Katia spent the next couple of weeks helping Marian plan a low key wedding. Harry liked to pop up every now and then to make sure Marian wasn't stressing herself out. He always came over with organic food and vitamins for the baby. Katia was finding it hard to keep this secret from her sister. Especially concerning the fact Marian asked Zayn if she could have the twins be in the wedding. She was afraid that one of these days she was just going to blab Marian's secret. And at times she was scared she was going to blab Kaia's secret too.
She had been spending a lot of time at the Malik house. Especially after their initial lunch there. She loved spending time and getting to know her niece and nephew as well as her sister and brother in law. She could tell though that Kaia was tired a lot of the time and she told her that touring was exhausting. Especially when one was pregnant.
They also talked everyday. That also made her very happy. Marian was never mentioned although there were times when Kaia just wanted to ask how she was or if she asked about her, but she didn't. She had tucked that part of her life away.
Kaia stood in the kitchen going through the enormous pile of mail that had been stacking up from when she was gone all those months on her tour. She felt Zayn's arms wrap around from behind and she leaned back against him. She turned around in his arms, twining her arms around his neck. "God you're so delicious looking," she said with a smirk. "Good thing I'm already pregnant," she teased.
"I take pride in my work, you look tired maybe you should take a bath it will help to relax those nerves of yours," he said kissing her neck.
She moved her head back slightly allowing him further access and couldn't help but emit the moan that left her mouth. "Who needs a bath when I have you?" She teased.
"Such a dirty girl I have," he smirked and let his hands wander on her body. "Love, you cannot take every thing on you need some down time. Some girl time, to destress. Maybe you should see what your sister is doing," he said rubbing her swollen baby bump. She still had almost two months to go but he knew she was already done with being pregnant.
She leaned against the counter and covered her hand with his. "Maybe, I don't know," she said as they rubbed her belly together. "She's seemed very distant lately. Like she's hiding something but I can't quite figure it out," she said. "What do you hope this baby is?" She asked. "A boy or a girl?"
"You know Katia is splitting her time between you and Marian. She probably does not or can't tell what is going because of that fact. If you made amends with Marian, the three of you could become the three amigos." He said. "As for the baby, as long as he or she is healthy that is all that matters to me, my love."
She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair as he bent and kissed her belly. "Are you hiding anything from me?" She asked as she let her fingers slowly entwine in his hair. She knew he took the twins to see Marian, but she had stopped questioning it.
"You know I'm Switzerland when it comes to Marian. The only things I don't tell you is for your own good as well as Marian's. I'm still holding on to my belief you won't have this baby holding your grudge against her. You can't dislike her forever."
She watched as he stood up and she arched an eyebrow at him and wrapped her arms around him once more. "Wanna bet?" she said pulling him closer to her.
"You're on Bennett, let's bet," he said kissing her nose.
She let her hands move down his back and she squeezed his bottom, and she smirked at him again. "Alright Malik, what shall we bet?"
"Hmm," Zayn thought about. What did he want from his wife because he knew her so well, he was such to win. "If you have this baby without Marian by your side, I will take on night duty and change all the nappies. If I'm right and you end up forgiving Marian and you ask me to get her for you, then you have to...."
"I have to what?" She asked and squeezed his bum a little more tightly. She knew she and Marian would never make up. She was so going to win this bet.
"Once you get your figure back, you have to wear whatever sexy lingerie outfits I ask you to wear. So I if say wear a nurse outfit, French maid, saran wrap or whip cream you have to wear it and give me a lap dance," he said with a wiggle of his eye brows.
"You're serious?" She asked.
"I love your strip teases and when you dance around." He smirked. "Do you any other suggestions?"
She yanked him against her as close as she could and she could feel his arousal. "You're on Malik," she said with an evil grin. "You are going to lose this bet. And as part of my winnings, I want a massage from you everyday, and you have to give them to me naked."
Zayn winked at her. "You got it, if you win I will oil you up every day, baby. Now go call your sister."
Kaia kissed him deeply and then all but jumped when her phone rang next to them on the counter. She glanced at it. "Guess she beat me to it," she said. She watched him walk away and couldn't help but whistle at him. God she loved him. She couldn't believe she had nearly thrown it all away. She picked up her phone and hit accept. "Thought you ditched me sister," she said. "Haven't heard from you in a few days."
"Never, just been busy with another project that suddenly landed in my lap a few weeks ago," Katia said.
Kaia rolled her eyes. "What kind of project?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Top secret, sister. Sorry I can't share any details about my work."
"Whatever you say," she said and sat down at the table. "So what are you doing right now?"
"Talking to my favorite sister," she said with a laugh. "How is my little girl destiny doing?"
"She's doing good," she said. "She misses her auntie. Or should I say she misses you taking her shopping. But since you've been soooo busy with this new project," she couldn't help but tease.
Katia snorted. "I'll have to take her shopping soon. So, can I ask you a question? Have you been posting on Instagram or scrolling through it lately? Have you seen any good tattoos on there?" She asked biting her lip.
"I've posted a few from the tour with some fans and with Zayn. Why are you thinking of getting a tattoo?" She asked. As far as she knew Katia didn't have any. She herself wanted another one but she wasn't sure of what to get.
"I saw a really nice tribute tattoo on there and I was wondering if you saw any good tattoos worth mentioning." Katia said it kind of saddened her that Kaia and Marian weren't any closer to mending their bad blood. "I don't have any tattoos, but I wouldn't rule it out."
"No, I haven't. Sorry," she said. What was Katia getting at she wondered. "Listen, I'm starving," she said. "Want to grab a bite and we can discuss tattoos if you'd like. Maybe I can help you figure out what you want."
"I could eat, where shall I meet you?"
"Doesn't matter," she said. "I feel like I'm starving with this baby," she said with a laugh. "Do you have a favorite place now that you've been in London for a while."
"No, I rarely go out. If you ask me about take out and delivery I'm your girl. Marian loves to eat in," she said with out thinking.
Kaia growled under her breath. "I know," she snapped and then felt bad. "I'm sorry Katia," she said. "Do you like Caribbean food?" She asked. "That's what the baby is craving," she said laughing.
"I'm so sorry Kaia. I....I said it without thinking. Shit, I've been doing so well, now i have both of you pissed at me," she said in frustration, today wasn't her day. "I...I... will call you later maybe after I get my mind straight" She mumbled. Stupid pregnancy hormones Katia thought to herself. She was ready for her besties to no longer be pregnant
"Katia, it's alright," she said. "I can't imagine it's easy being friends with the both of us since she and I are no longer friends. Listen, be ready in half an hour. I'm coming to pick you up. I missed you."
"Okay, thank you."
"Anytime," she said. "See you soon." She hung up and went in search of her sexy husband. "Zayn!" She yelled as she walked through the house. She didn't know where he had gone.
Zayn was putting away Ahmir's suit for wedding in the bottom of the closet, he was pretty sure Kaia wouldn't find the clothes. He needed to take Destiny dress shopping for her role as a flower girl. He was just waiting on Marian to give him a color palette.
He walked out of the nursery to see Kaia walking his way. "Hello love, how is your sister?"
"She's alright. She misses her niece," she said. "She blurted out something about her and felt horrible about it," she said.
"How do you feel about her slip up? Does it make you feel anything?" Zayn wondered.
"I don't want her to be upset about it. I told her it can't be easy being friends with the both of us when we're not friends," she said. "I love her. She's my sister. I don't ever want her to feel guilty about being friends with her." She glanced into the nursery. "What were you doing in the nursery?" She asked.
"Can you not even say her name? Does it pain you that much to utter her name. You might feel better if you get that guilt off your shoulders." He said. "Just putting the twins laundry away, nothing fancy."
"No, I can't. She's not part of my life anymore. If you and Katia want to be part of hers, I can't do anything about it. I'll help you," she said and tried to walk past him into the nursery, but stopped when she felt his hand on her arm. "What?"
"Kaia" He urged gently. "You need to let go of this anger. Plus I/m done, no need to go into the nursery. Shouldn't you get ready to see your sister?"
"I've got twenty minutes before I pick her up," she said looking up at him. "It's kind of hard to let go of it," she said sadly.
"She is your oldest and dearest friend. You said forever and always, Kaia. That is something you need to remember," he said. "I'm going to get a drink."
"Zayn," she said quietly as she watched him walk away. She sighed heavily and went to their bedroom and quickly changed and fixed her makeup. She found him in the living room with a beer and flipping channels. She sat down next to him. "I'm sorry, it's just still hard for me."
"Just like it was hard for you to stay faithful to your husband," he grumbled under his breath.
She blinked back her tears. She thought they were in a much better place but now it seemed again they weren't. She moved to stand up. "I'll....I'll be home in a little while," she said quietly.
"Drive safe and take care of my son," Zayn said landing on Deadpool it was half way through but it was always a good watch. He didn't look at her as she left. He was trying to put away his anger, but he couldn't help that it flared up once in a while.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I will," she said her voice catching. She hurried to the kitchen and grabbed her purse, keys, and phone.
Leaving the house. Be there shortly.
She got into her car and as she drove down the driveway to the gate, she couldn't stop the tears. She would spend the rest of their lives together making things up to him. It would pain her for the rest of her life. She sped through London traffic to her sisters, which she knew was in the same building as Marian.
I'm here
Katia grabbed her purse and ran out to her sisters car. "Why have you been crying?" she asked once in the car.
Kaia pulled away from the curb but didn't look at her sister. "It doesn't really matter," she said quietly as she headed towards Notting Hill.
"Fine." Katia mumbled. She didn't want to push things with her sister so she just looked out her window.
Kaia sighed. "I'm sorry," she said. "Zayn wants me to let go of my anger towards Mar...towards Marian and I told him it's hard and he said just like staying faithful to your husband." She turned off down another street. "I...I just thought that we were finally getting to a good place."
"Kaia, it takes time to heal wounds like that. What you did with Liam that was a huge betrayal. You can't expect things to go back to normal just like that. It could take years to build that trust up again." She said. "I'm sure Zayn is only taking out his frustrations over you and Marian not being a part of each others life in the only way he knows how as well. And from what I have witnessed, your husband cares very deeply for Marian." She said. "Don't hate me for saying this, but to me it feels like they were actual brother and sister they way they talk to each and interact. I know this break in your friendship is hard on you, but have you considered how it has affected him as well?"
Kaia glanced over at her sister. "I guess I've never taken his feelings about her into consideration," she said sadly. "I guess I am a pretty selfish person," she said sadly as she turned down a quiet street of Notting Hill. "Do you mind if we go to some shops before we eat?" She asked. She honestly had never thought how this break with Marian might be affecting her husband. Add that on top of her betrayal of their marriage vows.
"One of the perks of finally having a sister, I can help you see the other side of the coin."
"I'm all about window shopping. Right now I'm trying to focus on saving all the money I have for food and rent until I book my next job."
"I thought you would be making big bucks for starring in her movie," she said as she parked the car. And Katia," she said with a smile. "If you need help with anything, please let me know. I want you to know that you can ask me."
"It's a TV mini series and I have enough to last me a year, if I don't go crazy shopping, taking some more acting classes, paying rent on my own place and carry outs. Are my priorities right now, that and spoiling my nieces and nephew."
Kaia couldn't help but smirk. "So you think I'm having a girl?" She asked as they walked along. "Zayn thinks I'm having a boy."
"Yes, I can't wait to have another niece to spoil. More dresses to buy," she said with a smile.
Kaia rolled her eyes and laughed. "I'm just thankful I'm not having twins again."
"I love the twins, do you think since you had twins I will have them?" She asked.
Kaia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Anything is possible," she said with a smile. She looked up as they were walking past her favorite bookstore. "Let's go in here," she said. "Mari....it's one of my favorite places."
"Oh, a bookstore. Anything in particular we are looking for?" Katia asked.
This was one of her and Marian's favorite places they used to go together. Kaia shook her head and swallowed the very large lump that had grown in her throat, but she smiled and linked arms with her sister. "You might get lucky and leave with an entire Jane Austen collection," she teased.
"She is on my to-read list. Her and the Bronte' sisters," Katia laughed as the trolled around the bookstore with her sister. She loved her dearly and would do anything to make her happy.
Kaia walked around and savored the smell of the shop. She loved being surrounded by books. She grabbed a baby name book. She needed to start thinking of names for the new baby. She couldn't help but smile when she saw her sister standing in front of the classic section. She walked over to her and plucked off Sense & Sensibility without even a glance and handed it to Katia. "Book two on your to be read Austen list," she teased. She grabbed a copy of Wuthering Heights as well and put it on top of the other book. "Marian loves Emily Bronte." She said with a sad smile and then wandered off again.
Katia turned the books over and read the backs. She still could not believe she was buying books to read in her spare time. She always was a movie girl. She could not help but wonder was the book actually better than the movie or mini series? She was afraid to tell her sister she hadn't even started Pride and Prejudice yet. She kind of cheated and watched the mini series with Colin Firth. She strolled around the book store and found herself near a display for 'Love vs Duty'. It had a sticker on it stating it was soon to become a movie. She couldn't wait for the premiere this winter. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Maybe if Kaia knew about the wedding,she would make peace with Marian. Weddings were a source of joy and happiness. It was time for new starts and forgiveness.
"Kaia, can you come here, please. I want to show you something." She shouted thanking her stars the book store was half empty.
Kaia returned to her sisters side. Her arms laden with books. She knew Zayn would probably roll his eyes at the amount of books she always seemed to be buying. "What's up?" She asked.
"Look at this. They added a sticker about the mini-series. What do you think?"
Kaia looked at the display and she couldn't help but smile at her sister. "Great promotion for the miniseries," she said. "You're going to have to beat away the offers that are going to come to you once this airs. You'll never have to worry about auditioning again." She let her eyes move up and down at the poster behind the books and then unconsciously opened one. She saw that the one she was looking through was autographed. Seeing Marian's handwriting hit her right in the heart and she quickly shut the cover and readjusted the pile of books in her arms. "Come on, before my arms fall off," she teased. "Besides those did you want any other books?"
"Kaia, are you going to watch the mini-series?" She asked her sister. "And no these are plenty. Plus, I'm a slow reader," she said picking up one of the copies of 'Love vs Duty'.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure yet." She raised an eyebrow when Katia picked up a copy. "Hasn't she given you one yet?" She asked as they made their way to the checkout.
"I don't have one with the sticker about the mini-series on it." She said. "Sorry, I'm extremely dorky. Should I put it back, is it stupid to want it?" she wondered.
Kaia grabbed the book. "No, it's not silly," she said. "You should've seen how many copies of my CD I bought when it came out," she said with a giggle. She paid for their purchases and then they went to the car to put them in. Books were heavy to carry around. Especially when you're seven months pregnant.
They went to a children's boutique and looked around. Kaia thumbed through newborn racks. It was hard to pick since she had no idea what they were having so she didn't buy anything. "Find anything?" She asked her sister.
"No, nothing speaks to me." She said and then looked at her sister. "Kaia I hate keeping things from you. I want us to have an open and honest relationship," she explained as she looked over the clothes thinking she would have to buy something for both Marian and Kaia.
Kaia arched an eyebrow at her sister. "I want that too," she said. "But you are also friends with her and I know it's not easy and I'm sure there are things she's asked you not to say to me." She gave Katia a smile and then reached over to squeeze her hand. "Katia it's alright. Just as I've asked you not to tell her I'm pregnant. You haven't said anything have you?"
Katia eyes widened. "No, of course not I would never betray your secrets. You are my flesh and blood. You are everything to me and even though Marian asked me not to tell you something." She said. "But.......I...I think you should know about it," she said biting her lip.
Kaia's steps faltered at her sister's words. "What did she ask you not to tell me?" She asked and then noticed the sales clerks had made her and they were quickly approaching. She took a hold of Katia's hand. "Come on, you can tell me outside."
Katia followed Kaia outside and trailed behind her wondering if she should be telling her about this. "Actually it was Harry that made Zayn and I promise not to say a word of what we witnessed. But.. I..I think you should know."
"Of course Zayn knows," Kaia said. "She tells him everything. What's going on?"
"We witnessed Harry proposing to Marian. She said yes and I have been helping her plan the wedding." She confessed.
Kaia's mouth opened and closed quickly and she then swallowed the huge lump that had formed in her throat. She could feel tears threatening but she pushed them back and put her sunglasses on. "I'm glad she has you to help," she said. "Let's eat. The baby is hungry," she said forcing a laugh.
"Kaia, don't you want to talk about the fact Marian is marrying Harry again? Aren't you the little be curious or worried?" Katia asked hoping to weaken her sister's defenses. "Even the subject of Louis has come up."
Kaia didn't respond as they made their way to the restaurant. The host showed them to a private table in the garden where they wouldn't be disturbed. She looked at the menu and then slammed it down on the table.
"Why should I care Katia?" She asked. "And why should I be worried? She's doing what she wants with her life and she doesn't feel the need to want me in it!" She said with a snap. "Louis?" She questioned. "What about him?" She didn't want Katia to know how upsetting this news was but it was hard for her not to be upset.
"I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought maybe with you being pregnant and Marian getting married soon. It would be the perfect time to build that bridge of forgiveness. That's all." She said. "I don't really think I should mention the Louis thing. It will only upset you more, so let's just eat." She said scanning the menu and worrying that maybe she messed up by telling her sister. That maybe she would put a stop to the twins appearing in the wedding.
"Marian can choose to do whatever she likes," she said in a more calm voice even though she was fuming on the inside. "I didn't mean to snap. I'm sorry. She doesn't want me to be a part of her life and that's alright and I don't want her to be a part of mine anymore. But I can't stop those I love more than anything in this world from doing what they want. It's alright Katia," she said. "Besides, I have more important things going on." She said and rubbed her belly. "When are they getting married?" She couldn't help but ask. "And again, how did Louis' name her brought up?"
The waiter came and took their order and quickly left them alone again.
"I shouldn't have brought it up, I'm sorry. It is just the both of you say the same damn thing!" She said a bit annoyed. "And it's sometimes so frustrating to me. I just want all of us to be happy." She said.
"I saw a Louis update account and it had slew of pictures of them together. She looked really happy and in love. Her smile was so wide, nothing like the Marian I have come to know who is guarded with her emotions and tries to make it through the day if that makes sense." She said sure she wasn't making any sense seeing she couldn't say Marian was hospitalized.
"Marian got a tattoo, posted to her Instagram?" Kaia's eyes widened again. "I've seen the update accounts," she said. "What kind of tattoo?" She asked. Besides deleting her number from her phone, she had also deleted her from all of her social media accounts.
"You will have to see it for yourself." She paused then thought for a moment there was something she was curious to know but afraid to ask. "Can I ask you what you think happened between them? Why didn't they work, she looked so in love with him. Like nothing could rip them apart. Why do you think she would agree to marry Harry?" she asked them hid behind her menu unsure if Kaia would blow up at her or stomp out.
"After William died he abandoned her," she said with anger in her voice. "Left her a necklace and a note and just left. And we picked up the pieces for her. No one knows where he is and I hope he's miserable."
"Sorry, I never knew him. Just trying to get a better picture of the situation. Why don't we change the subject and I promise not to bring her up. Let's talk about you and your plans for the new nursery."
"It's alright," she said. "Marian gave up everything with Harry to be with him. She was for the first time in her life truly in love. I'm not saying she didn't love Harry, but with Louis, it was so different. It wasn't easy for her to walk away from her marriage." She said. "And Harry has always been in love with her. So much that he's apparently now willing to take a second chance with her. I....I just hope she finds happiness again. Louis ripped out her heart and crushed it."
The waiter brought their food.
"Does...does she talk about him?"
"She has only mentioned him once when I had asked her and I could see the deep pain in her eyes when she talked about him, there was also love there. It just made me wonder. She has mentioned Will a few times especially after what happened on the Late Late Show during Harry's visit," she replied, happy for the fact their appetizers had arrived
Kaia was reaching for a mozzarella stick when her hand stopped mid-air. "What happened?"
"You really are out of the loop aren't you?" Katia joked. "Harry was out promoting his new single off of his upcoming album. He did all the chat shows but when I came to the Late Late Show with James Corden, there was a photo of him snuggling on the couch with a woman. You could not see her face but she had a tattoo that was clearly visible. The fans took that and went into full FBI research mode." She explained as she ate a mozzarella stick.
"I'm afraid I haven't had time to watch much of anything of late," she said. "I didn't even know Harry was recording an album. Was it of her and Harry?"
Katia looked at her sister and thought maybe Marian was right and Kaia was a little too self-involved.
"Yes, it was. I think you should pull up your Instagram and look at it."
Kaia could feel some judgment coming from her sister. She pulled out her phone and opened Instagram, but Marian had blocked her. "I can't look at it," she said. "She has me blocked."
"You two are ridiculous!" She exclaimed them pulled out her own phone. She pulled up Marian's Instagram and handed her sister the phone. "Solves that problem doesn't it?"
Kaia looked at the picture and she swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and she swallowed a lot of her pride. "It's a beautiful tribute to an incredible child," she said and handed back the phone. She took a drink of her iced tea.
"She told me that Harry had a friend of his do it. She wanted a permanent reminder of her son. So no matter what happens in her life, he will never be forgotten."
"He never will be," she said quietly. She sighed heavily. Her life had been such a whirlwind of late. "I thought they were going to date for a while. Why the sudden proposal?" She asked.
"That is something I can't tell you," Katia said taking a drink. "I'm sorry."
"Can you tell me when and where?" She asked. She needed as much information as possible.
"Well, you know how much of a Shakespeare nut she is. She didn't want to leave England and she wanted it to be a small affair. So Harry suggested they rent out the Shakespearean Globe Theater."
Kaia couldn't help but smirk at her sister's words. "Did she jump at it?"
"Of course she did, the whole wedding is going to be themed using Shakespeare plays."
Kaia smiled again but on the inside, her heart was breaking. "I'm...sure it will be beautiful," she said. "When is it?" She couldn't help but ask.
"Ummm, Kaia. I don't think I should tell you that. You might want to sink her ship or ruin the wedding. So I think it would be best to not tell you the exact date." She said. "Plus I am sure you will get that info out of Zayn seeing as the twins will be in the wedding."
Kaia all but growled. "Well, I hope everyone will have a good time," she said. "And I honestly hope she finds the happiness that she's looking for." She picked up her napkin and dabbed at her eye before she burst into tears. "So, how much longer do you have to film or are you all done?" She asked smiling at her sister.
"Kaia, I am not trying to hurt your feelings. I am just being cautious. Pregnancy hormones and all. I still love you, sister." she smiled over at her. "We wrapped filming last month. Everything is in post-production now."
"I know you're not," she said. "You're not the one who's hurting my feelings." She cut her chicken and started to eat. "So do you have anything to do with the post-production stuff? Are there things that will need to be re-shot?" She asked as she practically inhaled her food.
"My character doesn't but I am sure others will have to. All I know is they told me I will be required to attend the premieres just like the rest of the cast, but that won't be for months now," she said casually eating her pasta.
"Are you excited for the premiere?" She asked. "Do you get to bring a date?" She asked with a wink.
"I'm a little nervous about my first big premiere. I believe I get a plus one, would you like to be it? I repel men." She laughed.
Kaia snorted with laughter. "Can you imagine the feeding frenzy the paparazzi would have if we showed up together. Oh, my god, could you imagine," she said still laughing. "They wouldn't know whose name to call."
"Well, no one knows my name, Kaia. Not yet anyway." She said. "Who should I bring to the premiere if not you?" She wondered.
"Oh they will," she said with a grin and pushed her empty plate away from her. "We'll find you a date," she said with a wink. "Is she going to go with Harry?"
"I believe that is the plan, they will be married before the miniseries comes out." And before Marian starts to show she giggled to herself. "I just think I'm unlucky with men. Always the sidekick."
"Has he texted you or tried to contact you?" She couldn't help but ask.
"I blocked his number, Marian insisted. So I won't know if he has tried to contact or me not. I'm sure he has moved on, he only liked me because I looked like you." She sighed twirling her fork in her pasta.
"I'm sorry for that Katia," she said and waved the waiter over. "Can I get some more mozzarella sticks please," she said and saw her sisters eyes widen. "The baby is hungry."
"Do you think he would want to go with me to the premiere? Would it be too much to ask you to call him and maybe ask?" She said fidgeting in her seat.
"Would you want him to take you?" She was getting a sense that her sister cared more for Liam than she had let on. Part of her she hated to admit was a little jealous, but she wanted her sister to be happy. She wanted Liam to be happy.