Niall's POV:

"Espy! Let's go!"

I'd agreed to wait until the next day before we left for Ireland. But now my suitcase, along with Zayn's a Perrie's, was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Espy was the only thing holding us up.

She came down the stairs, quite gracefully for a five year old. She was an odd child, like her mother had been. I noticed Perrie staring at her oddly, quite often. Zayne was just lost. Well if they thought Espy was weird wait until they met Essence.

If they met Essence.

I felt my throat grow sore. I honestly couldn't believe it had been almost six years since I'd seen her. Even more I felt like she was from a past life, that she would never cross my mind again.

But here I was, blowing off my whole career to just go find her.

Espy came to stand beside me. Perrie had taken her shopping the day before, and she looked pretty in a flowing purple dress with a collar of flowers, like this.

Her hair was loose around her shoulders, lying naturally in perfect ringlet curls. She smiled up at me and took my hand. I couldn't believe how similar our eyes were.

"Niall," she said. "I didn't know you knew Ms. Edwards. She showed me all the pictures of your band and all your music last night."

"I hope she didn't keep you up," I said stiffly.

"Oh she did," Espy said smiling a perfect smile, clearly oblivious.

I reached down and picked her up, supporting her with one arm under her knees, the other under her torso. She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled up at me.

"Do you like me Espy?" I said abruptly.

"Oh yes sir, very much," she smiled.

"I'm going to explain everything to you when we drop you off at your uncle's house," I said slowly, not really sure how I was going to explain anything.

"Explain..."

"Things."

"Oh."

Perrie came downstairs, leading Zayn by the hand. "Are you ready, Ni?"

I knew she wasn't asking about my luggage. Her eyes were searching my face. Her expression was laced with sympathy, and something else... pity?

I carried Espy out to the car, and Zayn got our luggage, Perrie bringing up the rear.

The drive to Harry's house was short, and sooner than I would have liked we were pulling up to his large, circular driveway.

"Ready?" Perrie asked.

"Ready."



Espy's POV:

Mr. Horan led me out of the car. I didn't know why a world famous celebrity had such a connection with me. Strange.

I had brought flowers from Mr. Malik's yard and I began weaving then into a headdress.

"That's pretty," Ms. Edwards said to me, smiling. I looked at her. She seemed nervous, odd. Her expression was one of silent judgement. Pity, as well. Why would she pity me? I'd lost nothing. Life was not to be wasted on pity, sorrow. Life was for joy, making the joy last as long as one can.

Ms. Edwards seems not to like me much. She seems slightly fearful.

I smiled back at her, saying nothing.


Perrie's POV:

The child doesn't seem to blink. She says virtually nothing to me. Yet she radiates intelligence. It was... odd. I wasn't sure what her mother was like but she hadn't gotten this from Niall. Why on Earth would Niall be attracted to someone so strange?

Harry let us in, leading us into his sitting room.

"So..." He said looking confused, but like he was trying to appear unconcerned. "Perrie called last night and said you need us to watch a kid for you guys for a while?"

"Yes," I said curtly.

"So I'm assuming it's you, love?" Harry said, smiling cheekily at Espy.

She didn't respond, but simply raised her eyebrows an infinitesimal amount. Again, she didn't seem to blink. Or look in multiple directions.

Harry swallowed, also seeming to sense the child's odd aura.

"Whose kid is she?" Harry said looking at me. I looked at Niall.

He shook is head, giving me the oh god please no look.

I squinted threateningly at him.

He swallowed.

"She's mine," Niall said loudly. "She's my daughter."

Notes

how'd you like espy's POV :)

shes a strangely way too intelligent child who is hella deep... but perhaps nialls happy go lucky

qualities will turn up :) COMMENT RATE SUBSCRIBE :) LOVE YOUUU <3