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Chapter Twenty-One

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Harry's POV

So here I am, sitting on a not very comfortable chair in a cafe in our neighbourhood waiting for my mother. I told her to meet us here, because I don't want to give her our home address yet. I need to know for sure I can trust her before I let her into my only save haven. All though Louis is more like a save haven to me than our house.

I'm nervously fiddling with my fingers at the moment and bouncing my leg up and down repeatedly. But then suddenly, a warm hand grabs a hold of my knee, making me stop bouncing.

For a moment, I think it's my mom and my heart stops. But then I see a tattoo on the wrist and recognise it as Louis'. I let out the breath I was holding.

I'm glad Louis is here with me. I don't think I would've dared to sit here waiting for that woman alone.

"Don't be nervous, love" Louis says and takes my hand in his'. "You'll be fine and I'm right here. I won't leave this chair" He smiles and pats the armrests of his chair.

I smile back. I love him so much. We've been through a lot already, but my love for him has only grown stronger. All that has happened over the years made me realise how much I need Louis, but mostly, how much I want him. I want him to be next to me, I want him to cuddle up to and I want to share the rest of my life with him. Yea, I do. I care so much about this petite lad and I want him to be happy. I hope I can make him now that Jack's locked up and we don't need to escape anymore. And if my mom dumps Jack, he's out of our lives forever.

I still need to face my mom for that to happen, though. And I'm scared. The last time I saw my mom, she couldn't even bring herself to look at me. She was too ashamed because I am gay. She was disgusted by me because I had fallen in love with a boy. I'm just terrified now that even today she won't look at me. Or that she'll still be disgusted with me. And that she'll still despise Louis and give him death glares like she always used to do.

It amazes me that Louis actually came along with me today. Of course, he just wants to be there for me, but he can't stand my mother. He seems so relaxed and fearless, waiting in that chair. It's almost as if he's not waiting for the woman who destroyed our lives. I almost envy Louis for being this confident right now.

On the other hand, I don't even know if I can bring myself to look at my mother. She's put Louis and I through so much and this whole thing is partly her fault. I know it's a bit dramatic, but it's technically also her fault she got Niall, Zayn, Liam, Gloria and Noah into trouble. If she'd never started seeing Jack, none of this would've happened. Although, if she hadn't, I would've never met the boys, Gloria and got to take care of Noah.

My mom insulted me for years, locked me in my room to keep me away from the one I love, she gave Jack permission to beat me up whenever he felt like it and sometimes she even abused me herself. Gemma just sat in her room crying. I know she wanted to stand up for me, but she just couldn't. I also know she wanted me to stay with her instead of leaving the house, but I couldn't. I had to go. I mostly went to Louis' house and had him and his mom take care of my injuries. I always felt so embarrassed for showing up there with my face all damaged, again. It's just that I had nowhere else to go. Gemma felt powerless and she loved me, I know, but she wasn't allowed to by my mom and Jack. They threatened her too. But it didn't keep Gemma from seeing me, though. Gemma was the only reason for me to come back home at night after I hid at Louis' place. I would sneak into Gem's room and we would laugh and cuddle and secretly watch movies together, praying that Jack and my mom wouldn't hear. Our favourite movies to watch were movies with shirtless, hot guys in them. We would grade them and eventually choose a winner. It was always a lot of fun. Gemma's that kind of girl to just be yourself with and have a laugh. She's nothing like my mother.

I do miss those times, though. Not the times that involve my mom and Jack or searching shelter at Louis' house and bother his mom, but the little moments with Gemma. It isn't until now that I realise how much I miss her. I'm so stupid for only calling my mother! I should've called Gemma as well! I wonder how she's doing..

"Harry," Louis shakes my arm, helping my out of my deep thoughts.

"Hmm?" I hum.

"A taxi just stopped outside. Do you think it's her?"

I frown at him before I turn my head to look out of the window. I feel my heart pick up its speed. I watch how a female, high heeled foot steps out of the vehicle and onto the pavement. The person gets out of the car completely and looks up, revealing my mom's face from under her dark hair. She's wearing her sunglasses, of course. She's always got them on.

I watch her take a deep breath.

And I do too.

It's as if my feet have turned to bricks and I'm about to poop my pants. Or I just need to fart. That could be it too.

The bell above the entrance rings, meaning someone's stepped inside. My heart sinks and I feel a little light headed. I can't believe this is actually happening. I see my so called mother look around the room, but I decide it's better to just focus on my hands in my lap.

She'll recognise me by my curls. I won't need to look at her yet.

I hear the sound of high heels against the floor coming closer and by the look on Louis' face I can tell it's her. Then the sound stops.

I breathe in and look up.

There she is; The woman that has ruined my life so far.

When my eyes meet her's I almost choke on my own spit.

"What happened to your eye?" I ask bluntly.

I had practised this moment in my head for so many times. I would say hello and let her do the talking. I would call her mother, but I was not going to sound as if I still cared for her. I wasn't going to show her she still means so much to me. But now that's all ruined. Her black eye brings back the little care I have for her and instead of greeting her, I immediately shoot her with a question.

My mom sighs and I swear I hear her chuckle. She sits down next to me. Maybe she'd hoped I'd hug her or something, but I don't.

"Jack.." She says softly. God, I missed watching her talk.

"What the hell did he do?" I feel my blood beginning to boil. I hate my mom for what she did to me, but knowing Jack hurt her makes me so angry.

My mom shakes her head as if she's telling herself 'no'. But I harden my stare on her so she'll break and tell me.

"Jack hit me, Harry. But I'm fine now. It's a long time ago"

"Why?"

Mom sighs again. "He said I talked about you too much and he got tired of me crying all the time. He hit me so I would stop. It happened just before he left to go here. It doesn't hurt anymore"

"Why were you crying all the time?"

"Because I missed you like hell, Harry! It hurt so much!" My mom's eyes get watery. And then suddenly, she looks up at Louis.

Oh, no.. She's going to shout at him and blame him for everything. She's going to say how much this is Louis' fault (which it's not) and she'll try to take me away from him.

"And I missed you too, Louis"

Wait. What?

"To be fair, you were always great company,"

Louis looks at me. He doesn't know what to do. Neither do I.

She thinks Louis is great company?

For all the times I brought Louis home with me, my mom kicked him out and called him horrible names. I think they've only sat down together once to drink tea and talk. And that was before my mom found out I'm gay.

I yank my hands away before I can even realise what's happening; My mom attempted to grab my hands. Oops.. I didn't know. The sudden unfamiliar touch scared me. All she ever did when she touched me was hurt me.

I smile apologising. She only shakes her head.

"I'm sorry," she barely whispers. "I shouldn't have"

I don't say another thing and the conversation dies. An awkward atmosphere takes over and I'm not sure where to look.

"So," Louis starts, hesitation clear in his voice. "Are you going to end things with Jack?"

My mom opens her mouth to speak, but she closes it seconds later. She looks from me to Louis and then at her hands in her lap.

"I don't know.. I mean, what Jack did to you is horrible and it should've never happened, but Jack and I are fine. And now that he's locked up you're fine too"

"Mom, we're not fine," I say, feeling my blood beginning to boil again.

"We're terrified for life, Anne," Louis says as calm as possible and he grabs my hand to keep me from exploding. "I'm sorry, but with every single thing we do, Jack's on our minds. I'm still afraid to go grocery shopping alone,"

"But Jack can't hurt you anymore," she fights back. "And I promise I will keep Jack away from you when I get him out"

"When you get him out?"

"Yes, you don't expect me to just leave him there, do you?"

"You're going to bail him out?" Louis asks in disbelieve and I feel my heart sink.

"Yes, I-"

"Mom, Jack's locked up for two years, rightfully. You can bail him out. And so you shouldn't," I try to keep my tears in. "He's hurt me so much and he has hurt Louis too. He's made both our lives miserable. I wasn't safe and I couldn't be myself, that's why I left. Isn't it obvious that this is all Jack's fault?"

"Yes, I know Harry. But I-"

"No, you don't know because you sent him to Portugal without even thinking about what he can do to us! And let him track us down!" my voice cracks and I let the tears out.

I don't care what the people in this café think of me.

My vision is blurry as I look my mother straight in the eyes. I still feel Louis' touch on my hand, but apart from that, I only feel anger.

I need to know why mom helped this man ruin my life. I was only fourteen when I met Louis. Jack had just moved in with us at that time. And since that man stepped foot in our house, my life got a little darker. When I thought I saw lights again, I just got pulled back into the dark. I need answers and her explaining, because right now, I see lights and I'm not going to let the darkness pull me down again.

"Why did you let him do all of this, mom?"

I watch my mom as she sighs deeply. She wipes away a tear, but it might be a fake one.

"I-I didn't...- I just couldn't...-" mom can't find her words and I see more tears are starting to fall down her cheeks. Does that mean she still cares about me? Her body begins to tremble. "I never wanted this to happen, Harry. I swear I didn't know Jack would do such things to you. But I..- I just.. I didn't have another choice"

"You didn't have another choice but to stay with Jack and let him abuse me?" I ball my hands into fists. "I feel nauseous even th-"

"Why didn't you have another choice?" Louis cuts me in. He un-balls my fists and runs his other hand up and down my arm.

"I-I need to tell you something," my mother says and I feel my stomach twist. "I'm sorry for not telling you before,"

"Go on," Louis says and I'm glad he's doing the talking for me now.

"You and Gemma are not my only children,"

"What?" I mutter, but my mom doesn't hear.

I'm going to be sick.

"I once gave birth to a son. Long before Gemma was born. His name was Tanner and Jack, well.. Jack was his father"

I knock my phone over and it collapses on the floor. I grab it quickly and watch my mom in disbelieve. My entire body has gone numb.

"Harry, I'm so sorry. Gemma doesn't know either. You need to understand. I was always fighting with Jack. Always. But back in those days, I wasn't even afraid of him. One day, I was with Tanner in his nursery. He was only 5 months old. Jack came in and-"

My takes a shaky breath. She's having trouble getting the words out. Her tears leaving a salty trail on her cheeks.

"Jack came in and he insulted me for something I can't even remember. But I lost it that day. I didn't even think. I don't know what happened exactly. Everything went black as if I was in a trance. I came at Jack and when my vision returned, he was on the floor unconscious, blood from his ear. But Tanner got tangled into this somehow and-"

My mom clenches her stomach. She's in a lot of pain digging up these memories.

"Tanner died that day. Because of our stupid fight. He must've fallen from his changing table and hit his head. I killed a baby. Our baby, even though that thought makes me sick. I ran away from Jack. I didn't even wait for him to wake up. Months later, I met your dad and Gem and you were born. When Des and I got our divorce, Jack found out about it somehow and came for me. He threatened to tell the police. I was just so afraid. I had to do as he said, Harry. I had to,"

"But how could he threaten you? It was an accident. What did you even tell the police the day Tanner died?"

"We never reported his death. I've never told anybody,"

"But people knew you were pregnant?" Louis asks in confusion.

"I told them I had a miscarriage," mom shrugs and wipes away a tear. "Or I told them Tanner got sick and died in the hospital,"

"But he must've gotten a birth certificate?" I ask. I don't understand how no one else knows about this.

"He's got one. And he's still in the hospital's data. For all they know, there's still a boy alive named Tanner Cox. And he's 29 years old,"

"That's sickening," I say quietly.

"But it was an accident?" Louis speaks, he's a little in shock. "I mean, it's awful and stupid. But you never meant to kill him?"

"No," I add. "You could've just told the police,"

"I was so embarrassed about what I did to Tanner. And I was terrified of what Jack could do to me. I know it was an accident, but I still would've been arrested for manslaughter. And after the divorce with Des, he blackmailed me. I felt so alone. I had no one. I didn't know what to do,"

"You had me," I say angrily. "And Gemma"

"But you were just little kids,"

"So?"

"Harry, please. You need to understand. Once I got in, I couldn't get out. He threatened he would take Gemma away if I didn't give him permission to move in with us. Harry, when you fell in love and came out with Louis, I was so happy for you and I was so proud. I truly was. But Jack got so mad. It wasn't only because you're gay, though. You look a lot like Tanner, even though Tan was only a couple of months old. He had brown curls too and the same big green eyes. I think Jack couldn't handle the love I had for you, as well. I was supposed to only love Tanner this much. I'm sorry for what Jack did to you. And for what I did as well. He forced me, I couldn't do otherwise,"

Big tears roll down her cheeks. She can't stop crying. Something inside of me tells me to get up and hug her tight, but I don't. I know better than that. Somehow I also want yell at her and tell her how stupid she is for listening to Jack. If she would've just told the police the truth, she wouldn't be in this mess or live in such fear. Even if they would've arrested her, it's still better than this.

I don't tell her, though. I keep my mouth shut and so does Louis. But that's okay. There's nothing for him to say.

"Gemma made me realise, Harry. She also left after you did,"

"Wait, she left? Where is she now?" I'm shocked and panic builds up in my stomach. Why would she leave?

"I don't know. I haven't spoken with her since. Actually, I was hoping you know or spoke to her. I'm worried sick. She was so mad at me for what I did to you. She couldn't look at me anymore. And she was right,"

"I didn't speak with her after I got here" I caress my hand though my hair. "You're so stupid for letting Jack do all of this. Can't you see you broke everything? Our family, our love? Both your children have run away,"

"Harry, stop." Louis says and pulls me by my arm. "This is making it worse. Let's just stay ca-"

"I'm making it worse? This woman has ruined everything!" I yell and stand up, yanking Louis' hands away. Tears roll down my cheeks.

My mother nods her head and looks down in embarrassment. "I know," she whispers. "I know and this needs to end. I'm so sorry,"

With that she gets up. She wipes the tears from her cheeks and looks at me one more time. Then she turns around and walks away.

I watch her get into a cab before I sit down again, bewildered.

"How do you feel?" Louis asks and kneel down besides me, his hands on my knees.

"I don't know," I say quietly.

"Do you think she's going to end things with Jack now? I mean, you know her better"

"No," I say, not really here with my thoughts. I'm staring at the napkin on the table. "I don't know her at all, Lou"

I look at him now and he doesn't know what to say. He smiles with pain. I know this is hard on him too.

"I don't know what to feel. I can't imagine my mom killing a baby or lying about it. And I don't understand why she was so easy on you. It was almost as if she forgave us for being different. I'm sorry, Boo, but I imagined her to attack you"

Louis chuckles at my last words. Then he placed his hand on my cheek.

"Well, maybe your mom has changed and thought about all of this. Do you forgive her?"

I shrug. "Maybe.. I can't say yet"

Louis gets up from the floor and sits down on my lap, wrapping his arms around my neck. I hold him by his waist and rest my head on his chest.

"It's okay to not know yet, love"

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Louis POV

I open the door to our house and I pull Harry with me by his hand. We left Noah alone with Niall. He said he could take care of him and that he's babysit before. I mean, yes I believe him and yes, Niall is a twenty years old man, but I'm still worried. Niall is a little different, you know? He still acts like a kid himself most of the time. Niall's this happy bouncing ball that will go crazy for food and anything with pretty colours.

I enter the room and take in the sight. I need a moment to process this, but then I burst out into laughter. Besides me, Harry drops to the floor, laughing as well.

In the living room there's Niall on the floor. His pizza deliverer's cap is carelessly placed on his head, blond hair peeking from underneath. His face is red and a slice of salami is plastered on his cheek. He's wearing ugly yellow cleaning gloves and a black cooking apron with cats and hearts on it. He doesn't look happy. I his hand is a rattle and a dirty diaper. Noah is in front of him, kicking his little feet and shaking his bum.

"I'VE GOT THE BOTTLE, NIALLER!" I hear Liam shout as I watch him come in. He doesn't notice us in the doorway. "I also found the milk. We can feed him now,"

Liam is also wearing an apron, his has a naked man printed on it. There's a diaper over his head and I hope it's clean. It's a weird sight. I've only seen Liam in his police uniform or other very neat and decent clothes.

Harry is still on the floor, trying to catch his breath. I have tears in my eyes from laughing. This shouldn't even be this funny. They look like a married couple.

I cough loudly so they'll notice we're here. They both look up, startled.

"Need some help?" Harry asks, his face red from laughing.

"No," Niall answers annoyed.

"We can handle it" Liam adds.

I hold my hands up in defends. All right then. Let's see.

Liam takes Noah and tells Niall to sit on the couch. "Be careful," he says. "Lay his head on your arm"

Niall does as told and holds Noah carefully. It's quite adorable to be honest.

I love to see how Harry's laughing this much. He's either genuinely happy or he's hiding his feelings. Or both, I don't know. But what I do know is that he's still hurt from everything with Anne. And therefore I'm happy he's smiling now.

"How's our little guy doing?" He asks once he's wiped away his happy tears.

"Did you have any trouble taking care of him?" I ask and walk over to them, Harry's already there.

"He's good," Liam says and smiles as I sit next to him on the floor. Harry takes a seat next to Niall with Noah on the couch. "How did it go with Harry's mom?"

"I don't know if he wants to talk," I whisper and look at Harry. He heard.

"It was weird, but I guess it was okay. I don't really want to think about it. I'll tell you later okay?" Harry takes his cross necklace in between his fingers and he smiles awkwardly.

"Yeah, of course bro. I'm sorry," Liam pats his knee and they both laugh it off.

Niall hands Noah over to me and I kiss his small forehead.

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Jack's POV

The terrible police officer enters my cell once more. I'm going absolutely crazy in this small space and this man being in here makes it so much worse. What is he even doing here again? It's like his sixth time in here today. It's staring to annoy me.

"What is it you want from me now?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"You have a visitor" he answers cold. "Turn around, please"

I don't and I see the officer ball his fists. He comes at me seconds later and smashed me against the wall. I groan as I feel him handcuff me.

"Next time I suggest you just listen. I will us my pepper spray without any excuse,"

"Oh, threatening now eh?" I say and laugh. I won't listen to these fuckers.

The officer drags me out of my cell. I struggle and try to have him let go of me, but his grip on me is too tight.

"I don't want to see anybody" I groan.

"Just come with me, Jack" the police man says while sighing and pushes me forward. I spit on the floor to show him my disrespect, but he elbows me in my back, making me wince quietly.

Once we got into the hallway, three other police man surround me and walk me though the building. They place me down on a uncomfortable fucking chair and lock me there with yet another handcuff.

I look up with a pissed off expression on my face. Who the hell even wants to see me?

I look eyes with the person on the other side of the glass. It takes me about twenty seconds to realise who it is.

Anne.

But she doesn't look the same...

A.N: That was a pretty long chapter, don't you think? Aren't you proud of me?? Lol

Vote and comment and follow me and fan and just go crazy about this story pretty pretty pleeeease? x