"What do you mean Addison is at Niall's house," Louis asks again. Eleanor sits at the island in their kitchen, a pained expression written across her face. Her brown hair is tied into a bun as it usually is when she's trying to get work done. 

"She asked to go see Evelyn last night because they were having a bonfire. I forgot everything that was going on so I said yes," Eleanor explains again. Louis can't believe it. How could Eleanor risk their daughter being around Harry?

"I can't believe you."

"She's 16, for god's sake! You think someone hasn't already hinted at it or that she hasn't accidentally stumbled on to it? I get that you're scared, Louis, I get it. You aren't the only one with secrets in this house, but you can't keep it from them forever! At some point, they're going to have to find out that Mommy and Daddy don't love each other," Eleanor snaps. 

Louis' hands curl into fists as anger bubbles up inside of him. "Well, I'm not picking her up. You do it," Louis spits. 

"I have a meeting, I can't. Be a big boy and get over yourself, Louis. I'm sick of you stomping around over something that happened 25 fucking years ago. Be an adult and pick up your fucking daughter from her friend's house," Eleanor replies loudly as she stands from the island and stalks away. 

As if it's that easy. Louis' hands curl around the closest object, which happens to be a ceramic mug, and hurls it at the wall. It shatters against the white wall, leaving shards scattered across the floor. From across the room, Louis hears Eleanor call, "Real fucking mature, Louis." 

Fine. She wants him to pick up their daughter? Fine. He will. Louis'll waltz over to Niall's house and give him a piece of his mind. Angrily, Louis kicks the shards of the mug as he collects his keys. As he stomps out of the house, he throws Eleanor the middle finger, not even caring that she can't see it. 

~_~_~

As angry as Louis is, driving has a way of calming him down. He doesn't know what he finds therapeutic about driving, but he supposes that most of it has to do with refocusing on something other than his anger. So, when he pulls up to Niall's front door he's only mildly agitated. 

Louis slips out of the driver's side and makes the walk to Niall's front door. A mat with an 'H' sits outside the door with three little footprints for each of his children. Slowly, Louis brings his hand up to knock on the door. 

When Niall opens it, another wave of agitation washes over Louis. "Oh, Louis, wasn't expecting you to be here... I thought Eleanor would be coming over," Niall explains as he rubs the back of his neck. 

"Yeah well, she has a meeting so you got me. Sorry to disappoint," Louis answers bitterly. Niall gives him an awkward half-smile as he steps back inside. 

"Addie, your dad is here," Niall says through an intercom. His voice echoes through the house, practically announcing Louis' presence to everyone. When he's done, Niall turns back to Louis sheepishly. "She'll be down in a minute."

After a moment of silence, Niall asks, "Have I done something to upset you, Louis?"

Before Louis has time to answer he sees a figure behind Niall. The man's eyes are wide as if he wasn't expecting to be seen. Almost immediately, the anger disappears from Louis as he gazes at the man standing in the house. 

Niall notices the change in Louis' demeanor and turns, stopping as he sees Harry looking back at them. "Harry," Louis breathes softly. Harry takes a step towards them hesitantly. 

Niall looks between them as he whispers, "I'll go check on Addison." He gives that two one last look before leaving them to head upstairs. 

Harry takes another step towards Louis. "I... I heard the call that you were here to pick up Addison. I... I didn't mean to uh... for you to notice me or anything," Harry replies. Louis can't get over how much his voice has changed. It's not the Harry he used to know, but this strange new one. Louis figures his own voice has probably changed some too. 

"It's fine," Louis breathes. "You look... good." 

Harry fiddles with the golden band on his finger. "What are you doing here," Louis asks. Harry spares a glance in Louis' direction as he takes another step forwards. 

"Catching up with Niall and, besides, Sam's never been to LA. I figured it would be a fun experience for us," Harry replies. 

All common sense seems to leave Louis as he looks at his ex-boyfriend. Even after everything, Louis can't help but want him again. He craves Harry the way he craves a cigarette. He hears the words leaving his lips before he has time to stop them, "Maybe we can get coffee sometime?" 

Immediately, he regrets them. It's a bad idea. As much as Louis wants him, Harry obviously doesn't want Louis. He has Sam. They're going to get married. They have a house in Texas with animals and a perfect picket fence. Harry escaped this life, so who's Louis to drag him back into it. 

Harry glances back upstairs as he takes another step forward, "I'll have to talk to Sam about it." Just as the words leave Harry, a loud voice answers. 

"Talk to Sam about what?" Louis watches as Harry's eye light up as the two of them are joined by another figure. Sam's black hair seems even darker and his olive skin is damp from his shower. He wears a gray shirt that sticks to his skin and a pair of basketball shorts. It's the most casual Louis' ever seen him. 

"Uh... I was just suggesting that we get coffee sometime. It was stupid," Louis says dismissively.  

Sam looks between Harry and Louis. He throws an arm across Harry's shoulders as he responds, "I never much liked coffee myself, but I think it's a sound idea for y'all." 

Louis watches as Harry's eyes widen slightly and he blinks rapidly as he tries to comprehend the words Sam says. Louis finds himself in shock too at what Sam suggests. He thinks it's a good idea for Harry and Louis to get coffee together?

"You're sure," Harry asks. Sam gives the two of them a shrug. 

"I trust you. Besides, obviously there are some things you two need to work out. The air's nearly as tense as a UT and Aggie game," Sam replies. Louis has no clue what that means but before he has the chance to ask, Addison appears at the bottom of the stairs. 

She gives the three of them a glance before walking over to Louis. "I'm ready," Addison says happily as she adjusts the bag over her shoulder. Evelyn appears a moment later. 

"Alright. Well, uh... I'll contact you then... about the coffee," Louis says as he rests a hand on Addison's shoulder. Addison looks between the three of them, confusion written across her face. 

"We should get going," Louis sighs. He gives Harry one last hopeful look before turning and heading back to his car. 

~_~_~

Hey guys! It's not Saturday, but my aunt's coming for mother's day so I won't be able to update. Thanks again for all of your support and feel free to leave some comments on your thoughts! thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! ~B