"Come on Angel wake up." I cooed to Emma my five year old daughter.
"Why mummy?" She pouted sitting up.
"You've got school today sweetie. Mummy has to dress you now."
"Ok mummy! I love school! We'll be doing lots and lots of finger painting!" Emma exclaimed. Emma loved to paint and draw. She came home everyday with a drawing for me and her Dad.
"Where's daddy mummy?" Emma questioned as I pulled up her skirt.
"He's making breakfast honey. Arms up please." I said.
Emma put her arms up and I slid her sweater over her head and through her arms. I fastened her shoes and she was ready.
"Come on now love." I picked her up and carried her downstairs. Niall was busy making toast.
"Daddy! Morning daddy!" Emma ran to him and he scooped her up.
"Morning princess! Sleep good?" He asked kissing her cheek.
"Yes! I had a dream!"
"Ooh can't wait to hear it." Niall grinned before setting her down. She scrabbled into her seat.
"I went out walking and I saw a kitty and she talked to me!" Emma announced.
"Oh? What did she say?" Niall asked putting her toast in front of her.
"She wanted to come home with me but I told her that my daddy doesn't like cats and she cried and then I cried and I woke up." Emma's lips turned into a tiny adorable pout. I glanced at Niall who was looking incredibly guilty.
"Poor kitty." I said quickly. I then picked Emma up and whirled her about.
"Mummy stop!" She screamed while laughing.
Niall folded his arms and leaned against the counter watching us. Emma ran to the table and gulped down her orange juice before wiping her mouth.
"I'm going to the toilet mummy!" Emma said.
"Ok love. I'll be there in a minute to brush your hair." I said as she skipped out of the room.
Niall sat down at the table sighing. I walked over and sat next to him.
"Babe it's ok. It was just a dream she had." I reassured him.
"But I wish I could let her keep a pet. Why do I have to be allergic to them? Hell I'm even allergic to fish!" Niall buried his head in his hands.
"You're only allergic to fish if you eat it."
"I guess but come on Y/n she's gonna be bored with a fish! What kid would like a fish as a pet?"
"You had one once." I reminded him.
"Yes but I was different. I was weird." Niall smiled a little.
"What about a bird? You're not allergic to birds." I suggested.
"Yes but Emma is scared of birds. Ever since that damn budgie pulled at her hair in the park she won't even speak about them. I just want her to be happy!" Niall huffed.
"We'll work something out Hun." I said rubbing his back.
I stood up and grabbed the hairbrush before walking upstairs. I entered the bathroom just as Emma had finished drying her hands.
"Come now Emma. I'll brush your hair and then we've got to go or we'll be late." I said combing her short brunette hair.
"Can daddy take me today mummy? Because that means you can come and get me because I want to do daddy a picture! He looks sad. I want it to be a surprise." She whispered.
"Aw love that's a nice idea. Ok poppet I'll tell daddy to get ready."
"Ok! I'll get my bag!" Emma went into her room.
"Niall!" I called to my husband.
"Yes?"
"Emma wants you to take her to school!" I said.
"Really? Ok. I'll get ready now!" Niall jogged upstairs and kissed my nose before grabbing his clothes and running into the bathroom. I rolled my eyes. Childish as ever.
Five minutes later Niall was holding Emma's hand and they were ready to go. I gave her a hug and kiss.
"Bye Emma. You be a good girl now."
"Yes mummy I love you!" Emma and Niall went out the door. I closed it and went to make my own breakfast.
Niall's P.O.V
"Bye daddy I love you!" Emma gave me a kiss.
"I love you too princess." I said before she skipped off.
I walked out the school gate and across the road. That's when I heard barking. It was getting closer. I turned and saw a dog rushing towards me.
"Shit!" I exclaimed shooting across the road. It was still chasing after me. I ran right up to the front door and burst in slamming it behind me. I lay on the floor out of breath.
"Niall is that you?" Y/n came out of the kitchen. I shut my eyes still trying to regain my breath.
"Babe? What happened? Are you ok?" Y/n knelt by my side and stroked my hair.
"Damn....dog....chasing....me." I panted.
"It didn't get near you did it?" Y/n asked worried.
I shook my head and she breathed a sigh of relief before helping me up.
"Cmon love....I made breakfast." She smiled leading me into the kitchen.
.................................................
Your P.O.V
Niall had gone off to work and I was getting ready to collect Emma. Me and Niall had basically been cuddling until twelve and then he went to work. It was now three and time for Emma to come home. Niall would be back by six.
I headed over to the school and waited with the other parents for the bell to ring.
Two minutes later it rang and children came pouring out of the building. Emma was last and her teacher was close behind her.
"Mummy mummy!" Emma ran to me and I picked her up laughing.
"Did you have a good day baby girl?" I asked.
"Yup!"
"Mrs Horan can I speak to you for a minute?" Her teacher asked.
I nodded. "How about you go play in that sandbox over there? Just don't get too dirty." I said.
Emma ran off. I turned to her teacher.
"I know it's basically none of my business but is everything alright at home? Emma said her father was feeling sad today."
"Oh. Yes. Emma had this dream last night about a cat and she wanted to take it home but she couldn't because she said her father doesn't like cats." I explained.
"Oh?"
"He does love cats and other animals but he's allergic to them so we can't have pets."
"Oh I see. Ok just wanted to check." The teacher smiled before heading back into the school. I turned to Emma who was putting something in her schoolbag.
"What's that Emma?" I asked.
"Nothing mummy!" She said quickly. I raised an eyebrow before catching sight of something in her hand.
"Is that a drawing for daddy?"
"Yes! I hope he likes it!"
"He will baby girl I promise."
.................................................
As soon as we got home Emma went straight to her room. I shut the door and went into the kitchen.
"Emma sweetheart do you want a snack?"
"No thanks mummy!"
"Ok love. It's pizza for dinner tonight. Daddy is going to get one on his way home from work."
"Ok!"
Niall's P.O.V
I drove home from the studio feeling exhausted. The smell of the pizza was making me hungry and I just wanted to sit down with my family watch tv and eat then go to bed.
I pulled up at the house and trudged out of the car. It was dark. I opened the front door and went to the living room. I collapsed on the sofa.
"Hi baby." Y/n whispered sitting beside me. I grunted. She took my head and gently made it lie down on her lap. I curled up in a ball. Y/n began to stroke my hair.
"Rough day?" She asked softly.
"Yeah....we had no breaks today....my throat hurts." I mumbled.
Y/n bent down and kissed my head. "It's ok baby. We can eat then cuddle the whole night." She said nuzzling my nose.
I sat up just as footsteps came downstairs. Emma burst in.
"Daddy! Hi daddy! I missed you!"
"I missed you too princess. Come and give daddy a cuddle." I smiled.
Emma threw herself against me but I was only able to hug her for a second before pulling away sneezing harshly. I kept gasping. Y/n ran out of the room and returned with my inhaler. She placed it in my mouth and pushed the button while I took deep breaths.
"What's that mummy?" Emma questioned pointing at the inhaler.
"It helps daddy breathe better." She explained rubbing circles on my back my head between my knees.
"Is daddy ok? Did I hurt him?" Emma asked fearfully.
Y/n stood up and knelt in front of her. She looked her in the eye. "Emma. Were you playing with any animals today? It's really important that you tell me."
"No mummy." Emma said quickly.
"Do you promise? Emma it's really really important."
"Yes mummy I promise." Emma skipped off. I was shaking. I was so cold.
"Oh babe....I don't know what happened." Y/n cooed wrapping her arms around me.
"It's really cold Y/n." I mumbled.
"I know love. Emma probably did play with an animal while I was talking to her teacher. I'll talk to her about it."
"It smelt....like a cat." I coughed.
"Ok babe. Let's eat pizza now yeah?"
.......................................................
Your P.O.V
The dinner table was silent. Niall wolfed his pizza down followed by a second and third slice. I ate mine normally savouring it's goodness. Emma picked at her fries peas and pizza.
"Mummy can I eat my pizza upstairs?" Emma asked.
"No Emma you know we have dinner here. Everyone together."
"But daddy is sleeping! He's not together."
I glanced at Niall. His arms were folded and his head was down on the table.
"Niall? Niall are you ok?" I stood up and shook him gently.
One of his affects when he had an allergic reaction. There were loads. Chills sneezes rash tiredness and nightmares. I stood up and got his allergy medicine from the cupboard.
"Sit up Ni a minute." I cooed stroking his hair gently. Niall looked up at me his eyes red and sore. I helped him drink the medicine and told him to go lie down. Niall crept away. I put my hands on my hips.
"Emma Maura Horan. Tell me if you've been anywhere near an animal today. Now."
"I haven't mummy I haven't!" Emma sobbed.
"You're not going to get in trouble Emma. Do you promise me now?"
"Yes mummy yes! I promise!" She said frantically.
Emma ran to her room. I sighed and cleared the table.
"Y/n!!" Niall yelled.
I walked upstairs and into our bedroom. Niall was scratching at his arms and neck.
"I'm getting a rash Y/n! And the blanket smells weird!" He yawned.
I inspected the blanket. There were....cat hairs on it.
"Babe these look like cat hairs." I said stripping the bed until it was bare.
"Ugh well now they're on my clothes. I'm having a bath." Niall groaned before sneezing.
"There's cream for your rash in the cabinet under the sink." I told him as he shut the bathroom door. I took the hairy sheets downstairs and threw them in the wash. I then went back upstairs and sprayed the room with air freshener and put clean sheets on the bed. I walked into Emma's room.
"Emma...." I stopped.
Emma was kneeling on the floor stroking a small grey kitten. She burst into tears and hugged it as I stepped into the room.
"Emma Horan! You lied to me!" I said.
"I'm sorry mummy!" She sobbed. The cat wriggled out of her arms and ran out of the room.
"Where did you get that kitten? Answer me!"
"I....I found it....in the sandbox at school mummy. And....and I knew you'd be cross b-but I didn't want the kitty to cry mummy so I took her home." Emma sobbed.
I fought to keep my own tears in. "Emma...sweetie...." I started.
"ARGHHHHHHH!!" Someone yelled as there was a crash.
"Daddy!" Emma shrieked.
"Niall!" I ran into the room followed by Emma. Niall backed up against the wall in fear as the cat crawled closer to him.
"No! Bad kitty!" I scooped it up and placed it in Emma's room shutting the door. Niall sneezed and shivered.
"Where'd that come from?" He rasped.
"Ask Emma."
Niall looked at Emma. "Princess? Why did you bring the kitty home?"
"She looked like the kitty from my dream! I didn't want her to cry again!" Emma whimpered.
Tears filled Niall's eyes. I knew he wanted to give Emma a hug but she smelt like cat.
"Emma baby I'm going to bath you then me and daddy have to talk to you ok?"
Emma nodded still sobbing. I picked her up and took her into the bathroom.
......................................................
Emma sat next to Niall on the bed who was wrapped up in a blanket. I sat cross legged in front of them.
"Emma sweetie we can't keep pets in the house. Daddy is allergic to them." I explained.
"What does....all....aller..."
"Allergic means if pets go near daddy then they'll make him very sick and he can't sleep very well. And then he has scary nightmares." I said.
Emma looked at Niall who looked sad. "I'm so sorry baby girl I'd give anything to let you have a pet but it's kinda the way I was born." Niall coughed.
Emma watched him struggle to keep his coughs in. She threw herself at him hugging him tightly.
"It's ok daddy. I'm sorry. I don't need a pet. I want you to be happy." She said.
Niall squeezed his eyes shut and tears escaped his eyes. I watched them tears in my own eyes too.
"I love you daddy." Emma kissed his cheek.
"I love you too princess. Mummy is going to put you in bed now." Niall kissed Emma's cheek and I picked her up and placed her in bed.
"I'm really really sorry mummy. I won't take pets again. Honest I won't." Emma mumbled sleepily.
"That's ok sweetie. Next time you need to tell the truth. You must always tell the truth. I love you angel." I kissed her head and she fell asleep.
I walked into Niall and I's room. He was fast asleep curled up in the blanket. I lay next to him my arms right around him keeping him warm. Niall sniffled in his sleep.
"Poor Ni." I murmured kissing his head.
I sat back and flicked through my phone for a while. Soon the bed started shaking and Niall tossed and turned beside me.
"No no stop! Go away please! Go away! No....NO STOP!! HELP!!" Niall yelled.
I shook Niall's shoulder. "Niall wake up! It's a nightmare baby wake up please!!"
Niall's eyes shot open and he buried his face in my neck scratching the back of his own neck. I kissed him gently stroking his soft hair.
"Shh baby it was all a dream. It's ok I'm here. Shh." I soothed.
"I...it was sc-ary..." Niall sobbed.
"I know baby but it was only a dream so it won't come true." I whispered in his ear.
Niall coughed and closed his eyes his head on my chest. I stroked his hair some more and he fell fast asleep.
"I love you babe." I whispered.
