More Than This

“Nora?” I woke up an hour later to Zayn’s voice coming from outside the front door. “Nora, are you still here?” He was pounding on the door now. “Please let me in!” I ran to the front door and swung it open. “Nora… what happened?” Zayn asked and as soon as he did, I flung my arms around him and cried into his chest.

“Please don’t say ‘I told you so’.” I cried and Zayn walked me over to the couch, shutting and locking the door behind him. “Please.” I begged and kept hugged onto him tighter.

“He cheated…” I nodded and Zayn wrapped his arms around me and rocked me back and forth. “Shh, Nora… it’s okay. Don’t cry…” Zayn kissed the top of my head and held me out at arm’s length. “I’m going to start a fire, okay?” I nodded and hugged my knees to my chest as Zayn walked over to the fireplace to get a fire started. Once the fire was roaring, Zayn started to walk out of the cabin.

“Where are you going?” I grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving.

“I’m going to grab something out of my car, love. Don’t worry.” I nodded and he walked out of the cabin, returning a minute later with a box. “I didn’t exactly have time to wrap it…” Zayn shrugged and handed me the box. “Sorry your birthday went to shit.” I smiled up at him as soon as I saw the Monopoly game. “Yeah, call me cheesy, but you sounded like you could use it. I grabbed some hot chocolate mix, too. The store was out of red velvet cake, but I assumed there was some here.” I nodded and pointed towards the kitchen.

“There’s a big ass one in the fridge that Jake brought. Wipe off whatever writing is on it.” I said as Zayn made his way to the kitchen and pulled the cake out of the fridge.

“No writing.” Zayn smiled and carried it out. “Where are the candles?” He asked.

“I’d rather not have any. Not really in the ‘happy birthday’ mood.”

“Fair enough.” Zayn took the plastic top off the cake and stuck his hand in it. “Dig in!” I stared at the cake in shock as he brought his hand closer to his face. “What?” I shook my head and Zayn looked from the cake in his hand to me.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Zayn smiled an evil smile and threw the cake at my face.

“Zayn!” I screamed and shoved his face into the cake, laughing.

“Oh, now you’ve done it.” Zayn said as he wiped the cake from his eyes and stood up. “You’re going to regret that…” He picked up the cake and my eyes grew wide. There was no way out. I tried to run away, but the second I stood up, the cake came down onto my back. We kept up with the cake war for another thirty minutes before deciding to pull out Monopoly and pop in an Elvis movie.

“Thank you, Zayn.” I looked at him from across the game as he set up the pieces.

“It’s not a problem.” Zayn shrugged and smiled at me.

“No, seriously. Thank you for being here. It means a lot to me.” Zayn reached across the game and wiped a tear from under my eye, keeping his hand on my cheek.

“What kind of guy would I be if I let the girl I love suffer?” I looked down at the game, my face going a fierce red. “So… Clambake?” I nodded and Zayn started the movie before taking his turn at Monopoly.

After two games and three Elvis movies, Zayn stood up and started packing up the game. “I think it’s time for me to head out.”

“What? Y-you’re going to leave me?” A new panic rose in my chest.

“Do you want me to stay?” Zayn’s eyes were full of hope and I nodded.

“Yes.” I laughed nervously. “Please?” Zayn sat down next to me and tucked some loose hair behind my ear.

“Of course.” He kissed my forehead and stood back up. “I’ll be right back.” I nodded and watched him walk back to the bedroom. He emerged a few minutes later in his pajamas, and with his arms full of blankets and pillows.

“You knew you would be staying over?” I laughed, motioning towards his pj’s.

“No, but I kinda hoped.” I smiled and went to the bedroom to change into my pajamas. “Wow… you look, erm, great.” Zayn’s face was pink and I looked down at what I was wearing. Minnie Mouse shorts and a Minnie Mouse t-shirt. Was Minnie really that seductive? I shrugged and sat down on the neatly made blanket bed Zayn had made by the fire.

“One more game?” I asked and held up the game of Monopoly. Zayn nodded and sat down next to me and set up the game.

Halfway through the game, I gave up on cheating. There was still a chance that I could win, right? I caught Zayn staring at me more than once throughout the game, and every time I did, his face would go a shade darker. “Your turn, Nora.” I looked across the game at him and sighed, pushing the game away. “What’s wrong?”

“Zayn… I have a question.”

“Yes?” Zayn inched closer to me and my heart rate picked up.

“Are… are you still interested in that second chance?” I looked up at him, hopeful, and his face lit up before he put his hand on the back of my neck.

“Absolutely.” And with that, his lips were on mine, and all thoughts of Jake had left my head. I pushed the game out of the way completely, and wrapped my arms around Zayn’s neck, kissing him more intently.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” I said breathlessly as we parted, foreheads pressed together.

“You were worth the wait.” Zayn breathed and pushed his lips back to mine.

~*~

I woke up the next morning to the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen. I looked around the living room for hints that last night had really happened. There was the monopoly game, two cups that had held hot chocolate, and there were three Elvis movie cases on the floor by the TV. I heard Zayn humming in the kitchen and knew it was real. Zayn and I were together, and I couldn’t be happier. “Good morning, sunshine.” Zayn smiled and brought a plate of eggs and bacon to me. “Happy late birthday.” He kissed my temple and sat next to me on the floor.

“Thank you.” I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulder as I ate my breakfast.

Yesterday went from the worst birthday ever, to the best birthday in the history of birthdays, and it was all thanks to Zayn. I had fallen in love with Zayn over the tour, and I finally let myself know that last night, and I was grateful I had. I loved Zayn with all my heart; and I couldn’t wait until our forever.

Notes

Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to post. It may be a while before I can post the epilogue. I'm going through some tough shit right now and I probably won't be writing for a while and I'm so sorry.
If you do want to keep in touch or just see what I'm up to, my twitter is KatieJatieBatie and my tumblr is katiejatiebatie.tumblr.com aaaaand I use the same user name for just about everything. Thanks guys!
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