Chapter 21
Harry was more distracted than he’d ever been at a show. All of his apologies, Milan. He’d been hit with the awful piece of news that he’d be staying in Milan with Niall to do some press the next day five minutes before they went on stage, and it was all he could think about. Louis was going to absolutely lose his mind when he found out; Harry was dreading having to tell him. Nick’s flight was getting into Paris the next day, but it meant that Louis would have to spend the night alone. Harry knew by this point that fighting their management was useless, and if they wanted him to do something he’d just have to suck it up and do it.
“You have twenty minutes to say goodbye. I’m sorry man,” Alberto said quietly to Harry after they walked off stage.
Harry sighed before walking back over to his little boy. “Let’s get you all nice and comfy in pajamas, angel!”
Louis let out a yawn as they walked to their dressing room, “We see papa tomorrow?”
“That’s right! Papa will be with us around dinner time,” Harry said. Louis clapped his hands in response, overjoyed at the prospect of seeing the man for the first time in forever and ever.
“Sleepy,” Louis said with a yawn.
“I know, baby, once you’re in the car you can go to bed,” Harry said sympathetically. The constant time changes had been hard on Louis, and nothing was more difficult than the shift from LA to Milan. Nine hours was a world of difference for the little boy. “Daddy needs to talk to you for a minute, can you be my good listener?”
Louis nodded, “Your good boy.”
Harry cooed, “That’s right, you’re always my good little boy. Daddy needs you to be very very brave for me, okay? Niall and I are going to have to stay to do some interviews tomorrow, so Alberto is going to take you to the hotel. You can sleep in a bed or a crib, it’s your choice angel. Daddy will be there as soon as he can, I promise.” Harry knew the boy was in his stage headspace still, one that was quite little, but coherent, so he knew Louis would understand what he was saying. His heart broke into tiny piece as he saw Louis’ eyes well up with tears.
Louis felt like his head was exploding, he wanted to scream, cry, and tell his daddy not to leave him all at the same time. All that came out were his tears, though. Harry quickly finished getting him diapered and dressed in a soft pair of footie pajamas before picking him up and placing the small boy on his lap.
“I know, I know, daddy doesn’t want to leave you either. I’m going to miss you so much, but I’ll see you so soon! Can you be my brave boy?”
Louis ducked his head into Harry’s shoulder, loudly sobbing. He was so tired, all he wanted was to go to bed with his daddy, and now he found out that he couldn’t.
“Let’s get Lacy and Dusty all ready to get on the plane! We can have a baba that’ll help us go to sleep, and we’ll be all comfy,” Harry exclaimed, standing up with Louis still in his arms. He knew he’d never convince Louis to go without him, so he’d just have to get him in the car himself. Sarah the cook told Harry she’d get a bottle made with some little-safe instant sleep aid in it so that Louis would fall asleep easily. Harry wanted to make this as easy as possible on everyone involved, and make sure Louis wasn’t causing himself too much emotional stress.
Harry unzipped Louis’ diaper bag and grabbed Louis’ prized stuffed animals, the boy reaching out quickly and grabbing them. He brought them close to his face, his tears soaking their soft material.
“There we are love, now let’s go see Alberto! I think he’s got a yummy bottle for us,” Harry continued to narrate, knowing it might assist in getting the little’s mind out of such a panicked state. The door was opened gently when Harry tapped his foot against it, not having any free hands to open it.
“Give me that, and you take this,” Alberto said, grabbing the multiple bags looped up around Harry’s shoulder and taking the bottle.
“Look at that, a warm baba for my sweet baby,” Harry crooned, breathing a sigh of relief when Louis quickly started sucking on the bottle, his breathing normalizing quickly. He carried Louis out of the room, quickly being flanked by Alberto, Phil, and Dale.
Harry knew the medicine would kick in quickly, the meds being made for specific situations just like this one. Bless the marvels of modern science.
“Daddy loves you very much, you’re my brave little Mushu, aren’t you?” Harry felt something wet land on his neck, realizing that it was milk falling out of Louis’ lax mouth as he lethargically spoke.
“’m brave like ‘laddin,” Louis slurred, the medicine already making his eyes grow heavy and senses slow.
“That’s right, my little prince,” Harry agreed, smiling. It took about two minutes to get to the car from there, and Louis was completely asleep. Phil whispered to him that the police had forced all of the fans to leave the airport; so screaming wouldn’t wake Louis up. He hoped the boy slept until the morning so Alberto wouldn’t have to deal with a crying and cranky Louis. And he knew he’d be worried about his little boy until he had him in his arms again. It was impossible not to.
Louis was carefully buckled into his car seat, Harry breathing a sigh of relief when he didn’t wake up.
“Love you, baby,” Harry whispered and pressed a kiss to his forehead. He placed a pacifier into the boy’s lax lips, smiling softly as he watched him begin to suck on it.
Alberto clapped a comforting hand on his back. “I’ve got him. I’ll let you know as soon as we’re at the hotel and when I’ve got him in bed.”
“Thanks Alberto, really. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The man waved his thanks off, simply hopping into the passenger’s seat of the car. Harry felt as though his heart was leaving with the car that was now driving away.
----------
Louis’ back hurt, his head did too… and he was still tired. Those were the first thoughts that came to mind when he woke up, tears immediately welling in his eyes.
“Dada?” he whimpered, slowly blinking his now watering eyes. He never liked waking up in somewhere that wasn’t his crib or a bed with his daddies, it confused him and made him more emotional that he normally was after just waking up.
“Hey bud, it’s Alberto. We’re pulling up to the hotel, okay? Then we’ll go to bed,” the guard said in his softest tone, knowing the little boy was confused and grumpy.
That, apparently, was not the answer Louis was looking for. “Dada?” Louis asked again, crying harder.
“It’s okay, bud, it’s okay. I have a surprise for you at the hotel!” Alberto promised, urging Phil to make the two-minute drive one that lasted thirty seconds. Alberto’s promise meant nothing to Louis, the boy continuing to cry loudly, tears falling onto his stuffed friends.
Alberto jumped out of the car once they arrived to the back entrance of the hotel, quickly picking Louis up, making sure the boy had a hold on his stuffed animals. He grabbed the diaper bag in one hand and the little boy in the other before heading in. Leo was waiting at the elevator, eyes opening wide as he saw Alberto with the wildly crying boy. He couldn’t jam the elevator button quick enough.
“Daddy,” Louis cried, as if that would magically make the man appear.
The elevator quickly opened and Alberto thanked the heavens above as he stepped in. Just a few more seconds.
“I know, I know. I’ve got an amazing surprise for you upstairs,” he said conversationally, continuing to bounce the boy in his arms. Once upstairs, he made his way to the room he knew Louis would be staying in. He was thankful that the floor was only the band and their closest guards and staff, otherwise he was sure they’d be getting lots of noise complaints.
Sliding the room key into the slot, Alberto pushed the door open, knowing everything would soon be okay when he saw the room lit up brightly.
“Why’s my sweet boy crying?” Alberto heard a familiar voice ask.
Louis opened his eyes wide at the sound of that voice, wondering if he was hallucinating or just really tired.
Nick walked into the front part of the hotel room from a room that was further back with a smile on his face, arms outstretched.
Louis’ face crumpled with confusion and relief, crying more as he let out an anguished, “papa!”
“Come here, baby boy. No more crying, papa’s here,” Nick cooed, scooping Louis out of Alberto’s arms. The guard put the diaper bag on the front table and gave the dom a quick salute before walking out and shutting the door.
“Papa, my papa,” Louis repeated, nuzzling his tear soaked face into the man’s shoulder.
“That’s right, my Louis. Papa’s right here, it’s okay,” Nick reached down for the diaper bag with one hand before walking them back to the bedroom. He could feel that Louis had wet his diaper and wanted to get the boy changed and in bed as soon as possible. Tomorrow would be a long day for them.
“Why papa?” Louis asked, confused as to why the man was there.
“Papa needs your help, love. Will you be papa’s best helper?” Nick asked with a smile, unzipping Louis’ sleeper.
“I help, papa,” Louis said nodding, sticking Dusty’s soft foot into his mouth.
Nick’s smile faded to a look of slight disgust as he saw the boy happily sucking on the well-travelled stuffed animal, grabbing a pacifier out of the bag and placing it in the boy’s mouth.
“I’m so happy to hear that, you’ll be the best helper ever. Now let’s get all cozy in bed and we’ll talk some more tomorrow,” Nick said as he strapped Louis into his night diaper. The door to the hotel room opened much to Nick’s confusion.
“Just me, loves,” a soft female voice said. Anne walked into the bedroom with a bottle in her hand.
Louis squealed, spitting out his pacifier when he saw the woman. “Nana!”
“My sweet baby boy,” Anne cooed with a smile, placing the bottle on the bedside table and walking over to Louis. “I heard a sad little dear in the hallway, so I made a special bottle up for him.” Louis hugged the woman once she was close enough, climbing up so he was pressed against her side. Anne pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, rubbing his soft, bare skin.
“No daddy,” Louis said sadly, looking up at the woman with slightly teary eyes.
“Oh little love, it’s okay! Daddy will be here tomorrow. Let’s get you all nice and ready for bed then we can talk,” Anne said, grabbing the fleece footie pajamas that Nick was offering her and getting Louis dressed. “Let’s lay with papa, and drink our bottle,” Anne suggested, Louis immediately crawling to lie on Nick’s lap, his much smaller body molded against the older man’s.
Anne handed Nick the bottle, the man guiding it to Louis’ lips and rubbing his belly when the little started sucking.
“Your papa’s going to need lots of help tomorrow, we’re going to have a big surprise for daddy. He’s going to love it so much,” Anne said, talking soothingly to the little boy who was quickly falling asleep. A warm bottle did wonders, as she knew.
“That’s right, my special boy is going to help papa make daddy very very happy,” Nick agreed. He couldn’t believe that he had his own perfect little boy to make tomorrow the most special day of Harry’s life.
----------------
Louis woke up relatively late the next morning. He didn’t want to wake his papa up, so he lay there and just stared at the man. His papa’s face was all covered in little hairs, and Louis couldn’t help but reach a hand out to touch it. Louis giggled at the way it felt, all prickly and weird.
“Touching papa’s stubble?” Nick asked, laughing as he opened his eyes to the beautiful sight of his beaming little boy.
“Papa, why do you have fur? Will I grow some?” Louis asked, placing one last pat to Nick’s face before letting go.
“No, baby, you won’t ever have to worry about getting hair like papa! It’s called facial hair, papa and daddy just usually shave it off.” Nick knew that a percentage of littles never grew facial or pubic hair, it was just the way things were.
Louis nodded, seemingly unfazed by that bit of information. Nick sat up, knowing they should get their day started.
“All right, let’s get you in a bubble bath so papa can tell you about our fun day,” Nick said, grabbing the hotel phone and dialing down to room service. “Hi, yeah, can we get a kettle of warm water, an order of French toast and scrambled eggs. Oh, and a glass of orange juice. Sure, yeah. Thank you!”
Once Louis was in the bath, playing happily with his toys, Nick began to talk.
“We’ve got a very special day today. Can you be my good listener?” Nick asked as he soaped up a washcloth. Louis looked up to Nick with wide, eager eyes, nodding. “Thanks, love. Do you know what a proposal is?”
Louis shook his head.
“Do you know what getting married is?” Nick tried again, stroking Louis’ cheek in fondness at the boy’s nodding. “Well, papa’s asking daddy to marry him today!”
Louis gasped, “Papa and daddy have wedding today?”
“Not yet, little cub. Papa’s going to ask daddy if he wants to marry me, and then we’ll have our wedding in a few months,” Nick explained.
“Okay. How do I help?”
“Well, papa’s going to have daddy go on a scavenger hunt, and the last prize is you! Then I need you to take daddy somewhere once he’s with you. It’s very easy! Just you being my smart boy and helping papa. And you get to spend the night with nana! We’ve got you a nice comfy crib all made up in her and your grandpa’s room. You get to meet your grandma and other grandpa too!” Nick gave Louis a second to process everything he said.
“Do I tell daddy the surprise?” Louis asked.
Nick fought his urge to scream… barely. Just barely. “No no no, love! It’s a very very very big secret. Will you pinky promise that you’ll keep it a secret?”
“Pinky promise? Yeah, papa. Pinky promise,” Louis repeated, holding his wet pinky out. It was a sealed deal; Louis wouldn’t tell his daddy.
Louis was dressed in a light blue onesie and soft black shorts, Nick setting him on the couch as he went to answer the hotel worker at the door. After they’d finished their food, Nick settled with Louis on his lap. Unfortunately, he only had a few minutes to spare before he had to head off. It was almost noon, and the proposal was planned for six. Harry was headed to the airport, and things were going exactly as they should. This was a huge day for their whole family; he knew Louis would definitely need a long nap, and Anne promised she’d deliver on that.
Speaking of Anne… “Can we come in, loves?” Anne asked from where she was standing at the front door of the room.
“Are you good, Lou?” Nick murmured, looking into the boy’s eyes. Louis nodded, simply curling himself closer to Nick’s chest.
“Yeah, all good,” Nick said to Anne, the woman smilingly in understanding. She opened the door, a cautious Gemma, Robin, Eileen, and Peter walked into the room behind her, waiting for her to act.
“Lou, dear, I have some people who want to say hi. Is that okay?” Anne asked, moving to sit next to Nick and pressing a huge kiss to her grandson’s cheek. She knew this would be a big moment for Louis, and wanted him to feel comfortable when meeting everyone. He had, of course, met Gemma and Robin on many occasions, but not while he was little.
Louis hesitated before nodding, grabbing his nana’s hand in one of his. Anne gave him an encouraging smile before waving her free hand to the group.
“Hey bud,” Robin said, leaning down and patting Louis on the back easily. “Nick, how are you? Ready for the big day?”
Both Louis and Nick were relieved that the attention was immediately taken off of the little.
“About as ready as I can be; I’ve everything set besides my lovely groom. He’s taking off any minute, so he should be here in about an hour. Does everyone know what they’re to do?” Nick asked.
“As if we had a chance to not know what we’re doing. It’s all you’ve talked about for weeks, if not months,” Gemma said, rolling her eyes. She took a seat on the couch on Nick’s open side, Louis slightly turning so he could see her. “Hey Lou, ready for today?” Gemma asked in a sweet voice, giving Louis the signature Styles smile.
Louis’ always liked Gemma, she reminded him a lot of Harry. She was a gad, but she’d always been just as sweet and loving as Harry.
“Daddy and papa are getting married,” Louis said to her in an excited, but quiet voice. He peeked up at her, cheek leaning against Nick’s toned chest.
Gemma smiled at him dazzlingly, “That’s right! It’s going to be so much fun, isn’t it?”
Louis nodded, smiling back at her. “Then cuddles in bed forever! Sophia said papa and daddy won’t leave bed after they get married, and I’m gonna stay with them.”
The adults in the room choked back their laughter. They were all fondly amused by how innocent Louis was, especially those who hadn’t seen him in such a young mindset before.
“Lots of cuddles to go around with your goofy daddies,” Robin said. “Now, are we getting this show on the road? Don’t want to leave anything to chance.”
“Yeah, let me get dressed and grab everything I need. Papa’s going to get up now angel, stay right here with nana,” Nick said, kissing the little boy on the lips before standing up. Louis scurried under Anne’s arm, burrowing himself closer to the familiar woman.
“Dear, you have two special people who want to meet you!” Anne said in an excited voice. Louis looked up to where his other set of grandparents stood. He’d never met them before, honestly didn’t even know what they looked like before his papa showed him pictures of them.
“Hi little love, I’m your grandma! I’m so excited to meet you, could you give grandma a hug?” Eileen said, moving in front of Louis. Her gray hair was cut into a bob, her eyes just as warm and loving as Anne’s. Louis stood up and hugged the woman. He’d already jumped the hurdle of being terrified of grandmas with his nana, so he knew that his papa’s mom would be just as awesome as her.
“Now you have two grandmas to spoil you! We’re going to have such a fun day, love,” Anne said. Louis let out a little giggle at the mention of being spoiled; his nana was always so much fun to be around and she was so nice to him. It made him feel good.
“Love grandmas,” Louis mumbled into Eileen’s embrace.
“What about grandpas?” a happy, gruff voice questioned. Louis stepped back to take a look at his grandpa. Peter Grimshaw was a tall, buff man with soft eyes and a smile constantly gracing his face.
“’ve never had a grandpa,” Louis answered quietly, thoughtfully. He’d never really thought about that fact that he never saw family outside of his mum and sisters.
“Looks like I’m the best grandpa ever then! Come give me a hug, bud,” Peter said, opening his arms up for Louis to move into. Louis decided he liked grandpas if they all gave that good of hugs.
“Dad, you ready to go?” Nick asked, peeking his head into the room. Louis was back making himself comfortable on the couch between the three women like he belonged there. It made Nick’s heart soar.
“Both Robin and I are ready to go,” Peter confirmed.
“Come here baby,” Nick said opening his arms up. Louis got up to hug his papa, squeezing him tightly. “You’re my brave boy, thank you lovely. Remember what we do when we see daddy?”
“I don’t tell him the secret and I take him upstairs so we can all get married!”
Nick chuckled, “That’s right, we’re all going to get married. Now we’re going to be good for Gemma, grandma, and nana and have lots of fun. Give me a kiss, baby.”
Louis complied leaning up to give his papa one last squeeze and a kiss. He was instantly distracted by his grandma’s words.
“Your nana told me you like crafts, I brought some paper and glitter so we can make some cool cards!” Eileen said, winking at Nick as he and the men exited the room.
The four of them set up shop at the big table stationed in the corner of the room, Eileen and Anne setting up the glitter, glue, markers, and paper while Gemma talked with Louis a bit.
“How have your daddies been treating you, Lou? Is my brother being nice to you?” Gemma asked, unable to quench her curiosity.
“Best daddies in the world! But daddy doesn’t like ice cream,” Louis said with a frown.
Gemma let out a gasp, “He doesn’t give you ice cream?” She knew how much of a health nut both Nick and Harry were, so this didn’t come as any surprise to her.
“No ice cream for Louis. Only when I get a special treat,” Louis answered, dramatic sigh perfectly placed.
“Well, aunt Gemma LOVES ice cream! We can go get some tonight, how does that sound?” Gemma asked. She was totally going to be Louis’ favorite relative.
“Really aunt Gemma? With sprinkles?” Louis asked, eyes wide.
“Of course! What’s ice cream without sprinkles?” Gemma answered, laughing at the way Louis hugged her tightly.
“All right, sugar monsters, everything’s all set up! I think your daddy and papa would love it if you made them a card,” Anne suggested, sitting down at the table next to Anne.
Louis was happy to have people around him all day, as it didn’t allow him to really think about anything sad. Nana had just changed his diaper; he was dressed in his onesie and lying against the woman in the big bed. It was time to nap, but first he had to ask her a question. In his increasingly infantile mindset, it was a bit difficult to get his thoughts together, but he’d try.
Rubbing Lacy’s soft fur through his fingers, he spoke. “Nana?”
“Yes, dear?” Anne could tell that Louis had been thinking, and was patiently waiting for him to start speaking about whatever was bothering her.
“I don’t marry papa and daddy? But they still love me?” Louis asked. He didn’t know how to quite describe the feeling in his tummy, but he didn’t like it. It was impossible not to feel uneasy thinking about whether or not his daddies would decide they liked each other, but didn’t want him anymore.
Anne spoke carefully, “Papa and daddy are getting married because they’re both daddies and that’s what grown ups do when they like someone very much. But they still love you more than anything in the world!”
“But they don’t leave?”
“They will never leave you, dear. Getting married doesn’t change that, they will always be with you. Your grandpa and I just got married four years ago, and we still love aunt Gemma and your daddy very much, right?”
Louis thought for a second, “You still love daddy, but you are married. Daddy and papa will love Louis even though they get married.”
Anne nodded with a smile, “That’s right! Daddy and papa will always always love Louis.”
If nana said it, then it had to be true, right?
---------------
Harry ran into the gorgeous entrance of the Notre Dame, having followed his fourth clue of “Whether your hair turns gray, you evolve into a hunchback, or your curls go away, I will always love you.” If Harry hadn’t watched the Disney movie two days ago, then he would’ve never guessed to go to the Notre Dame, but here he was. He grabbed the clue from the starstruck tour attendant at the front of the building before heading back outside. “They always say the grass is always greener on the other side, but I’d have to say our garden is as green and gorgeous as could be. I never thought my life could be this full, but I’m living like royalty and don’t think I could be more thankful. This is your last clue; enter this space and find the most precious part of our lives, and then you will be lead to your final destination.”
Harry exhaled, running his hand hand through his curls. Think, think, think. Nick had bolded a few key words on every clue. He couldn’t help but get a bit teary eyed when he realized where he thought Nick was. It was a place he’d mentioned a few years ago when they first got together; he hoped he was right.
A short walk later, he entered Le Palais Royal and couldn’t help the shivers that rolled down his spine. He saw Alberto before he saw Louis, the guard unable to miss due to his large size. Ah, the most precious part of their lives; their sweet little boy. Harry was hoping that was what, or who, Nick meant.
“Hi angel,” Harry said with a smile as he walked over to Louis. The boy hopped up from where he was sitting, Harry getting a full look at the little boy’s suit.
“Daddy! Look at my suit, it’s uncomfy, but nana said I look nice,” Louis said as he pointed to his outfit. Harry pulled him into a tight hug, pressing a kiss on his forehead. Harry didn’t notice that Alberto had walked away, the man heading to let Nick know that he’d arrived.
“Nana is right, you’re my handsome little boy! You look so nice, sweetheart.”
“Thanks daddy! Let’s go,” Louis said, grabbing the man’s hand and pulling him to where they’d practiced.
“Where are we going, angel?” Harry asked with a smile.
Louis stopped, looking at the man indignantly. “Daddy, it’s a surprise! I pinky promised.”
“Ah, we can’t break a pinky promise.” Louis nodded at the man’s answer and continued to pull him along. Louis’ grin was huge by this point, unable to mask his excitement at knowing how happy his daddy was going to be.
They walked through the building, eventually making it to the door that Louis knew he was supposed to take his daddy through. Harry let out a little sob when his hopes were confirmed.
Louis lead him into Les Jardins du Palais Royal, one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen. The garden was lit up by twinkling fairy lights, the bright colors of the flowers and green grass vivid under the setting sun and lights. Harry was brought into the middle of the large grassy area, still drinking in the gorgeous sight before him.
“How is it that I’m standing in one of the most breathtaking places on earth, but my eyes can’t stray from you, my love?” Harry gasped and turned around at the sound of Nick’s voice. The man was standing in a suit, a smile on his face.
“Well, now that you’re here the garden doesn’t hold as much appeal,” Harry said with a small smile. Louis let out a giggle and scampered off to where he knew his nana was waiting for him.
Nick drew him into a soft kiss, linking their hands together and letting out a deep breath before speaking.
“I’ve always thought people were much like clay models. We’re made all the same, gray clay figures that have the ability to be molded and sculpted as we grow up. Six years ago I would tell you I knew exactly who I was, what the final form of the clay Nick Grimshaw looked like. Then, a short five years ago, I met you. I was lovesick, enamored, in complete adoration of you. You were 15, and I knew that I could never meet someone more loving than you. No one is as caring and smart as you. You take my insecurities and turn them into something beautiful; you give me the confidence to know that I’m a good man, a good father, and I know I could never doubt anything you say. You’ve taken my clay figure and turned it into someone that I never knew I could be; you pressed a handprint on my heart and changed me into the best version of myself. You know that saying, everything you touch turns to gold? That’s you; you bring light and joy and a renewed passion for life into everything you do.
The best part of my life is being able to have a son with you, and I couldn’t be more proud than watching you be the best daddy on earth. Louis and I are so lucky to have you. I can say without a doubt that you are the most caring, driven, compassionate man that I have ever and will ever meet,” Nick moves to get down to one knee, taking the ring box out of his pocket. “And would love nothing more than to be able to call you my husband. Would you do me the honor of marrying me, Harry Styles?”
Harry had been sobbing the whole time, and seeing Nick on one knee really solidified the fact that he did have the most wonderful life he could ever dream of. “Yes, yes, my love, a million yeses!” Nick placed the ring on Harry’s outstretched finger before standing up and pulling him into a searing kiss. They boy laughed into the kiss as they heard screams erupt around them, Harry opening his eyes to see his bandmates as well as his and Nick’s families. He felt Louis before he heard him, the little boy running and squeezing his arms around them.
“We’re going on vacation!” Louis screamed happily.
Harry let out a shocked laugh, unsure of why that was the first thing the little boy had said. “Where are we going, baby?”
“Niall said you and papa are getting married at the beach if I say I want you to!”
Niall let out a cackle, ducking as Nick threw the ring box at his head.
“I think Niall’s just being a bit silly, but we will definitely go on vacation soon, love,” Nick said with a warning glare at the man.
“My boy is getting married!” Anne said with tears shining in her eyes as she moved in to hug Harry.
“Love you, mum,” Harry said with a smile.
“Love you more, now let’s get some pictures!” Cal had flown out to take the pictures specially, knowing that Harry would love if he were the one taking their engagement photos. It was a kindness that Harry appreciated, another element to add to the already perfect night.
Louis loved seeing how happy his daddies were. So he took pictures. Lots of pictures. Pictures with just his daddies, then with the boys, then with nana, then with grandma. Pictures with everyone on the face of the planet, it seemed. He couldn’t help it when he started to cry; he was tired, they’d been taking pictures forever and he just wanted to go to bed.
“Oh, love, it’s okay,” Harry cooed, picking Louis up. The boy automatically squeezed his hands around the man’s neck, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
“Let’s get my sweet boy back to the hotel so we can go to bed, hm?” Anne said, moving over to the little family as soon as she saw Louis start to cry.
“Nana and grandpa are going to take you back to the hotel and get you all set up for bed, love. Daddy and I love you very much and we’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Nick asked, wanting to communicate again to Louis that they wouldn’t be spending the night with him. Nick had a dinner planned at the Eiffel Tower and rented out a suite at another hotel; it was a night for just him and Harry.
“Love you,” Louis said through a yawn, pressing a kiss to both of his daddies’ lips. Harry transferred the boy to a waiting Alberto’s arms.
“I’ve got you, buddy, you can sleep now,” Alberto said quietly as he started to walk out of the garden. Louis nodded sleepily, falling asleep quickly once he knew he was safe.
He didn’t wake up until he felt cool air against his skin. Letting out a whimper, he cracked one eye open.
“It’s just nana, love. I’m getting you all ready for bed and then we’ll get you in your crib,” Anne said soothingly as she continued changing the boy’s diaper and getting him into pajamas. Louis grumbled as he had to stand up and get into the crib, but let out a happy sigh once he was snuggled up with Lacy and Dusty.
He slept late the next morning, Anne and Robin both having ample time to shower and get ready for the day before Anne decided it was time to wake him up.
“Louis, dear, it’s time to get up,” Anne said quietly, unlocking the side of the crib and moving it down.
“Dada?” Louis asked with a whimper as he started to stretch.
“No, love, it’s nana. We’re going to go get some yummy breakfast, then daddy and papa will be back.”
Louis yawned, laying there while he got his diaper changing, trying to wake up.
“Let’s stay in our PJs for breakfast so we’re all nice and comfy!” Anne said, smiling at the way Louis let out a happy sound. His teeth were soon brushed and they were ready to head down to breakfast. Alberto met them in the hallway, giving Louis a hug when the boy moved over to him.
Louis was put into a highchair in the hotel restaurant, their table being both sets of his grandparents, Sophia, Liam, Niall, Alberto, and Phil. The waiter brought over an activity sheet and crayons with a knowing smile.
The little was distracted throughout the meal, focused on drawing instead of the conversations being had around him. He was finishing up the last of his breakfast bottle when he felt kisses being pressed all over his face.
“Hi baby,” Nick said with a smile. Louis let out a gasp, immediately squirming around in his highchair with his arms raised.
“Papa! Up!” Louis demanded, the man chuckling as he unstrapped Louis and placed him on his hip.
“How was your night with nana and grandpa? Were you a good boy?”
Louis nodded, pressing little kisses onto Nick’s neck from where he was nuzzled into him.
“He’s always a good boy, I love spending time with him,” Anne said with a smile.
“Well, I’m going to steal my sweet boy back now so his daddy and I can spend some time with him. Say bye bye to everyone, love,” Nick said, swaying a bit to get the boy to lift his head up.
“Bye bye,” Louis said with a wave and small smile before ducking his head back into Nick’s shoulder.
Leo waved off Alberto when he started standing up, the man not having a chance to eat yet. The other guard followed the pair into the elevator, making sure they got upstairs safely.
Once in the room, Harry walked out of the bathroom with a big smile on his face.
Harry let out a happy gasp, “Hi angel! I missed you so much, did you have a good night?”
Louis smiled shyly before tucking his thumb into his mouth and nodding.
“Are we feeling shy this morning?” Harry asked as Nick placed the little onto the bed. Nick began to unzip the boy’s onesie, tickling his tummy as he did.
Louis nodded, reaching over to grab Lacy and place her near his head. He didn’t know why, but sometimes he just felt bashful. He reverted back into himself and didn’t feel like talking much. His daddies were always okay with it, and they knew he wasn’t much of a talker. He liked when they talked to him in nice voices, and when he was feeling shy they seemed to do it a bit more. It was a win-win situation.
“We’re going to take a bubbly bath and get all nice and clean!” Harry said, pressing a kiss to the now naked boy and helping him up off of the bed. Harry walked him into the bathroom, helping him get into the tub safely while Nick grabbed bath toys from Louis’ bag.
Nick’s attention was drawn to a vibrating in the bag, shocked that someone was calling Louis’ phone. Everyone who knew Louis ended up calling Nick and Harry as they knew Louis didn’t use his phone anymore.
Nick picked up, “Hello?”
An articulate woman answered Nick in a voice that he did not recognize. “Hello, this is Candice with Barclays Bank. Am I speaking with Mr. Tomlinson?”
“Hi Candice, this is Nick Grimshaw, I’m his dominant. Is there something I can help you with?”
The woman didn’t miss a beat, “Mr. Grimshaw, hello. As you’re both valued customers, I have the authorization to speak with you on confidential matters of Mr. Tomlinson’s account. Does that sound all right with you?”
“Of course, I’m here to assist with anything you may need.”
“Very well, thank you Mr. Grimshaw. I’m calling in response to a 9,000 pound overdraft charge on one of Mr. Tomlinson’s cards. Our system didn’t flag it for some reason, but it came up in my system today. As a valued customer, we have never had any problems with Mr. Tomlinson, so we were calling to see if we should’ve flagged this activity.”
Nick felt his stomach sink, “Can you tell me where this money was spent and what was purchased?”
“Not a problem, Mr. Grimshaw. Let me just pull up that information… All right, here we are. 1,270 pounds were spent at a Sainsbury’s in Doncaster, 271 was spent at what looks to be a bar, 2393 on airfare to Barbados which is an island in the Caribbean. Would you like me to continue reading the charges to you, Mr. Grimshaw?”
The man closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh. “No no, that’s all right. What’s the process of getting it paid off and cancelled?”
“Well, you can transfer money from his main savings account to pay off the bill, and then I can simply cancel the card. Is that what you’d like to do?”
“Yes, please. I’d appreciate it,” Nick said, his mind racing as he struggled to figure out what the hell they were going to do. He thought Louis cancelled the card?
“No problem, Mr. Grimshaw, it’s my pleasure. Is there anything else you need right now?”
“No, that’s it. Thank you for the call,” Nick said as he hung up the phone and made his way into the bathroom with bath toys in his hand.
Harry gave Nick a strange look, but smiled excitedly anyways. “There’s papa! Do you think he got lost, he took forever and ever, didn’t he?”
Louis giggled loudly at Harry’s words, reaching a small hand out of the water to wave at Nick.
“I did get lost, daddy’s right! I brought some fun toys, though!”
“We can play with our toys for a few minutes before we get out,” Harry said as he handed the happy little boy the toys. Seeing Louis so happy broke Nick’s heart; he didn’t know what to do in this situation. He needed his mum.
“Hey loves, my mum just texted me, I’m going to head over to her room and I’ll be back in a jif,” Nick said as he pressed a kiss to Harry’s lips and Louis’ forehead.
He headed out into the hallway, sighing in relief as he saw Anne and his own mum walking up together. “Perfect timing, mums. Could we head into one of your rooms for a mo’?”
“Of course love,” Eileen said with a strange look. Once they were in the room and sat around a table, Nick began.
“We never really check Lou’s phone because everyone knows to just contact us, but I was digging through his bag at the same time that the bank called. His mum overdrafted 9,000 pounds on one of his cards. He told us he cancelled it, but he clearly didn’t. I cancelled the card and paid off the fees from his account, that’s not taking too much control, is it? It’s just… hard knowing the lines without an ABC. He clearly isn’t in the mindset to be taking care of things himself; H and I know that, so we want to do everything for him. I just don’t know if I went too far.”
Anne lets out a sigh, “I knew that woman was no good from the moment I met her. I’d love to whack her quite hard. But love, don’t worry, you did the right thing. He needs you.”
“That’s right, dear. He loves you and Harry so very much, he trusts you with his whole life. That being said, you need to tell him about the call, maybe he knows something. If he doesn’t want his mother to have access to his account, you need to confirm that she doesn’t. If he wants her to have access, then you need to make sure that she does. You haven’t ABCed, so making sure that his financial needs and desires are met is vital to your relationship.”
“Exactly; until you ABC he is legally in charge of his own finances. Hopefully he’ll be ready soon, but that may be a topic you need to breach with him. Who knows if he’s even thought about it with how little his headspace is,” Anne wondered.
“I’m going to go talk to him and Harry, thank you both. It’s hard to even fathom that my little boy had such a tough go of things growing up. I don’t want to even have to discuss the leech that is his mother. He’s been so happy.”
Eileen reached a consoling hand out to her son, “Love, he’s still going to be happy. Things can’t always be sunshine and rainbows, and Louis will look to you and Harry to help get him through. Have faith in yourself, he loves you and needs you.”
Nick nodded, hugging both of the women before leaving the room. He smiled at the sight of a diapered Louis lying on the bed, pacifier in his mouth as he sucked contentedly. Harry was giving him a lotion massage, relaxing the boy completely.
“Comfy there, little cub?” Nick asked as he sat down near Louis’ head. The little nodded, lifting his head up so it was now resting in Nick’s lap. He reached a lazy arm back for Nick’s hand, placing it in his hair. “Are you our spoiled little boy?” Nick asked with a coo, scratching the boy’s scalp in a gentle way.
“A sweet, loved little boy,” Harry corrected with a smile. They continued in the same way for a few more minutes until Louis was completely boneless. Harry went to the TV to turn on Tangled, which Anne had told him Louis did not finish the day before. He wrapped the little up in a blanket without putting clothes on him just yet.
“Daddy and I are going into the other room, love, we’ll be right back,” Nick said with a kiss to Louis’ hair as they walked into the living room portion of the hotel room. He quickly filled Harry in, the man having the same sentiments of the mothers. They needed to talk to Louis. The problem was figuring out what the best time was; should they do it now, or wait?
Louis let out a grumble when Harry turned off the TV.
“Hey love, can you be a good listener?” Nick asked as him and Harry settled themselves next to Louis on the bed.
Louis nodded, resting his head on Nick’s shoulder.
“If you want to stop talking at any time, just tell us and we will, love. Do you remember when your mum spent lots of money on your credit card?” Nick asked carefully.
Louis nodded stiffly, not moving his head from where it rested against his papa.
“Can you tell us what you did afterwards, love? I know you said you weren’t going to give your mum any more money,” Harry asked.
“I, um, I texted her not to use it anymore. So that means it was cancelled, cuz I didn’t want her to use it,” Louis said, sounding unsure.
Nick and Harry shared a look over his head. Their poor, sweet boy. They didn’t understand how he made it this far; it honestly scared them to think about how he lived without them. He was so innocent and unknowing; it hurt their hearts to think about someone taking advantage of that.
“I’m very glad that you were brave and told her not to use it anymore,” Harry praised, “but she didn’t stop using the card. She spent a lot of your money, love.”
Louis’ eyes filled up with tears, “Do I have no more money? Do you and papa have enough money for me to stay?”
Nick and Harry were quick to console the boy. “No no no sweetheart, don’t cry. Daddy and I have enough money, don’t worry about that. We just wanted to tell you that she was using your money still. It’s okay, everything’s okay and you still have money, but daddy and I don’t want you to worry about that. Grown ups should worry about money, love.”
“I don’t want her using my money,” Louis said in a small, sad voice.
“That’s why papa and I wanted to talk to you, love. If you want us to, we can make it so she can’t use your money. Do you think that’s a good idea?” Harry asked. It was difficult to be talking to Louis about such grown up things knowing that he didn’t completely understand what they were saying.
“I trust you and papa,” Louis said, letting out a small yawn.
“Okay sweetheart, we’ll take care of it. Let’s take a nice nap, hm?” Harry said, starting to pull back the sheets on the bed. A diaper-clad Louis attached himself to Nick the second he laid down, making himself comfortable on his warm papa. For the first time in his life, he knew that things would be taken care of. Nothing could have felt better.