One Direction preference

47. He Wins Over Your Parents

NIALL:  Upon your parents’ request, Niall had stayed away from any kind of birthday party or holiday gathering in the last couple of years.  The two of you have yet to figure out why, but your parents don’t like him and want him to stay away from the family.  You’ve been having a hard time since the death of your grandfather a few days prior, so you’ve been trying to keep busy in helping with some of the funeral arrangements.  One night, after having dealt enough with the family for a little while, you take off to Niall’s apartment to spend the night there with him.  “The wake is tomorrow and then the funeral is the day after that,” you inform upon Niall’s inquiry.  “I really wish my family wasn’t so anti-you so that you could be there with me for those things,” you admit sadly.  “I know, Baby, I know.”  He pulls you in close, tucking you under his arm where you eventually cry yourself to sleep.  The following afternoon, as the family is gathering in the room just before the wake itself actually starts, you see Niall walk in.  Knowing how close you were to your grandfather, and how difficult this must be for you, he’d come to show his support, despite any reprocussions he might face from your family later.  “What do you think you’re doing here?  This is a time that the family needs to be together, not a time to deal with you,” your aunt snarls.  ”With all due respect, I’m not leaving until [Y/N] tells me to,” Niall states confidently, pushing gently past her to get to you.  You wrap him up in your arms, extremely grateful that he’s there with you.  He stays through the entire wake, and returns the following morning for the funeral.  As the funeral comes to an end and the friends and relatives start heading for the small reception to follow, Niall starts to head for the car.  “Niall?” your mom calls after him.  He turns around and she continues, “Join us back at the house?  I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but these last couple of days have shown that it was stupid of my husband and I to be so harsh on you.”  Niall cracks a small smile.  “I’d be happy to join you at the house.  See you there.”

ZAYN:  Your parents have never thought highly of Zayn, but despite their harsh words, your grandmother still insists on meeting him.  He tags along to her house with you and your family for dinner one Sunday evening, silently hoping that this doesn’t end as horribly as he imagines it might.  “Ah, yes, and there are the abundance of tattoos I’ve heard so much about,” she says through a wide smile as soon as she opens the door.  Oh this is going SO well already, Zayn’s look seems to say.  Things are tense over dinner, but your grandmother just sits there smiling the whole time as though she’s in on some huge secret that the rest of you know nothing about.  When the meal finally ends, everyone takes to the living room with cookies and coffee for dessert.  Your grandma’s smile just grows wider as Zayn takes a seat next to you on the couch and automatically rests his hand on your knee.  “You know, dear,” your grandma directs to your mother, “I don’t really see why everyone has such a problem with [Y/N] and Zayn’s relationship.  Seems to me like they are both happy and in love, and he appears to be a good-mannered, put-together young man.  You know, they remind me a lot of me and your father when we were young and dating,” she finishes, beaming at the memory.  “But, Mom, Dad wasn’t covered in all sorts of huge tattoos!” your mom points out bluntly.  “Since when does having tattoos make someone a bad person?” she challenges pointedly.  Your mom sighs and begins playing distractedly with the fringe on the throw pillow nearby.  You try to bite back a smirk, knowing that if your grandma approves then it’s only a matter of time before your mom caves too and comes to accept Zayn.

LIAM:  After your brother’s divorce, he’d been keeping to himself more and declining invitations to do anything with his friends.  You and your family are worried about him, but can’t seem to do anything to help him get out of his funk.  Finally, once Liam feels this has gone on long enough, he makes a surprise appearance at your brother’s house.  “What are you doing here?” your brother questions as Liam pushes right past him, letting himself into the house.  “You’re coming with me and my mates tonight for a night out full of fun and possible shenanigans.  Now come on, let’s go.  Put some pants on, brush your teeth, and get in the car,” Liam commands.  Your brother is more confused than anything as he obliges without hesitation.  Liam gives himself mental pats on the back as the night carries on and your brother loosens up and has some fun.  “This is the best night of my life!” he shouts out the car window on the drive back to his house.  Liam laughs at his antics and asks, “So would you come out with me and the guys again sometime?”  “Definitely!”  The following morning when you’re gathered at your parents’ house for the usual Sunday morning brunch, your brother’s whole demeanor is different and more lighthearted and happy.  When your parents pull you aside to ask you if you know what’s changed, you explain that Liam had forced him to go out with the guys and have a good time.  “Really?  That’s all it took?” your dad asks in disbelief.  “Guess so,” you say with a shrug.  “See?  And you thought Liam was only putting on a nice guy act to try to impress me…but he genuinely cares about this whole family, there’s no denying that anymore,” you point out smugly.  “You have a point,” your mom agrees, smiling as she looks over at where Liam and your brother are talking and joking, reminscing on the night before.