"Its definitely been awhile, hasn't it Katie?" Liam says. 

"Was she good, while she was with you?" I ask and he nods. 

"Of course, shes always very good. I may have spoiled her a bit though..but it seems like you have your fair share of that too" He chuckles as Emilia holds up the sparkly pink tutu I just bought her. 

"Guilty as charged" I chuckle. "Um but I better get going, my mom is making hash as we speak" 

"Um so I wanted to get to that.." He stops. "I think I'm gonna stay in Mullingar if that's okay with you"

"What-"

"Well the band broke up and I want Emilia to grow up with a Mum and a Dad together...I don't want to do anymore of this flying back and fourth for the UK to Ireland..let just try it?" he holds my hands in his and looks deeply into my eyes, searching.

"I mean, for Emilia I'll try it, but I can't have you leaving again"

"I was young and to concerned with my fame. I promise you, I'm yours" He smiles and hugs me tightly. I still feel like in his word there still is an empty broken promise..but I must give him a chance for her. 

We all get into the car and I make sure to put Emilia in her safety seat. Once we are all buckled in Liam lets Emilia know about the News. 

"Hey Emilia, Mummy and Daddy are gonna be together. No more trips babygirl" He smiles placing his hand on mine. 

"Yayy!" she squeals. 

Within little to no time, Emilia falls asleep with her new teddy bear.

"You know, Were not together" I whisper. 

"I know, but that's the only way Emilia could understand all of this" He sighs. "I want the best for her, and us" he says squeezing my head. 

"I know" I sigh. "But this is all bad timing..I mean Niall is in town too and-"

"Niall? He's in Mullingar?" He freezes. 

"Yeah. He's Aedan's best friend, since pre-k" I shrug. "I don't really know how much longer we can keep Emilia hidden from, you know, the boys, the press.."I pause. "Its only a matter of time"

"Well then they know. So what" He shrugs. "We we're both young and stupid, it happens" 

"You also left me to be a mom all by myself and the first time she's ever met you as been in the last year" I sigh. "You can't play Daddy, its a full time thing"

"I know. I'm here now and that all that matters. I am ready to commit to this family. I promise Katie" He says bringing my hand up to his lips and kissing it softly. "Whats that?"

"What's what?" I question. 

"On your cheek, what happened?" He asks as my cheeks turn red. 

"Ronan got mad.."

"That fucking prick, I'm gonna kill him" He starts to get loud. 

"Shh liam" I say pointing to Emilia. 

"Sorry" He pauses. "We can talk about that more when we get home"

"home?" I question. "the hotel you're staying at?"

"Well I bought a house up here" He pauses. "To prove to you I'm being serious about being here for you and Emilia Permanently"

"Liam you didn't have to do that" I gape. "I wanted to. I promise I'm here to stay"

I couldn't help but think about Niall when he said that, I wished he was as sure about his feelings about me as Liam was. 

-

Once we got back to my Mum's house we all had dinner. It was easy because Aedan and Niall didn't show. That meant I wouldn't have to answer so many questions. I wouldn't have answered them anyways. I know that the only way I can honestly get closer to Niall is if I tell him the truth..but I don't want his perception of me to change. 

"Well thank you for the hash mum!" Liam says. "It was very delicious"

"Well I'm glad i cooked extra! It was definitely a surprise for you to come down" My mum chuckles.

"Well now that the band is done, I was to give my undivided attention to my family" he smiles, taking my hand. 

"Well I'm glad to hear that" my mum smiles. 

"I even bought a house for us" he smiles. "So I'm hoping whenever Katie is ready, we can all live as a family"

"Well that's amazing news!" she smiles. "Hopefully soon"

"Yeah I'm still processing" I nod. "Its a lot to take in, but I'm glad you're here Liam"

- 

The next day I get up and start my daily Mum routine. I get Emilia up and I make her some oatmeal. I place her in her high chair and grab her a nonspill cup with some milk. 

"Please be careful Emilia, its hot" I warn her as I blow on her food and give her a spoonful. "can I try" she asks reaching for the spoon. 

"Yeah sure hunny, be careful" I say as Aedan comes downstairs. 

"Hey!!! How's my Emmy Pie!" He runs downstairs and Kisses her head. "Hey sis" he greets me. 

"Hey" I roll my eyes. 

"So the question of the day is are you gonna tell Niall" he smirks. 

"Jesus Aedan! not in front of Emilia!" I grumble. "No I'm not. Emilia is getting dropped off at Liam's for a bit till I can break the news to him"

"How classy" he sighs. "Just tell him"

"No! he's the only one who doesn't know and to be honest, its nice"

"well let me know when shit hits the fan" He stands up and goes to the door. 

"can you not cuss in front of her?" I huff as he leaves. 

-

After I dropped off Emilia at Liam's I arrived back at the house to find Aedan and Niall playing some video games in Aedan's room.

"Well if it isn't miss devil wears prada" My brother says as I roll my eyes. 

"Ha ha ha. If it isnt thing one and thing two" I scoff. 

"How was your trip-" I cut Aedan off

"My errands were great, thanks for asking" I nod. "What are you planning?"

"Well actually I'm off on a date" Aedan says pausing the game. "Kind of excited, so I better get going" he gets up and leaves for his date. Once the front door shuts downstairs Niall asks me a question. 

"Were you with Ronan Again?" He scoffs. "I heard about the incident at the pub yesterday" He stands, examining my cheek. 

"Even if I was its none of your business" I walk away, towards my room. I sit down on my bed and he stands in the doorway. 

"I'm sorry but I care Kate" he pauses. "If you were with me, I would never treat you like that" he sighs, taking a seat next me on my bed. He tucks a stand of my hair behind my ear and brushes my cut with his thumb. "you deserve the world and more Kate"

"I wish I could tell how you felt about me..this is all so confusing" I look away, not knowing what to do. 

"Let me show you" he pauses. "Can I kiss you?"

//

-ily xx