Room 22A [Narry]

Chapter 45.

Cradling his bump with his left hand, Niall slouches down the stairs. Maura had just come back from the front door, a bouquet of red roses in her hand. She hands them to Niall, an encouraging smile on her face as she already knows who they’re from. Niall takes the flowers in his hands and examines the card on the side which read; I’m sorry in fancy, italic writing. Niall clenches his jaw and shuffles round the kitchen before dumping the flowers in the bin. Maura should be surprised by his actions, but she’s not. For the past seven days, Niall had received nothing but red roses from Harry, telling him how sorry he was. How Harry managed to get these flowers all the way from London to Ireland, she’ll never know. But he still did it and it must’ve been costing him a fortune every day.

“Sweetie, you don’t have to throw them out.” Maura says, almost desperately. Niall looks up at her.

“I don’t want his sympathy.” Niall replies and wobbles into the living room. When he sits down on the sofa, he turns up the volume on the TV in hope that his mother would get the hint that he doesn’t want to talk to her. Niall is thankful when her phone rings and she heads back into the kitchen and Niall relaxes a little bit. She comes back five minutes later though, the phone in her hand. “Who was it?” Niall frowns, although he’s betting all his money on Harry. The poor lad hadn’t stopped calling since he’d arrived in Ireland.

“Nobody special…” Maura trails off, with a light shrug. Niall is suspicious of her, but he doesn’t say anything. “So, uh…I was thinking…maybe you could go to a spa today?” Maura suggests hesitantly and Niall couldn’t help but splutter with laughter. The idea itself sounded ridiculous.

“And why on Earth would I do that?” Niall questions and Maura repeats a shrug.

“Well, I’ve heard that it’s good for pregnancy. Helps relieve stress and all.” She explains and at that, Niall frowns.

“I’m not stressed.” Niall scoffs and Maura cocks a cheeky eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Maura replies smartly and Niall glares at her.

“Please Niall, will you just go? If not for me, for the baby. At least.” Maura persuades again, flashing the spa leaflet in Niall’s face. Niall grunts and stands up, shaking his head in disbelief.

“All right, all right.” Niall sighs heavily and Maura beams.

Greg takes Niall into the spa an hour later. They head to the reception area and Niall asks for a neck and back massage. “Are you…Mr. Horan?” the blonde receptionist asks curiously, peering at her screen.

“Yes, I’ve been booked in for an appointment.” Niall nods and the woman smiles.

“All right sir, just go through these doors and someone will be with you in a moment.” She instructs. Niall nods again and pushes past the purple double doors, Greg following in after him. Niall couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose at how feminine it all looked. The candles were purple, matching the walls and doors and they were giving off a slight golden glow in the dimly lit room. Calm, soothing music was playing from a CD player at the end of the room. Nail and hair products sat on a shelf and next to them, was a table of magazines filled with models and superstars – Niall wasn’t surprised that the magazines were way out of date.

Niall decides to flicker through a mag when the door opens and Ben walks through. Ben flashes Niall a brilliant smile and Niall is left blushing like an idiot.

“Ben? What are you doing here?” Niall asks, surprised and Greg looks back and forth between the pair.

“It’s still Dr. Richardson to you, Niall.” Ben laughs and Niall raises an eyebrow.