There was one thing that I wanted to do before we left New York. I wanted to go see my mom. I told Niall about it and he said that he would be honored to accompany me to the cemetery. It was this little place, just outside of the city. My mother’s life insurance was enough to cover her funeral expenses, but nothing else. I was left with basically nothing, except a phone number to call and a bus ticket to Tennessee.

We pulled Niall’s truck up to the side of the cemetery along the road. I took in a deep breath before stepping out of the truck. Last time I had been to this place was when my mom was buried. It would be weird to see the grass grow over the once fresh dirt plot. 

I followed the paved pathway and was a few steps ahead of Niall. I would never forget which plot was hers because I pulled the extra money out of my bank account to have her buried next to this big, beautiful tree. I could only imagine what it looked like now with all the leaves turned for the fall. 

“This is it up here.” I told Niall. “Just over this hill.” I could see the top of the tree ahead and the leaves were changing just like I had thought. When we got over the hill, my breath got stuck in my throat. There it was. There she was. Only a few months gone and under that tree. The tears started the second I saw her tombstone. I was frozen in place. Niall stood beside me. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked, lifted his hand to my face and wiping a stray tear from my cheek. I quickly wiped the rest away and summoned up the courage to walk up to the grave. I stood shakily before the stone before my legs gave up and I fell to my knees. Niall was at my side in an instant. “Zayn, are you okay?”

“Y-yeah.” I touched the grave stone in front of me where my mother’s name was inscribed. “Uh, this is my mom.” I pointed in front of me and I knew it was super awkward for Niall. But he really tried his best. 

“Hi Ms. Malik.” Niall sat beside me. “My name’s Niall James Horan. You have an amazing son and I love him very much.” He grabbed my hand, lifting it up and placing a kiss on the back. “I am so lucky.” He kissed my hand again. 

“I’m really the lucky one, mom.” I looked at Niall admiringly. “My life has changed so much and I really do love him. I just wish that-“ The tears came again and I fell into Niall’s arms. “I just really wish you would have been able to meet him.” I cried. Niall just held me the entire time until we started to get cold and needed to be on our way.  I said my goodbyes to my mother and Niall held my close the entire way to the truck. 

“I’m sorry about all that.” I apologized to Niall once we were in the truck and the heat was blasting. “I didn’t mean to-“

“No. It was completely okay.” Niall assured me. “I feel like we’re closer now because of it. It’s not the way I would have liked to meet your mom, but it’s the best I could ask for.” Niall looked over at me and gave me a small smile. He was the best I could ask for. How in the world did I manage to meet him of all people. 

Through my mom. 

She was working her magic, even past her days of breathing. All because she had set up a place for me to go after she passed and Niall was Maura’s son. I guess it was fate that brought us together. I slouched back into the carseat and looked at the road ahead of us. “Do we really have to go back?” I asked, dreading what Maura would do and where my life would go from her, but she had graciously given us a few days to be us and do what was best for us, she couldn't be that mad.

“We don’t have to…” Niall muttered. My heart dropped in my chest because I had torn Niall from his home. Maybe he was too scared to go home like me. 

“We should.” I persuaded him. “For your mom.” He nodded, starting the car. Tennessee, no… Home, was fourteen hours ahead of us. 

When we got home the next day, Maura slapped both of our faces and then pulled the two of us into the tightest hug of my existence. She was crying and blubbered something about losing us and how she would never forgive herself if we didn’t come back. 

After resting for a day and getting back into the usual swing of things, Maura sat the both of us down. Chris was at her side, not looking exactly happy, but not entirely pissed off either. 

“Grounded, for three months.” Chris spoke sternly. “Give me keys, wallets, and phones.” Niall slowly piled the items onto the table. I only had a wallet, so I handed that over too. “Farm duty for the rest of the year.” Niall groaned and I guess that was bad so I shrunk in my seat. “And Zayn.” Chris turned his attention towards me. “I heard some, uh, news about you and Niall.” 

I nodded, shrinking farther into my seat. “Yes, sir.”

“Do you love Niall?” Chris asked and Maura weighed in for the answer. 

I looked over at Niall and he looked terrified. Chris knew it all and he was acting so calmly. I was just waiting to be kicked out of the house for good. So I just let him now the truth.

“With every inch of my soul, sir.”

 He nodded and Maura sighed loudly. “Do you promise to keep the, um, shenanigans out of the house?” Alright, this was getting really weird. “Zayn?”

“Y-yes, sir.” I nodded again, staring at the table top. 

“Okay. Now that that’s settled.” Chris looked over at Maura and she scurried off to the other side of the kitchen, returning with some papers. The adoption papers. “Now, please sign these papers so we can be your family.” Chris sighed heavily. “At least until you’re eighteen.” I eagerly grabbed the papers and the  pen Chris gave me. I signed them without a second thought. 

Niall gasped beside me, but this was the best decision for all of us. I was part of their family now. There would be no that of my father coming to take me away. Chris and Maura were okay with Niall and I as long as we didn't mess around in the house or around them. I would respect that, minus a few sleepovers in the room next door. Hey, we wouldn’t get caught. Haven’t so far. 

We were shuffled to the barn to start our punishment right after the conversation with Niall’s parents. I didn’t know what we were supposed to be doing, but Niall seemed to know right away because he went ahead and let all the horses out of their stalls. “Well?” Niall turned to me.

“Are we cleaning the hole thing again!?” I exclaimed. Niall nodded and I groaned. “Seriously?”

“You’re the one who wanted to run away.” Niall yelled. 

“You’re the one who took me to New York.” I yelled back. 

“You’re the one who put his d.ick in my butt!” We both burst out laughing, falling to the ground in a fit of giggles. I couldn’t breath. It was just too funny. I loved the fact that we could just go back to that. Even after everything. I could laugh with that boy with the tanned back bringing the horses into the barn. I could laugh with those freckled shoulders and country twang. I could laugh at the country music and bad barn parties. 

I could laugh.

And that’s something I couldn’t have done a few months ago if it weren’t for Niall James Horan. My life has changed for the better and even though I am far away from my former life in the city, I found a home in this middle of nowhere town. I would go back one day and take Niall with me. When we were done with school, we would pack up our lives and head out. Niall showed me his world. It would be time for me to show him mine. 

People always say that the grass is greener on the other side. 

Well, I have my own saying. 

Everything in the world has a dark side, but life is much better when you look on The Brighter Side. 

The End

A/N: Within the week? Pshhhhh. This is it! This is the last chapter. I know it's short, but the last chapter was really long, and I felt like this was enough for this final chapter.  If I get enough vote and comments I will post an epilogue. So it's up to your guys! Thank you everyone who had read or will read this in the future. I have enjoyed writing this story so much and it's so sad to end it. But never fear! I will be writing all the Ziall stories! It's my favorite pairing ever and I will never stop writing! So keep a look out for some new stories, read some old stories! I love you all so much!

Much Love

Jachxx