Harry awoke in the morning to the sound of his 12 year old son clanging pots and pans in the kitchen. making the man snap up in surprise. He turned to the left side of the bed. Seeing it empty, but messy. Just like Louis' had left it nights before. Harry chuckled softly putting his head on Louis' pillow. It smelt of him faintly even after all this time. It brought back more and more memories than not. And Harry finally stood up with a pop in his knees and he ran his fingers through his hair as he trudged down the stairs. Seeing Kaleb making breakfast, attempting it at least, with frustration in his blue eyes. Mimicking his Dad's.

"Hey kiddo." Harry greeted. The boy gave him a smile. His brown locks were getting longer. And the bed head made it resemble Louis in the slightest way as it was tossed in every which way. "Want any help?" The man questioned.

"No I got it." Harry hummed in acknowledgement.

"What are you making?" He asked. Kaleb smiled.

"Dad's favorite, what else. I mean we get to see him today right?" Harry placed his hands on the 12 year old's shoulders.

"Yeah. We do. Do you think we should pick him up some flowers?" Kaleb grinned.

"White roses. He loves those!"

"Yeah he does. When you were a baby we had them growing outside." Kaleb and Harry shared a wide smile at the memories, before they faltered a bit.

"Yeah... But we can give him some today. So it'll be like he never left." Harry nodded. "He'll remember the garden... Right Dad?" Harry's breath caught in his throat.

"Of course silly. Why wouldn't he?" Kaleb shrugged.

"Just a thought." Kaleb turned off the stove as the eggs were now cooked and the bread was toasted. The 12 year old grabbed two plates placing the toast in each one before taking the spatula and placing the eggs on top. "Eggs on toast." He held up one finger, grabbing a pitcher of Orange. "And Orange juice." His smile mimicking his Dad. Harry choked up a bit at the similarities. He missed Louis loads, and hadn't seen him in 9 months or so. A tearful reunion. Kaleb looked at his dad. He knew he hit soft spot. He figured he'd overdone it a bit. But he wanted today to special. It had been a while. He set down the plate and pitcher, wrapping his arms around his Dad. Hearing Harry's crumpled sobs he broke a bit too.

"I... I didn't mean to-" Harry nodded wiping his eyes.

"I know. It's alright K. I just miss him you know?" Kaleb nodded sadly. His Dad finally found his calmness. Kissing Kaleb's head and sighing. "Let's eat. Then we can get ready to go, alright?" Kaleb sent him a solemn smile and sat at the table. Silently eating eggs on toast and drinking orange juice. The head of the table empty yet another day slowly passing by.

-

Kaleb was silent during the car ride. The white rose bouquet Sat in the preteen's lap as Harry drove the 20 minute ride to see Louis. Occasionally glancing over to his son in the front seat. Black jacket and tan chinos. His eyes weren't focused on the situation. And when they pulled into the parking lot, Harry was 90% sure he heard him gasp. And Harry pulled the keys from the ignition. Glancing over at his son.

"You alright?" Kaleb nodded. "K, It's okay to be nervous." Kaleb ran his fingers through his hair.

"I just feel weird... I mean I haven't talked to him in months. Nearly a year." Harry nodded listening attentively. "I can't wait to give him the roses though." Harry grinned.

"We should've brought your marks. Mr. High honors. He'd probably have a heart attack." Kaleb laughed softly. "But I brought him a picture. The one from your birthday. He'd love to see that." Now Kaleb was laughing, and so was Harry.

"Dad please don't talk about it." He laughed.

"Oh why? It was a good day!"

"Before or after you pushed my face in the cake like Dad used to?" Harry smiled.

"I'm gonna say the whole day. That was a fun day, you gotta admit it." Kaleb shrugged. "Alright, ready to go see him?" Kaleb gulped, but nodded. Popping the doors open, the pair left the vehicle with the roses in Kaleb's hands.

Harry wrapped his arm around the 12 year old as they passed the tree turning onto the green grass. And Harry's heart was in his ears. And he had never felt so lighthearted, besides you know... When Louis left. And Kaleb's birth.

The pair suddenly stopped seeing Louis William Tomlinson. Sucking in breaths and choking on tears. Harry was at least.

Kaleb was first to kneel down. Picking the brown leaves out from the grass and fixing the flag beside his Dad. His fingers brushed over the cool rock and that was when he choked. And Harry instantly crouched down beside the boy. Kaleb turned to his Harry. Eyes shiny with tears.

"We should've bought water. The flower will droop." He stated. Harry rubbed the boy's back.

"It's alright." Harry soothed.

"No... No it's not!" Harry wrapped his arms around his son's figure. His son finally cracked and was now letting out body wrenching sobs. Harry shushed him.

Kaleb turned to his father's grave. It had been 3 years ago. 3 years ago his Dad was shot down and killed. Gunshot wound to the chest. War. A bloody bath it was. He was 9 years old. When Daddy came to pick him up early from school. And we walked into the principal's office afraid they figured out about the gum he stuck under the desk and how much trouble he was in. Only to see his Dad surrounded by faculty and sobbing hysterically. Some day at school that was.

Kaleb hugged Harry. The flowers resting at the edge of his dad's tombstone.

"Dad-dy." Kaleb sobbed.

Harry cracked too. He should've let Kaleb see him sooner. Not waited 9 months. After visiting for 2 years he didn't know why he got so depressed suddenly. But he did. Harry glanced at the picture of Louis' smiling face in the frame. The flag beside the grave. The ribbon. Everything. The engravings on his grave. It was killing him. And He let out sobs as his son was breaking along with him.

Kaleb turned to Harry sniffling and hiccuping.

"I-I miss him s-so much." He hiccuped.

"I know. I know you do. I-I do too." Harry cried. The pair looked up at Louis' grave.

Louis William Tomlinson.

December 24 1992 - March 8 2025

Beloved Husband, Father, And Soldier.

"I may be gone, But I'm still here."