Louis sat staring at his phone as Tabby ate her lunch of spaghetti hoops on toast. It had been a week since he met Zayn, and he is yet to make his move.
"Daddy, you sad?" Tabby innocently asked, red sauce trickling down her chin. Louis lent over and whipped it off.
"Do you remember last week when daddy had a sleepover with his friend?" Louis asked, Tabby nodded, poking her finger through the soggy toast.
"The man was scary, not you with too many drawings," She said pointing to Louis' tatted arm.
"So you don't want him to be my friend?" Louis asked, his daughter came first in everything, and if Tabby wasn't ok with it, it won't happen.
"I duno daddy, Mrs Smith says you shouldn't make sumtions. Not sure what that means though," Tabby drifted off a little, Louis grinned at his daughter and her way of thinking.
"assumptions princess, it means you would find out more about people before you say if you like them of not. Like you didn't like Loki at first but then you made friends didn't you," Tabby made a face a little, she was petrified of Loki until he came and curled up on her lap.
"Ok daddy, you be his friend. I pick later," She says, finishing off the rest of the hoops.
"So should daddy ring him? Maybe ask him on a date?" Tabby picks up, her eyes widening
"Like on Enchanted when they go to the ball and park and fall in love?" She quickly gushed, jumping onto her feet "Daddy you take him ball?" Tabby asked, Louis laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Maybe princess, now finish your drink I'm going to ring him." Louis garbs his phone and walks out of the room, after a deep breath he hits dial.
It's painful listening to each ring go by, with no answer. Just as Louis is about to give up a deep voice answers
"Ello?" Zayn asks, his voice rough
"Hey Zayn, it's Louis." he says trying to stay as calm as possible and sound confident.
"Oh I was wondering when you were going to call," He said, Louis smiled
"I nearly didn't, until Tabby insisted I took you to a ball," Zayn laughed at the other end.
"Sorry to ruin the fairytale but I can't dance, but I'm sure you look good in a suit" Louis chuckled
"I look amazing in a suit, so your just missing out," Zayn laughed "So maybe not a ball, but what about lunch some time?" Louis suggested, Zayn hmm's over the phone.
"I sleep in the day though," Zayn finally says
"Well I sleep at night, and I have used up my one nights babysitting for this month. Plus I am the one making the move which means I have the authority to chose when and where. So I say next Tuesday at 1 o'clock in the Olive press" Louis says, Zayn chuckled down the phone.
"Fine, but I get to say no flowers. You bottomed so really you're the girl," Louis scoffed, laughing a little.
"I'll see you there with no flowers. Bye,"
"Bye," Louis hangs up the phone and sighs. Was he making the right choice. He hasn't date in years for a reason. The person he dates will never be no 1 in his priorities, that will always be Tabby and some people can't deal with that. But Zayn's different, he stayed even when Lou was certain he would walk out. Zayn makes his stomach swirl and puts a smile on his face.
....
"Come on Tabby, if you don't hurry up we will miss the bus!" Louis shouts from the kitchen. It was finally Tuesday morning and they were running late for school and work. Tabby finally comes out of her room, her hair in bunches like Auntie Lottie had taught her and her school uniform all a bit crumpled as Louis never had the time for ironing.
"Ready daddy," She says, pulling on her small Mary Jane shoes.
"And you look beautiful as always, now come on princess," Louis hands her the small pink rucksack and pulls his coat on over his green work polo.
"Wait daddy you crooky," Tabby said, Louis bends down so Tabby can straighten out his collar. After she does he presses a kiss on her cheek and grabs her hand.
"Come on princess, looks like we might have to run today" He grabs his own bag and they quickly leave the flat locking the door behind them.
The bus is just at the end of the road when they arrive at the bus stop, pulling in just in time. The same people he see's every morning give him a nod which he returns. London's a funny place, no one is really sociable enough to say 'good morning' like where Louis grew up. But they still would hold the bus if Louis was running late.
"Mornin Alby," Tabby says to the old bus driver, beeping her pass on his machine.
"Morning Tabby, have a great day at school," The old man's voice is gruff like his self but really he is a sweet heart.
"Have a nice day bussing," Tabby says like she does every morning and drags Louis to the back at their normal seats. Like every day they place their bags under their feet and watch early London mornings go by.
"Daddy has his date today," Louis says, Tabby looks up to him smiling.
"Are you going to the ball, have you got a pretty costume?" She asks, Louis laughs shaking his head.
"Unfortunately no princess, I'm taking Zayn out for lunch at the olive press," Tabby pouted when he mentions her favourite place to get pasta.
"But daddy that's our place, Mr Antonio will miss me," Louis laughs, Tabby is such a charmer she has everyone loving her and giving her free things, mainly ice cream.
"I will get you pasta for your tea ok, I can heat it up and it will be like we went together ok?" Tabby nodded leaning against Louis body.
They arrive at their stop, say goodbye to Albert and cross the road.
"Have a nice day at school princess, uncle Li is picking you up to take you to ballet ok?" Tabby nods.
"Ok daddy, be good on your date. Get him flowers and chocolate," Louis laughs shaking his head
"Maybe darling, I love you," He calls as she stars to head towards her friends
"I love you Daddy, bye." He watches as she joins her friends in the line and then walk into class. Louis takes a deep sigh and starts walking down the road to the day care.
Louis works at Safe hands child day care. He started the second year he sent Tabby, he was working shitty shift after shitty shift at too many cafe's and diners, all with an awful pay that was never enough for his bills. Louis had always loved kids, always. Having so many siblings kind of guides you in that direction.
So he spent the morning doing arts and crafts, like they did every Tuesday morning. And like always the kids covered him in glue and glitter, decorating him more than the paper in front of them. But he didn't mind, their giggling and smiles made up for it.
It was finally half 12, and the parents were arriving. Louis was nervously checking the clock every minute, he knew he had to leave now but Katie's parents hadn't arrived yet.
"Jill I kind of have a date in 20 minutes, will you be aright if I go?" Louis asks, Jill sighs rolling her eyes.
"Fine Louis, but you are on potty training tomorrow," Louis would agrees to whatever she said, He runs into the staff room, grabbing his bag and coat. There was no time for him to change as the bus will be there in 2 minutes. He yells a tanks to Jill and shoots out of the day care and runs down the road getting to the bus just before it shuts its doors. You see Louis was never good at being punctual.
Antonio greeted him on the door with an over the top shake and kiss on the cheek.
"Mr Louis, there is a gorgeous man coming in asking for your reservation. You never called but I gave him your usual table," Antonio said in strong Italian accent.
"Thanks Antonio, that would be Zayn. He's nice isn't he," Louis looks over to where Zayn is looking down at his phone, Antonio scoffs
"Nice no, beautiful angle yes. Now go Mr Louis, to your date" Antonio kisses his cheek and sends him off towards the table. He takes a deep breath as he arrives at their usual booth in the corner.
"Hey sorry I'm late," Louis says, Zayn jumps a little looking up and smiles. God he had a beautiful face.
"No problem, the enthusiastic Italian kept me occupied," Louis laughed sitting down "Seems like he has a bit of a thing for you, do I have competition?" Zayn asks wiggling his black eyebrows.
"No it's Tabby they all have a thing for. Bit of a charmer that girl is, has everyone falling for her. Even Albert the grumpy bus driver." Zayn laughs, he stares at Louis for a minute and then pints at his polo.
"So, I guess you work at a nursery?" Zayn asks, Louis nods looking down at his glittery and messy shirt.
"Sorry I didn't have time to change, it was arts and crafts Tuesday and they kids like to decorate me. I can go change," Louis says grapping his bag, Zayn garbs his wrist.
"No it's fine, it's cute really. I knew you would have a job like that, I thought maybe a pe teacher though," Zayn says, Louis raises his eyes brows.
"Really, why did you think that?" He asks, Zayn rests his head on his fist.
"Well there were loads of pictures of you playing footie in your room," He pauses or a minute, looking him up and down "And you defiantly have the body and stamina for it," Louis laughs!
"I'll take that as a compliment babe," They chat and then Antonio comes over to take their order.
"What will it be Mr Louis?" He asks, a pad in his hand.
"The usual please, also could I possibly have Tabby's to take out. She was gutted she isn't invited, worried you would miss her Antonio," He laughs, shaking his head
"She's my favourite customer Miss Tabby, I make her extra special pasta and her favourite cake," Antonio says, he bowled head shining in the light
"Thank you Antonio, she will love that," He then turns to Zayn who is watching amused.
"What will it be Mr Louis' gorgeous date?" Antonio asks, Zayn laughs but Louis notices the slight pink his cheeks go at the compliment.
"I'll have a margarita pizza please," Antonio nods scribbling it down on his pad "oh also I think we better have a bottle of Champaign," Zayn says smirking, Antonio furiously nods and runs off, his apron flapping behind him.
"So," Louis starts, his fingers knitting together in front of him.
"Soo.." Zayn replies, Louis lets out a soft laugh.
"I thought you would be a meat steak kind of guy," Louis says looking across at Zayn.
"I would if it's halal and not pork," Zayn says, Lou lets out a 'oh' sound.
"So your Muslim?" Louis asks, Zayn nods.
"I used to live for the religion. When I was younger, a teenager it was all I did. I spent months learning Arabic and going over the Qur'an. But then I discovered things like sex, booze and weed." Louis laughs
"Not as much anymore though?" Louis asks, Zayn shakes his head.
"Not as much as I would like to be honest. My family are quite committed but we have always been laid back with it all. My sister were never forced to wear headscarf, and they didn't much to be honest only for like religious occasions." Louis' face seem to light up at the word 'sisters'
"You have sisters? How many?" Zayn chuckles at Louis' enthusiasm.
"3, Doniya, Waliyha, Safaa." Louis smiles "They are the best, but they are still in Bradford so I hardly ever see them?" Zayn softly said. Antonio interrupted them with a bottle of champers on ice.
"the best n the house for Mr Louis and date," He says, pouring them both a glass of luxurious liquid. Louis took a small sip and sighed, it was like liquid gold.
"Wow, this is good stuff Antonio," Louis said, Antonio nodded
"Only the best for you," He then left, leaving the men alone.
"So we're both Yorkshire through and through," Louis said rolling the glass around in his hand.
"Where you from?" Zayn asks, sipping the fizzy liquid
"Doncaster, I love it there but Tabby's mum lived here and we both though it would be better for me to move down." Zayn nodded, he didn't want to press on the whole how come you have a daughter when you're gay? kind of thing.
"So any siblings?" Zayn asks
"Yes 7, all of them are half though" Louis said chuckling a little at Zayn's socked face. "Are you ready for this, I'll go oldest to youngest." Zayn nods leaning closer "So there's Lottie who you kind of met, Georgia who is dad's, then Fliss, the Twins Daisy and Phoebe and the other twins Doris and Ernest," Zayn nods
"When did your mum and dad split, if you don't mind me asking?" Zayn quickly adds at the end.
"Of course not, I was young. But they are both happy now, my mum remarried last summer and everything is great,"
They carried on chatting getting to know each other, when their food came they shared each others. Laughing as Antonio came over with free ice cream, which was possibly the best ice-cream they had ever tasted. Now all was left was the last trickle of Champaign and Tabby's pasta to take out.
"So, Mr famous DJ who is the most famous person on your phone?" Louis asks, a little tipsy from the champers.
"well, me and Naughty boy are pretty tight. Shahid is a good bloke," Zayn says, rolling the glass around in his hand "What about you, met anyone famous? Well apart from me," Zayn said cockily, Louis just laughs.
"Apart from footballers you probably have never heard of but are like God back home no, not really." He paused for a minute and then said "Except when I was 18 I saved up months of my wages to get front row tickets to see The Fray. I got a shout out for being the mental guy on the front row." Zayn laughed as Louis grinned.
"I have to admit I have never heard much of their music," Zayn says, Louis pulls a shocked face.
"What, you must have heard How to save a life. That used to be my signature song, blasting it out on the key boards at Toys R us," They both laughed
"So you worked at Toys r Us?" Zayn asked, Louis nodded laughing.
"Mate I think I have worked everywhere. I could barely keep a job for a couple months. Every single bloody coffee shop at home, every restaurant. Toys R us, asda, Costa I could go on. There was one point, when I first moved to London I was working two different Costa shops and a restaurant in the evening. Jaz couldn't work obviously because of Tabs, so it was all on me." Louis says, sadly smiling. Those were the hardest times of his life. Being a parent when he didn't want to be, being with a girl he only has to because he slept with her when he was way too drunk and confused about his sexuality. But now he wouldn't change it for the world.
There was a silence at their table for a few minutes, Zayn was intrigued by this man. Every time he speaks he lets on a little more about himself but then cuts it out. He want to find out more and most of all help him.
The silence was cut off by Louis' phone, a reminder that he has to leave.
"Shit, I can't believe it's 4 already." Louis said, smiling at Zayn. "I have had a very nice afternoon, but I have to say, your next on making the move," Louis said collecting his stuff, getting his bus pass out from the bottom of his bag.
"Hey the least I could do is give you a lift, to wherever you are going," Zayn said, Louis smiled and nodded
"That would be really nice, thanks Zayn I spend way too many hours on the bus." They both make their way over to the till. Louis pays the bill and Zayn gives Antonio a large tip.
"So you come again soon, yes?" Antonio asked, Zayn chuckled looking across to Louis.
"We'll have to wait and see about that Antonio. You know he could turn out to have the worst habit that I just haven't discovered yet," They laughed and said good bye leaving the restaurant.
Zayn boldly took Louis hand and guided him to the BMW tucked away in the corner.
"Impressive," Louis said, slipping into the sleek leather chairs. It's been a while since he was been in a car with actual leather seats, not grim patterned material.
"So where am I taking you?" Zayn asked, pulling out of the car park. Louis tells him the address of the dance school and they drive off.
"Are you picking up Tabby?" Zayn asked, Louis nods relaxing into the comfy seats.
"Yes, Tuesdays Ballet day then a week on Friday is the big performance," Louis said, the feel of pride bubble away. When give the opportunity to show off his daughter he will, as much as he can.
"I can take you both back to your flat if you like," Zayn shyly suggests, looking away from the road to give him a quick glance before looking back.
"Are you sure, I don't want to seem too cheeky?" Louis says, picking at a glob of glue on his t shirt.
"It would be my honour, plus I think I need to stop being the scary man in Daddy's bed," Louis laughed, shaking his head.
"Ye Tabby said she wants to meet you so she can decided whether or not we can be friends. She's got it all planned out you know so I am preparing you of many questions to come."
When they pull up to the ballet school Tabby is waiting outside in the bench, Liam next to her and what seem to be Sophia sat on his knee. Louis can't help but grin at how happy his friend looked.
"I'll just go out and get her, won't be a sec," Louis says, leaning over and giving Zayn a quick peck on the cheek.
When he steps out of the car Liam is wiggling his eyebrows.
"Look at you, all smug getting snugly with your new DJ," Liam said, Louis smacked him on the arm.
"It was a good afternoon, that's all I'm saying," Louis said.
"Daddy did you tell Antonio I was sorry?" Tabby sweetly asked, looking adorable in her pale pink tutu and leotard.
"Sure did princess, and he has given you some treats for when we get home," Louis says, picking tabby up and putting heron his hip. She instantly wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling her face into his jacket.
"Well I better get going, hot date is waiting for me and all. I'll leave you two to do whatever you have wanted to do but no around a 4 year old," Louis said, Liam scoffed giving him a one armed hug, Louis kissed Sophia on the cheek and headed back to the car.
"Daddy why we go this way?" Tabby asked in a tired voice, she was always knackered after ballet. Louis stopped to talk to her.
"You remember Daddy's friend Zayn?" She nodded
"You went to Antonio without me," Louis nodded
"I Know baby I'm sorry but Zayn is driving us home so we don't have to take the bus. It's quicker which means you can have your pasta faster," She giggled at Louis rhyme.
"Ok Daddy, Uncle Li give me estions," She said looking up at her father, Louis just laughed
"It's questions babe, but I knew he would," Louis said opening the back door, Zayn turns around with a big smile on his face.
"Hey Tabby, I'm Zayn," He says, Tabby giggles whilst Louis straps her up.
"I know that silly, Daddy tell me lots," Zayn laughs
"Really? Does your daddy talk about be a lot?" Zayn asked, Louis looks up to give Zayn a glare.
"You don't have to answer that princess, now look after you bags for daddy please," Louis puts her pink bag next to her and gets into the front. telling Zayn the address.
"Zen, where your home?" Tabby asks, Louis turns himself so he is sideways, Tabby and Zayn both in his eye line. Zayn looks back at her in the mirror.
"I have a house next to the Themes, you know the big river?" Zayn asks, Tabby shakes her head looking at Louis.
"Yes you do princess, remember Uncle Li took us on the boat trip?" Tabby nodded her head, soon remembering.
"You home alone?" Tabby asks, Zayn nods.
"yes apart from my bearded dragon called Arny," Zayn says, tabby gasps.
"You have a dwagon, real dwagon?" She asks, Zayn laughs.
"Kind of, he's like a small dragon. But Arny isn't mean or scary he is a softy really." Tabby nods, going silent for a few minutes, looking out of the window as they came closer to their home. They drove down the high street just around the corner from their flat, where Louis does all his shopping. Tabby looks at every shop as they stop at the traffic light, inspecting everything on the fake people in the windows.
Gasping when she comes to the smaller manikin in her favourite shop, the Disney shop. Where Louis has to go a couple times a year to spend a painful amount on shit expensive dress up that Tabby just loves.
"Daddy look, look daddy," Tabby yells pressing her face against the window. "New princess dress, daddy it's so pretty," Tabby says her voice amazed. Louis turns around just in time to catch a glimpse of the purple dress before the traffic lights change.
"Baby you just got a new Elsa dress not too long ago, and it still fits you fine," Louis says, signing when he see's Tabby's desperate face. It pains him knowing he can't buy him everything his daughter wishes for.
"But daddy it so pretty, and it's Repunsal and she's my favourite ever ever ever." She says pulling her cutest face.
"Then why didn't you get that dress when Nana kindly bought you a new one?" Louis asks, Tabby frowns
"They didn't have it then, Daddy can we get it please please please?" She begs, Louis firmly shakes his head.
"No, you know you can't. Your birthday is in a few months, you will just have to wait," Tabby's upper lip wobble, on the verge from crying, opening her mouth to argue but Louis is not going to ruin his day in front of Zayn "Tabitha, you carry this on and straight to bed with no pasta or cebeebies," He says in a quite but firm voice. Tabby instantly knows when he uses that voice and her full name she has to stop.
Zayn suddenly felt very out of place, yes he understood Louis was a father and that meant he had to use discipline. But he hadn't seen Louis like that and it made him feel a bit odd. Also it made him upset that he has too much money to know what to do with, as it is just him; whilst Louis is struggling on what he has. It made him want to help him even more, it made his feelings for him increase again a little. Dare he say he was falling for the bloke?
"Here we are," Zayn said pulling up outside the flat, he smiled widely at Tabby and Louis.
"Thanks Zen, you are ok and nice I will say to Uncle Li," Tabby said un buckling her seatbelt and grabbing her bag.
"Thank you Tabby, you are very nice as well. Bye," Zayn says as she hops out of the car
"Bye Bye Zen," She shut the door leaving just Louis and Zayn in the car.
"I'm sorry, she's just upset about the dress. She has been waiting for it for a while now," Louis said, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Don't worry about it Lou, Tabby's a 4 year old girl and I have 2 younger sisters I know what it's like." Louis smiles at Zayn, making them both feel warm inside.
"Ooh, nick name now. I'll have to think one up for you " he said wiggling his eyebrows "But really thanks Zayn, for the lift and for not freaking out about Tabby." Zayn shook his head
"No thank you for being such a nice person and making me want to get to know you and be in your life. And thanks for today I really enjoyed it," Zayn said happily
"So shall we be seeing more of each other?" Louis asks, biting down on his bottom lip.
"Most defiantly,"
..
Later that night, after a stroppy girl finally had a bat and went to bed Louis fell into his bed and looked up at the ceiling. This was his life, trying to support himself and his daughter on the measly wage he gets per month. Spending hours at the kitchen table with Liam by his side trying to work out all the bill taxes and loans: Putting money aside every week so he will have enough when it comes to birthdays and Christmas. And worst of all letting her princess down when he can't get her everything she wants.
And where, in all of this, did Zayn fit in? The gorgeous, wealthy, incredible Zayn. He could see anything he likes and just buy it, Louis doesn't even have time to worry about his wardrobe and style. He would never go shopping to buy anything for him, it only happens when Lottie drags him to town and insists she pays for some new clothes.
But he wanted Zayn to fit into all of this, and his mum always told him if you want something bad enough you will make it happen.
So he grabs his phone of the bedside table and text's 'Can you be my Zee?'
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