Niall's POV.

I ran a hand through my hair as I walked in to my dark, empty flat. It reminded me that I needed a haircut badly and a color touch up. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and turned on the light. I looked at the watch on my wrist and realized it was pretty late. I had spent all day writing some songs and surprisingly we came up with one we were really happy about. So happy that they asked me to record it as soon as I signed the contract next week. It seemed rushed but at the same time I was excited to put something out there.

My mind naturally started to wander towards Zoe as I walked the stretch of my home towards the bedroom. It was always so quiet when she wasn't home running around in my clothes or making brownies while I watched my sports. It frightened me what a big part of my life she had become. I recalled the phone call I had with my mother yesterday. Apparently my love for Zoe was so obvious and cute to her. To my surprise, she asked me if I felt this was a serious relationship. I can still hear the squeal of joy my mum let out when, without hesitation, I told her this was a very serious relationship.

It was as if Zoe knew I was thinking of her when my phone started flashing her name across the screen. I immediately swiped my finger and answered.

"Hello, princess." I answered, unable to stop the smile growing on my face.
"Niall... I love you." she told me out of the blue, my heart unable to control the sudden erratic beating.
"Where are you? I need to see you." I demanded knowing I couldn't tell her I loved her over the phone. I not only needed to tell her how much I loved her and how long I'd been waiting to say it, but I needed to show her, too.
"I'm on my way to your place. See you in a few." she answered and without another word hung up.

I held my phone tightly against my chest. My heart was doing somersaults at what Zoe had just revealed. I stood there a few moments smiling like an idiot before heading towards my closet to change into something more comfortable.

I couldn't help but wait impatiently for Zoe to arrive. I turned on a documentary about killer whales but I wasn't fully paying attention. My foot tapped hurriedly against the floor hoping time would pass faster. It surprised me just how fast I shot up from my seat when the first knock on the door was heard.

I rushed to the door not waiting a second longer to open it up. Zoe stood there, her hands shyly behind her back, and she looked beautiful in a red dress and heels. Her hair in its naturally straight form cascaded down her back. She was perfect and she loved me. That's all that mattered.

Without a word, I extended my hand towards her and pulled her inside. I closed the door behind us and pinned her against it with my body. At first she was unsure of what was happening, but she quickly relaxed when my lips crashed on to hers. The sweet taste of her mouth was an addiction that urged me to deepen the kiss. I took her face in my hands and kissed her passionately, my tongue rapidly finding hers. She knew how to drive me crazy as she trailed her hands up my back and into my hair. Her delicate digits tangling themselves in it and lightly massaging my scalp.

"I love you, Zoe." I said, breaking our kiss and looking into her eyes.
"I love you, I love you, I love you!" she answered back placing a kiss on my lips between each 'I love you'.

Hearing her say it in person had a deeper effect on me than on the phone. It made it more real and it made me feel weak at the knees. To be honest, I had never told a woman that wasn't my mum that I loved her. On the other hand, I'm sure thousands of women and girls have told me they loved me. None of them mattered, though, as the only woman that I wanted to love and be loved by was Zoe.

"You don't know how long I've been wanting to say this to you. I love you, Zoe Allen." I whisper to her with my forehead pressed to hers as my hand rested on her cheek.
"And I love you, Niall Horan." she said back and my lips instantly found their way back to hers.

"Does my love want something to drink?" I asked Zoe once we mustered to get our hands off each other and away from the door.
"Well, since I'm sure your fridge is stocked with beer, I'll have one of those fancy ones you like." she answered teasingly as she plopped on the sofa.
"Actually, I don't have beer." I stated and watched as she turned her head sharply towards me in astonishment.
"Niall Horan doesn't have beer?!" she asked amused.
"Gotta keep the vocal chords in tip top shape for singing. Been getting terrible reflux lately. I'm getting it checked out soon." I explained as I walked into the kitchen.
"Why didn't you tell me you were having reflux problems?" she questioned with worry on her face.
"Exactly for this." I said, pointing at her face, "I didn't want you to get worried." I finished off before handing her a glass of grapefruit juice and joining her on the sofa. She drank that stuff like water and I had made note to stock up on it on my last grocery trip.
"I'm going with you." she stated after a moment as she drank from her glass.
"Where?" I asked, knowing the answer but hoping she meant somewhere else.
"To the doctor's. I don't want you to go alone or with anyone else." Zoe confessed as she picked up her feet on the sofa and leaned her body on me.
"Really, Zoe? I would love that." I said with a smile on my face.

The truth was I really did appreciate Zoe wanting to accompany me to the doctor's office. It made my heart light up to know she wanted to go but I couldn't stop thinking about one thing. When she said those words 'I'm going with you.' I really wish she was saying that to the question I'd made up my mind about asking her. I wanted to take her to Los Angeles with me. She'll be off for summer soon and the one thing I wanted the most was to embark this new journey in LA with her.

It was a big step to take and to ask of her. I'm basically asking her to move in together away from any place she's ever called home. It's something I had thought about ever since I admitted to myself that I loved her. That's why I asked her to help me choose a house in LA. Without knowing, she was choosing the house I'd ask her to share with me. Now my mission was to find the right moment to ask her.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked me bringing me back from my thoughts. I hadn't realized I wasn't paying attention the movie she had chosen and was lost in my head.
"Nothing, princess." I assured her and kissed her head. I thought briefly about bringing up the possible move but decided that it could be too much too fast for one day.
"Niall, I have some news." she chimed in and sat up from the comfy side by side embrace we were sharing.
"What is it?" I asked, genuinely curious as to what it could be.
"I know I haven't been able to tell you what my professor wanted, or more like I haven't found the right time," she began and my curiosity grew, "He said he recommended me to BBC News. They're offering me a job starting this summer!" she sounded excited and I smiled trying to process this sudden revelation that made my plans crash before they even got a chance to take off. If she was going to be working here, she couldn't be with me in LA at the same time.

I didn't want it to come down to either me or her career and I was afraid I didn't know if I could make her choose.

Notes

Wow, FINALLY I've updated! So sorry for the wait guys. It has been a hectic 2017 for me and my writing time has suffered. So, basically this is our dilemma... Will Niall ask Zoe to go with him? Would she accept? Or should Niall keep hush and let her take the job? What do you think Zoe REALLY wants?

UPDATE: We Took A Chance is still in the running for Best Niall Horan Fic and Round 4 is happening right now! Make sure to vote for all your favorite stories and authors!