The next morning I made sure I was at Niall's house well before Harper would wake up. I text Niall and told him let me in. A few moments later the door opened to reveal a much somnolent appearing Niall. I had just woken him up.

I took a moment to appreciate how he looked. His hair was dishevelled, standing on his head in every direction. My eyes trailed down his body to his chest, which was on show as he was not wearing a shirt. I watched the way his stomach muscles contracted as he stretched, attempting to disregard my thoughts which were taunting me to reach out and prod at his muscles. My eyes continued down his body, eyeing his pyjama pants which were handing low, revealing the Calvin Klein boxers he was wearing.

I bit my lip and peered back up at him, finding Niall's sleepy state rather endearing. "Sorry to wake you," I whispered as he stood back and allowed me to enter. "Just wanted to be here before Harper woke up," I told him, rubbing my sleep ridden eyes as I walked in.

I for one, had not managed to get any sleep at all. I was home late, and too feared to sleep then in case I somehow slept in and wasn't there for Harper when she woke. Not to mention, I was still somewhat perturbed from my encounter last night. I spend the morning looking for flights, cheap flights for that matter. I decided I was going to go stay with my grandparents back in Florida Not far from here, a couple hours on a plane, it wouldn't cost too much .My funds were limited. I got quite an economical flight. It was also far enough away to shield oneself from any possibility of peril.

I booked the flights last night, we depart two days after Harper's birthday. It's economical to fly on a Thursday and as she's only going to two, she can get on for a much more inexpensive price.

"Nah s'fine, have a meetin' n' a while anyways so I needed t' be up," he mumbled as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes with his fists. If I could just stand here all day and admire Niall's sleepy state, then I would.

My eyes diverted to his hair, that was standing in all directions on his head. The thought occurred to me, I have always wanted to run my hands through his hair. Mission: Touch Niall's Hair initiated. I decided to take my chance and I reached out and tried to fix his dishevelled hair, running my hands through his hair and ruffling it gently. It felt as though I had been touching a wad of candy floss. Okay, maybe not that soft but you understand what I mean. It was soft. Real soft.

He chuckled and peered down at me with a smirk, his eyes half lidded. "What are you doing?"

"Fixing your hair," I informed him as I retracted my hand. "It's nice and soft." I complimented.

"You're cute," he chuckled fondly as he led me back inside.

Mission: Touch Niall's hair - complete.

...

Harper's birthday soon arrived. I hadn't invited many people to her party. I decided to keep it mainly relatives, that including Niall of course. Harper firmly stated she wanted Niall there, he even cancelled an appointment just to make it. I was a little apprehensive for his arrival, considering my mother had never met him, nor has Olivia. Olivia knows of his frequent visitings to my house, but she has never been acquainted with him either.

I invited some of Harper's friends from nursery, only three came, although that was more than an adequate amount of toddlers.

My mother, Olivia, one of my aunts and daughter came. Not a tremendous amount of guests but I didn't want to made a stupendous fuss out of her birthday. Although, this may be the final time she is in contact with these guests for quite a while..

Niall arrived twenty minutes late. Nothing unwonted in Niall's case. Twenty minutes late seems to be his signature fashionably late time. Or, his clocks are just twenty minutes behind.

When Harper ascertained Niall's presence she immediately dropped the toys she had been playing with, ditched her friends and ran to Niall who greeted her with open arms and picked her up. He carried her into the kitchen where I was. "Hey Avi." He chirped. My mother immediately turned around when she heard a male voice. I saw her eyes protruding when she did, turning around then to face the voice. I had not informed her she would be meeting Niall.. I had not informed Niall he would be meeting her either..

"Hi, m'Niall, s'nice t' meet ya," he held a hand out to her which she hesitantly shook and gave him one of her signature feigned smiles. She was never one to be discourteous or ill-mannered in front of anyone she was not acquainted with. She always wanted to make a lasting first impression - one where she seemed like the quintessential mother - she won't show any signs of judgement towards the person, though she will make her opinion clear to me.

"Hi Niall, I'm Aviana's mom," she told him.

"So I c'n tell, ye are t' spittin' image of each other," smiled, which in turn did satisfy my mother. "Was gonna say ye were sister's first," chuckled. Well, he is smooth, certainly knows the way to my mother's heart.

"Oh, you're too kind," she chuckled

"Daddy! Daddy!" One of the children squealed as she ran up to her father. He welcomed her with open arms and picked her up as well as Harper watched intently from Niall's arms, peering up at him then before back to her friend Poppy and her dad. She looked a little at loss. I know she will be coming to an age soon where she's going to be questioning where her father is, who he is and why he isn't here. I am anticipating this day with great apprehension.

Harper's attention was soon returned to Niall and she then asked Niall where her present was.

"Harper, that's rude," I hissed, blushing a little at her ill-mannerment, then again, considering she's only two you can't expect her not to think about gifts.

"You'll get it after cake," Niall told her and she nodded and giggled then, running off to play with her friends again.

"She seems to like you," my mother smiled at Niall. It was not feigned, it was a genuine one, she seemed to be warming up to Niall. He seemed to making a good impression on her as well. Then again, you can't fault Niall, can you?

"Yeah, the lil' cutie seems t' be fond of me," he chuckled, returning the smile.

"So, you and Aviana are just friends?" She questioned, raising her eyebrows.

"Mother, shut up oh my god." I felt my face heating up as my complexion took a rather scarlet tone. I cast my eyes to the ground, avoiding Niall's as I could hear him chuckling lowly. I could feel his gaze penetrating through me, I knew he found this amusing.

"Nah, we aren't dating if that's what y'er gettin' a'," Niall chuckled. "M'in a very serious relationship meself," he said and my eyes suddenly shot up from the ground they had been staring at. They widened a little as though I was shocked. I was stupefied anyways. I didn't know Niall was dating someone... didn't he tell me he was single?

"Oh nice-" My mother was cut off by Niall continuing.

"In a relationship with me telly n' beer," he chuckled which made me let out a breath that did not occur to me I was holding in. Niall peered over at me, the right side of his mouth twitching up in a half-smirk-like expression. What a tease. "And golf," he added.

"Oh Aviana loved golf when she was younger, you two should play together some time. She was very good," my mom told him which made me roll my eyes. I do not need her attempting to set up 'dates' for me. Our relationship is strictly platonic.

"Yeah, we should some time, what d'ya think." Niall nudged me. I just hummed in approval before turning to get Harper's cake out of the fridge, not giving a concrete response as I didn't want to come off as too desperate... and I'm leaving in a few days so we have not got ample time to make plans.

After we had Harper's cake, which was of course a Peppa pig one, we had some food, played some party games with the kids before everyone began to retire home. Soon, it was only Harper, my mother, Niall and I.

Niall sat down on the floor with Harper, aiding her in unwrapping her presents. "What is it?" He asked as she opened the one he had purchased her. I hoped it was not anything highly expensive.

"Peppa!" She squealed when she saw the Peppa pig playset he had gotten her. I smiled at the rapturous smile engulfing her. She of course began prodding at the button with an arrow pointing to it, 'press me' written across it in bold, cursive writing. It emitted music from the toy which made her smile even wider - if that was possible.

"Yeah," he smiled, evidently proud he had managed to give her a gift she had much adoration for. Niall soon was then left with the strenuous task of opening all the boxes of toys, taking the scissors and cutting, unravelling and cutting more, of the wire that prevented any child, or adult from even getting the toy out of the box.

"I'm going to go," my mother announced after a while, Niall still sitting on the floor opening boxes of toys for Harper. "It was lovely meeting you Niall, I hope I'll see you again," she smiled, patting his back. He returned the smile and then stood up to say goodbye.

"Was lovely t' meet you as well and don't worry I'd say you'll see more a' me," he cockily replied and smirked at me before returning to his spot on the floor when Harper whined for him to take a figure out of a box for her.

"He seems nice, you better date him," my mum whispered to me as I lead her to the door.

"Mom, oh my God shut up, I am not dating him," I blushed. "He is not my type," I rolled my eyes. It was a blatant lie. I love blonde boys, I love blue eyes, I love accents, I love tall boys. I adore every aspect of Niall's personality as well; benevolent, charismatic and down to earth.

"Okay, whatever you say. Anyways, keep him around, he's seems to be good to Harper," she said, peering in at them.

"Yeah, he is," I smiled, watching him rather infatuated as I did. I watched the way he was smiling as he listened to her talking. The way he cursed under his breath when he jabbed his finger with the scissors. He is just so endearing with every small thing he does. I don't know how he isn't already taken. He's everything anyone could ever hope for in a man, but I will never date him.

I know for one, I am not his type. He is not going to want to be associated with a stripper in that kind of way. I am not as flawless as some of the models he could potentially date. I'm leaving soon too, so we won't be together as friends for much longer either.

I think I'm going to miss him..

Once my mother had left I returned to the living room, smiling at Niall as he came and sat next to me. I shimmied a little closer to him, receiving the faint scent of his aftershave as I did. God, it is so aromatic, therapeutic, almost. I felt as though breathing in his scent could calm me to a state of serenity.

"Watch this," Niall wrapped an arm around me and held his phone in front of me with another. I felt butterflies rise in my stomach at this action but I attempted not to let it affect me and and peered down at the phone which was playing a humorous video - or one Niall found humorous - although I just give a small giggle.

I watched the way his eyes crinkled and he tipped his head back in laughter when he rewatched the part he found hilarious. I watched him with amusement and endearment. He was just so intriguing. "Very funny," I smiled, although I found his reaction much better than the video itself.

We continued to watch videos on YouTube for a little while then, I rested my head on his shoulder as we watched them together, although I found watching Niall much more riveting than the actual videos.

After a little while, I got up to put Harper to bed, telling Niall I would be back in a few moments. He nodded and excused himself to the kitchen where he made himself a cup of tea before retiring back to the sofa again.

I got Harper into her pyjamas and tucked her into bed when she began to cry. I was about to read her a story but she was not allowing me to. I couldn't discern what she was attempting say through her pacifier either.

"Say it again," I pulled the dummy out of her mouth and peered down at her rather concerned.

"Wan' daddy," she cried, rubbing her eyes. "Daddy read to me." She sniffled, her green eyes appearing even brighter now that they were watering. I felt as though my heart shattered when she said that. I was also speechless, I was not prepared for this, nor was I expecting it. I had no idea how to respond.

"Love, your daddy isn't here," I told her, running my hand through her hair.

"He is," she hiccuped and made grabbing hands for her dummy. I frowned and peered back at Niall who was standing in the doorway with his cup of tea, obviously having turned up to see what cause of Harper's cries were.

"Where?" I frowned, playing with her hair gently as I sat on the edge of her bed.

"Daddy there," she pointed to the doorway. My eyes widened and turned to Niall. His eyes also widened and he spat the mouthful of tea he had back into the mug, almost dropping it in the process. "Daddy," she whined and held her hands out to him.

______________

A/N Hiiii I am so so so sorry this chapter is delayed a whole month!!! Wow, it's been so long, but boy has a lot happened in a month! Anyways, if you read Oblivion you would have known why I hadn't updated, personal reasons I'm not getting into again! I didn't get back to writing this as quickly as I got back to writing Oblivion but now I'm back in action and will be updating every week again!! I'm so so excited to write the next chapter !! Ahhh ;)

So, I hope you all still enjoy this book and oh thanks for over 6k reads !!?? Can we get this chapter to over 15 votes and 10 comments ??!?

So yea, I love you all sooo much !! Don't forget to vote and comment !! :)