a.n. don't forget to comment and vote

• • •

Harry Styles

I had been planning this for so long. So fucking long. And it never seemed to want to work out. Something always came up for someone which made the whole plan just fall apart. I couldn't blame anyone for it, to be honest, it was mainly my fault. I thought I could make things happen from one day to another and that just wasn't realistic.

Oh, not to mention that baby Malik was literally only a baby and putting him on a plane for x amount of hours was not something his parents were okay with. He was precious, by the way. Little Thomas Jason Malik. Zayn was obsessed with the nickname they gave him, it was TJ. I had a feeling that name was going to stick on him and honestly, I don't think his parents had a problem with it. Renleigh being Renleigh, however, liked his middle name the most and she was persistent on calling him Jason.

Just based on that, I knew we would fight the most over our kids' names and it was already giving me a ball ache. I knew she was not going to accept any basic names and for some reason, I felt like she already had a list of potential ones. Whether I was going to like them or not was not going to matter but to be honest, I didn't really care. I mean, obviously, I did because they were going to be my kids as well but I was also aware of the fact that I lost every time we bet on something or we went against the other.

Regardless of that, though, when my plan of finally getting everyone who was close to us—or more so to Renleigh—together, I felt relieved. Everything was sorted and booked and I just needed to be away and relaxing for a while.

Work was tough. There were problems that needed my full attention, mostly the process of buying my father out of my business. I tried to go without asking for Renleigh's expertise on the matter but in the last second, I decided to go to her so she could read over everything one final time. She was more than happy to help, perhaps a little offended that I didn't tell her what my plans were before I got everything done. But she said it was all fine and I should be able to keep everything under control easily.

Oh, speaking of my father. I didn't talk to him for longer than I had to and when he tried to bring up how I needed to apologise to him and my mother for the way I spoke to them, it took everything in me not to say something that I knew I would regret. They treated me like shit and they were the ones who practically disowned me over something so fucking stupid so if they really thought I was ever going to apologise for anything then I hope they had all the time in the fucking world.

I had the private jet booked for ten in the morning, I thought that was an alright time, something comfortable for all of us. Oscar and Sam were meeting us at the airport with Brandon and Jane meanwhile I was the one to drive myself, Renleigh and my two siblings there with Zayn doing the same for Charlotte and TJ and my cousin was also meeting us there.

The flight was an hour and a half and our destination—it was a surprise for everyone—was an hour ahead in time. That meant we'd arrive there around half twelve, perfect time to find somewhere for lunch since I didn't think of asking the chef to cook anything.

It was just past half eight in the morning when I decided it was time to wake my girlfriend. She was out on the bed next to me, her hair everywhere. She had the quilt bunched up at her chest and I could barely see her face which made me smile. I loved waking up to her. I think I missed that more than anything. Just having her to cuddle at night and know that she is safe and sound with me made it feel like everything was right in the world.

I gently brushed her hair from her face, a few strands stuck between her chin and chest as she curled up into a ball. I caressed her skin with my thumb as I pulled the material down a bit so she could actually breathe and to see her better. When my hand moved from her face and I booped her nose, she scrunched it up and reached for my fingers then placed them back on her head.

"More," she mumbled really quietly and lowly and I wouldn't have known what she wanted if she wouldn't have placed my hand on her head. She loved head rubs, I think she preferred them over cuddling but I didn't mind. I loved playing with her hair, it always smelled so nice and it felt so soft under my touch.

All thanks to me.

I swear I completely saved her skin and hair. She used to have horribly dry skin and her hair lacked the same amount of nutrients. When I found out she didn't use moisturiser or that she used the wrong shampoo and absolutely no conditioner—not to mention how she went years without getting a haircut—I made it my personal mission to sort her out. Since then, her skin and hair went through a rebirth and it really looked so good.

"Gotta wake up, my love," I told her as I watched her enjoy my fingers in her hair. My body was elevated as my arm kept me up, my elbow deepened into the soft pillow. I fisted my right hand and leaned the side of my head on it comfortably. "Need to get my siblings up, too. Pack your bag and eat something. Sort Dax out."

"You can do all that while I sleep," she chuckled and I joined her. True. I could have. But I wanted her with me so we could do it together.

"How about you wake Livvy and Mason and I'll do the rest, hm?" I tried to compromise. To be honest, waking those two weighed out me having to make breakfast, drop my dog off to the neighbour and finish packing. They were so hard to wake up, even when it came to a holiday. They were just lazy sacks of potatoes in the morning.

"Okay, sounds good to me," she replied. Hehe. She never had to wake them before. When they slept over a while back, they woke themselves up. When it comes to doing it... god, I hope she was ready.

I kissed her forehead before I climbed out of bed and walked in my bathroom. I felt cold as I closed the door behind me and decided to go for a shower. Somehow, I thought having to be quiet during sex made me sweat more and with my siblings in the house, it had to be that way. But it also tired me out and I had no energy whatsoever to shower after so it resulted to me having to take one now.

After I was done, I fed Dax and packed up the usual little bag I took over to my neighbour. Bless them, they always looked after my boy but they loved it just as much as he loved spending time with them. I felt like he was their dog as much as he was mine. Once he was with his second family, I got to making breakfast. It was a quick omelette—made with cheese, tomatoes and onions for Renleigh and me meanwhile Livvy ate it plain, Mason with onions only—and a cuppa for everyone. I noticed there was some bacon left so I decided to crisp that up as well and by the time the toasts were toasted and buttered, three very grumpy individuals stepped into my kitchen.

"Well, good morning everyone," I grinned, feeling extra smug on the inside because although Renleigh thought she was getting away easily, she had the hardest task to complete this morning. "Breakfast is done so let's get to it before it goes cold, yeah?"

"You are so gonna get it for doing this to me," Renleigh groaned as she walked past me and gripped my side. Her nails deepened in my skin and it made me wince. But I still laughed.

"Why don't you get some forks out, hm?" I kissed her cheek as she stood next to me and she just shook her head as she turned away to find them. "You two, want anything other than tea?"

"Vodka," Mason muttered.

"Uuuu, me too!" Livvy suddenly brightened up and I heard Renleigh chuckle.

"Tea it is," I said as I placed the mugs on the kitchen island.

Mason was the grumpiest of them all which made me wonder how he was awakened this morning. Something told me it had to do with Livvy because I swear if his eyes could have shot arrows, our sister wouldn't have made it through breakfast.

After we all managed to eat and get changed, we packed everything in the car and left for the airport. It was meant to be a quick ride but it took us slightly longer. By the time we arrived, everyone was already there and the look on Renleigh's face was priceless.

"What the hell is everyone doing here?" she asked as she turned towards me. "I thought it was only us going?"

"Well, surprise," I chuckled and everyone around us did the same. "We should probably head to the gate, though. Jet's taking off in ten minutes."

The sound of that caused Livvy to jump up and down excitedly and I swear to god it pissed Mason off so much that he was close to hitting her on the head. Honestly, it was so fucking funny. I thought it would be a tight fit on the plane but actually, everyone seemed really comfortable. By the time we took off, Charlotte was begging for someone to take the kid and me being an absolute babe—and also the best godfather in the history of godfathers—I volunteered right away. Little TJ seemed to be aware of my good reputation, too, because as soon as he was in my arms, his little head on my chest, he fell right asleep.

I made sure I hired a big enough mini-bus for us for when we arrived but with all of our luggage, it wasn't the most beneficial. We somehow managed to make our way over to the villa—driving on the other side of the road with the steering wheel being on the left as opposed to the right was difficult at first—but by that time, I had a bus full of hungry people moaning at me to stop for something.

Yes. Even Ren's parents. Well, Oscar did all the complaining. It was actually funny. He was a laid-back man and my sister really seemed to like him. She made him pick her up and carry her and all I could do was apologise for it which resulted in Renleigh laughing at me.

"So, there is a guest house," I began when we arrived. "I'm not saying anyone has to sleep there because the house itself is massive and has more than enough rooms but if anyone would like to be more private or something, then I guess you have the option."

"I think maybe we should stay in the guest house, no?" Charlotte asked Zayn as he held TJ. "Just because I know how loud of a crier he is and I wouldn't want anyone waking up to him or anything."

"Yeah, sure," Zayn replied. "I mean—is everyone okay with that?"

"Of course," Sam replied.

"Perfect," I said. "Uh, the keys for the guest house... uh, here," I passed it to Charlotte. "I'm not sure which one opens which door but you can figure that out, right?"

"Yeah," she chuckled.

"Alright," I sighed. "So there are six rooms I believe, the master is mine," I stated and everyone laughed. "Everyone else can go and find themselves somewhere to sleep."

"Do I have to sleep with Olivia?" Mason asked.

"Well, she is your sister," I looked at him.

"I'll sleep with her," Gemma offered. "Girls gotta stick together, isn't that right, prinny?"

"Yay!" Livvy cheered and I smiled.

"I guess you don't have to share a room with her, then," I patted Mason's shoulder and he nodded.

"Sound. See you in a bit," he put his index and middle fingers to his forehead as he mock saluted then made his way inside the villa.

Eventually, we all found our rooms for the time being although the guests were on a shorter trip than Renleigh and I. Obviously, I wanted them here to spend some time with us but also, I wanted some alone time with my girlfriend, too. Having Gemma here was good because I knew she would take care of my siblings on the way back home and make sure they got home safely without me having to worry.

"So, what made you want to come here?" Ren asked as soon as we entered the master bedroom. It was white with some soft brown and grey, the theme was nice and I actually liked it. "South of France is a bit random, isn't it?"

"Well... I have had time to think," I replied as I got on the bed and comfortable. Ankles crossed and my hands behind my head. "I don't think any of you would have thought of me bringing you here and it's actually really nice. I only found it upon hours and hours of researching—I mean this place in particular—and I have been in contact with the owner for a while."

"Ah, right," she nodded. "Well, it is nice here."

"Yeah, I think so, too," I agreed. "What do you say to finding a place to visit for food? Actually starving after travelling."

"Sounds like a plan," she said.

• • •

I never really been on a holiday with so many people before. I mean, there was twelve of us and we literally needed two tables pushed together so we could all eat together at the restaurant. It was quite funny, it definitely drew attention to us but it didn't seem to bother anyone. We all got along so well and the conversation just flew between everyone.

After that, Charlotte, Zayn and TJ went back to the house and Livvy begged me to let her go, too, because she was tired. I know the Malik family wouldn't have minded if they had to look after her but when she got sick, she got very tired and it just didn't feel right to not go back with her after everything that happened. Brandon and Jane decided to come back to the villa with us as well meanwhile Gemma, Mason, the parents and Renleigh all went to have a look around the town.

"Hal?"

"Hm?" I hummed as we laid on the sunbeds in the back garden. The massive pool was our view and the back of the house with all the windows and balcony doors.

"I love it here," she told me with a massive grin on her face.

"Yeah?" I chuckled. "We've only been here for a few hours, Livvy."

"So?"

"We haven't really been on any trips yet and you love it already?"

"Yes," she nodded. I laid comfortably on one bed and Livvy was on the one next to me. When I glanced at her, I saw her legs swinging back and forth as she watched the house with her head tilted to the side a little. "I think this is such a cool holiday before I start big school."

"I hope it is," I smiled. "I promise, we'll go on some more trips before school starts, yeah?"

"Really?" she asked me excitedly.

"If you want, sure," I reassured. "We haven't been to Disney this year yet so that's something we have to do."

"True!"

I felt like going to Disney was something her, Mason and I did every year. It was one of the most constant thing in our relationship as siblings. That never changed. I know I wasn't the world's greatest brother with how little time I spent at home or with them in general so doing this with them every year was important to me.

"Hal?"

"Yeah?"

"Can Renleigh come with us this time?" she asked me with a hopeful tone. "I really love and miss her. I think it would be cool."

"Sure," I said. "I mean, we'll have to ask her and if Mason is fine with it but I'm not against the idea."

"Masy loves Renleigh!" she told me confidently. "I'll tell you a secret but you can't tell anyone I told you, okay?"

"Alright, listening."

"This morning, when Renleigh came to wake us up, we planned to act grumpy because we weren't actually grumpy," she said with a serious face. And I felt the joy run out of me. Like, my smile just faded. No. "We told her that when you wake us, we're grumpy sometimes and then she said she realised why she had to wake us up today and then because she felt bad that we weren't grumpy for her but only you, she made us be that way so you could feel like you won!"

I cannot believe this.

This is some bullshit, right?

This woman does everything better than me. And they planned the whole thing. It's like they formed their own little group against me.

I was absolutely shocked.

"Is that so?" I asked back with a cheeky smile on my face and Livvy started to get up from her chair because she knew I was going to chase her and tickle her. "So, you pretended to be grumpy so I could win?"

"Yes."

"You think I'm a loser, huh?"

"...you are," she giggled and then made a run for it.

She was obviously slower than me but kinda fast for a ten-year-old. She ran towards the left side of the pool so I went around the right side so I could catch her before the steps.

"I swear I'll throw you in the pool!" I shouted after her but she was too far away from me already to be able to do that.

We ran in the house and down the steps as we passed by the double staircase that led upstairs and the dining room and kitchen on one side then one of the living rooms on the other. Just as we made it to the front door, it opened and revealed my girlfriend then my brother behind her, followed by my cousin and her parents.

We both stopped, out of breath and panting, my hands on my hips as my hair fell on my forehead.

"Hey," I waved at them with my right hand and Ren's eyebrows bunched up in the middle in confusion. "How was town?"

"Oh, god, why are you so out of breath?" Gemma asked as everyone walked in and Mason closed the door.

"I've been trying to catch-," I looked to the side but Olivia was long gone. "-Livvy but she's gone," I said quickly as I prepared to run to find her again. There was no way I would let her get away with calling me a loser.

Well, I would have started to run if I wouldn't have been kept back.

"I need to-,"

My words were cut off as I turned my head towards Renleigh, her lips on mine as she distracted me. Literally. I knew that's why she did it. To give my sister more time to run off. She smirked when she pulled back and then winked at me and walked away.

"That's not fair!" I shouted after her as she chuckled then shook my head and went after Livvy.

• • •

a.n.

wasn't sure where to put the photos of the house within the chapter so imma just include them here cos i'm a sucker for visuals

so the villa (i put those little hearts on two cos that's where livvy and harry ran along)

then the first two photos are the master bedroom obvs and then the rest of the row and the one following it is where char, zayn n tj are staying aka the guest house n then all the gardens within the property hehe

it took me ages to find a villa that was actually in the south of france and i liked lmfao but yeah i hope it helps with the imagination i know it makes writing a hell of a lot easier sometimes

other than that i'm so fucking glad to have mason and olivia back and now a baby as well like the upcoming chapter are my fucking favourite 🥰 u might not be ready but i am it's gonna be sO GOOD AHHHH

xoxo