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Chapter Twenty-five

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Harry's POV

"Ello! This is Nialler speaking," Niall's Irish voice sounds through the phone.

"Hi Niall, this is Harry" I begin and I can literally hear his smile grow bigger.

"Harooold, how are ya?" Niall asks.

"Not too bad, thank you," I say before I pause. "Actually," I smile. "I'm feeling incredible. That's the reason I'm calling you,"

I look over at Louis. He's on the couch, feet resting on the saloon table. His arms are on the back of the couch, smiling at me with his eyes full of fond.

"What's going on?" Niall asks curiously.

"That's a surprise" I chuckle, blowing a kiss to Louis.

Niall groans.

"I want you to come over. Could you bring some pizza with you as well? We had a little accident with our dinner," 

Louis frowns at my words and then looks at me in fake anger. I stick my tongue out.

"Yeah, sure!" He cheers. "I'll get some pizza from work. I'll be there in twenty,"

"Great!" I answer. "Oh and could you call Liam and ask if he likes to come over as well? Lou and I have got some big news"

"Urg! You're making me so curious, Styles!" Niall almost yells. "But eh... Liam's already here," Niall swallows, laughing nervously. "I'll drag him along,"

"Liam is with you?" I ask in surprise, my brows rising. "Oeh, what's going on with you two? Do you need to tell me something, huh?"

Niall laughs again, but he doesn't say a thing. I shake my head in amusement and change the subject.

"So we'll see you in a bit? I called Zayn as well. He's on his way,"

"Yep," Niall says and ends the phone call the minute I hear Liam's voice in the background.

Idiot.

I turn back to Louis and practically jump on top of him. I kiss him all over his face causing Louis to giggle and try to push me off.

\(•.•)/

"There's a pizza pepperoni, a double cheese and a pineapple" Niall yells for all of us to hear as he throws the pizza boxes on the saloon table.

When the lads are here, we always eat on the couch. Mostly we watch a bad tv show as well or just talk and joke around.

All the boys, except for me, sit down and Niall opens the boxes one by one, revealing delicious pizza's.

I stand in the doorway from the kitchen to the living room. I went to get us a knife to slice the pizza, but instead of walking back to them, I lean myself against the wall and watch the lads with a smirk.

Niall throws himself next to Louis on the couch. Both of them stare down at the pizza's. The look in their eyes is quite intense. They're ready to dig in.

Zayn's next to them playing with Noah on the floor. Several giggles leave both their mouths.

Liam gets up from his previous spot and walks over to the window, looking at the backyard.

It's nice to just stand here and watch. Zayn and Noah look absolutely adorable, Louis and Niall are practically drooling and Liam is... Well, he's just being Liam.

"Eh, Harry?" Liam asks carefully once he notices I'm watching him.

"Hmm?"

"Why is there spaghetti in your backyard?"

I laugh at Liam. I really can't help it. The memory of Louis' horrified face is way too funny.

"Ask Louis," I say, smirking.

I look over at him and receive his death glare. I just shrug and laugh louder.

"You burned the food again?" Liam asks, turning to look at Louis as well. "Really?" He chuckles. "And you threw it out in the grass?"

"Just shut up about it!" Louis groans and covers his face with his hands.

"Louis, you've got to be kidding,"

"Shut up, Liam!" Louis almost cries out. "Can we eat already?"

~~

We're spread out all over the living room. Louis and I are on the floor, feeding each other pizza like we always do. Niall is lying upside down on the couch, his feet over the back and his head down. His blonde locks are almost touching the floor. He groans as he tries to take another bite of the slice of pizza in his hand. If I counted correctly, this is his twelfth piece.

Liam's next to Niall, but not upside down. A smirk appears on his face and his hand moves to tickle Niall's tummy. Niall shrieks and spits out his entire bite of pizza. I see it coming so I cover my face just in time. Louis screams loudly once the pizza hits his face. Liam dies of laughter, but when he notices Niall angrily look, he pouts and mumbles he's sorry.

Niall sighs and rolls his eyes. They both chuckle and slightly snuggle up together.

Why do they look so good together?

Zayn's sitting on the other couch. He's smirking down on all of us. I'm glad he's here as well and okay with Liam and Niall showing up together. I mean, since they both happened to have a crush on Liam. Zayn even dated him! It must suck for him. Even just a little. But Zayn seems quite content with Liam and Niall getting this close to one another.

Noah is in bed. Zayn bathed him and read him a story, even though Noah has no clue what it's even about. Zayn's so good with him, though.

I've noticed Noah looks quite a lot like Zayn. It must make Zayn really happy to see.

"Lads," Louis speaks up, his mouth full of pizza. "Harry and I need to tell you something," he stands, his eyes shining and half a slice of pizza in his hand.

"Something very exciting," I add and jump up as well. The boys crawl closer to where Louis and I are standing.

I wrap one arm around his waist and grab his hand with my other. I stare down on him sheepishly and almost forget everything around me.

"Spill it!" Liam practically yells. God, he's so impatient. "What is it?"

"Lads," Louis starts and places down his slice of pizza. After he does so, I grab his other hand now too and kiss down Louis' knuckles and around the ring he's wearing.

"Oh my God," I hear Zayn breathe. "I think I know what's coming,"

Louis giggles beside me and I tighten my grip on him. Niall's gazing at us blankly, a confused look on his face.

"Harry and I," Louis starts again, teasing by not telling them just yet. My heart is beating in my throat from excitement. And I'm nervous to how the boys are going to react. "We," he smiles "Are getting married!"

Niall's jaw hits the floor and Liam chokes on his pizza. Zayn's eyes get watery and his bottom lip starts to tremble.

"I proposed to Louis this evening," I explain, getting a little distracted by Niall who's practically giving Liam the Heimlich to keep him from actually choking. "I love Louis with every single part of me and I want to spend the rest of my life with him"

Zayn sniffs and wipes away a tear with the back of his hand. Liam's calmed down now and Niall breathes in relief.

I smile lovingly and walk over to Zayn. He really can not keep the tears from falling. I get him to his feet and wrap my arms around him. Once in my embrace, he lets it all out. Louis joins us and hugs us both from the side.

I didn't know what the boys' reactions would be like, but I sure didn't expect one of them to cry.

"Congrats," Zayn sniffs. His head is buried in the crook of my neck. It feels weird holding someone other than Louis like this, but I'm happy Zayn feels this comfortable around me and that our friendship has grown this strong. "I'm so happy for you," he says as he pulls away and wipes the tears from his eyes. "I really am," he chuckles. "These are just happy tears"

"I know," I whisper with a chuckle.

Louis wraps his arms around Zayn's shoulder and pulls him closer again.

"Noah is the luckiest kid in the world with the two of you here for him. And I admire you both a lot. Do you know that?"

"He is?"

"You do?"

Louis sounds as surprised as I am.

Zayn nods his head with a soft smile. "I think you're both so strong because you got your messed up life back on track. You're so happy and carefree nowadays. I've never really seen you like this before at the time with Jack. And I just admire your happiness and how big of fighters you are,"

I place my hand over Louis' hand on Zayn's shoulder.

"Thanks, man," I say quietly. "But we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Without your help and all you've done for us, we wouldn't be his happy. Maybe Jack would've even got us. I don't want to think about what else could've happened,"

I shiver at my own thoughts before Liam and Niall join our talk.

"Same goes for you, boys" Louis adds, smiling at Liam and Niall.

All five of us join each other in a big hug. Niall's nearly squeezing us to death, but I like this moment.

It's happy and pure. This is one of those moments you would want to frame and hang on your wall.

~~~~~~

Louis POV

We're all sitting around the table in our garden. There's a candle in the middle lightening our faces. It's pitch black outside and I've never seen this many stars before. They're breathtaking and so is the moon.

I like this. Outside and free, with my friends.

It's still quite warm out. And if you listen closely you can hear the music from Eduardo's bar. Every now and then, you can also smell the spaghetti which is still on the grass. But I don't care about that for now. I'm enjoying myself with the lads and a few beers, having a laugh.

Niall, on the other hand, isn't feeling so well. He's nauseous from all the pizza he ate and the smell of spaghetti isn't really helping him to feel better either.

I can't really help but to laugh at him. He's slowly turning green, most of his face hidden behind his pizza hat.

"Hey!" Harry suddenly says, making me jolt up. He places his beer down on the table and straightens himself in his chair. "I've got an idea,"

"What is it?" Niall asks, barely able to talk. He holds his stomach.

"Why don't you lads stay the night?"
Harry cheers. "It would be so-"

"Spontaneous much?" I cut in, turning to look at him.

I know I sound quite blunt and I regret it the second I say it, but it just slipped. I want to be alone with Harry tonight.

"Eh, thanks, Lewis," Niall says, using the name I hate the most. "Feel free to stay at my place anytime as well," sarcasm is clear in his voice. The alcohol he's consumed makes his Irish accent harder to understand.

"No, it's not because of that," I say, trying to make things okay. I don't want Niall to feel unwelcome.

"Lou, shut up a minute!" Harry says as he pinches my cheek. "My mom's visiting tomorrow and I'd like it if you lads meet her. Only if you want to obviously," 

Niall begins to bounce happily in his chair. He's so weird.

"Would be a pleasure," Liam smiles to Harry. "But eh, only if Louis lets us stay, of course," he smirks.

Asshole.

"Yeah," Zayn adds. "Why don't you want us to stay anyway?"

"No, it's not that!" I defend. "Normally I would love for you to stay!" I take a breath. "It's just... You know, because..- well,-" I'm having trouble getting the words out. I can't even believe I'm actually considering to tell them. "I mean, Harry and I got engaged. I just want to, I don't know, show him how happy I am. How much I love him,"

I groan loudly and hide my face in my arms on the table. I'm so embarrassed.

Apart from Niall's giggles, everyone stays silent.

I look up seconds later, a painful and embarrassed look on my face.

"Oh," Liam breathes. "Well, we don't mind, though" he shrugs, followed by a chuckle. "We'll sleep on the couch obviously so you can do whatever you want," 

Niall starts to laugh uncontrollably. Liam places a hand on the blond's shoulder to keep the hysterically laughing lad from dying. Niall has definitely gotten too many beers. He's almost falling out of his chair.

Harry, on the other hand, looks at his beer in silence before he picks it up and moves it to his lips. He looks at me seductively, his lips around the tip of the bottle. No one else sees it, just me. And it turns me on as hell.

"You two enjoy yourself," Niall says, laughing more. I don't get how this is so funny.

"Just shut up, oh my God!" I groan. "Besides, how will the three of you fit together on the couch?"

"You have two couches," Zayn says. "We'll manage," he winks at me teasingly.

"Okay, so you'll sleep on one couch, Liam on the other. That's still not enough space for all of you"

I don't want them to stay if I'm honest. I know it sounds mean, but they're here almost every day. And I don't want them to hear Harry and I having sex.

"Wow, Louis," Niall cuts in.

"Again, we feel extremely welcome here!" Liam laughs, but really, he doesn't look amused.

"Niall and Lima will fit perfectly fine on a couch together," Zayn smiles. "Now wouldn't you, huh?"

Both Niall and Liam's cheeks heat.

"I knew it!" Harry suddenly speaks up. "I knew there was something going on with you two"

Harry's voice is raspy but giggly. He's very tipsy like the rest of us, but he's still my princess.

I look at Zayn, trying to signal him and ask if he's okay with Liam and Niall getting close together. He just shrugs with a sweet smile.

I want to speak, but I get cut off by Niall. Once again, he starts to laugh, but much louder this time. I don't even know why. He must be wasted.

He rolls his head back, grabbing his stomach with one hand, the beer in his other.

It's getting a little scary at this point. Zayn and I share a look of concern, but he doesn't seem to really sweat it. Niall's just being his happy self, I guess?

He leans back further, his chair beginning to shake. And before any of us can even react, Niall falls backwards into the grass.

I swear I saw it coming.

The sound of his scary laughing fades and complete silence takes over all of us. I stand from my place to walk over and help him, but once I stand before him, I stop.

I can't believe Niall has managed to fall in the exact same spot that the spaghetti is in. He looks horrified at the realisation. He sits up and I bite my lip to keep me from laughing. Spaghetti is all over his back and in his hair.

I think he's about to cry.

Suddenly, Harry's beside me, laughing like a crazy person. I can't control myself either now and also burst out in laughter. Zayn does so too, slamming his fist on the table. Liam seems to feel a bit sorry for Niall at first, but he can't help himself. I mean, how could we not laugh at this?

Niall glares at us, but his bottom lip is trembling. Then, he rolls his eyes and lets himself fall back onto the spaghetti.

"Okay, alright," I laugh. "I think you lads should stay the night after all. Niall's way too drunk! You can't take 'em home like that!"

I am joking, but it's true. We can't really leave him alone like that. Liam and Zayn have consumed quite a lot as well. I know Liam is with Niall a lot lately, but Liam can't keep an eye on Niall alone is his (also) drunken state.

And I don't mind is they stay. I don't know where that came from. They're always welcome. It's just that I wanted to be alone with Harry after we got engaged.

~(€.€)~

I'm lying next to the love of my life. He's still asleep, looking so beautiful and peaceful in his slumber. His lips are slightly parted, his curls sprawled out over the pillow and soft puffs of air leaving his mouth. The sheets are pulled up to just above his bum, the smooth skin of his back visible since he's lying on his stomach.

I'm next to him on my side, holding my head up with one hand. My other hand is caressing the soft skin of Harry's spine. I watch how Harry's lips curl into a small smile every now and then.

I hear his way of breathing change and I think he might be waking up.

Though, he keeps his eyes closed.

I sigh contently and let the memories from last night play before my eyes.

Last night had turned out to be quite fun with the lads staying after all. Liam and Harry had taken Niall upstairs and put him in the shower. I don't know how they did it since Niall had been such a struggle and a pain in the arse, but they managed. Niall's not the easiest person when he's waisted. He kept on singing weird Irish songs and he couldn't stop laughing. He also ran away a couple of times, only to fall flat on his face.

Zayn and I checked in on Noah. He was quietly sleeping, his big stuffed animal next to him. We hadn't even woken him up with all our loud, stupid laughing.

After Niall's awkward shower, Liam and Harry brought Niall to the couch. He was off to sleep just seconds later, snoring loudly. Liam went to lie next to Niall and managed to fall asleep as well on the small surface.

Zayn had stayed up with us a little longer and went to sleep on the other couch sometime later.

I wanted to show Harry how much I love him. I wanted to take him, reward him. Even though we'd done it just hours before as well.

But whatever my plans were, the alcohol asked for its price. The moment my head hit the soft pillow, I drifted off to sleep. I don't even know if Harry did as well or not.

Harry's soft humming helps me out of my thoughts. I look at him and he opens his eyes slightly.

"Hello, curly," I chuckle. Harry yawns and tries to open his eyes some more. They're lightly swollen. Probably from his small hangover.

He groans and closes them again. "Don't want to get up yet," he mumbles. "Loueh, cuddle meee!" Harry wraps his arms around my shoulders and his legs around my waist. He's holding me like a koala would do. He hides his face in the crook of my neck, his curls tickling my face. "Cuddle me!" he demands in a soft, raspy voice when I don't response.

I chuckle at Harry's actions and finally wrap my arms around him as well. I feel him smile in satisfaction on my neck and his muscles relax.

"You have to get up in a bit, though," I whisper in his curls. "Your mom will be here soon" 

Harry groans again and turns over to lie on his other side. He mumbles a 'no' before his back touches my stomach, our naked skin connecting. He pulls my arm over his body, our legs entwining, making us spoon. And oh how Harry loves to be the little spoon.

------

Harry and I make our way downstairs a little while later. Harry struggled quite a bit to get out of bed.

We enter the living room, our hands entwined and dressed in some sweats. My eyes fall on a sleeping Liam. He's snoring loud as hell. All three lads are still asleep. And I must admit, they look quite cute. Liam has his arms wrapped around Niall who's drooling. Niall's leg is placed carelessly over Liam's waist. Their hair is a mess and they seem just to fit on the small sofa.

Zayn, on the other hand, is peacefully sleeping on the other couch. His long eyelashes touch his cheeks and his hands are neatly entwined and resting on his stomach.

I let go of Harry's hand and make my way over to the curtains. I open them in one big movement, taking a deep breath as the sunlight hits my face.

Not everyone is happy with the sunlight, though. A loud groan echoes through the room. Niall rolls around in Liam's hold, clearly irritated by the sudden brightness. He snuggles his face further in the crook of Liam's neck.

I turn around, smiling at how cute they look. My eyes search for Harry, but he's not in the living room with me anymore.

"Harry?" I whisper, trying not to make too much noise.

But the silence in the room is suddenly replaced by the sound of what seems like pans falling and rattling.

I raise my eyebrows at Harry as he comes back into the room, smirking at me.

He walks over to the couch that Liam and Niall are on. His smirk grows even bigger as he lifts both his hands, holding two pan lids above our sleeping friends.

"Harry," I begin. "What are you-" 

But I can't finish my sentence. 

Harry slams the lids together, creating an awfully loud sound.

Liam sits up immediately, his eyes wide but sleepy and his breathing increasing. Niall groans again and reaches for Liam to snuggle up to again, he's not even reacting to the horrible sound.

Zayn is awake now as well. He looks at me in annoyance, but I point over at Harry in defense. Yes sure, this is a classic Louis-action, but this time it wasn't me. Zayn looks at Harry now, giving him a death glare.

But of course, Harry likes to make things even worse. He slams the lids together again and again and again.

Liam is fully awake now. I face palm myself as I watch him grab a pillow and throw it at Harry with a lot of force.

Harry winces at the contact of the pillow with his face, but then he realises it's a soft, harmless object. Harry chuckles at the sight of Niall who's still sleeping. Once again, harry slams the god damn lids together, much closer to Niall than before.

Zayn yells something I can't really understand before he gets up and walks over in attempt to get the pan lids out of Harry's hold.

Liam has now also lost his temper as he jumps from the couch and tries to tackle Harry in his hold to get him to stop.

Harry is really being a pain in the ass right now, I have to admit. But I love the sight of him being an absolute idiot.

He bursts out of laughter as he starts running around our living room, still smashing the pan lids together with Zayn and Liam chasing after him.

I can't help but to laugh as well. This is priceless. Zayn and Liam must be really hungover, probably making the noise even worse for them. Their faces have turned red from anger. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. And Harry's giggles are like music in my ears.

All of a sudden, Niall jolts awake. He jumps up, finally aware of what's happening. He loses his balance though and I'm just too late to catch him. His body slams to the floor, creating a dimmed sound.

This must be the twentieth time he falls over since I met him.

All of us stop in our actions and turn to look at the blond lad.

He groans only once before he's quiet. His head is faced down on the floor, one leg on the couch. And then a few seconds later, snores leave his lips.

Liam chuckles and shakes his head. I do too and then notice Harry is looking at me from across the room, a wide smile is on his face. I smile back and for a moment everything else disappears.

I guess Zayn took that as advantage to finally rip the pan lids from Harry's hands.

Harry pouts at Zayn, his eyes follow the object in his mate's hands.

Liam makes his way over to Niall who's still on the floor. His muscles tense as he tries to get him up. I walk over to them to help.

We get Niall back on the couch, but even so, he stays asleep. He's also still drooling, his eyelids a bit puffy.

I feel Harry behind me, his long digits holding my hips. Zayn's here as well. We all look at Niall and then at each other.

Niall is so hungover... I almost feel sorry for him.

Liam bends down to his knees, he's in front of Niall and grabs his hand.

"Nialler," he whispers, shaking Niall's hand a little.

Niall mutters something in response, but I can't quite make out what he's saying.

His eyes open slightly and it's only now that I notice the dark circles around them.

"Babe, you need to wake up" Liam speaks softly.

"Yea, and sober up" Zayn laughs and I nudge him in the side.

Niall fixes his eyes on Liam, his expression blank.

"I'll get him some water of coffee, I don't know" I say, quite unsure what to do, but Liam nods his head.

I'm about to walk into the kitchen, but the sound of the doorbell ringing stops me. I turn around to look at Harry.

"Must be me mom," he grins.

I swear it's almost as if he's enjoying the fact he's going to introduce his mom to our hungover friends.

I watch as Harry takes a hold of the doorknob and turns it.

In the doorway is Anne, as predicted. She removes her sunglasses and smiles widely. She looks like she's a celebrity.

"Hello, sunshine," she greets her son before pulling him into a hug.

A/N: A photo of Niall and Louis eating pizza on a couch is on the side, just because I like it.

Stay beautiful xx