The first thing that struck me about the home of my possible future employer was that it was very secluded.

Tall trees lined the gated estate and the home itself was set back quite a bit into the property.
It wasn't outrageously huge, not like one of those houses you'd see on television that made you wonder why in the world anyone would need that much space. It was a decent size, however, leaving no doubt that its owner was well off. It was just, hidden. Like it was a secret from the outside world.

I liked it.

Nervously checking my pencil skirt and blouse in the reflection on the glass doors, I raised my hand and rang the bell, sending up a short prayer that this would go well.

Instead of the door being answered right away I heard a series of bangs and crashed followed by a very masculine groan and a child's laughter.

It made me smile despite myself even as I still stood on the other side of the door. Children's laughter always made me smile.

As I sat giggling to myself at what sounded like a demolition I was not expecting the door to open, least of all to be opened by a very attractive, very frazzled guy.

My eyes ran over his pristine white sneakers up his jean clad legs to his chocolate splattered tee and face up to his dripping blonde hair before falling back down to his startlingly blue eyes.
I couldn't help noticing the relief in them as he looked back at me.

I stifled a giggle as I held out my hand to him.

He took it and flashed me a lopsided smile. "Hello." He greeted slightly out of breath.

"Hello. I'm supposed to be meeting with Mrs. Twist." I smiled shyly at him. There was no denying this chocolate covered boy was hot but I had to maintain an air of professionalism.

I still couldn't help the blush, however, as he blatantly eyed me down.

"You're here for the nanny position?" He spoke in an Irish accent.

"Um. Yes." I looked down at myself, wondering if I had made a mistake in my outfit or impression before looking back up at him in confusion. "Is there a problem?"

He seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts before plastering a polite smile on his face. "No problem at all." He opened the door a bit wider and gestured for me to come in. "Sorry, Anne is running a little late, I'm Niall. You can wait in the kitchen with us."

I nodded as he led me through the lounge and down a hall until I came upon the kitchen.
My eyes widened at the sight.

I wasn't shocked at the size of the space, the house itself gave me an indication of the large kitchen, it was more the giant mess of splattered chocolate, egg shells, and milk.

As I took in the disaster my eyes landed on another utterly gorgeous man with a young girl slung over his shoulder giggling hysterically.

He smiled shyly at me before placing the curly headed little girl on the floor. Her eyes met mine briefly as I smiled and waved to her before she hid behind the man's legs and peeked out.

"Hello, I'm Louis." He said holding his hand out to me while the little girl clutched the other. "Are you a friend of Niall's?"

I blushed and looked behind me at the other man before shanking my head. "Um. No."

"Oh..." He looked down at the little girl behind him before looking up at me curiously. "Harry?"

Again I shook my head.

"She's here for the nanny position, mate." Niall spoke up from behind me, a hint of humor in his voice.

Louis' face broke out in a giant grin. "The nanny position?" I could see the mischief in his eyes and what I was sure was the beginning of a perverted joke in his tone when the sound of bags hitting the tiled floor behind us stopped him mid-sentence.

"What in the world happened in here?" A female voice shrieked taking in the mess I had already become used to.

I turned back to the duo who both looked petrified at the new arrival.

"Niall Horan I leave you in charge for an hour and you let this happen?" The blonde looked indignant as he stuttered away at the look the woman was giving him.

"Louis was here too." He said pointing to his friend who had taken to hiding behind the giggling little girl.

"Yes well I wouldn't be crazy enough to leave him in charge now, would I? I don't think Harry would appreciate coming home to a burnt down house." Her eyes drifted from Niall to Louis then settled on me, hiding in the back.

"Oh, hello dear. You must be Aria. I hope you don't decide to run for the hills after meeting these two." She said with the warmest smile as she pointed at the two boys.

I could instantly tell from her tone and expression that she had a soft spot for the two even as she laid into them about the mess they had created.

I giggled and shook my head. "No, I'm actually very intrigued by what they were trying to make?"

Anne looked happy that I wasn't shying away. "That's a good question?"

"Nana I was makin' cupcakes." A small voice cut in.

Anne's whole face softened at the tiny voice as she sunk down to the little girl's level. "Darcy darling, there is more cupcake on you then anywhere else."

I held my hand over my mouth as the adorable little girl ran her hand over her batter covered cheek and held her finger up to her grandmother for a taste.

Anne wrinkled her nose and laughed before picking the dirty little girl up and walking closer to me.

"Aria, this is Darcy, my granddaughter. She would be your only charge." Anne said as she smiled down at Darcy who was trying to, again, hide her face from me.

I tried to smile as kindly as I could, normally I was a hit with kids, but Darcy seemed to shrink into her grandmother farther.

Anne sighed before turning towards the two now silent men behind her. "Louis could you please take Darcy up for a bath, and Niall I suggest you get to cleaning this before Harry gets back."

Both men shot into action, Louis gently taking the small girl from Anne and Niall tossing the filthy dishes into the sink.

"Aria, if you would just follow me into the lounge."

I did as she asked, looking once over my shoulder to catch two shining green eyes hidden under a mess of curls peeking at me from over Louis shoulder as he ascended the stairs.
As we both sat on the plush looking sofa, I reached into my bag to hand her the folder that contained my resume.

I had to admit I had never been a liv- in nanny but I had baby sat quite a bit in the states for some lovely families that were more than willing to give me good references.

Even with a decent resume I was still a bit nervous.

I needed this job more than anyone could understand, not only for me but for Jamie as well. I wanted something better then sleeping on my friends sofa and maybe being someone else's child's caretaker wasn't anyone's idea of doing better but it was a gateway out of the rut I was currently stuck in.

Anne looked over the papers smiling at the kind words the other families had written about me. I watched on, having to remind myself that chewing on my nails wouldn't appear very professional.

"It appears you're very missed." She finally said handing me back the folder.

I smiled weakly.

"I have to tell you, this job would be very different from what you are used to. There are extraordinary factors involved with the care of my granddaughter and by extension living here in this home with my son. You would have to be very discreet and a confidentiality agreement will have to be filled out. "

I bit my lip, unsure if this was her way of telling me I was in over my head but I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I could do this, no matter what the circumstances. What could possibly be so extraordinary about watching a normal little girl?

"Um..." I said, kicking myself for appearing dumb. "Well I can't say I completely understand but I can tell you that I adore children, I know Kendra informed you that I have a son of my own. What I can promise you, is besides all the factors you're speaking of, I can provide you're granddaughter with the same care and concern I have for my own child. I know what it's like to take care of children, you've read my resume, but I also know what it's like to be a single parent like your son. I have that understanding and I want to help him as much as I can. And if I was to be completely honest with you, I need this, not only for me but for my baby as well."

Anne watched me intently the whole time I was speaking and she kept watching me even after I had finished.

I was sure I had blown it at this point. No way did I sound as polished and experienced as I'm sure she was looking for.

"I like you Aria." She said just as I was getting ready to grab my bag and leave.

I froze.

"I'm sorry?" I asked stupidly, sputtering slightly.

Anne laughed and leaned over to pat my leg. "I said I like you. You remind me of myself. Determined and a fierce mother."

I just stared wide eyed at her.

"So tell me about your son." She beamed at me getting comfortable in her seat.

I slumped into my seat and blew out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding in before smiling dreamily at her. "He's wonderful." I said with a shrug.

Anne laughed before urging me on.

"He's six months old, his name is Jamie and he's my entire world. It's just me and him." I paused as a thought occurred to me. "I know Kendra said she told you I have a son but she did mention that if I were to get the job he would need to move in with me, correct?"

"It won't be a problem at all." Anne again smiled reassuringly. "You certainly are a proud mother."

She caught me a little off guard at her statement. It must have shown on my face because she laughed and patted my knee. "I can tell by the way your face lit up at the mention of your son."

She pulled back for a moment and pursed her lips in thought before breaking out into a full on grin. "Aria, I think you are perfect for the position. Just what is needed around here. I love my granddaughter very much but I can't always be around and she needs a strong female figure in her life and I have a feeling that if you cared for her even half as much as I can see you care for you son, you would be the perfect person for that."

I was stunned. I honestly didn't know how to react as I just stared wide eyed at the woman in front of me.

"Yeah buddy."

Both our heads snapped towards the hall to see Niall sheepishly place his hand over his mouth as his whole face turned red. It was obvious he had been listening in.

His interruption was enough to knock me back into reality.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Cox." I said beaming at her as I stood with her, both of us still giggling from the interruption.

She shook her head and pulled me into a hug. "Call me Anne."

It wasn't long before I felt another pair of arms wrapped around the both of us. Anne chuckled before pulling away causing Niall to pull away as well.

"Of course my son has the final say, but I'm sure he will agree when he meets you."

"DADDY!" We heard Darcy yell from the other room.

"Speaking of my son, it looks like he's arrived." Anne quickly ushered us out into the hall where a tall, curly headed man had Darcy resting on his hip as he spoke quietly to Louis with his back to us.

As soon as we entered to hall Louis' eyes lifted towards us causing the other man to turn around.

My breath left my lungs in a gush as familiar green eyes glared back at me.

I thought I had seen the last of them, but it was just my luck he would be the only obstacle left for me to begin making a better life for my son.

"You!" We both said at the same time.

Anne, Niall, Louis and even little Darcy looked from me to Harry.

"You two know each other?" Anne asked and as quickly as the happiness of almost getting the job had come it was gone again. There was no way in hell he was going to hire me with the way he was glaring at me.

"Why are you here?" He growled at me.

Anne stepped in front of me eyeing her son down. "Harry maybe we should go into the kitchen to talk and let Louis take Darcy outside."

He dropped his eyes down to his daughter who was looking up at him in confusion, obviously not sure how to feel about me. He nodded and handed her back to his friend, placing a quick kiss to her forehead before storming past me.

Anne looked back at me in question but I just shrugged. Honestly if anyone should be mad it was me, he had been the one who tried to molest me not the other way around.

She sighed, aware that she wasn't going to get anything out of me in the hall and followed after her son.

I was sure this was going to be fun to explain.

Notes

hope you liked it.
let me know what you think.