"welcome to the christmas farm." the employee nodded his head as a form of greeting at the lovely couple who had two kids walking by their sides. harry gave him a nod with a dimply smile, holding onto his daughter's hand while louis had ahold of their other daughter's tiny hand.

"bloody hell, harry. i told you we should've come to get our christmas tree earlier this year." louis eyed the few trees that were scattered across the field, lined up orderly.

"babe, we always get our tree the day before your birthday. it's always been a tradition of ours." harry chuckled, shaking his head before looking over at the variety of trees. most of the tall, fuller ones were gone, already placed in family homes and brightly decorated for christmas morning. "i suppose the farm was busier this year."

"you and your little traditions, i swear." louis smiled over at his husband fondly. he always thought the traditions were silly, but that was just louis and harry. completely silly; ever since they met in the bathroom stalls of a concert they both happened to attend. using the urinals next beside one another's, they definitely didn't expect to end up married with two adopted beautiful girls, willow and rose. life had a funny way of working things out, though.

"daddy, i want that one!" willow exclaimed, tugging on harry's hand as she pointed over towards one of the only full trees left in the entire farm. it was a decent height, and it was just perfect for the family. "can we get that one?" she looked up at harry with a pouty lip, releasing harry's hand as she folded the both of hers in front of her, swaying them back and forth. she really wanted that christmas tree.

harry smiled down at his daughter, looking over at louis who instantly nodded. willow and rose both squealed happily, sprinting over towards the tree. the two girls definitely had a lot of energy, never being able to keep still or quiet half of the time. hell, the whole car ride to the tree farm consisted of the little girls singing along to christmas music that was playing through the radio.

"i'll go get an axe. you go catch up with the girls." harry chuckled, leaning over to peck louis' lips, only to let his lips linger for a few moments. he never got tired of louis' kisses, from the small little pecks to the ones filled with passion, love, and a hint of lust.

harry walked over towards the large red barn that was decorated with christmas lights, where you would pay for your tree after cutting it down yourself. he picked up an axe from the small stand that was built onto the side of the barn, before walking back to rejoin his family.

"who's ready to cut down a tree?" harry called out as he walked back up to the three people he loved so dearly. louis and the girls cheered, and harry laughed at their enthusiasm.

aiming the blade of the axe with the trunk of the tree, harry made sure the kids were standing back far enough so nobody would get injured. louis crouched down so he was height level with his children, his arms snaked around each of their waists as they watched in anticipation, eager to take the new tree home.

it seemed like hours, but was really only maybe five minutes before the tree went tumbling down, falling onto the snow covered ground. harry breathed out a sigh of relief, dusting off his gloves in triumph. "let's go pay."

-

the christmas tree was tied to the top of the car, being secured down with sturdy ropes. louis and harry buckled the girls into their seats, harry getting into the driver's seat with louis in the passenger. harry quickly turned on the car, letting the warm air fill the ambience of the vehicle slowly, but surely.

the one thing that sucked about the winter season was definitely the freezing cold weather.

with intertwined fingers and two kids in the back talking about what they wanted for christmas, harry pulled out of the parking lot to the tree farm.

"and now, a little christmas treat, here's a song that i think you all will enjoy." the radio announcer proposed, and you could practically hear the smile in his voice.

the familiar beat began to play through the speakers of the car, and louis sat up in his seat. "oh my god-"

harry bit his lip as he grinned, hearing the two girls squealing again. he couldn't believe what song he was hearing.

you're insecure..

"they haven't played this in years," harry let out a laugh, shaking his head to himself as he began to sing along to the oh-so familiar lyrics. louis squeezed harry's hand in his own, smiling happily over at him as he began to sing along.

hell, even the girls were singing along. after first hearing the former boyband's music, they wanted each CD that the lads came out with.

harry had copies of each of the CD's, so he wrapped them up and placed them under the tree for christmas one year. the girls were absolutely thrilled, and instantly had louis putting the up all night album in the stereo. the girls memorized all the lyrics within that next week.

harry smiled a bit when zayn's solo came on.

so c-come on, you got it wrong..

"i wonder how the little bradford bad boy's doing." harry chuckled, turning left at the intersection once the stoplight turned green. "i miss that vain little shit."

after zayn's departure from the band first way back when, the rest of the lads and them didn't converse as much they used to. of course, there was the rare occasional times of catching up, but after awhile the phone calls stopped coming through.

"that was really carroty of you to say, harold." louis smirked, leaning his head against the side window as his thumb traced small circles on the back of his husband's hand.

"oh hush up, carrot boy." a smirk appeared on harry's lips as well. louis could only roll his eyes with a smile, "i still remember how many fans sent me them after i mentioned my strange fetish for carrots."

"you had a whole stash of them in your room." harry spoke, keeping his gaze fixed on the road ahead as their home came into view.

"let's not talk about it, yeah?" louis smiled, letting out a small giggle. a fucking giggle.

"sure thing, boobear."

"shut up, hazza." he rolled his eyes, his grin only widening.

-

the tree was set up in the empty corner of the living room, left to be completely dull until christmas morning when the family would decorate the tree with pretty lights and bulbs.

another part of harry's silly little traditions.

harry poured some fresh water in the tree stand, ensuring that the tree would stay healthy until they took it down a little after new years.

"and- viola!" harry beamed, making a small 'jazz hands' gesture as louis was sat on the couch, watching another one of abc family's christmas countdown movies.

the kids were put to bed later on that night, both extremely tired from all of their energy they released during the course of the day. harry decided on brewing up some of louis' favorite tea and cooking up one of them cheap (but delicious) boxes of cookies that had little swirly christmas designs on them. for this occasion, harry bought the box of cookies with the snowmen and santa clauses' on them.

louis was curled up on the couch, laying back against the armrest as his feet were propped up. he was dressed in his oversized sweater and a pair of plaid pajama pants as he continued to watch elf.

it only took harry about twenty minutes before everything was prepared, setting the cookies on a tray and the cup of tea beside it. he carried the tray out to the living room, and louis looked up from the screen as he heard him enter the room. "what do you got there?"

"just your favorite, and i cooked up those boxes of cookies we bought at the store." harry chuckled, watching as louis sat up on the couch. he placed the tray on the coffee table, taking a seat next to his husband. "and this is why you're my favorite." he teased, poking harry's dimples that was indented in his cheek.

harry rolled his eyes, wrapping an arm around louis' shoulder as he leaned back into the couch. by habit, louis rested his head against harry's chest, lifting his legs up onto the couch and draping them over harry's.

it was silence for a moment, the two just enjoying the peaceful moment of elf playing on the television and the sweet smell of sugar cookies filling the air from the candle that was lit.

small stockings hung from the fireplace, each with the four members' names on them. harry's and louis', like always, were next to each other.

some things never change, and in this case that's a good thing.

"i can't believe this is our fifth christmas together of being married." louis murmured, tracing small lazy circles on harry's tummy that he's come to love so so much.

"me either, it feels like just yesterday i was standing at the alter with you." harry responded with a smile, kissing the top of louis' head.

"it'll be our third christmas with the girls." louis noted, nudging his nose lightly against harry's shoulder.

willow and rose were adopted at the same time. at the orphanage, willow didn't have many friends, except one. and that one was rose. they were like the little sisters they each never had, both being just four years old. louis and harry adopted the two a little after rose turned five, willow still being four. and now, they're both seven years old, still as close as they were in the orphanage, and even have two wonderful and caring dads.

louis and harry sat in the living room, watching as the next movie of the abc family marathon was coming on while eating the cookies and sipping at the tea. it was one of louis' personal favorites; santa buddies. partial the reason of it being his favorite because of the small animals, but the other about how the small girl in the orphanage finally gets a home with a loving family around the christmas holidays.

christmas miracles really did exist.

and sitting in this lovely home louis and harry bought together a few years back, with their daughters sleeping peacefully upstairs, louis realized that he got his miracle.

he lived the adventurous life of being in a worldwide known boyband, traveling together with his best mates all over the world. sure, there was the struggles with management and coming out to them about harry and louis' secret relationship they managed to hide for a good four years. modest wasn't happy, but that never stopped the boys before from going after what made them happy.

but louis got his miracle, and right here in harry's arms, he knew he was home and that was where he belonged.

*

there will be a few parts to this. my friend randomly gave me the idea of this 'one-shot', but this isn't really considered a one-shot since there's multiple parts. so, a short story, more or less.
the cheesy sappy stuff is making my heart flutter and i'm already in the mood for the christmas holiday.
it's october, lol.
-allie