Just as Much

Erica's POV

After I've already changed and taken my make-up off, I can't stop smiling. Niall is just too sweet sometimes, making it seem as if he's picked me up at my house and dropped me off. I couldn't wait to take my contacts out, throw my hair in a bun and just relax on the bed. It looked so plush and relaxing, I just wanted to stay in it forever in a sleepy heaven.

I slip my socks off and climb into bed, moving Niall's laptop out of the way and searching for the remote when Niall comes in. He comes around the corner and I see he's already changed as well, throwing his dress clothes on his suitcase and hopping on the bed.

“So how was your night?” He props himself up and bats his eyelashes at me.

“Eh, it was okay. Nothing special.” I laugh and Niall looks offended. “How was yours?”

“Well I thought it was good but I took this girl out and I don't know if she'll want another date.” He scoots up closer to me.

“Oh, well I don't know if I want another date with the guy I went out with.” I know he knows I'm kidding. “He was so sweet and cute I just don't know if I'm a good match.” I sit up and he lays his head on my lap.

“I think he assumes the other way around. You're too smart for him.” He turns so he's facing me, putting his right arm around my waist. This moment is just perfect. I run my fingers through his hair, a little difficult because it has product in it but it's still soft enough. “But seriously, did you enjoy it?” He's nervous, he's always looking around, eyes darting about when he gets that way and I can't help but laugh.

“It was perfect Niall. Thank you.” I lean down and kiss him, just to reassure him. For how confident Niall is, he's still unsure of himself.

I pass him the remote as I don't care what we watch and just lean against the headboard, pulling the moment in. It hasn’t disappointed me yet. We just sit there, absentmindedly watching tv as I play with his hair, it was nice to just sit and relax with him.

“What do you think about marriage?” Niall asks and I freeze. Literally eyes wide, mouth agape.

“Wh-what do you mean, marriage?” I ask him. “I'm a little too young for that. So are you. And we've been on one date.” I don't mean to come off rude but it's the truth.

“I'm just talking about in general.” Niall saves himself and I nod.

“Well I'm not against it, I just don't want it right now. I want to get my education first, at least get my Masters before I think about saying I do.” I inform him. “Then after I get that done, I can think about it. Do you want to get married?” This is such an odd conversation to have after our first official date. I'm not even his girlfriend yet and he's asking about weddings? I suddenly feel very tense, not liking this conversation.

“It was just a question Erica.” I know he can feel how tense I am. “ I mean we've talked about a lot of things, but I just didn't know if you ever wanted to get married. I didn't mean anything by it.” His words calm me just a bit.

“It just caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting you to ask it. I'm just not about moving too fast. I mean, we've known each other for years but we're learning about each other in a different way now, I don't want to rush anything.” He turns to face me, studying my face which I'm sure is still in pure shock.

“Come lay with me.” Niall gets up and I scoot down, under the covers and we melt into each other, still watching the show. He starts slowly kissing my neck, rubbing my side and I already know his plot.

“Sorry.” I pull away. “I don't have sex on the first date.” I turn to face him, laughing.

“What?” He asks disappointed. “I haven't seen you in over a month.” Such a whiner.

“Well, you'll just have to wait till tomorrow then.” I tap his nose with my index finger and watch him squirm just a bit as I turn my back to him and snuggle closer to him.

“Such a tease.” He squeezes me tighter and moves my hair out of the way. I watch as he sets the sleep timer on the television and pulls the covers up around me. “I have to go brush my teeth.” I giggle slightly as he jumps out of bed and wait patiently for him to return. It doesn't take long before he snuggles up next to me and we both drift back to sleep.

“Morning.” I open my eyes for a brief second before closing them. I'm not quite ready to wake up.

“Sorry to wake you, but we have a full day of rehearsing so I thought we could go out to breakfast.” I turn and stretch, awaiting for the day to begin. I'm a little bummed that he's going to be gone all day but it will be my last day in New York to do whatever I please.

“Yeah, that sounds great.” I pull the covers off and swing my feet out, putting my glasses on. “Just let me shower and dress.” I talk over my shoulder.

“Need any assistance in the shower?” He raises his eyebrows up and down.

“Did Harry teach you to say those things? Just terrible. And no, I don't need any shower assistance. I'll be much faster without you mister.” I leave a bit of a stunned Niall in bed as I race off to the bathroom and start preparing for the day.

I shower quickly, running my fingers through my hair and putting a quick braid off to the side, apply a light layer of make up on and back to the main room to get dressed. I've noticed Niall has straighten out the sheets and dressed in his usual skinny jeans and plain white shirt. I pull out a simple pair of jeans and long sleeved plain black shirt to dress in.

“Ready?” Niall asks as he pulls my coat off the hanger and holds it up for me to slip on.

We walk down the hallway, not running into anyone, once again. “Where is everyone?” I still haven’t said hello to anyone.

“Sleeping.” I takes my hand as Vince and Richard join us in the elevator.

“You didn't invite them out with us?”

Niall shakes his head. “No, I just wanted it to be us.”

“Stop being so selfish!” I nudge him, joking of course as we walk towards the service entrance of the hotel, to the waiting car. Niall opens the door for me, sliding in after and quickly linking hands with mine again. He's always close, it's nice to feel him near me, his presence is comforting.

We arrive at a small diner quickly and are seated rather fast. I scan the menu quick and know exactly what I want. I know exactly what Niall wants as well just from reading it but I wait. Our waitress comes over, an older woman so she doesn't even do a double take with Niall and takes our order, walking away to the next table to ask how they're doing.

Niall and I sit in the silence, I take the time to study him, his arms resting on the table, fingers laced together. I can tell he's bouncing his legs as his eyes dart back and forth.

“What's the matter?” I ask, placing my hand over his to calm him.

“Did I mess up yesterday?” His question catches me off guard.

“Mess up?” I ask for clarification, not exactly knowing what he's talking about.

“When I brought up marriage.” Then it all comes back to me, my reaction, my reservations.

“Niall.” I pause, trying to find my words correctly. “No, you didn't. I just wasn't expecting it. It wasn't something on the topic of conversation I was prepared for. I didn't know if you were talking about us or in general, I mean, we're not even boyfriend and girlfriend. I just felt like we were skipping steps.” I cross and uncross my legs, tapping my fingernails on the table, waiting for him to say something.

“I'm sorry. I was really just asking.” He shrugs his shoulders and looks away. My face falls a bit, I don't want him to be upset for asking, I know he's still nervous to mess things up but he needs to just get over it.

“I know. It's fine Niall. You know I just don't like to be woken up in the morning.” I nudge him across the table to try to lighten him up. It doesn't take long before we see our waitress carrying our breakfast, I suddenly realize how hungry I am.

She sets our plates down with a smile and walks away as we can't wait to dig in. I finish my short stack of pancakes quickly while Niall finishes his bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast just minutes later.

Niall looks at his phone, “We have to get back, I don't want to be late.” He tells me as he slides out of the booth, the tension between us still present as we walk together back to the car. It doesn't help that once we get outside people are waiting for him. I step aside for him to sign autographs and take pictures. The car isn't here or I would just go sit there. It's a bit breezy today so I clutch my coat a little tighter and look around, trying not to look annoyed or bored, I just want to be warmer.

“Right, sorry about that, Vince said the car is just down that way.” I nod as he links his hand with mine and I can hear the chorus of “ooohs and ahhs” from behind us. Niall squeezes my hand and laughs. “Looks like we'll be top news tomorrow.” He whispers in my ear and opens my car door. My mind suddenly shifts and all I can think of is how my mom will react when she sees the pictures.

Notes

So if anyone remembers Erica's mom from the beginning of the story.....

Sad news, I won't be updating tomorrow! We have an exibition game that I'll be playing in so I'll be busy and focused all day. :) Don't miss me too much! At least I didn't leave you all hanging!

Happy Friday!!

xoxox