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Louis struggled to hide his feelings for Harry, ever since they met, and started hanging out, falling in love with Harry was easy and unavoidable. He never believed in love at first sight, but Harry captivated his mind and attention from the beginning.
Louis was driving them back home, yet he couldn't help but gazing the rearview mirror more often than needed, nobody could blame him, when the sight of Harry and his little daughter Lia singing songs is something he doesn't want to miss.
"Sing with us, Loueeh" Lia said, giggling when Harry restarted her favourite playlist of cartoon soundtracks. "Yeah, sing with us!" Harry said, approving his daughter's idea.
"I don't know any of them, love." Louis said, locking eyes with Harry for a second. "But I'm gonna learn them, how about that?"
"We can watch telly together." Lia said, and she started singing along the tune.
"That's an amazing idea." Louis said, looking at the mirror again and finding Harry's intense eyes on him. Harry just smiled, shyly, rosy cheeks and dimples on display, before start singing more happy songs.
They met a bit over eleven months now, Harry and Lía slowly entered Louis' life, or rather, they allowed Louis to be part of their small yet happy life. He knows how important it is for Harry to keep a strong and trustworthy relationships with Lia's daily life, that being the main reason why Louis hasn't pursued anything romantic with Harry, not because he wasn't honest or committed to what Harry expects from him, in contrary, Louis doesn't want to ruin the special relationship they have.
Louis cares about them so deeply, he doesn't want to break Harry's trust. There were times in which Louis believed Harry might reciprocated his feelings, however he never acted on it, scared of his brain playing him a trick ruled by his heart.
However, Louis felt something shifted that day. There was something else in Harry's eyes, telling him Harry got something to say, something he's been also holding on for a while.
Whatever that is, it made Louis' heart beat faster, eager to share the love he's trying to hide beneath his skin.
#
Louis hates the word famous, he hates even more that his name definitely falls into that category.
His passion for cooking started when he was just eleven years old, visiting his grandmother on weekends, she made sure to teach Louis all her secrets receipts and tips. Louis went to university, worked hard and graduated as Chef few years later, dedicating his degree to his then late grandma, honouring the time they've spent together, and the memories he would cherish forever.
For Louis, being a Chef based in just one place was never an option, he travelled and worked as seasonal Chef all over Europe in the span of a few years, creating connections and learning gastronomy culture as he went.
Louis returned to London after getting an amazing job offer, just when he started to settle in his working place, the pandemic hit and lockdown started. He was living Lottie, his younger sister, as temporary shelter for the time he was gonna spend in the new restaurant. Louis tried to rent a flat for himself, so he could give more privacy to his sister and her partner, but Lottie insisted him to stay so they could all be company in such unusual moment. The lockdown was complicated for Louis, who was used to be on the move, his only distractions were trash TV and get in command of the kitchen during the endless days inside of the house.
He took the opportunity to cook all the receipts he learned from the places he visited, adding his personal touch.
Having Lottie wandering around with a phone in her hand wasn't uncommon. As an influencer and vlogger, recording everything is what her job was about, he knew she was struggling with creativity trapped inside of the house, so Louis didn't make a big deal when she started recording him in action. It all changed a couple of weeks later when his phone started to beep more often than he's used to.
After Lottie's videos, Louis started gaining followers on his social page, but it wasn't just a few of them, it was thousands of people seemingly interested in him. He checked and all his videos in Lottie's socials went viral.
It was the craziest ride, get used to people's attention. Lottie insisted Louis to start posting content on his own page and things just started to shine for him. When lockdown was lifted and people returned to their social life, Louis had two options, go back to work as Chef for somebody else, or adventure himself investing the money he saved and earned from his travelling years and his new online life in his own restaurant.
Having a name in the industry he worked was important, but he wasn't sure if having the name involved becoming an online sensation for young people across the globe.
He decided to try, since every Chef wants to open their own restaurant, and the opportunity was in the palm of his hands. When he posted the first booking link, he was surprised with the immediate response, the first month was fully booked in less than an hour online.
The restaurant became a success, always fully booked, making Louis impossible to not upgrade the place and hiring more staff.
After a year of hard work, Louis decided it was finally time to buy his own place, especially since Lottie was married and expecting her first child. Louis visited a lot of places, some them were more convenient due to location and commodities, but it was one semi-detached house that was calling him in.
Somehow he felt that was the place for him to stay.
#
Monday is a sacred day for Louis, his only day off work at the restaurant, therefore, he always made sure to stay away from the kitchen. On Mondays, he loves watching TV and eating trash food, because no matter how fancy a cooked meal can be, nothing is compared to a Nando's or Mcdo.
It was only his second free day in his new house, when his sister request him to bake something for her. She was hosting a tea party with her friends and asked Louis to bake his famous Yorkshire Pudding and chocolate cupcakes. Louis was not in the mood of leaving the coach that day, but he couldn't say just say no, not after Lottie pulled the "I'm pregnant" card.
It happened that day, when Louis finished icing the cupcakes he heard ringing bell, Louis opened the door and felt paralysed.
"Hi, my name is Harry. I'm your neighbour" The prettiest man Louis' ever laid his eyes on said.
"Hi" Louis said, or at least Louis believe he said so.
The angel, named Harry, smiled a bit confused. "Hmm, my daughter was playing in the back and one of her toys landed in your yard. I was wondering if I could have it back?"
"Oh yeah" Louis said, he didn't quite understand the words, he could only focus on the pretty face and the deep voice coming out of those plump lips.
Louis walked to the back door with 'Toy and yard' in his mind. Luckily, a pink plushie elephant was easy to spot over the green grass.
Louis returned to the living to find a very curious Harry trying to look around his house yet managing to stay still in his doorstep.
"I suppose this is what you want" Louis said, trying to absorb more of the beautiful being in front of him.
"That's right. Is that Yorkshire pudding that I smell?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I baked some pudding and cupcakes for my sister"
"Are you a baker?"
"Not necessarily, but I know some stuff" Louis said, smiling. "Do you want some?"
"Oh no, no. You probably baked just enough"
"I made some extra" It was a lie. "Please have some, I insist", Louis said walking to his kitchen. He picked two of each, remembering Harry said he had a daughter.
"Here, for you and your daughter"
Harry didn't waste time and bite of the Yorkshire pudding Louis handled him. The sound Harry made should be considered inappropriate, but it worked as ego booster for Louis.
"This is heavenly, why is this so good?"
"My Nan's receipt." Louis admitted. "My name is Louis, by the way."
"Pleasure, Lewis."
"It's Louis."
"French?" Harry raised one of his brows.
"Just the name."
"Well Louis, you should open a bakery" Harry said before finishing the rest of the pudding. "Full Honesty, you should."
"I'll keep that in mind." Louis smiled. Harry thanked him for the pastries and they said their goodbyes. Louis couldn't stop himself from watching Harry walking happily back home.
Louis was about to close the front door when Lottie's car stopped in his driveway. He knew she wouldn't be happy with the missing puddings and cupcakes, but he couldn't care less. Not when he managed to get compliments from his hot neighbour because of them.
#
Ever since their first interaction, Louis wanted to talk with Harry again. He wanted to be casual about it, so randomly knocking on his neighbour's door wasn't an option. The few times they crossed paths were when either of them were leaving or arriving at their houses. Just a cordial greeting, and they both continued with their own routine.
It was intriguing, the few times Louis managed to catch a glimpse of Harry at home were on the weekends where he got used to hear little giggles of a tiny girl running while playing with her dad in their backyard. The few evenings Louis got at home, he catches some moderated music playing and what seemed to be a dance competition happening the next door. It was endearing the thought of Harry and his daughter having so much fun together.
Louis had a few questions, What Harry does for a living? Is he married? If yes, why Louis could only hear two voices on most days? The only uncommon voice Louis heard was from a woman Harry's little daughter called nan on some afternoons.
Three weeks passed when they finally talk again. Louis just arrived home after another night at his restaurant, he was about to get undressed when he heard insistent knockings on his door. He opened it and there was Harry holding a phone for Louis to see.
"This is you, that's you!" Harry said enthusiastically, pointing his phone screen. There was indeed a video Louis posted a few weeks ago on his social page. Even after he opened his restaurant and it went well, Lottie insisted Louis to keep his socials alive, as a way to promote his brand and keep interacting with his audience.
"Yeah." Louis said, feeling a bit shy all sudden. "That's me."
"Oh my god you're famous! I have a famous neighbour, this is so weird!" Harry said, but immediately added. "Weird in a good way, I mean. I knew I've seen your face somewhere."
"I'm not famous, Harry. I'm just well-known? Definitely not famous." Louis hated that word.
Harry shook his head. "Look at these numbers, this is being famous to me." Harry said, looking at his phone.
"Not famous enough, I see you're not following me." Louis joked, trying to take the focus off him. Harry seemed embarrassed and clicked the follow button for Louis to see. "Sorry, I mostly follow cat pages and nature stuff. But your face was familiar to me. Then your video came up and I've been waiting for you to come home the whole afternoon."
Louis was speechless at Harry's unique reaction. He shook his head as Harry continued. "This is so exciting!! I promise I won't share with anyone where you live. Your secret is safe with me."
"Harry, I have no secrets, but I'm pretty sure nobody wants to know where I live anyways."
"You never know."
"I'm just a Chef, Harold. No secrets."
"Can I tell my mum and my best friend about you then?" Harry's eyes lighted up.
"Of course." Louis couldn't believe there was Harry, the boy he's been thinking about for weeks, in front of his door just excited because Louis happens to be his neighbour.
"This is better than the time I have an influencer in my Salon."
"Your salon?"
"I'm a hairstylist."
"Oh that's nice. I might go for a trim, then." Louis should be embarrassed by the lame tactic he just pulled. He's hasn't been in a hairdresser since he came back to England, his sister always helped him to keep his hair in line, but if going to a hairdresser means more time talking to Harry, he's up for it.
Lottie is pregnant anyways.
"Oh please, whenever you'd like! It's on the house."
"Harry, I'm not getting a haircut for free."
Harry giggled loudly, a pair of dimples appeared on his cheeks and Louis was gone already. Harry shared his Salon's address, said goodbye.
Louis didn't tear his eyes from Harry until he was safe inside of his home.
#
The next time they saw each other, Louis finally met Lía. She was a tiny little girl with blonde hair and bright green eyes, just like Harry. Louis was arriving home from a meeting when he saw Harry, his mum and Lía walking out of the house. The little girl was dressed in a ballerina outfit.
"Remember the chocolate cupcake I gave you the other day? Louis here made it." Harry explained the little girl.
"Uhhh. Do you have more cupcakes?" Lía asked, looking up to see Louis' face.
"No, Lia."
"I don't, but I can bake something else." Louis replied, he squatted down to stay on the same level as Lia.
"Do you know how to bake different things?"
"I do, I'm a Chef."
"What's a Chef?"
"A Chef is someone who cooks delicious meals for other people." Louis tried to reply in the easiest way possible.
"Mummy cooks delicious, right mummy?" Lia said, looking at Harry.
Mummy... Harry is a carrier.
"I'm sure he does!" Louis replied, still processing the information he just got.
"Not so good to be a Chef." Harry mumbled, meanwhile Lia started to play with Louis' keys.
"So, what do you want me to bake?"
"A CHOCCO CAKE!" Lia said enthusiastically, making all the adults smile.
"A Chocco cake will be. I will let your mum know when its ready. Not today though, okay?" Louis raised his hand for a high five.
"Okay!" Lia replied and jumped for the high five.
"So you're the famous neighbour my son told me about? I'm Anne Twist."
"I'm not famous, Mrs Twist. I'm just well-known." Louis said, greeting the lady.
"Alright, Well-known Louis, it's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Mrs Twist."
"Come on Lia, let's get in the car or we'll be late." Anne said, taking Lia to Harry's car.
"You don't have to bake anything, really." Harry said apologetic. "I'm gonna get her some cake after her school any of these days and that'll work. I don't want to be inconvenient."
"I promise is not an inconvenience so don't sweat about it." Louis smiled at Harry. "Also, I gave her my word and I don't want to break that."
"I'm gonna pay for it."
"I won't take any money."
"So you won't accept a free haircut from me but I have to accept a free cake from you?" Harry challenged.
"The haircut would be for me, the cake is for Lia, not for you." Louis retorted.
Harry smiled big, when he was about to say something they heard Anne's voice calling.
"I've got to go, see you Louis." Harry said with a little wave.
"See you soon."
#
It happened slowly, Louis started to interact with Harry more often. Let it be by having a small chat on their driveway when they caught each other, or when Louis delivered the special chocco cake for Harry's little girl. The time Louis when for the longest haircut in history, that made him arrive two hours late to work, but he learnt a lot of Harry's story and other side gossiping of people he would never know.
Harry told Louis the day he decided he'd become a hairdresser and stylist. Harry was always the one cousin or friend who was there for a last minute make-up look. He learnt it all from his aunt, magazines and tutorials he'd found. However, he never thought his skills were good enough for him to make a living from it.
Harry was on the fourth semester of Law university when he decided that path wasn't for him. He dropped out without telling his family and started some training courses. He announced his decision just after he landed in his first job in a famous hair salon of London.
Harry's parents were shocked, but they understood his reasons. They'd finally understood why Harry moved from a very stressed and drained demeanour during his first years of Uni compared to the happy and relaxed spirit he displayed all of the sudden.
Harry was happy, doing what he loves. No major degree was more important than that.
"My job allows me to spend time with my daughter, to meet all her needs, I got a house, my own working place. My sister works with me, my employees aren't burnout of tiring desk jobs, I have loyal friends and customers that would never change my me. People can't say I'm not successful" Harry said, Louis agreed.
Louis also learnt Harry was a single mum. "I hope you won't judge me," Harry said nervous when he shared his story. Harry just opened his Salon at twenty two, it was working marvelously for a new place in the market, although in winter the lack of customer was usual, he decided to take two weeks off and travel to a Caribbean cruise with friends. The idea of spending New Years in tropical weather for the first time ever sold Harry in.
Harry was young and he had a lot of fun, just like any young adult would do.
However, one month later the morning sickness started to hit, and he found out he was pregnant. "I didn't bother looking up, I don't even know if the people I spent time with gave me their real name. I mean, I changed my name to every man that wanted to talk with me." Harry explained. "It was hard, I've learned single male mums aren't well accepted in our society yet. There were a lot of dirty looks and I never saw some customers' faces again. The Salon was still new, I was working alone, and the belly started getting in the way." But Harry didn't give up, he continued working until one week before his due date. Just like some people turned their back on him, many others shared their helping hand.
After giving birth, Harry slowly built a decent money due to his hard work. Louis witnessed that effort, hairdressing might not seem the most exhaustive job, but what Harry does to balance his life surely is. Louis has never seen Harry tired around his daughter, he's always energetic and eager to play whatever her four year old little brain came up with. However, Louis has also seen Harry taking deep breaths of exhaustion before getting in the house, he has seen Harry massaging his neck or his arms when Lia's eyes were not on him. Louis noticed how early the days start for Harry, and he could also hear Harry cleaning and doing house chores very late at night.
"You know, I'm glad I didn't tell my sister to buy your house when I heard it was listed for sale." Harry said in one night, they were sitting on Harry's doorstep having some home-made ice-cream Louis made for Harry and Lia. "Why's that?"
"Because I wouldn't have met you, and I wouldn't be eating the sweetest ice cream ever." Harry said. "Also, I'm glad you're not a freak."
"What? Why would I be a freak?"
"Have you not seen criminal documentaries? A man moving into a new neighbourhood is always a red flag."
"Really?!!" Louis said, amused by Harry's brain.
"Yeah. I made a mistake accepting your food straight away, I beat myself for it for days. I tried to avoid meeting you again. Then when I realised who you are and everything was fine."
"Oh wow, that's the first time I'm hearing anything similar." It makes sense now for Louis, how hard finding Harry those first weeks, but then they would stumble into each other more often.
"You can't judge me! I'm a single mum. But after finding your extensive digital footprint I didn't bother to hide anymore."
Louis could never get offended, he knew Harry was right, in fact, even after they started talking more, it took a lot of time for Harry to welcome Louis inside of his house. It was only on Lia's fifth anniversary that he walked in and just like Harry, it seemed a happy place.
"My dream house" Harry said, it was colourful and bright. The ceiling was painted with clouds and purple skies, the furniture were different in shape and colours, a mix of vintage and modern appliances, but somehow it all worked together. What caught Louis' attention was a Hello Kitty shaped landline phone in the corner of the room.
"I've won it on at carnival when I was thirteen, never got rid of it. Now its Lia's, she uses it to talk with my mom and sister daily, I know they could just use my phone, but Lia prefers it. It only works on speaker so she gets excited with it.
Every detail about Harry enamoured Louis, from his silly jokes and kind heart to his colourful house and unique phone. Louis couldn't believe he was a thirty one years old man with a crush, but that he was. At first he thought it was simple attraction, Harry is the most gorgeous human he has ever seen. He knew it was more than attraction when jealousy was consuming his peace.
Harry became so adamant in making a reservation at Louis' restaurant just like anybody else, Louis insisted he could get Harry a table any day he'd like, but Harry insisted on doing just like any other person. When Louis opened the bookings for the next month, his world went upside down at the 'table for two' under Harry's name written on his screen.
Louis never saw Harry going out on dates, nor he noticed the presence of anyone besides the regular people in his place. Harry never mentioned he was seeing anyone either, which was okay, it was Harry's right to keep his private life, private. But it was driving Louis crazy, for an entire two weeks he couldn't stop thinking about the idea of Harry having a date at his own restaurant, the idea of Louis cooking meals for a random man who'd be occupying the place Louis wanted so much. It was a lot.
During those two weeks, Louis was annoyed and frustrated, he even considered to take the day off and let his cooking staff take over.
All the jealousy and frustration vanished from his body when he saw Harry walking hand in hand with his daughter, Louis' heart melted.
#
There were moments which made Louis believe Harry might feel the same, however, the fear of losing the precious friendship he and Harry developed always stopped him. If Harry needed Louis only as a friend, that's exactly what he'd be.
Just like Harry was there for Louis when he fell sick, bringing soup and medicines, checking on Louis whenever he got a free time and even cleaning Louis' mess. When Harry needed a friend, Louis was there.
It was pretty late on Sunday night when Louis arrived home from the restaurant to find Harry cursing at his car.
"I've called my mechanic, but he's not picking the phone. I don't think there's anything he could do tonight really, but I don't know what else to do." Harry said, they were both looking at the car's engines.
"To be honest with you love, I don't even know what I'm looking at. I wish I knew."
"It's okay. I don't know either." Harry sighed. "I just don't want to get in a stranger's car with my daughter for more than two hours and do the same to get back."
"I can drive you."
"No, Lou, no. It's your day off, I could not accept that."
"It's still a day off for me as long as I'm away from the kitchen, Harry. Trust me, I don't mind. Also, I'm gonna feel way better knowing that you both are safe."
"Are you sure? It'd be a long trip just to watch five years old jumping around. It's honestly so ridiculous to have a dancing recital so far away."
"Positive. If Lia is excited then I'm sure it's worthy."
"Oh Louis!" Harry threw himself on Louis for a hug. "You're a heaven-sent." Hearing those words made Louis' heart grow fonder.
"No. You both are."
#
Harry was right. It was simply ridiculous driving this far to watch a dancing competition. Louis noticed most, if not all parents around them share the same sentiment.
Louis woke up at five in the morning to get ready, Harry told him they should leave by six to get there on time. The plan was going straight to the theatre, when the event was over they'd wander around for lunch, then visit Harry's mum who lives nearby. Harry said they all could get a shower at her mum's place so they would return fresh and clean at home.
The competition was tragic, most parents were yawning and others recording the little ballerinas onstage, (Harry was one of them). At the end, nobody really won. All the little girls got a medal and flowers for their participation and the organisers call it a day.
Louis would've complain, but suddenly none of that time mattered when Lia grabbed his and Harry's hands for the final dance. Louis looked around and most of the little girls were doing the same, they were dancing with their parents.
Realisation hit him, Louis looked up and Harry was blushing and avoiding his eyes. Louis bit his lips and kept dancing along until the music stop.
-
Lia didn't let go of Louis' and Harry's hand, every time she got an opportunity she would grab their hands and lead them around.
"This is the bestest day ever! right, mummy?" Lia said when they're having lunch, fish and chips, Lia's favourite.
"Yes baby, it is. The best day." Harry said, smiling at Louis for a few seconds, then he shied away.
Louis couldn't agree more.
They had tea and showered at Anne's place, She offered them to stay the night, but Harry kindly declined. He said he didn't want to bother Louis no more. Louis thought about arguing, but Harry's pleading eyes made him stay quiet.
#
The trip back home lasted longer than intended, he drove slower when Harry told him Lia just fell asleep. When they arrived home, Louis helped Harry with the door so he could put Lia to sleep with less trouble.
Louis didn't want to go home and leave Harry alone, however, he didn't know what else to do so he grabbed Harry's bags from his car and took them inside of the house. Louis was unpacking Lia's juices and snacks when he noticed Harry staring at him.
"I put her juices in the fridge, but I don't know where do you want me to put these." Louis said, pointing to the tiny packages.
Harry didn't answer, stood there for a bit longer then walked towards Louis, fast, with intent. He grabbed Louis' face and kissed him, fiercely. It lasted two seconds at max, then he pulled away.
"Oh Louis I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. Please don't get mad at me." Harry said, he started pacing nervously in the kitchen. "I'm sorry, I didn't have to. Please don't stop being my friend." Harry kept saying. He grabbed the snack packs and put them away, he seemed like he wanted to hide, or pretend nothing happened.
Louis walked towards Harry and stopped him from moving. "Don't apologise." Louis said, he cupped Harry's face with one hand and leaned in for another kiss. Louis felt Harry melting with his touch, whines of satisfaction escaping Harry's mouth encouraged Louis to deepen the kiss. Months of craving and desire were finally released as their mouths moved in perfect sync.
Harry was trying to lead them out of the kitchen and unbuttoned Louis' shirt at the same time. Louis was pretty much busy roaming Harry's body with his hands, loving how Harry's curves feel under his palms.
They were almost reaching the couch when the Hello Kitty phone started ringing, scaring them both.
"That's probably my mum. I forgot to tell her we got home." Harry said, breathing agitated after their kiss. Louis started to pull away as the phone kept ringing, but Harry pulled him back.
"No! I want you close. I want to feel you. I'm just gonna let her know we're okay. It won't take long." Harry said walking them towards the phone. Louis did as he got told and started kissing Harry's neck, pushing him against the wall next to the phone.
"Hey mum."
"Oh Harry, You're okay? I got worried and you weren't answering your phone."
"We're fine mum." Harry said, trying to keep his voice normal yet pulling Louis even closer. "We just arrived, Lía fell asleep and I tucked her in. My phone is probably in my purse somewhere."
"Alright darling, it's just me being a mum. I know you'd be safe with Louis."
"Yes mum, we are all fine."
"Louis is such a great man, Harry"
"Mum..."
"He's hard-working, educated, so attentive to you and Lía." Louis felt Harry's body tensing against him.
"Not now, please mum."
"And I'm pretty sure he fancies you, Harry. I saw him today, He couldn't keep his eyes off of you."
"Okay mum. We can talk tomorrow."
"No Harry, you always do the same. You keep avoiding me when I want to talk with you about this."
"Mum, please..."
"Harry, baby, you always sabotage your own happiness. You think you're going to be selfish if you put yourself first for a little bit, and that's not true. If you want to give your best for your daughter, you have to be happy for yourself as well. Look at me, how many memories we wouldn't have if I didn't believe I deserved to be happy with Robin? He was part of our lives and even if he's not with us anymore, I don't regret any of it."
Harry remained quiet, but he didn't let go of Louis yet.
"Harry, I'm afraid you could lose a great love if you don't give yourself a chance. Please, darling, think about it."
"I will, mum." Harry said, his voice sounded fragile.
"Alright baby, I'm gonna call Lia tomorrow. Goodnight dear."
"Goodnight."
The call was finished and they stayed still for a while.
"What a way to ruin the mood." Harry said, hiding his face in Louis' neck.
"Nothing got ruined for me" Louis said, brushing his fingers through Harry's hair. "But I understand you might feel vulnerable and exposed right now." Harry nodded slowly.
"At least I know I don't have to win her over anymore."
"Oh please, she loves you." Harry said, pulling away, not daring to look at Louis. "She treats me like a teen, but I am twenty nine."
Louis stopped him once more, lifting Harry's face with the tip of his finders. "But she's right, I fancy you." Louis said, leaning for a quick kiss. "I like you so much Harry, I've been wanting you for so long. I don't think I will ever stop wanting you."
Harry kissed him again, softly. Pouring their feelings into the kiss.
"I don't want to mess up." Harry confessed when they pulled apart. "We need to talk about this, like serious talk."
"All you want, baby."
#
They agreed on talking the next day, Louis left the restaurant an hour early so he would get to spend more time with Harry. He arrived with a takeaway in one hand and flowers in the other, hoping to make a surprise. He ended up being surprised with Harry jumping on Louis for a kiss as soon as he reached the door.
"I really reaaaally like kissing you." Harry whispered against his lips.
Harry opened up about never wanting to get involved with anyone, romantically, ever since he birthed Lia, he feels guilty to this day for his recklessness and how that affects Lia growing up with just one parent. Although Harry tries his best to be the most caring and attentive mother he could ever be, he always feels like he should be doing more. Harry admitted after he got to know Louis, after spending time together, he secretly wished Louis to be It for him.
Louis told Harry he never had deep and lasting relationships due to his work and travelling, he never had bad experiences either.
Louis confessed although he opened his restaurant, he always wondered if staying in just one place was the right thing to do. After he met Harry, Louis said he got the answer. Louis finally got a reason to stay.
#
Louis took Harry on their first date on a Monday night. A very unusual day for a romantic date, but Harry insisted to be that day.
Louis thought he got the perfect date for them visiting many places London, yet somehow he felt Harry was hurrying them around.
"Is there something you didn't like about today?" Louis asked, they till got a reservation at one of his friend's steak house for dinner. But if Harry didn't feel like going then Louis wouldn't impose on him anything.
"Noo! No. It's not that."
"Then what is it? You can tell me, baby. I don't want to ruin our first date."
"It's just... I convinced my mum to visit Gemma for this week, I asked them to babysit Lia until tomorrow so we could have the day together."
"I know that, love. But it seems you're not enjoying anything, it's like you want to go home."
"I do." Harry said, standing in front of Louis. "I want to go home, to your house. Now." Harry leaned in to kiss Louis passionately, leaving Louis breathless in the spot.
Fuck.
#
Louis locked the door and pushed Harry against the wall. "You should have told what you really wanted, baby. I thought about being romantic for our first date, but I was wrong."
"Sex is romantic. You can fuck me and recite poems at the same time." Harry said, unbuttoning Louis' shirt.
"I didn't know this version of you could exist. I like it."
Harry was whining and moaning as Louis pressed their bodies together.
"Is it always like that?" Harry asked breathless.
"Like what?"
"People stopping you around? To say hello or for a picture? It happened when we went to Manchester, and today again."
"Not always, depends on the places. Why are you asking?"
Harry didn't respond. He grabbed Louis and kissed him even harder.
"Why did you ask that, Harry?" Louis demanded. He looked in Harry's eyes filled with lust.
"It does turn you on, doesn't it? That people know who am I?"
Harry smiled and bit his lower lip. "Maybe..."
Fuck.
"Me being famous gets you wet, huh? Wanna know what gets me hard every time I think about you?" Louis asked, looking straight to Harry's eyes.
"What?"
"That you're a sexy mum." Louis pressed Harry against the wall a bit harder. "The hottest mum I've ever seen."
"Louis..."
"I know you looked gorgeous with your belly. Oh, I wish I could've seen you." Harry was desperate, he wrapped his legs around Louis and started to grind.
"I loved being pregnant." Harry said. "I loved feeling all my body."
"Would you like to get pregnant again, baby?" Louis asked, trying to get the answer he wanted from Harry.
"Yeeess!" Harry moaned.
"Would you like me to get you pregnant, Harry?" Louis pressed. He knew it might be risky, but Harry so beautifully aroused in his arms. He needed to know.
"Please Lou, please..." Harry begged.
There is it.
Louis kissed Harry again, and carried him to the bedroom.
#
Harry breathed in touching his belly, the baby has been quite agitated the whole day, they probably felt Harry's excitement through the day and decided to be part of the big moment. Harry, Louis and Lia finally moved into their renovated home and Harry couldn't be happier with the final product.
Harry wished the days never end, he felt like living the best moment of his life and he never wants it to end. Harry was glad he listened to his mum's advice and finally allowed himself to fall in love and be loved in return.
Three years ago, Harry saw a moving truck stopping in front of his driveway, his then new neighbour was moving in, a fresh start. Little Harry known that his life was about to chance with that moving truck, for the better, for the best.
Louis entered Harry's life and his heart with little steps, filling all the spaces Harry tried to ignore for so long. Now he's sitting in his freshly decorated house, in his new baby's nursery built just the way he dreamed.
Harry's due date is just one week away now, the baby is right on its place and he could get into labour at any time, so he's trying to enjoy every moment left of the best pregnancy anyone could ever wish for.
When Louis and Harry started dating, they both wanted to have a baby together, however they decided to wait a little longer because of Lia, they wanted her to get used to Louis being part of Harry's life now, not only as a friend and neighbour.
Lia was always Harry's first priority and Louis never ever showed any sign of disagreement.
"I want you Harry, completely. That means Lia is also a priority for me, too." Louis said. Harry made the right decision.
After few months of dating, Harry woke up one morning feeling his body different, a sensation he felt before and couldn't help but teared up at the thought of being pregnant again. Harry secretly got a blood work and when the results came up he decided to make a surprise for Louis.
He got a little box with baby shoes inside, along the pregnancy results and drove to Louis' restaurant. When Louis opened, he started to cry. For Harry's surprise, Louis immediately opened his desk drawer and pulled a velvet box out of it.
"I was planning to propose this friday, I wanted to close the restaurant just for us, but I can't wait anymore." Louis said, getting down on one knee.
"Marry me, baby, please?"
#
Louis closed the restaurant just for them, their close family and friends just one month later, they wanted to marry very soon and it was the greatest "Yes" Harry ever said in his life.
They considered to purchase a new house, but none of them wanted to leave the place they fell in love behind. It was their home, they both always felt it was the right place to live. Louis suggested they could make some changes, bring down some walls and combine their houses into a big family home. It took longer than expected, but the builders managed to leave the house just like Harry desired.
Harry was scared they wouldn't finish in time for the baby's birth, but it all fell into place. Harry was finishings packing the last baby clothes into his maternity bag, getting all ready for the big day.
"Mum? Dad says dinner is ready." Harry heard Lia calling from downstairs. "I'm coming!!"
Harry wasn't sure how Lia would react to so many new changes in their lives. She surprised him in the best way every single time. She got super excited about Loueeh being her mum's boyfriend. When they told her about their marriage, she didn't really care about the relationship status, she only asked if that means Louis would become her dad.
Before Harry could even react, he heard Louis speaking.
"D-Do you want me to be your dad?"
"Yes!!!" Lia said, very excited.
Louis looked at Harry with teary eyes. "What do you think?"
Harry looked at his daughter and then he looked at the man he's fallen in love with and he saw a family. "It's okay, it's perfect." Harry managed to say.
Lia started jumping full of happiness, meanwhile Louis hugged Harry with so much love.
#
Harry's second pregnancy has been a dream, the baby never caused any trouble, no major symptoms to complain about. Louis has been the best husband and company he could ever wish, loving and worshipping Harry's body every day and night. Harry felt pretty every time Louis looked at him, the way Louis is looking at him right now.
"Gorgeous baby." Louis said, walking towards Harry. "Cooked your favourite tonight."
"Marrying a Chef was the best decision I've ever made." Harry joked, Louis smiled and leaned in for a kiss, his hands all over Harry's belly.
"Marrying you, baby, is my dream come true."