have changed way before I'd known about the bet.

I feel that despite what shit we'd go through together, we were just kind of meant to be. Like that night at the party was suppose to happen. We were just in the right place at the right time, and no matter what anyone says, there was a purpose for it, and that purpose was finding him.

I probably would have met him sometime in these last three months anyways, but I can surely say that the relationship we have wouldn't be the same. I would have probably never even got the chance to know him. To know the real him, past what everone else sees. I probably would have never got to hear him open up to me for the first time, that night in his old room at the frat house. We wouldn't be the same people that we are today, and for all of this, I am thankful.

I'm thankful to have a man in my life like Niall. Thankful for someone to love, no matter how many arguments we get into or how bad they are. And thankful for a guy who is just generally himself. I honestly don't know what I would do if I never had the chance to experience all of this.

He slowly pulled away and glanced down to me, smiling as my eyes caught his. "What?", I asked softly, the butterflies settling down a bit as he continued to look at me.

"Nothin'." He grinned and tucked another piece of hair behind my ear. I smiled sheepishly at the small gesture and could feel the blood rising to my cheeks. "I just want you to know that I love you so fuckin' much, and for you I'm going to fix this mess. All of it."

"Thank you." I grinned, kissing his cheek. "Go get your belt on and let's go get some food, yeah?" Niall smiled and nodded, shutting my door so he could get into his.

We ended up going to a small seafood restaurant on the corner of the main strip by the beach down town. Niall parked and got out while I unbuckled.

"Shit!" I hissed, pulling my hair up. "Ow, Niall help!" I laughed as did he while untangling my hair from around the head rest on the seat. It was tied in a knot and Niall cringed as he yanked it loose. My hand instantly went to the back of my head, rubbing it gently as I got out of the car. "Thanks." Niall chucked while he ever-so-smoothly took my hand into his. He gave me a nervous glance and I slowly nodded, telling him this was okay. I'd missed feeling his hand in mine, to be honest.

"You're such a ditz." He laughed.

"I can't help it." I glanced to our hands as he curled his fingers more, rubbing light circles over my thumb. It just felt so natural to have his hand mine again. The warmth that it released enveloped my fingers, tip to palm, causing butterflies in my tummy.

He held the door to the restaurant open for me, having me walk in first. I thanked him and walked up to the counter where a young girl stood on her phone. She placed it on the counter and smiled glancing up to Niall who placing his hand on my back. He ordered a platter of shrimp, crab and lobster bites as well as an extra plate of vegetables and two soft drinks for us before finding us a booth to be seated.

No longer then five minutes later, the food was brought out leaving my mouth watering at the sight.

"I'm trusting your word, Pebbles-" my heart melted at the nickname. "-This better be some damn good crab because I've never had this and it looks terrible." He smiled, pulling a leg off rather violently which bubbled a laugh out of my chest.

I've come to the conclusion that two weeks with out Niall is two weeks too long.

"It is. Really." I laughed as he twiddled the leg between his fingers. "Here." I took the fork, showing him how to get to the meat.

He started to tear it out of the shell, an unexplainable look, crossed with one of concentration forming among his facial features. I couldn't help but to bring the napkin up to my lips and giggle into it as I watched him have a stare down with the crab like it was going to suddenly jump back to life and attack him.

"Do I just...eat it?" He stared at the meat then to me. I giggled and nodded, watching as he carefully lifted it to his mouth. "Wait! What does it taste like?"

"It's good, trust me." I smiled, mentally clapping for him as he shoved the fork into his mouth. He started to chew, his mouth slowing down with each bite.

He swallowed, instantly grabbing his coke. "Ew, no. I don't like it!" I laughed, pulling apart my lobster.

"Do you want to try mine?"

"No! Ew. Why couldn't we have just gone for pizza?" Niall whined, eating a piece of cooked broccoli off of the veggie tray.

"Because you can get pizza anywhere. Not This." I picked up half of my lobster waving it around while smiling.
Niall laughed loudly, pulling out his phone. It was a good thing we were the only ones in here.

"You're such a dork."

"Wow. I get called a ditz and a dork in the same night, less than two hours apart. I'm really aiming for the top of the charts tonight!" I fake smiled, laughing afterwards.

You could definitely start to tell that I was getting to my slap happy stage. When I don't go to sleep early, it just kind of happens. I start getting giggly and sarcastic, and to a lot, highly annoying but I really don't give a shit. They're problem that they don't like me, not mine.

Niall laughed at my comment before pulling his phone up. "Let me get a picture."

"Let me wear your hat then." Bargaining with a smirk, I smiled in satisfactory as I watched Niall pluck it from his head and hand it over. The hat was placed backwards on my head as the lobster body was stuck between my mouth. I smiled and let his snap a couple, laughing afterwards.

"Are we ready to go then, so I can go get some normal people food?"

I laughed loudly, taking the receipt in my hands as I stood and waited for Niall to finish stretching. "It is real people food, you dumbass." He paid and quickly grabbed my hand, leading us through the door.

"You're pretty silly also. Make sure you add that one to the list." He bumped my hip.

I bit my lip, smiling back. "No one ever informed you that I'm crazy too."

"Well, I guess we're just one crazy couple then."

"I guess we are."

-

"Niall, this is not fair!" I laughed and chased after him around my yard, trying to get the small soccer ball from between his feet, but he was so damn fast, I don't understand.

"Come get it, princess!" He mocked, holding it away from his body with his foot slightly rested on top.

"I can't. You're too damn fast for me to keep up with you." I frowned and so did he.

"Aww are you gonna pout about it?" He whined back.

"No. I'm gonna kick your ass!" Laughing, I instantly kicked the ball from his feet, turning to run back towards the other end of my yard where his 'goal line' was, which was really just made out of a few spare twigs and sticks.

"Hey, you cheater!" I laughed and continued to run, only paying attention to what was in front of me. That was until two hands were placed around my waist, lunging my body into the air before pulling me against their chest.

"Niall!" I laughed. "Put me down!" Giggling still, I squirmed out of his grip, suddenly tripping backwards and pulling him down on top of me.

"Great, now look what you've done." He laughed aloud, his chest rumbling with his face only inches above mine. I took a deep breath, my stomach going light at how good he smelt. He'd had on one of my favorite aftershaves of his.

"I only ever do what's right." Niall looked at me with a confused expression before I pulled his face to mine, our lips instantly locking together.

He sighed into the kiss, his body relaxing as we moved our lips in sync. It was as if they were dancing together to their own melody, finding a pattern that only they knew.

After a bit, we both finally pulled away to catch our breathes. Niall's hand was brought to my cheek, where he played with my hair that rested beside my ear.

I smiled and closed my eyes feeling the weight lift off my chest, both physically and mentally. When I opened my eyes, Niall was staring down at me from above with a slight smirk on his lips. He grabbed my hands, helping pull me up before dragging me over to the cement patio where a bunch of cement benches decorated with pillows and blankets sat, along with the fire pit and the pool that was not too far away.

"Are you tired?" Was the first thing that slipped out of Niall's mouth as he pulled me down onto the seat beside him.

"Not really." I turned a little more to look at him, watching his fingers drum against my bare leg as he bit his lip. "Are you staying here?"

"No.. I wasn't sure how you were going to take me by just showing up at your house after all of this, so I got a hotel." I nodded, biting my lip as a little bit of awkward tension filled the spaces between us.

"You're still not off the hook." I mumbled, but managed to smile, my eyes looking up to grasp ahold of his as they became dark blue and soft like melted blueberries.

"I know. I said some pretty horrible stuff, and did some terrible things and there's no way I'll ever be able to forgive myself." He sighed.

"You have to forgive yourself, Niall. We all make mistakes. We all come with baggage. I've forgiven you, but we still have to learn to communicate. We have to learn to tell each other the truth about everything. No more secrets, no more lies, no more hiding things from each other."

"I'm going to work on it, Khlo."

"That's all that matters."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

Here it is! Sorry I didn't get updated earlier.. It was supposed to be done yesterday, but I had a really busy weekend haha

But now it's Monday and HOLYYYY SHITTTT ZAYN IS 22!!! HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY :,)

Love you guys, have fun at school tomorrow and get good grades! :) xx-A