f o r t y - f i v e

*3 months later*

"Baby if we don't leave in 5 minutes we're gonna be late!" I said with a knock on the bathroom door.

"Ok," he shouted. I heard the door unlock and he walked out with a towel wrapped round his waist.

"Are you kidding! Your not even dressed!" I said to him and slapped his arm slightly. We were meant to be going to dinner at my dad's house. Niall's parents had come down from Ireland for a visit seeing as though it had just been new years. I'd let it slip that they were in London during a conversation with my my dad and Carol and they'd been adement to invite them round for dinner.

"I'll be quick," he said and walked into his wardrobe. I huffed and walked out our room onto the landing of the upstairs where Evie was lying down in her bed tearing apart a teddy bear. I bent down and picked her up.

"Come on. We'll wait for Niall downstairs," I said to her even though she couldn't talk back. She let out a little bark and I smiled at her, "Excited are we?"

She barked again as I reached the final step and I chuckled. I picked up her light blue jumper that she wore in winter to make sure she didn't get cold and put it on her gently. She then ran over to her other bed underneath the stairs and picked up another half torn up teddy.

I sighed and sat down on the bottom step. I was completely ready to leave I just had to wait for Niall who seemed to be taking wears.

I was wearing my suspender dress with a long sleeved black polo neck underneath. Polo necks were becoming my new favourite thing. I had my mums rings around my neck, of course, Niall's bracelet he'd gotten me ages ago and the ring he'd gotten me. My legs were covered with thin black tights because it was still winter and I had black ankle boots with a slight heel on my feet.

"Sorry," I heard Niall say from above me and I shot up from the step. He hopped down the stairs in black jeans and a light blue shirt, looking very handsome.

"About time," I joked and he just frowned as he pulled on a pair of black converse. They didn't go to well with his outfit but I didn't mention it. He would take them off when we got to my dad's anyway.

"Right, let's go," he said and picked up the car keys before opening the front door and stepping out. I called for Evie quickly and she ran out and followed me to the car, not straying more than about 30 centimetres from either me or Niall. She'd noticed that Niall was a new owner of her's (he had to be seeing as though we were living together) and I was glad she liked him.

She sat on my lap the entire drive, barking if another car ever beeped their horn which always made me and Niall laugh. But I just admired how much Niall enjoyed having her in the house most of the time. It was just like our own little family.

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We arrived at my dad's and Carol's house 10 minutes after we were meant to be there. Niall's parents were already there and were mid conversation when we walked in with Evie, who started barking like mad because there were 2 new faces she'd never seen before.

"Sorry we're late," I apologised, mainly to Carol because I knew she was the one cooking the meal.

"No worries dear," Carol said with a kind smile which I returned, "Dinner won't be ready for at least another 5 minutes."

"Phew I thought we might have ruined it by making you wait for to long," I admitted and she just laughed.

"Mum, Dad, I'm guessing this means you've met Mr and Mrs Spinland already then," Niall said to his parents and I turned around to find them both nodding at him.

"Niall my boy, please, Ben and Carol," my dad said to him and patted him on the shoulder. I smiled slightly. My dad had finally given up on trying to convince me to not date Niall. He knew it made me the happiest I could be when I was with Niall and that's really all he wanted for me, to be happy.

"Lily! How are you?" Maura said when she finally got the chance to stand up from the sofa and give me a hug. I hadn't seen her since the Christmas I'd walked out her house and to be honest, I'd been dredding seeing her again because I knew I had to mention it.

"I'm great, and you?" I asked.

"Oh ya know, this and that," she said and I smiled.

"Listen I... I'm truly sorry for walking out your house the other Christmas without a word. I know-" I began but she interrupted.

"Ay now. All is forgiven. That Christmas does not need to be spoken about," she said and rubbed my shoulder. I hugged she again and she left the room to the kitchen where I guessed she would be helping Carol.

I scanned the living room for Niall but I couldn't see him anywhere. I sighed and walked out the room and into the kitchen. Maura and Carol were stood over the cooker with their backs to me talking quietly. I walked through the kitchen and down the hallway, past the toilet which door was open, the laundry room and the doorway that lead into the garage.

I reached the entrance hall area and heard hushed voices. There wasn't much light but I could know it was Niall from miles away. I stayed quiet, peeking round the corner the smallest bit. He leant to the side a bit and I saw my dad stood infront of him.

"Hey dad?" I said and walked towards them trying to make it look like I hadn't been there to long.

"Yeah monkey?"

"Carol wanted you to get Tyler down cause dinners in just a minute," I lied.

"Oh right," he said and without a second thought, made him way upstairs to talk to Tyler.

"Hey," Niall said awkwardly, "I just needed the toilet and I couldn't remember where it was so I asked your dad because you were busy."

"Ok," I said blankly and walked past him.

"Wait," he grabbed my hand and I turned back to him, "Nothing."

I thought about asking what him and my dad were actually talking about but I decided against it. I didn't want to have to argue with him tonight.

"Dinner's ready so be quick in the loo," I said and kissed his cheek before walking away and back to the kitchen where thankfully Carol was dishing up food into pasta bowls. It was spaghetti bolognese. Not to complicated but something everyone loves.

I helped her carry the meals into the dinning room where everyone was, including my dad and Tyler. When Carol and I had finished bringing all the meals, I sat down next to Niall. My dad was on the other side of me at the head of the table, Bobby was next to him, Maura was next to him, Tyler was next to her, Carol was at the opposite end of the table to my dad and Niall was in between her and me.

"Thank you Carol for this beautifully, tasty looking dinner," Niall said and raised his glass of Dr Peper. He wasn't drinking because he would be driving us home that night and neither was I. Not because I was driving but because I didn't want to make Niall feel left out by being the only one not having alcohol.

"Thank you Carol!" everyone said at once and began eating.

I felt Niall's knee rub against my leg and I looked up at him just enough so he knew I was looking at him.

"You ok?" he mouthed. I nodded a little and he just nodded back. We both ate our dinners up, joining in the conversation with everyone else as much as we could but I we kept catching eachothers eye and trying our hardest not to laugh.

I love him so much.