Just as Much

Niall's POV

“Just one more Niall!” Josh pushed yet another beer in front of my face.

“I can't!” I hold my hands up as if I'm surrendering. “I have to get home.” I tell him. My phone has since died, and of course I didn't have a charger in my car, I'm sure it's past seven by now. The meeting took forever, boring as fuck to beat. Just Paul and other people telling us their thoughts and how we need to be careful in Columbia, how we can't sneak off, if we want to go somewhere we need to bring someone with us, blah, blah, blah. It's the same thing every time we're almost about to go on tour.

I was anxious to get out of there. I had messed around on my phone so much during the meeting, taking pictures, playing games, texting, that my phone died. I need a new one, it can't keep a charge for crap. Josh had persuaded me to go out with him, I knew I needed to go home to watch Theo but I figured going out for an early dinner and having at least one drink won't kill me. Little did I know that one drink has now turned into four and I was stuck.

“Oh come on, home early on a Friday? Don't be a baby.” He nudges me as I give in and take a sip.

“This is my last one!” I shout for no reason really, it's not loud or busy in here. I finish my beer and stand up quickly as to not let Josh buy me yet another one. “I have to call a cab!” I laugh, not really funny, I for sure can't drive home now. I get a text alerting me that my taxi has arrived and brave the outdoors, thankfully no one is waiting for pictures of me.

When I come home I quietly close the door and plug my phone in with my charger left in the kitchen when I turn to the living room and see Erica and Theo, cuddled up on the chair, both sleeping. I instantly feel terrible, I was suppose to watch him tonight and Kate had volunteered to stay until I got home from the meeting. I'm such an ass.

Before I wake them I walk back into the kitchen and pull my phone off the charger to take a picture of them. Erica and Theo look so at peace, I can't help but smile at the sight.

I can't help but lean against the table and look at her, I can't help but think back to that first day that she knocked on my door to inform me that she was my housekeeper.

“I'm coming! I'm coming!” I shout, even if the person on the other side of the door can't hear me. I pull the door open quickly and quickly change my angry tune. “Erica?” I ask in question.

She smiles at me, pulling at her coat just a bit. “Hey Niall.” It's been three years since I've met Erica at that Christmas party, I've ran into her plenty of times but today was a surprise.

“What are you doing here? Come in.” I move to the side to allow her to enter, helping her take her coat off. “How was your birthday?” I ask, I know she's 18 now, she just celebrated a few days ago. “Must be nice to be 18.” I laugh.

“Niall, you just turned 19 and it was good. Nothing crazy, just getting things ready for school to start. Did you get the e-mail?” She asks, looking around at my place.

“E-mail?” I never check that stuff.

“Yeah, since you moved into the house, you know you get a housekeeper. It's part of your Modest perk.” She explains and I just look at her, I'm sure I'm confused. “So, you know, housekeeper, my mom's company, I'm your new housekeeper.” She smiles as it's obvious I don't get it.

“You're my new housekeeper?!” I point to her and try to hide my excitement.

“Yeah! I've just stopped over to check things out, I must have an old number of yours, I'll start coming over three times a week, Monday's, Wednesday's, and Friday's. Is that okay with you?” She asks, nervously rocking on her feet.

“Yeah, sounds great.” I'm pretty excited. I always get excited to see her, I'm over the moon excited that now I'll get to see her three times a week. She's changed quite a bit from that first meeting, her hair is longer, blonder, her teeth bare of braces, and she's gotten just a bit taller.

“Okay, I'll start on Monday. Here's my phone number, let me know if you need anything before then, ok?” She passes me a card and I feel it burning in my hand already. “See you Monday, Niall.” She walks towards the door and gracefully exits. I can't hide my excitement about spending more time with her.

That was a great day for me, I couldn't even begin to explain my surprise that Erica was at my door that day. I knew buying a house meant that Modest would provide me with a housekeeper, I just didn't realize that Erica would be chosen for me, I had assumed a 40 year old woman would be at my house. I would later learn that it was mainly because her mom trusted her, and she had just turned 18, meaning her mom thought she was ready for a full time job.

I see Erica looking a little uncomfortable and decide to wake her, the trip down memory lane has sobered me up just a bit as I walk over to her and lean down. “Erica.” She lets out a groan and I can't help but smile. “Erica.” She opens her eyes and blinks a few times.

“What time is it?” She asks, confused.

“It's a little after nine, I'm so so sorry.” I'm careful not to wake up Theo.

“Let me put Theo down, can you grab his blanket?” I nod and watch her get up, clutching Theo in her arms as I pick up the blanket and race to catch up with her. She places him down gently and covers him up quickly, then ushers me out.

“Where where you Niall? I was worried something had happened to you.” I hate making people worried about me.

“I'm sorry, my phone died, I lost track of time, I completely forgot, again.” She lets out a huff of breath and bends down to start picking up toys. “I can do that Erica.” I pick up the toys she has in her hands and start putting them in the bin.

“You were suppose to watch him.” I feel so guilty.

“I know, thank you for being here. I really don't know what I would do without you.” I still feel a bit of the alcohol in my system as I pull her in for a hug. I have this overwhelming sensation to kiss her, but I can't like this.

“Well, I have to get home, I have to work tomorrow.” She pulls away from me and walks towards the door.

“I'll walk you out.” I volunteer.

“Not necessary Niall.” Yep, she's mad.

“Well, I'm not giving you an option Erica. It's dark outside and I'd feel better if I knew you got to your car okay.” I walk in sync with her until she gets to the other side of the gate and turns back to me.

“Thanks Niall.”

“I'll see you Monday?” I'm always afraid this relationship we have will suddenly end.

“Yes, Monday.” She doesn't even say goodbye as she slams the door and drives off.

I shake my head, disappointed in myself as I make my way inside, suddenly tired of today's activities I check on Theo one last time, he's still passed out so I retire to my room, brushing my teeth and changing out of my clothes, it's early but I'm just tired. I still feel bad about how things happened with Erica so I decide to call her, just to make she she get's home safely.

“Niall.” She drawls out my name and I smile, I love how she says my name.

“Where are you? How come I can't see you Erica?” The phone screen is dark.

“Because I'm driving Niall, I can't focus very well if I'm trying to drive, look at you, and have a conversation with you. What do you need?” She always assumes I need something.

“Nothing, I just know you have a parking garage and I wanted to make sure you got to your flat ok.” Her face suddenly comes into view. “Ah, there she is!” I let out a laugh and I see her trying not to smile.

“I'm in Niall, you can go to bed now.” I hear and see her walking around, trying to figure out where she is.

“Not until you're safe in your place.” I catch her roll her eyes, an annoying habit of hers. “None of that rolling your eyes either, you do that all the time.” I see the lights change to dark then back to light again, I can tell she's in her flat now.

“See, Niall, all is safe and sound. I'll see you on Monday.”I see her fingers hover over the end button so I speak up fast.

“I'm really sorry about earlier Erica. You know I have a shit memory when it comes to that stuff, I just wasn't paying attention. I really appreciate you staying.” I notice Erica trying to hide her smile.

“I didn't do it for you Niall, Denise and Greg had plans and you could tell they needed it so I stayed.” Of course.

“I know, and that's why I love you, you're extremely selfless. So thank you.” I mean it, I couldn't function without Erica. I need her more than I even realize.

“All right, well I'm going to go to bed. Night Niall.”

“Night Erica.” I end the conversation and plug my phone in, leaning back in bed and thinking about my Erica.

Notes

As usual you all are awesome! :)

Sorry it was a bit delayed, had to go to the dentist! No cavities on these pearly whites!

I wanted to post this chapter because it correlates with my previous chapter (obviously...just being Niall's point of view)

Loving your comments and reception on the story!

xoxox