A Long December.

"Lennox?"

"huh?"

Georgia frowned a bit, noticing that Lennox had been deep in thought since she had left for some fresh air. "I said its past closing and I've already closed up shop for you. Im gonna head home now, if that's alright?"

Lennox looked out of the window to see Georgia's boyfriend nick, leaning against the window, a cigarette in hand as he waited for his girlfriend. Lennox nodded and pulled her apron off, folding it neatly and placing it underneath the cash register.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Georgia." with a small wave, Lennox was left to herself and she took her time in gathering up her things and heading for the door.

Lennox's mind is on zayn as she begins heading home. She wonders if he's done alright with Emmy and if he's remembered to feed her every few hours.

As much as she'd rather forget their past and only focus on how they're going to be taking care of the baby, it doesn't stop the memories from
Flooding back.

"Lenny, what're you doing?"

Lenny whipped around at the sound of his voice and nearly dropped the strainer with pasta. Her face had speckles of tomato sauce on her face and her hair was tied up in a messy pony tail. The apron she had on seemed to be no help, seeing as zayn could see spots of tomato sauce staining her clothing underneath.

"I was trying to cook you lasagna, it was supposed to be a surprise." She whimpered, looking around at the mess in the kitchen. Bowls were scattered across the counters, spoons were piling up in the sink, stray pieces of pasta and sauce were also scattered through the kitchen. It was a disaster.

"I told you to come at nine." Lennox murmured.

Zayn smiled softly. "It is nine."

Lennox glanced down at her phone and saw that it was indeed 9:15. She let out a groan. "This was going to be perfect." The tears were welling up and burning her eyes.

Zayn set his keys and phone down on the counter and stepped forward, grappling a napkin from the small holder and bringing it to Lennox's cheek, wiping off the sauce. "Don't cry, Lenny. It's already perfect just because I get to spend the night with you." He murmured softly, his minty breath hitting her face before he wrapped his tan arms around her and held her close.

"You don't understand," her hot tears were streaming out and falling onto Zayn's v neck. "I had this planned for weeks. You would come in and your favorite meal would be sitting on the table with a beer and then after I'd surprise you with a strip tease, and-" she sniffled. "Now it's all ruined."

Zayn couldn't help but laugh and her eyes widened, pulling away from him to stare at him incredulously. "Lenny, baby, you're crying because you wanted to give me a strip tease and it didn't work out," he kissed her forehead. "Let's just skip dinner and go straight to the strip tease."

She rolled her eyes smacking his chest and trying to pull away but his grip was strong. "I hate you, Zayn. You're always making me feel stupid."

He brought her chin up and their eyes met. "Don't be mad, Lenny." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I love you and this is already turning out to be a perfect night. So don't stress about it."

"I'm gonna miss you when you leave," Lennox mumbled into his neck after a few minutes of silence. "I don't know what I'm going to do while you're gone."

Zayn's grip didn't let up, instead, she felt him squeeze a little tighter. "I'll miss you too, baby. So much I'll probably end up driving Louis insane." The two chucked softly at that. "But I'll be back in a couple weeks and then we'll have Christmas to get ready for."

She nodded, her face still pressed Into his neck. "And you can bake cookies to get into the spirit, seeing as baking is your true ability..." He joked, pulling away to glance around at the kitchen.

She punched his chest. "I really hate you sometimes."

+

"Hey."

Lennox set her purse down and took in the sight before her. Emmy was fast asleep on his chest as he laid stretched out on the couch. The sight tugged at her heart but she simply pushed it away.

"Did you remember to feed her?"

He nodded, glancing at the clock on the cable box. "I fed her about an hour ago and she fell asleep after that."

Lennox nodded and was careful as she came forward and scooped the baby up from his arms and carefully setting her in the crib back in the bedroom.

"It's weird living in their house."

Lennox glanced up from the stove where she was beginning to start up a kettle for tea. "What?"

"Living here, it makes me feel like they're still here. Like we're just babysitting while they're out of town."

Lennox nodded and her heart tugged at the thought of April walking through the front door, a smile on her face as she began telling stories of her recent trip.

"You're quiet now." Zayn noted after Lennox had poured tea into two mugs and handed him one before taking the opposite couch.

"There's not much to say."

Zayn's eyes watch her the entire time as she brings the mug to her lips and sips quietly. It reminds him of the cold, winter nights when she would stay up and make herself a cup of tea, claiming it was the only way she'd be able to find sleep.

"Sure there is," he set his cup down. "You can tell me about how life's been for you, what you've been up to, anything." He wanted nothing more than to hear about everything he'd missed. Louis used to keep him updated in the beginning, but after about 2 months, he had given up, and not knowing how she was doing killed Zayn."

"I've been fine, nothing's changed really. I still have my bakery and its been busy." She shrugged. "That's it."

He sighed, but he wasn't surprised. Lennox had always been stubborn. He kept his eyes on her, trying desperately to meet her green orbs. "I've missed you."

She brought the mug to her lips and took another sip. "Who's that girl that was with you at the funeral?"

Of course she noticed, Lennox noticed everything. "She's a friend of Louis' from Doncaster. When she heard that he passed away, she asked if I'd be able to take her."

Her heart loosened up a bit, giving her air to breath. She hadnt noticed that the thought of the blonde girl affected her so greatly. She brushed it off though.

"Lenny, come on, talk to me. It's almost been a year and I haven't seen you. We've gotta raise Emmy together, we should at least be friends."

The nickname struck a heart string and she set her mug down, standing up and heading back to the bedroom. "I'm going to bed."

With that, she left zayn alone in the living room, his head filled with thoughts and memories of the brown haired beauty he once shared so much with.

+
"Holy shit, that rock is huge."

Lennox's eyes were huge as she held April's hand in her, staring down at the large diamond ring.

"The perks of your man being in highly successful boyband a few years ago." She grinned, wiggling her fingers around.

The two girls grinned and Lennox shook her head before they relaxed into the couch and began sipping their daily tea, an obsession for both girls.

"So," April grinned.

"So what?" Lennox peeked up from her mug to lock eyes with her smirking bestfriend.

"You know what, spill the details. You've been spending a lot of time with Zayn lately." Lennox's cheek flushed and April scooted closer, "what's the scoop?"

"I really like him, April."

"Just like?" April pressed.

Not just like, Lennox knew that for sure. It'd been almost five months and Lennox never thought she'd ever feel this way about anyone ever. Without a doubt, Lennox knew she'd never be able to date another after Zayn, what he'd given her in this relationship was too much to give up.

"I think I love him." Her voice was soft and her cheeks were flushed.

"Good," April nodded, her smile even bigger than before if that was even possible. "I'm so glad you two worked out. You guys are perfect for eachother."

Lennox was so flushed she was unable to respond, all she could do was nod.

"Who knows," April piped up, "maybe you two will have a wedding right after us." She playfully fanned herself. "You'll be needing a maid of honor." April stood up, and puffed up her chest. "I volunteer as tribute."