"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other"
- Audrey Hepburn
~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's Adele's birthday.

I'd spent all night making her present. I'd found an old bunch of fake black roses under the sink and I spend hours making minuscule golden orbs to decorate them so that they shimmered and glowed. Each intricate petal looks like the night sky on the clearest night.

The end result was pretty amazing, even Mr T looked slightly impressed.

I'd made her breakfast in bed but I was so eager for her to wake up that I'd maybe made it a bit too early. She loved the flowers but I don't think she really enjoyed the toast I'd made two hours before she opened her eyes.

We spent the morning talking in our own little way on her bed and playing her CDs before the guests started to arrive.

Adele had grumbled that birthday parties are for kids but Perrie had been so enthusiastic that she'd ended up just going along with it.

I know she'd rather of just spent the day alone, just me and her and for once, I don't want to join in with the party.

Other people don't interest me so much now. Not when me and Adele have created our own little world.

There's an enormous lady with green eyelids and bright red lips who Adele seems eager to avoid.

Finally though she manages to corner Adele in the kitchen.

"Adele! Darling!" She plants a kiss on her cheek, leaving a huge smudge of red lipstick.

"Hello Margery."

Adele's slight body looks even smaller next to the woman in front of her.

"How are you doing my love?"

"I-"

"Have you found yourself a young man yet?"

Adele shakes her head, helpless in against this woman's forceful personality. I laugh to myself and it's as if Adele can sense it. She shoots an annoyed glare in my general direction.

"Oh no." The big woman tuts to herself, shaking her head. "That simply won't do darling. Time is ticking, if you want children you'll have to start thinking about these things!"

"I'm only 20!" Adele protests.

"Well, luckily for you, I was talking about you the other day at bingo, I was telling the girls about you, what a frightfully sad and lonely little thing you are-" I can see Adele gritting her teeth and rolling her eyes and I laugh again,

"-and one of the ladies there was telling me about her grandson... Now, don't get too excited dear, but his name's Horace and he's an assistant banker... In fact he runs a mathematics club on a Tuesday night. It's just a little hobby, just for him and a few fellow math enthusiasts. He's a very busy man, he does a traditional folk dancing night every Sunday and he runs a banjo for beginners club on a Thursday..."

Margery carries on listing Horace's schedule and achievements. I'm done. Despite how funny this all is, I need some time out. Even if Horace is here tonight, somehow I don't think he's much of a threat.

"If you leave me with her Louis I'll never talk to you again." Adele hisses from the side of her mouth. It's funny how connected she is to me, she can always sense my intentions.

"What's that dear?" Margery looks down at Adele.

"Nothing... I just... Well Horace sounds wonderful, but I'm really not looking at the moment-"

"Nonsense! He's already agreed to take you out on Monday night to a lecture on the history of the engine valve. You really can't pass it up darling-"

Adele I'm here for you no matter what... But you're on you own on this

I laugh at the look on her face, I know she understands what I've said.

At that I make myself appear in the peace and quiet of the back bedroom.

After about 10 minutes I'm bored though. I wonder how I used to entertain myself all day before Adele lived here.

I lie back and close my eyes. I wonder what sleep feels like, it's been so long I've forgotten entirely.

"Hello Louis!"

My head snaps up in shock at the happy little voice.

"Lola-Rose..." I whisper weakly.

My stomach sinks at the sight of the smiling little girl in front of me.

As she beams at me all I can think of is Harry's jumbled warning that she's connected to me leaving the house.

"Look, I've got two front teef now!" She smiles again.

"So I can see."

I look round quickly and consider appearing in another room. Maybe if I avoid her then-

"You don't look very happy to see me." She says dejectedly and because I'm so bloody soft I can't stand the thought of upsetting her.

"Of course I'm happy to see you." Her little face breaks into a wide grin. "But Adele will be cutting her birthday cake soon, you don't want to miss that, do you?"

"No..." She seems panicked at the idea of missing such an important event. "Come on then. You don't want to miss it either."

"I can't. I've, er... Got to wait here."

"Why?"

"Because... Well... Lots of reasons." I say desperately.

"Like what?"

"Because-" At that minute the bedroom door opens and I freeze.

"Lola?"

A boy enters the room. He looks similar to Lola but he's older, about 12.

"Mum said you have to come downstairs now."

"No." She says petulantly.

"It's rude to go nosing round Adele's stuff when you're in her house, doofus!"

"Don't call me a doofus!"

"Well don't act like one dimwit!"

"I'm telling!"

"I'm telling!" He mimics her high pitched voice and I'm forgotten as Lola runs out of the room to find a sympathetic adult. The boy leaves after her, slamming the door behind him.

I sink back against the wall.

Everything feels the same. I don't feel like anything huge is going to happen.

I wander over to the window. I wish I could see outside. Just once. All I can see is a thick mist, nothing else.

There's a strange noise and I turn round slowly, sighing to myself.

Bloody hell. What now?

Someone else is in the room.

He's stood with his back to me, looking a little lost. I can't speak, can't move as he turns round.

If I could die again the shock would surely kill me.

"There you are Louis! Where the hell have you been?"

I've lost the ability to speak.

I just stare, open-mouthed, at Nialls smiling face.

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AN- Hope you liked the chapter, please vote/comment and all that lovely stuff! x

Also someone put this on twitter saying it was their favourite Louis fic, omggg thank you soooo much! That honestly made my day :D

I'm dedicating this too @indulgeharrysbulge for her hilarious comments, thanks for reading love x