"Harry, could you step into my office?"

Harry looks up from the paperwork he's doing, cheeks burning with the sudden attention. Taylor, Jimmy's assistant, looks over at him, her eyebrows furrowed in worry. Harry nods, setting the papers down and following James into his office, sitting down in the chair in front of his desk.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asks sheepishly. James' face softens a little. He shakes his head, taking a seat in his own chair.

"No, no, of course not," James assures, folding his hands on top of his desk. "You just seem a little...out of it. I wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Oh," Harry exhales, relieved. "Um, yeah. I'm okay."

James raises his eyebrows. He knows he's bullshitting him. "You sure?"

Harry sighs softly, looking down at his hands in his lap. James knows about his Mum, and about Louis' cancer, and everything else. They're basically friends. So, he swallows thickly and tells him, "I saw my mum."

James frowns, leaning back in his chair. "You...saw your mum?" He repeats, and Harry nods. "How did it go?"

"Well, um," Harry releases a puff of air from his cheeks, twisting his wedding ring around his finger. "My sister called me a few weeks back, and told me my mum's got cancer," James' face falls. "And she doesn't have much time left, so. I figured I should see her."

"Oh, my goodness," James says softly. "I-I'm so sorry, Harry. How's she doing?"

Harry seriously loves James. "She's doing alright," He says, giving James a weak smile. "She met Layla, and me and Lou had her over for dinner, and it...was okay."

"You had your homophobic mother, the one who kicked you out, over for dinner?" James asks, clearly amused. Harry laughs a little, nodding. "What a lad."

"She's still my mum, you know," Harry leans back in his chair, shrugging. "Even got Lou to bite his tongue for a whole evening."

"Alright, that I don't believe," James says, and Harry laughs again. James' face shifts to a thoughtful expression, tapping his fingers on top of his desk. "You know if you ever need anything, I'm here, yeah?"

Harry gives James a shy smile. "I know," He says quietly. "Thank you, James."

"I know Louis' probably taking good care of you," James says, and Harry's smile widens. "Because that boy is whipped beyond belief. You don't know how many times my wife has turned to me after we've had dinner or summat, and said 'why can't you be more like Harry's hubby?'" Harry leans his head back and laughs, and James grins. "But seriously, mate. You need time off, or someone to take Layla off your hands, I'm here."

Harry loves James. He loves working for him, and he loves his wife, and their kids. He loves having dinner with them and watching Louis and James go back and forth. "Thank you, James," He says again, and James gives him a warm smile. "I'll be okay, though."

"Cheers," James nods. "Alright, back to work. 'M not paying you to keep me company."

"You kind of are," Harry grins, and James laughs. He salutes him and leaves his office, Taylor looking up at him expectantly. He gives her a somber frown. "Um. 'Ve been fired."

Taylor's face falls until she notices Harry biting his lip to contain a smile. She huffs. "Asshole," She mutters, and Harry laughs as he sits down at his desk.

♛

"Papaaa!" This is, undoubtedly, Harry's favourite part of the day. Layla sprints from where she was in the lounge, leaving Ernest abandoned and pouting with a Nintendo Switch controller in his hand. Harry is grateful he's so nice to her, despite the fact that's he's eleven and she is impossibly frustrating to play video games with sometimes.

"Hi, babe," Harry grins, scooping Layla up and holding her. She's getting a little big for that, and his back is going to make him pay for it, but it's worth it. He kisses her cheek. "How was school?"

"Nan got us ice cream," She says, as if that answers his question. As if on cue, Jay walks into the foyer, giving Harry a smile.

"Hope that's alright," She says. "Doris got a perfect mark on her maths test, figured we should celebrate."

"Of course that's alright," Harry smiles, setting Layla back down. "You want to get your shoes, pet?"

"Actually, would you like to sit and have a cuppa?" Jay asks. Harry raises his eyebrows. "Think they were in the middle of a game, anyways, might as well let them finish."

"Yeah," Harry nods, giving Layla's head a pat. "Yeah, alright."

So, Harry follows Jay into the kitchen, sitting down in the same stool where he'd told her he was pregnant almost six and a half years ago. "How are you doing, love?" She asks, filling the kettle with water.

"I'm alright," Harry says. Jay raises an eyebrow at him. He sighs softly. "I'm...getting on alright, I guess. Just a little tired."

Jay bites her lip. "Louis...called me a few days ago," She admits. "Told me he was worried about you. I'm not supposed to tell you, but, I just want to make sure you're okay."

"He said he was worried about me?" Harry asks, voice soft.

Jay nods, giving Harry a sad smile. "You sound surprised," She says. "As if his whole world doesn't revolve around you and Layla. He looks at you like you hung the stars for him, Harry, of course he's worried."

Harry presses his lips together. "How am I going to tell Layla?" His lip wobbles a little. Jay's face softens. "They got on really well, better than I ever did with her."

"'M so sorry, love," Jay says gently.

"It's like she knew," Harry sniffles. "The whole time. That I was gay, and she'd hate me when I grew up," He sighs shakily, looking down at his lap. "I know it's stupid that I'm...jealous. Of her and Layla, they've only met once, but she was so, so good with her. I just wish I was able to have that version of her."

"And despite that," Jay says, moving to get the tea when the kettle whistles. "You still grew up to be such a wonderful, caring, hard-working man. That's all you, babe. I know you wish you had her, but you don't need her."

Harry gives Jay a shaky grin. "Thank you," He says quietly. "For being my substitute mum, when I did need one."

Jay smiles, preparing his tea. "Thank you for being so wonderful, Harry," She says. "And for taking care of my man-child of a son."

Harry giggles, wiping his eyes. It's then Lottie walks in, seeing Harry and grinning. "She only ever makes tea for you" She sits down next to him, nudging him a little with her elbow. "You're not even her actual kid and you're her favourite."

"Think that says more about you then it does me," Harry smirks. Jay laughs, and Lottie pouts.

♛

"You still awake?"

"...No."

"Harold," Louis sighs, his nose pressed into the back of Harry's neck. "Baby. You're gonna be tired tomorrow."

"I'm tired everyday," Harry snaps, sighing immediately after. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"I know," Louis assures, pressing a kiss at the base of his neck. Harry turns around in Louis' grip, leaning up and pecking his lips. Louis grins. "Let's take the day off tomorrow."

"What?" Harry furrows his eyebrows.

"Let's take the day off," Louis repeats. "And spend it together."

"Doing what?" Harry asks.

"Whatever we want," Louis says, giving Harry's waist a squeeze. "I'll get Layla on the bus to school, you can sleep in, and then we can have the day to ourselves."

Harry knows he could call James tomorrow morning and tell him he just needed a day, and James would be cool with it. He also knows how worried Louis is about him, and how much he really does need a break. So, he says "Okay."

Louis presses a kiss to his forehead. "I love you, bub," He says softly. "You know I'm here for you, right? If you need to talk, or anything."

"I know," Harry says, leaning up and kissing Louis again. "Thank you, L."