Canon

Niall’s Point of View

I sit up in the bed looking over at the girl fast asleep behind me. I stiff out a small laugh leaning over to press my lips to Lizette’s hair. I couldn’t help but to touch her. She was so beautiful and inviting. It was a constant feeling of warmth pouring from her. A sick feeling rested at the pit of my stomach thinking back to Tara and her son Jack. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize what I had with Lizette. Last night, I could tell that she looked at me differently. Like we were already over. I didn’t want her to count me out just yet. She was right though; I did owe it to myself to find out if Jack could possibly be mine. I pull a tee shirt over my head and slide my legs into my jeans before quietly tip-toeing to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and wipe my face with one of the complimentary hotel towels. After putting my feet into a pair of boots and grabbing my jacket I silently slip out of the door. I drive to my mum’s house and park at the house right across the road. I don’t know who would want to live right across the street from their family’s house or is it just my family that’s screwed to hell. I knock on the door and step back taking a slow, deep breath. Here goes nothing.

Lizette’s Point of View

I wake up to an empty bed and soundless hotel room. I piece of paper on the nightstand catches my attention as I roll over in bed.

Went to talk to Tara. I love you.

Great. Tara. As much as I disliked this entire situation I meant what I said about Niall deserving to know the truth about Jack. He couldn’t possibly go back to the states not knowing if he had a son here in Mullingar or not. I get dressed in a pair of black jeans which were ripped at the knee, a simple long-sleeved white tee shirt along with my Chelsea boots. I get my jean jacket out of my suitcase before taking my phone and walking out the hotel room.

Hey, decided to look around the town. See you when you get back x – Lizette.

I wait in the hotel’s lobby until the cab pulls up to the front doors. ‘Thanks again.’ I wave to the usual on-site manager as I head out the hotel.

‘Where to ma’am?’ the driver turns around in his seat to face me.

‘I would love to go see more city, where would you recommend?’ I inquire pulling out my journal from my bag.

‘Belvedere House and Gardens is lovely this time of the year.’ He smiles, ‘shall I take you there?’

‘Yes, please.’ I nod sitting back to fasten my seatbelt.

I finally make it to Belvedere House after sitting in the cab for a full twenty minutes. I slip the man a few bills before sliding out of the cab. There was a fairly short line outside of the building. It was easy to distinguish the tourists out of the bunch. They had their cameras eagerly in their hands along with their khaki pants and hiker-like tennis shoes. I reposition my purse on my shoulder and join the line. I follow the tourists for the guide-given tour of the House and Gardens. I take lots of pictures as we walk with my phone, sending a few to Niall along the way. After seeing all that they offered with the tour I went to the café for something to eat. I find one of the tables by myself and sit down wordlessly. The other tourists laugh and enjoy their food together. I sigh wondering how things were going for Niall.

Niall’s Point of View

‘So you know the truth, now what?’ Tara speaks from across the room, her arms folded protectively, ‘I mean what’s going to change? I’m sure your girlfriend is waiting for you.’

‘Can I see him?’ I wonder, ‘my son.’ The words felt odd falling from my mouth but I couldn’t help but want to make up for lost time as soon as possible. I couldn’t believe that I had a son. A son.

‘What?’

‘Can I see him, please.’ I repeat running a sweaty hand on my jeans. ‘I would say that I’ve waited long enough – wouldn’t you?’

‘How dare you try to pin all of this on me?’ Tara suddenly snaps, ‘Did you casually forget how you were back then? I didn’t get the luxury of this caring, considerate, bleeding heart Niall that Lizette knows. I don’t what she did to you but I only wish she did it earlier. Maybe things would’ve been different for us. Back then, I couldn’t stand to in the same room with you let alone raise a child with you!’

‘I don’t remember you being so, clean, back then either.’

‘You have ten minutes.’ She hisses before walking out of the room and coming back with Jack a few minutes later, ‘Jack, this is mommy’s friend Niall. Can you say hello to Niall?’

‘Hi.’ The small boy peers from behind Tara’s thin legs.

‘It’s okay, don’t be afraid. You can talk to Niall. He won’t bite.’

‘What do you have in your hand, pal?’ I ask awkwardly kneeling down to meet him eye to eye.

‘Dinosaur.’ He raises the tiny, plastic green objects in the air, ‘I have lots in my room.’

‘I would love to see them, is that okay?’

I ended up spending over an hour sitting on the floor with Jack playing dinosaurs. I found myself imitating low growls hiding behind the tiny plastic toys. I was never the one to fall over myself to get to a kid but this felt different. He was my son. The same blood that traveled through his veins was in mine. I didn’t know a screw up like me could make something so good and pure. I smile to myself continuing to play with the dinosaurs.

‘Alright, Jacky – time for your playdate.’ Tara stands in the doorway, ‘come on and get your shoes.’

‘But we’re having fun.’ Jack whines folding his arms across his small chest.

‘It’s alright, maybe I can come back again soon and we can play then.’

‘Okay.’ He agrees still not completely satisfied but scurries out anyway.

‘This was, nice.’ Tara speaks from across the room with a nearly invisible smile on her face.

‘Would it be okay if we did this again before I go?’

‘Sure. I’ll call you on one of his free days, maybe you could come by and spend the day with him.’

‘I better get going, I do have someone waiting back at the hotel for me.’

I make it to the car and pull my phone from glove department and bring the screen up to call Lizette. I had different pictures from her from over an hour ago. She went to the Belvedere House alone. Damn it, I was wrapped in this mini reunion I forgot I was supposed to take her.
‘Hello?’ Lizette answers on the third ring, her tone was chipper like other times. I could hear the disappointment that rested in her voice. I let her down.

‘I’m sorry, really,’ I speak starting the car up, ‘time got away from me. You shouldn’t have gone to Belvedere alone. I was going to take you.’

‘I knew that you were busy, I understand that that’s where you needed to be today and it was really a last minute thing. The cab driver recommended it.’

‘Well where are you now? We can do something if you want.’ I wonder coming to another red light, annoyed. The car in front of me of course made it through when they were the ones dragging their ass down the road.

‘I’m at the hotel, I was thinking about taking a bath.’

‘I could hurry over there and join you, maybe bring some takeout. To make up for being gone today?’

‘Mhm.’ She teases from the other line and I press my foot down that much harder on the gas as soon as the light changes. ‘I could definitely go for some good Thai food right now.’

‘Wait for me.’ Was all I managed to get out before hanging up. I drive to the closest Thai restaurant that I knew wouldn’t disappoint and practically jump out of the car. I impatiently wait in the line as it drags on endlessly.

I make it back to the hotel and slip the key card into the door and push it open. I pull my shirt over my head shortly after dropping food down on the counter near the TV for afterwards.

‘Lizette, I’m back.’ I call pushing the bathroom door open.

It was empty.