A Fine Line [N.H]

Niall's POV

I just got home, I'm wondering if my baby's here yet. She should be. I really hope she's okay. She texted me this morning, but I was on the plane I only got it after I landed. She seemed a little distant, not her usual cheerful self. I'm really worried about her. I leave my luggage at the door and make my way through the first floor. She's nowhere here. Maybe the bedroom. 

Before I opened the door I heard a faint whimper, naturally, I opened the door immediately to see why my baby's in pain. At first, I blushed hard, just caught her changing, we don't usually do that around each other, because she's still shy about her body. But I shook it off, there's something more important. A quite large blueish/purplish bruise on her left side. She's trying to hide it with her shirt.

'Niall, not to be rude, I miss you, but I'm changing could you maybe let me finish first.' she says in a calm tone.

I wanted to say no, I needed an explanation to where that awful bruise is from but her comfort comes first, so I turn around and close the door behind me. 

A million thoughts are going through my head. Did she fall, did she hit something. Or did someone hurt her? I hate myself for letting that happen. I'm imagining every possible answer, from the simplest to the worst case scenario'. I really hope it's not what I'm thinking and I got it wrong. She finally calls me in. I enter our bedroom, find her sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the door. She looks at me but I can't explain it. Is it sadness? Is she mad? I don't pressure her, I just sit silently next to her, and pull her into a hug. I make sure to put my arms around her back not her waist so that I won't hurt her by accidentally touching the bruise. Almost instantly, as soon as she buries her face in my neck she starts crying. I hold her tightly, trying my best to soothe her. I'm too afraid to ask what happened. I'm scared of the answer. I love her, nothing is gonna change that. I'm just scared I'll hate myself for not being there to protect her when she needed me the most.

'I'm so sorry!' She finally says, trying to calm her sobs.

'Why are you sorry, Princess?'

'Things... just got out of hand. Nothing happened. But if Sky and Red didn't show up when they did... I don't know, I can't even think about' She doesn't continue she just holds me tight and cry harder.

It breaks my heart seeing her like that. She said Sky and Red, that means... Eric? Was he the one who hurt her like that? I knew it! From the first moment, I saw him I didn't like him! I... I have to calm down, I can't get angry now, I need to be here for my baby.

'It's okay, Princess. I'm here. You're safe.'

'He... he was drunk, he got angry because I kept rejecting him and push him away. I got so scared. He pushed me, I hit the door while falling down.'

'I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you.'

I'm trying so hard not to cry right now. I can't believe he touched my baby, he hurt her. What kind of monster can do that to a girl? I don't care if he was drunk. No girl should be treated that way, especially not my baby.

'It's okay Niall, no one knew he was like that. And I wasn't alone. Sky and Red came eventually.'

'What did they do?'

'Red beat him up at first, then I told Sky to make it stop. Then Red helped me up and to my room while Sky kicked him out.'

'Please tell me he's fired and we'll never see him again?'

'Yeah of course. I'm taking a few days off. Until everything is dealt with and he's gone for good.'

'Good. I'll stay with you until you're better and can go back to work. Are you sure you're okay? Physically I mean. No broken bones? Did you see the doctor?'

'I don't need a doctor. Nothing is broken. It's just a bruise. It'll go away eventually. It just hurts for now.'

'What's with you and doctors. You always avoid going there.'

'I just don't think it's necessary.'

'Okay, as long as you're okay.'

'I am.'

'And mentally? Are you okay?'

'I don't know. I took three showers since last night and I still feel unclean.'

'Did he, like, touch you? Inappropriately?' I didn't want to say it but I had to ask. Not that it would change anything. I just need to know. She's crying again, I think I got my answer. I'm gonna kill that guy if I ever see him.

'I'm so sorry Niall.' She sobs.

'Princess it's not your fault! You tried your best to push him off and stop him. It's not your fault.'

'Don't call me that. I don't deserve to be called that.'

'Hey, what he did to you has nothing to do with who you are. I love you, I'll always love you. Nothing is gonna change that. I'm never gonna stop loving you. And I'll always be here for you.'

She nods silently. I put my hand on her cheek, looking into her swollen teary eyes. I wipe some of the tears away with my thumb. I want to kiss her, maybe it'll make her feel better, remember me instead of thinking about the awful things he did to her. But I'm scared she'll back away. Maybe she needs time. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to deal with that. Oh, I know!

'Would a bath make you feel better? It can be relaxing. I can set everything up for you. I'll light candles everywhere, put some calming songs on the Bluetooth speaker. You'll feel much better.'

She chuckles lightly then said, 'I actually never had done that before.'

'What? You never had a bath before?'

'Not really no... I don't know, it just never happened. Like it's not a thing I do.'

'It's like swimming, except, you're not really really swimming as much as just laying there. But trust me it's relaxing you'll feel much better afterwards.'

She's laughing again. I miss that smile so much! I hope she's starting to forget the bad weekend.

'Alright, but, only if you sing to me. I miss hearing you sing and play the guitar.'

'Umm... okay... I guess I can sit in the corridor near the bathroom door or something...'

'I mean... you don't have to stay outside...'

I can feel my face turning red again. I mean I'd do anything to make my baby comfortable happy and safe. I go to the bathroom, fill the tub, put all the necessary things to make it as relaxing as possible. I light a lot of candles, turn off the lights so that the candles are the only source of light. Once everything is ready, I let her make herself comfortable while I go get my guitar. I sit on the bathroom floor near the door, rest my back on the wall behind me and play her favourite songs on the guitar while singing along. 

After a while, we go to sleep early because we're both tired from travelling. I'm so happy that she's feeling better now. She's back in my arms, feeling safe and happy. We can put this event behind us and move on. She's going to stay at home for a few days, and I will take care of her. She's not gonna need anything, I'll make sure of that. I can't help but feel guilty for not being there. I want to make it up to her. Even though she says it's not my fault. But I need to do this, for me. Just so I would stop feeling guilty.