Chapter 22:

~'~'~'~ Brooklyn POV~'~'~'~

~'~'~'~ Memory ~'~'~'~

"Baby girrrrrrlll." Niall whined from across the room.

"What?" I sighed with a soft smile. Niall put on his puppy dog look, blue eyes widening and lips pouting.

"Do you love me?" He asked in a needy voice.

"Yes." I rolled my eyes at the Irish boy.

"Will you go get me some water?" He pulled the begging look together with his hands grasping together.

"Why can't you get it?" I stuck my tongue out at him. I heard Liam laugh.

"Because I have the most amazing girlfriend ever who loves me so much she's willing to get me water? I'm sore from rehearsal." Niall's bottom lip trembled as he continued to beg from the other side of the room.

With an eye roll and a groan, I got up from my chair and started over towards the container with water.

"Can you get me some too, dearest oh darlingest, sister?" Louis piped up. I grabbed two water bottles.

"Me too?" Harry added with a hopeful look. I flashed him a smile but didn't grab another water bottle. I walked over to their little group and threw one bottle towards Lou. I then collapsed onto Niall's lap while holding out his water for him.

"If Rosie was here, you'd get water." Niall teased as he took a swig. 

"I would have gotten you water, but you called me a nincompoop earlier." I crossed my arms and glared at the curly-haired boy. Niall and Zayn both let out a bark of laughter.

"Mate, your girlfriend holds grudges." Harry grumbled.

"That's why I love her." Niall winked cheekily.

"I love you too, goof." I smiled while ruffling up his blonde hair.

~'~'~'~Memory~'~'~'~ 

"Niall, I'm pregnant." The words came out my mouth quicker than I had expected. 

Tears were evident on my cheeks as I looked up into the face I loved so much. I waited for the wrath. I waited for him to break up with me. 

Instead, I felt his arms wrap around me and pull me into his chest. I leant my head against him, relishing in the warmth. We were silent, arms holding tightly to each other.

"I love you." He said softly, his breath rustling into my hair. 

"I love you too." The words were a bit muffled by his t-shirt, but I knew he understood.

"And I'm going to love our little boy." Niall added with a smile.

"You mean our little girl?" I teased, my fingers wiping at my teary eyes. 

"Either way, I'm going to love it more than anything else in the world. Except for you." Niall pushed a tendril of brown hair behind my ear, his finger lingering on my cheek. His touch never failed to give off a spark.

"And pizza." I joked, lightening the mood. He rolled his eyes but laughed. We stayed in our embrace before he pulled back and left a feathery kiss on my forehead.

"No matter what happens, I'll be here. Alright?" 

"Alright." I smiled at the blonde boy.

~'~'~'~Memory~'~'~'~

My hand drifted to my stomach, a smile lighting up my face as I felt the bump. 

It'd been three months since I found out that I would soon be a mom. Despite the morning sickness and the occasional emotional roller coaster, I was happier than I had been in quite a while. The thought that I would soon be a mother was a happy one.

"Hey babe," I heard Niall's voice from behind me and soon the two familiar hands were on my shoulders as he leaned over to kiss my forehead.

"He- Ooh, he's kicking!" I gasped. Niall immediately crouched in front of me, a smile spread across his face as his hand landed on my stomach. The next few moments were spent in just feeling our baby boy's kicking feet. There were giant smiles on both our faces.

It was perfect.

~'~'~'~Memory~'~'~'~

"I'm very sorry, the heartbeat is gone."

The second the words were out of the doctor's mouth, I felt my entire body start shaking. I felt like I should break down, like tears should flow down my face. Niall and I should embrace and never let go. But I couldn't move. It was like I was frozen in that moment of time. The doctor said a few more things to Niall before leaving, but I wasn't paying attention. I looked at my hands and fiddled with my fingers.

It couldn't be possible. My little baby boy. He couldn't be gone. He had to still be here. It wasn't possible. We had our whole lives planned out. Niall and I had talked about it. Once Devin was born, we would spend the first year just being a family. Devin and I would travel with One Direction when we could. 

We knew it'd be difficult, but we loved each other so much that we were willing to go through anything together. When Niall wasn't as busy, we would get married and settle down in a nice house. Then Devin would get little brothers or sisters and it would all be perfect.

Funny. The word perfect is funny.

The Dictionary:

Per·fect   [adj.]

adjective

Entirely without flaws.

Nothing can be perfect. As much as you strive towards perfection, it won't be possible. 

All of the lovely visions I had in my mind shattered to the ground.

"Babygirl, shhh, I love you. I love you so much." Niall's arms were around me and that's when I broke down.

~'~'~'~Present time~'~'~'~

"What.. What did you remember?" Niall had a hopeful look on his face as he had his arm around me.

"Just.. Just the baby." I choked out. Niall's face fell, his arm tightening around me.

"Can I go home now?" I asked while wiping away the tears.

"I can take her." Josh offered. 

Niall shook his head. "It's fine, let's go Brook.." 

"Thanks Josh. Thanks Niall." I said while gripping tightly onto Niall's hand.

~'~'~'~

Feelings were rushing back as Niall and I walked the short distance to the car. His hand never once left mine and I tried to keep the tears from flowing out of my eyes. I could keep myself pulled together until we got to the car. My eyes stared at the ground. I felt Niall's hand firm in mine and my eyes wandered upwards. A few men with cameras were running towards us and Ricky had appeared out of no where. A few other bodyguards popped out of the woodwork.

I gripped Niall's hand tightly with both hands, letting him lead me through the suddenly large group of people. I tried to keep my face clear of emotions, but it was hard. I kept my eyes downcast, feeling uncomfortable with these men scrutinizing me and snapping pictures.

"Don't answer any questions, just keep your head down." Niall murmured to me as we pushed past them. I nodded slightly, letting my hair fall in front of my face, creating a curtain.

"Niall! Brook! Are you two on a date?"

"Why haven't you been as public with your relationship lately?"

"Is everything okay?"

"Brook! Look at us!"

"Is it true you're cheating on Brook, Niall? I heard you're seeing a blonde on the side!"

I glanced up at Niall. His teeth were clenched, his jaw accentuated. I squeezed his hand a few times. Ricky, along with the few other bodyguards, all pushed the men away and helped us get into the car. Ricky jumped into the driver's seat and revved the engine.

"Are you okay?" Niall asked the second we were situated into the backseat.

"No." I said, my eyes still free from tears. I felt like I had cried so much that the tears were just unable to flow anymore.

"C'mere." Niall brought me into him, his hands rubbing up and down my arms. I let my arms wrap themselves around his waist and let my head rest on his shoulder.

"We had everything planned out. We had our house planned, our future planned. It was taken away." I mumbled.

"I know. But that was a year ago. We moved on. We'll never forget about Devin, but we had to move on." Niall whispered quietly, his left hand leaving my arm and brushing against my cheek.

"It's just.. I'm sorry, Niall. I'm so sorry. I wish this hadn't happened. I wish everything could be the way it was before the accident. I wish I could just say I love you and everything be the same. I'm really sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's no ones fault. And it's all going to be okay. You're going to remember everything and it'll be okay. But no matter what happens, I love you, alright? I'll always love you." I looked up into Niall's ocean blue eyes. 

It was like for the first time, I noticed the dark bags under his eyes. I noticed his hair was more disheveled than usual. There was a hallowness in his cheeks. 

"I know you do. And Niall... I.. I know I loved you too." I smiled weakly at him.

"I know you did." He seemed choked up about my words and I realized how I had made that sound.

"You know what Niall?" I asked softly.

"What?"

"I think... I still do love you."