Niall's POV

Niall sat in hair and make up, there was only a few hours left until the show. He was nervous, they were playing much bigger arenas now, but that wasn't the only thing making his heart beat faster. He toyed around with the little black box in his pocket. Harry was the only one who knew about Niall's decision and he preferred it that way. He just knew many people would try and talk him out of it but his mind was made up. All he needed now was for her to say yes. He hadn't given the actually proposal much thought, but nothing in his relationship with Gabrielle had ever been premeditated. They were based solely on impulse and Gabrielle loved it that way. She was always in the now. At often drove Niall mad, but he appreciate her spontaneity. She would never be called dull.

"Hey mate, are you feeling okay?" Liam had been sitting in in front of the mirror adjacent to his. "You look paler than usually."

"I'm fine," Niall forced his voice steady. "It never gets any less nerve wrecking," he lied.

"Yeah, it doesn't." Liam added without looking at him, instead he was staring at himself in the mirror. Niall excused himself, the air in his lungs seemed to be escaping. He fell to the floor and gasped for air. He didn't think proposing marriage would be so terrifying. He loved Gabrielle with all his heart. He knew he would never love somebody the way he loves her. That thought was enough to give him the strength in his legs to get up. Earlier in the day he had asked her to come to the show and he was hoping she was already there. He walked around the back of the stage.

"Niall, are you lost, mate? I've seen you walk down the same hallway three times," Louis laughed, and Zayn came up beside them.

"Management said no more drinking before the shows," Zayn chastised as he sipped his beer.

"What's that?" Niall shook his head at him.

Zayn smirked, "I sneaked a few in, makes my cigarettes taste better." He shrugged as he offered the beer to Niall. "Want a sip?"

"Sure," Niall gave him a full grin, before chugging his whole beer down.

"Hey!" Zayn yelled but wore a sloppy grin from the alcohol's effects.

"Thanks bro, I needed that," Niall wiped his mouth with his a bare forearm. "Have you seen Gabrielle?"

"Yeah, I was just smoking with her outside. Maybe ten minutes ago," Zayn opened another beer.

"Thanks," Niall nodded and continued to make his way outside. It took him about fifteen minutes before he found her sitting on top of a van smoking a cigarette. From the pile on the floor beneath her, he could tell she had already had at least four cigarettes. He climbed up beside her. "Where have you been?" He pushed her sideways playfully.

"Just here taking a breather. It's so suffocating on there," she looked at him and smiled. "You look cute and pretty," she winked. Niall knew she was referring to the make up.

"They don't give us a choice," he laughed. "I've been looking for you," his tone became serious as he stared deeply into her eyes. He could still see the years of hurt behind the hopeful look in her eyes.

"I was only gone about forty minutes," she massaged his earlobe and gave him a short sweet kiss.

"I've been waiting longer than that for a girl like you," he responded by giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Quite poetic of you," she gave him a sideways glance and then added a mischievous smile. "You want to find a quiet place?" She tugged at his shirt.

"I can't right now," Niall felt his cheeks redden. "Do you love me?"

"Of course, I do, mon chérie," she kissed his nose.

"Can I ask you something?" He inhaled a deep breath. She nodded for him to continue. "Will you marry me?" He finally said as he pulled out the little black box. Niall search her eyes for an answer, but she remained silent. She was in utter shock. He couldn't tell if the tears that began to fall from her face were for joy or sadness. All was silent around him, but for only his heart beat was pounding against his entire body. When she finally spoke it wasn't what Niall was expecting to hear.

"Why did you do this?" She said in a low voice.

"Why? Because I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life!" He practically shouted.

"Everything was fine and now you've ruined it!" She shot back, more tears falling from her red eyes.

"I only thought it was the right thing to do. I had no reason to wait I know how I feel about you," he struggled to keep his voice down. "Do you even know how you really feel about me?" She looked away, and Niall turned her head so she was forced to look at him. "Answer me," he sighed. From the look in her eyes he could tell pain was imminent.

"I love you, I do. But I can't do marriage I'm not ready for marriage," she shook her head in frustration.

"Then what's the point of even being together?" Niall frowned, he could start feeling the alcohol's affect.

"I can't believe you have to ask!" She flicked her cigarette at the ground.

"People date to find their soul mate not to jump from person to person!" Niall knew that was a low blow.

"Really? You're an asshole!" She jumped off the van and Niall was surprised she landed perfectly straight in her heels. He watched her storm off shouting in French. Knowing very well he had no right to follow her.

Notes

I need opinions! Who should I make the next story about? Don't hate me for this chapter lol.

xoxo<3