"Why are you even here? It's not Monday" Louis stared at Steve and Dylan sitting at the counter together like old friends.

"You know, this is what happens when two complete strangers meet by chance and realise they have something in common" Steve replied sassily, picking his nails for show.

"And then they bond over this and become friends" Dylan added cheekily. "Ever heard of that, Tommo?".

"So, you two bonded over being hobby-less and spending your free time in a restaurant doing nothing?" Louis cocked an eyebrow up at them in faux innocence. "Fascinating story".

"One might think you matured over time but no. You're still a pain in the ass" Steve huffed poutily.

"That I am, mate" Louis winked at him nastily.

"Too much information" Steve grimaced funnily.

"Your words, not mine" Louis shrugged unbothered.

"How do you manage to work with this shrink-brain, lad?" Dylan addressed Sam when he came out of the kitchen.

"How do you mean? He's quite easy to work with" Sam didn't even spare them a glance, brushing Louis' back when he walked past him. "He's actually quite tame when he likes someone".

"I'm deeply offended" Dylan gasped with a hand placed over his heart. "After all these years, you still don't like us?".

"You're a disturbance to my peace, lad. I tolerate you as best as I can but that's already asking a lot" Louis made fun of him.

"We should definitely stop coming by. Maybe we'll find a place, where we're welcome" Dylan crossed his arms over his chest.

"Be my guest" Louis bowed down and pointed to the door with a huge grin on his face but that grin disappeared as soon as he saw who was coming through the door. "Excuse me for a minute".

Exchanging a look with Sam, Louis walked over to their entrance and headed for the table nearest to it, where an older woman was presently manoeuvring Josh around in a wheelchair.

Clearing his throat to make his presence known, Louis gained both of their attention. "Excuse me but what are you doing?".

"What does it look like? Taking a seat" Josh replied as mean as ever but his speech was a little messed up.

"I see that but I don't understand why you're even bothering to make you fit into that corner. I know you got hit by a bus but as far as I heard, your memory is working fine, isn't it?" Louis eyed him without any kind of sympathy. Not even getting hit by a bus did anything to his poor attitude towards people.

"I won't allow you to talk to my son like this" the woman spoke up now, appalled by the situation. Louis felt bad for her a little bit.

"Excuse my behaviour but your son knows better than to come here, so pleasantries are not on the agenda today" Louis looked apologetically at her, not sure if she shared her son's opinions.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked confused when Josh was staying suspiciously quiet.

"It means that your lovely son is banned from this restaurant for various reasons and he knows it. So, I have to ask you to leave" Louis enlightened her, feeling way too good about kicking Josh out.

"Oh, yeah? We'll see about that" Josh stared him down, his mother watching him with an unreadable look on her face. "I wanna talk to the manager. You can't ban me from this restaurant".

A self-satisfied smile grew on Louis' face but he willed himself to look at least the tiniest bit nonchalant about this entire situation. "I'm afraid you're already talking to him".

Josh's eyes grew comically big at that, fish-mouthing helplessly. "What? No, you're not ...".

The door flying open cut him off. One of his newer waiters came rushing in with an apologetic look on his panicked face. "I'm sorry I'm late, Boss. It won't happen again".

"Don't worry, Robby. It's only a few minutes. It happens" Louis reassured him calmly. That happened to everyone.

"But it shouldn't have happened today. Not when you have to leave early and need me here to ...".

"Robby, breathe" Louis cut him off, biting back an amused laugh. "Everything is fine. I was stopped anyway".

"Oh, okay" Robby glanced at Josh and his mother warily.

"Everything's good. Breathe and get ready, yeah? Don't stress" Louis smiled reassuringly at him, knowing him way too good.

"Okay but I'm still sorry" Robby fled the scene, heading for the changing room with his head down.

Looking after him, Louis could only shake his head. Robby was someone who worried and panicked way too fast but he was a really good man and great at his job. He had a heart of gold.

Remembering he still had some business to attend to, he turned around to Josh and looked blankly at him. "Still here? I thought I made myself clear. You're not welcomed here and they all know it, so I'm asking you again to leave my restaurant. I have more important matters to attend to".

"Oh, yeah? What?" Josh just couldn't leave it but his mother was already getting him out of the corner, highly embarrassed.

"If you really must know, my husband is waiting for me at home for our daughters' birthday party," Louis told him complacently, seeing Josh glancing down at his wedding ring at his words.

Shooting daggers at him with his eyes, Josh looked like he wanted to say something but his mother started pushing him towards the door in his wheelchair, looking pained. "I'm really sorry for this. We're leaving now. Enjoy your party".

"Thank you and you don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault" Louis felt really bad for this woman. She looked so embarrassed.

"Partly, it is" and with that, they were gone and Louis let out a sigh of relief. He had a feeling that this really has been the last time he had to deal with Josh now. Karma hasn't been nice to him and he should've really gotten the message this time. He was old news.

"Everything okay?" Sam appeared by his side.

"Yeah, I'm good. I think this was it. We won't see him again" Louis shared his thoughts with his partner.

"I really hope so. He should focus on his own life for now" Sam mused out loud. "And you should leave or you're gonna be late".

"Shit, you're right" Louis glanced at the clock, realising he was really running late now. He had only been supposed to finalize some paperwork that was due today butt hen Josh happened. He should've noticed this when Robby had come in late. Fuck, not today. "I gotta run. See you tomorrow, Sam".

"See you tomorrow, Tommo. And eat a piece of cake for me, will ya?" Sam called after him when he sprinted out the door.

"I will!".

Jumping into his old car, Louis drove home as fast as he could without running someone over. His girls were having a shared party today for their twelfth birthday. They had wanted to share one last birthday before officially becoming teenagers. Louis knew there was also another reason in the mix but he tried not to think about this now. He had time for this later when it would be important. Now the only thing that mattered was that he arrived as soon as possible.

Parking in front of his house fifteen minutes later than planned, he noticed two other cars already parking there. Knowing what that meant, Louis got out of the car and headed inside, where he was met with the sound of distant voices. "Honey, I'm home!".

In an instant, Harry's head peaked out of the kitchen with a bright smile on his face. Happily, his husband approached him. "Hi, Lou. Where have you been? Is everything alright? You're late".

"Sorry, Baby" Louis immediately felt bad for talking too long with Steve and Dylan. "I got stuck talking with Steve and Dylan and ...".

"Together?" Harry furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Exactly my reaction. Apparently, they're friends now" Louis told him equally as puzzled. He still couldn't wrap his head around it.

"That's nice, I guess" Harry still looked a bit confused.

"It is but then Josh ...".

"Josh?!" Harry gasped in pure shock. "What the fuck did he want? He should know better than to show up at your restaurant".

"Well, he didn't and he was being as mean as ever although his mother was with him. Oh, and he was in a wheelchair" Louis let him know. "I kicked him out. He's still banned and that won't change".

"Good. He deserved it" Harry looked so proud. "He did, right?".

"He did, Haz. He hasn't learned a thing. I felt really bad for his mother. She looked highly embarrassed by his behaviour" Louis touched his cheek softly. "And I might have rubbed you being my husband under his nose. Well, technically I didn't say your name but I think he got it, judging by the way he looked at me".

"Good job, Angel" Harry pulled him closer by the waist, rubbing their noses together. "I love it when you call me your husband".

"I mean, that's what you are, Pedal" Louis wrapped his arms around his neck. "You are my precious husband".

"And you're mine, Lou" Harry kissed him sweetly.

"Always and forever" Louis smiled into the kiss, breaking away way too soon. "Now I think we have a party to throw. Who's already here? I heard voices when I came in".

"Your mum and Zoey came half an hour ago to help with the rest. Then Zayn, Liam, Sean and Niall showed up around ten minutes ago and have been a pain in my bum ever since" Harry informed him, still holding him close. "Now we can suffer together".

"Sounds like a plan" Louis pecked his lips again before untangling himself from his husband's grip and walking into the kitchen.

"Hi, Buttercup" Jasmine kissed his cheek in greeting. "Everything's set up and ready. Their guests can come".

"Thank you, Mum. You're an absolute angel" Louis hugged his mother gratefully. "I guess, let's get the party started, mh?".

And the party did get started. An hour later, all of the girls' friends were there and loud music was filling the living room and the big backyard. All of their gifts were stacked on a table in the corner and somehow they weren't opening them yet. From the kitchen, Louis was watching his girls laughing with their friends and it filled his heart with warmth. At one point, Bella joined his side and shared some childhood stories of his husband with him and every new story made Louis coo at his man and adore him the tiniest bit more.

Spotting Aria and Àmbar outside, Louis decided to join them for a minute. Excusing himself, he walked across the room and stepped out onto the patio, gaining his friends' attention. Before he could say something, movements caught his attention. Looking to the side, Louis spotted Lucky and Rocky; Luke and Cody's dog; chasing each other and that made him smile but wonder where Coco was at. She usually avoided big crowds and dogs except for Lucky but he couldn't see her anywhere.

"Have you seen Coco?" Louis asked his friends, sitting down in a chair right next to them.

"Last I've seen her, she was in the tree house" Àmbar let him know, one hand protectively resting on Aria's pregnant belly.

"That makes sense. Clever girl" Louis should've known that. "Are you hiding out here? Everything alright?".

"We just needed a moment to ourselves without kids screaming in our ears. Don't worry" Aria reassured him knowingly.

"Sorry" Louis grinned sheepishly at her but he just couldn't help it. He always wanted to make sure that she was fine at any moment of the day. After all, she was carrying his child.

"Don't be. We knew you'd be a mother hen and still offered to do this for you. We can handle your over-protectiveness, Louis" Àmbar teased him lovingly.

"Funny" Louis dead-panned dryly.

The girls just laughed at him, making him cross his arms over his chest with an exaggerated huff but he knew they were right. He couldn't deny being over-protective and over-cautious when it came to Aria and the baby. Ever since she had offered them to be their surrogate after Harry had randomly blurted out that they might want another child; which had ended in tears of joy from their family and friends; he had felt the need to shield Aria from any harm or danger. Last week, he had even told her again that it would be absolutely fine if she changed her mind and wanted to keep the baby but she had only laughed at him and told him again that this wouldn't happen. They didn't want a child. Hell, she actually wanted to get it out of her sooner rather than later. As quickly as possible. So, he tried to make the pregnancy as bearable as possible for her with the help of Harry, Àmbar and occasionally their friends.

"I don't understand how some people love to be pregnant. Are they mental?" Aria groaned out of nowhere.

"I'm afraid they are, Fiore" Àmbar smiled sympathetically at her.

"Tell that to Haz. He insists on wanting to be pregnant" Louis chuckled at the thought, a part of him wishing it was possible. But at least their future baby would have a chance to get his eyes. It was close enough to him actually being pregnant. Maybe she would even get his curls.

"Of course, he does. He's special" Àmbar laughed amusedly.

"He'd look good pregnant, I must say. It would be great" Aria had to admit and Louis could only meekly agree with her.

"Yeah".

Inside, he could hear some commotion, which made his head snap back to glance inside. Through the glass, he could see that Abby has arrived with Logan and Yuna. Of course, Harry was already holding her in his arms, cooing over his niece. Feeling a pull towards that scene, Louis excused himself again and went back inside. After greeting Abby and Logan, he took Yuna from Harry and admired her. She was so big now and he still felt so much pride and gratitude when he looked at her.

Giving her back to her mother, it was time for cake now. Everyone gathered around the living room and dining table and fetched themselves a piece of the delicious chocolate or cheesecake. At that very moment, Louis felt another wave of gratitude coming over him. He had a great family, amazing friends and so much love in his life that it sometimes knocked him off his feet. He was lucky.

"You deserve every piece of it, Tommy" Zayn once again read his mind like the platonic soulmate he was.

"I'm starting to believe this, Joey" Louis smiled at his best friend. "And I'm also very happy for you and Liam, by the way. I haven't been able to tell you that yet".

"Thanks. We're over the moon" Zayn started beaming happily.

"Rightfully so".

His two best friends had finally been officially accepted to become adoptive parents after mountains of paperwork and visits and interviews. Now all they needed to do was find the right child for them to give a new home and Louis couldn't wait for the new family addition. He knew they'd be the best parents.

"What is rightfully so?" Niall plopped down next to them with Sean and Liam, disturbing their little moment.

"You're rightfully referred to as an arse" Louis looked at him totally unimpressed, hearing Zayn giggle next to him.

"I'm not ...".

"As much as I love you, Babe, but he's right" Sean sided with Louis much to the disliking of his boyfriend. "You interrupted them".

"I don't like you right now" Niall glared at him.

"That's okay. I'll just love you double" Sean shrugged unfazed.

Rendered speechless, Niall turned bright red in the face, making his friends laugh at him. While Sean pulled Niall into his arms, Liam cuddled up to his fiancé. "Missed me?".

"Of course, Love" Zayn pecked his lips sweetly.

Relishing the moment for a while, the time passed by without him really noticing it. Wanting to mingle, his friends disappeared in search of Luke and Cody, leaving Louis behind on the couch. But only a second later, Harry was right by his side, which he almost didn't notice because he was focused on Evelina talking to a guy.

"Who's that?" Louis found himself asking without a filter.

"That's Jasper, a friend from school" Harry let him know with amusement swinging in his voice. "You don't remember him?".

"I don't remember Eve having such a touchy friend" Louis replied automatically, narrowing his eyes.

"Louis" Harry was on the verge of bursting into laughter.

"No, seriously, Haz. Look" Louis couldn't look away. His little girl was blushing a bit too much for his liking at everything Jasper said. "He keeps touching her arm for no reason at all".

"They're friends, Lou. You practically cuddle with Zayn as soon as he steps foot in this house" Harry wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into his side.

"Not as reassuring as you thought it would be" Louis grumbled as he snuggled deeper into Harry's chest. "She's too young to ...".

"She's twelve, Lou" Harry cut him off softly. "I don't think you need to worry about anything. She'll tell you what you need to know if there is something going on. Relax, Angel".

"I'm totally relaxed" Louis claimed tensely.

"You're such a mother hen" Harry cackled exhilaratedly, making Louis frown at not being taken seriously right now.

"I'm not" Louis huffed offended.

"You so are" Harry grinned down at him. "Lou, she's getting older and of course, boys or girls are gonna become more present and important now. We're prepared for this. We have two brilliant girls, who can take care of themselves. You don't need to worry".

"I just don't want them to get hurt. They're simply too young for heartbreak" Louis admitted defeatedly.

"Sadly, that's part of growing up. A part of life" Harry caressed his back gently. "We've gotten our hearts broken more than once and turned out alright. Look at where we are now, Lou".

"You're right. I do want them to be as lucky as I am someday" he puckered his lips and Harry got the hint, kissing him lovingly.

"While we're at it. Am I the only one thinking that these two will definitely be more than friends one day?" Harry pointed with his head at Maeva and her best friend Aurelia whispering to each other separated from everyone in a corner.

"No, you're not. I've been thinking it too. For a while actually but let's see what the future holds for them" Louis smiled at the sight.

"So, you're not going all protective mother bear over them but over Eve and Jasper?" Harry raised an eyebrow at him suspiciously.

"That's different, Haz" Louis flicked his nose, making him wrinkle it cutely. "Aurelia has been Mae's best friend for ages. This will never be the same as someone new coming into the picture. Besides, Aurelia is a girl and Jasper isn't. Men are arseholes but boys are a totally different kind of fucked up at that age and you know it".

Laughing at his words, Harry squeezed him tightly. "You have a point but please, just let them be. Nothing's happening yet".

"Fine, fine. I'll bite my tongue" Louis gave in. "For now".

"You're gonna be the parent threatening the partner not to hurt their kid or they'll regret it, right?" Harry shook his head at him.

"Maybe just a little bit" Louis grinned unapologetically. "And don't act like you're gonna be any better than me, Mr. Possessive".

"I'm not possessive" Harry pouted adorably.

"Whatever you say, Princess" Louis winked at him unconvinced.

When it got late, Mae and Eve said goodbye to their friends and waved them off. While Louis sent his friends and family members off, the girls were on the phone with Maria and Paul. With everyone gone, Louis started to get rid of part of the mess in the living room with Harry's help. They collected the trash and brought the dirty dishes into the kitchen, throwing them into the dishwasher. Before they could do more, the girls came over to them to claim hugs and kisses, manoeuvring them back into the living room and onto the couch. Pretending to be confused, Louis watched his husband frown at their cheekiness and suspicious whispers.

"What is going on with you two?" Harry asked bewildered.

"Nothing" both claimed at the same time, suddenly pale.

"Really? Because you know you can tell us everything, right?" he checked concerned, making Louis want to give him a hug.

"We know. It's nothing bad, I swear" Evelina smiled at him. "At least, I hope so".

"What is it?" Harry grew visibly nervous and a bit anxious.

"We um ... we actually have a gift for you, Papa. Wait here" Eve stood up from the couch with her sister for a moment.

"Do you know what's going on?" Harry hooked befuddled.

"I do, yeah" Louis willed his voice to stay steady and give nothing away. They would kill him. "You're gonna love this, Haz".

"Are you alright?" Harry saw right through him.

"I am but ..." Louis hesitated for a moment. "Be prepared to cry".

"Oh, God. What did you do?" Harry's eyes grew huge.

"Nothing" Louis claimed uselessly but thankfully the girls were coming back right at that moment. "Just wait, Love".

Sitting down right next to him this time, Mae and Eve shared a look with Louis before speaking up. "Papa, we love you and we're very happy that you're part of our family, so that's why this is for you and we'd love you if you accept it".

With shaky hands, they handed him an envelope and Louis held his breath, waiting for the pin to drop in his husband's mind. When Harry opened it and was able to read the first words on the sheet of paper, he let out an emotional gasp and hugged his girls close to his chest, tears running down his cheeks. At the sight of them, Louis couldn't hold his own tears back any longer.

"Are you for real? You really want this?" Harry cried into their little bundle of emotions. "You want me to adopt you?".

"Yes," Mae confirmed the obvious. "I know you're already our stepfather but we thought you might want this too".

"I do. I really do" Harry sniffled before suddenly looking up and staring at Louis, who was ugly-crying by now. "You knew".

"Of course, I did. Who do you think took care of all the paperwork?" Louis tried to tease him but choked on his own tears.

"I love you" Harry crashed their lips together for a moment before hugging him, pulling the girls into the hug. "I love all of you".

"And we love you".

After crying some more, they tried to calm down because the girls were really tired. Putting the adoption papers down on the table, Louis and Harry went upstairs with Maeva and Evelina to wish them a good night. Sharing another tear-filled hug in bed, they said good night and left the room. With dried tear stains on their faces and filled with love, they went back downstairs, where Harry headed for the glass door. Following his husband outside, Louis found himself inside the old tree house two minutes later. At first, Coco hissed at them because they had startled her but she calmed down when Louis pet her head and gave her a kiss.

Sitting down at the edge, they let their feet dangle down and looked up at the clear sky, stars sparkling brightly. Intertwining their fingers, Louis inspected his husband. "Are you alright, Haz?".

"I'm in shock. Absolutely overwhelmed and I can't explain why. I know they see me as their father but that ... I didn't expect it one bit, Lou. I feel honoured. They chose me" Harry let him in on his thoughts, cuddling up to him. "You chose me".

"We did. We chose you a long time ago, Haz" Louis pressed a kiss into his curly hair. "After everything I've been through and they have been through, I ... All of this still feels like a dream sometimes but in the best way possible. I could and would never take you for granted. I thank my lucky star every day that you stumbled into my life. I cherish you every waking moment, Pedal".

With tears in his eyes, Harry pulled Louis onto his lap and cupped his face with his big hands. "I feel exactly the same, Lou. I'm so thankful that I've found you. My life is so much better with you in it and I feel like the luckiest man alive to be privileged enough to have this family with you. To share this love with you".

Feeling silent tears rolling down his cheeks, Louis kissed his amazing husband, who immediately kissed him back with so much passion and love that it made Louis' heart jump like every time. Like the first time. Kissing Harry still felt like magic.

"Four years ago, I was given a chance and even if it took us over two years to figure this out, I'm immensely grateful that we chose to give us a chance. I never regretted it. I never regretted choosing you, Haz" Louis looked deep into the stunning green eyes of the love of his life and saw everything he ever wanted right there. This was where he belonged and nothing and no one could ever change that. They were soulmates. "I love you more than anything and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, Pedal".

With his hands still on Louis' face, Harry kissed him again and Louis got lost in the feeling. "Whatever it's gonna be, it will be good because we're together, Angel. Because I love you too, Lou".

"I know, Haz".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that's it. Another story is finished. How did you like it?

Was there anything you wanted to see that didn't happen?