^That reminded me of the fanart in last chapter.

Chapter dedication to miasalvatore18 just because you're awesome ♥
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Parenting is hard.

At least that's what Harry and Louis realized as soon as Leilani got home. The first thing the girl did was walk into the kitchen for a glass of water and unfortunately for her parents, the first thing she asked was "Why does it smell like maple syrup and something weird in here?" Louis had groaned because he had cleaned up the kitchen and thought that he had done a pretty good job, but apparently not.

Just then Harry had walked- limped- in and the girl repeated the question to her Papa, making Louis sigh in relief because now he don't have to answer. But of course, the universe hates him, along with his own boyfriend who answered the girl with "Your silly Daddy here has some rivalry againt the kitchen so he thought it would be a good idea to spill the syrup all over the kitchen instead of picking it off the table and putting it in the cabinet." while smirking at his lover as the girl shook her head with a "Silly daddy."

The universe, his boyfriend and now his daughter too.

Louis had pouted at the floor but it was soon gone when Harry walked- limped- up to him and pecked his lips with a whisper of "Silly daddy" before winking seductively and taking a seat beside Leilani at the table. Louis smiled giddily until little Leilani asked another question.

"Why is papa walking like.. that?" and Louis smirked before speaking without thinking.

 "He got some." He smirked at Harry who looked at him with wide eyes and Louis stuttered out "He got some.. um.. you know- some... uh... SPLINT!... splint in... in his ankle... Yeah! He got splint in his ankle." and nods while breathing nervously.

Leilani had asked Harry about it who told her it will be okay soon and the girl was relieved that her Papa was fine. Later on the three of them had spent the next four hours in bed playing UNO, watching Netflix and eating a lot of popcorns, candies, crisps and whatnot.

Harry had observed that Leilani was a really energetic kid who just couldn't sit calm, doing nothing and that was something she had in common with Louis, he thought. It was in the evening that the girl had asked her parents to take her to the park so they could play football and Louis of course agreed, which only made Harry groan.

However, they got ready within thirty minutes and left the house with a football and a skate board with them.

Currently, Harry is sitting on one of the swings, lightly swinging back and forth as 5SOS plays in the background from his phone that was on the blanket they had laid on the ground. He smiles when Leilani laughs out loudly as her feet wobbles on the skateboard and Louis holds her dainty hands to keep her from falling.

Everything about this moment seems perfect to him. The way Louis smiles or winks or blows a kiss everytime he glances at Harry, the way their daughter yells "Look at me, Papa!" whenever she hits a goal against her dad or skates more than one meter without falling over or the way she randomly runs to Harry and kisses his cheek just because she can. Harry feels content. He feels at home.

He is yanked out of his daydream when the music stops playing and his ringtone is heard instead, indicating an incoming call. He picks up the phone to look at the screen and his eyes widen.

Shit! He never called his parents. Yes, he had texted them to let them know he had reached and was safe but of course it's never enough for parents. He knows it now.

"Hey, mum!" He answers the phone and when Louis looks at him questioningly, he waves him off with a smile.

"Oh honey, how are you? Did you reached safely? Did you get to the apartment? How is your roommate? Did you get a job? Are the people okay there? I hope they aren't rude to you. Are you comf-"

"Mum, I'm fine and everything is awesome here." Harry chuckles at his mother's worry.

"Oh, thank god." He can hear his mom smile. "You never called us, hun. I was so worried."

"Yeah mum, I'm sorry I forgot. Unpacking my stuff, meeting all the people here.. it's kind of hectic." He says.

"Yeah, I understand. So who are all the people you met there? Tell me about them." Anne asks excitedly.

"Well.. first of all, there is Lynn and his sister Lyra. They're twins and they are so amazing, mom. Then their moms, I've only met one of them and she is so lovely. They are very welcoming. Then.." He look up at Louis who has a wide grin on his face while following the little girl as she skates away. "... there's Bill, my roommate. He has a seven years old daughter, Leilani and she's such a doll, she's so adorable and lovely. Oh my god, mum, you'll just love her because that's how she is, you just have to love her." He says fondly. Though, he avoids talking about Gemma because Anne would freak out at the name itself.

"That's very nice to hear, darling. So does this bill has a wife or..?"

"Oh no, mum. He isn't married or anything." He chuckles. "He just found Lanny on the streets and adopted her, she isn't his biological daughter."

"Oh. So that means he's single? And if he is, then Is he gay or-"

"Mum... I know where this is going." He says sternly, but ends up grinning.

"Oh well.." Anne laughs nervously. "Okay then, love. Anyway, since it's summer vacation for the girls, your dad and I were thinking of taking a break from work as well."

"That's good. You both really need a break from all the crimes and criminals. I suggest y'all take a trip to somewhere."

"Yeah... About that.." Anne pauses and Harry furrows his eyebrows.

"About that?"

"How about we come there? As in New York..  I think it'd be good for the girls who've been sulking around since you left and it would be reassuring for us that you're at a good place and in good hands."

"Mum, I'm in good hands.. really good hands." He hears Anne sighs and he rethinks it before speaking. "But I think it would be a good idea for you all to visit. I haven't toured this place yet and I'd love to do it with the girls. Plus, I don't want you and dad to worry about my well being so I'd rather have y'all come and see that I'm safe and doing good." He smiles softly, staring at Louis an Leilani who are now sprawled on the ground with their chest heaving. They look exhausted yet they have goofy looks on their beautiful faces.

"Really!? That's lovely honey! How about we see if your friends are willing to come as well? Would you like that, sweetie?" Anne asks excitedly.

"Yeah sure, mum. Would love them to be around here to meet Lo-" he coughs. "Leilani and Bill." He says and Anne agrees. Soon they trade goodbyes and Anne promises to let him know their plans before hanging up.

He sighs as he continues swinging back and forth, thinking what he just did. He wants everyone to meet Louis, but he didn't even ask Louis if he wants that. What if Louis get mad at him for making that decision for him? What if his parents still want Louis behind the bars? Will he be able to stop them from doing so? Will he be able to stop them from doing their job? Will they want Gemma to get back home? Will they try to take Leilani away from her Dad?

All the questions spill out of his mouth the following night. Little Leilani is sleeping soundly in her own room and Harry lies in Louis bed, catching his breath for the second time that day. After coming down their highs, when they are cuddling, Harry tells Louis about the phone call from his mother. Louis listens to the boy before kissing his head and reassuring him that it's okay and he'd love to meet everyone again. He let's Harry know that he's not mad and not to worry about his parents. In fact he is willing to meet and explain them everything calmly. Harry just nods and hopes that it goes well, worry still flooding through him.

But all the questions and worry flows out of his mind as Louis whispers "Goodnight, babe. I love you." and kisses the corner of his mouth.

Yeah. It definitely feels like home.

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Ha ha ha ha

Look who updated early this time!!!

I kind of want to get done with this book as soon as possible so I can continue with the other book that's on hold.

So my brother just asked me "I heard a lot of things happened which points to a 1D reunion. Why are you not freaking out?" And I just sat there like 'I'm not setting my hopes too high this time but just wait till the anniversary bc you're wish you never asked me that...' (ah love da payne!)

Anyway, thoughts on this chapter?

And don't expect me to update this quick again... But I might surprise y'all (and myself😂) we never know.

Don't forget to vote and comment if you like.

♥