Chapter Text
Was this what the apocalypse feels like? Like, was this what those YA protagonists’ ancestors went through? The apocalypse? Okay, that might be a bit overdramatic but it looked like a literal ghost town outside. Harry and Louis lived in the city, normally there were people walking down busy streets, with drivers acting like loud, obnoxious assholes right below their windows.
Louis was surprisingly okay. It was just some safety precautions that shouldn’t last too long and as long as they stayed home as much as possible they’d be fine. Even though Louis was a very social person, he could live with this for a bit. It’s not ideal, sure, but it’s not the end of the world. Probably.
Harry, on the other hand, was losing his goddamn mind. How could this not be the end of the world? It sure looked like the end of the world. It felt like the end of the world. How was Louis not panicking? Harry wasn’t even as social as Louis, but he was still freaking out. Maybe he’s overreacting and Louis was right. But, maybe he wasn’t.
“Harry, it’s only been like three days. You need to calm down,” Louis told Harry who was staring out the window at the empty, empty street.
“Oh, ‘you need to calm down,’” Harry mocked. “It’s the end of the world-”
“It is not the end of the world.”
“It is literally the end of the world right now and you want me to ‘calm down.’” Harry turned around to look at Louis who was just chilling on the couch, seemingly unbothered by the current state of the world. “How are you not freaking out right now?”
“Because I have hobbies. You need to pick up a fucking hobby,” Louis responded.
“Okay, you know what? I did not come here to be attacked. Also, I do have hobbies!”
“Then why have you spent at least three hours looking out that window every day for the past three days?” Louis shot back.
“It’s just so sad! The streets are dead! It’s actually quiet! It is never quiet here! It’s unsettling.”
Louis took a deep breath before responding, “Well, then tell me about your so-called hobbies so we can figure out something for you to do other than obsess over the empty streets.”
Harry walked over to the couch and sat down next to Louis. “Well, I like to play guitar, but I haven’t had a guitar in a while…”
“Okay, how about a hobby you can actually do, then, right?” Louis retorted, smirking, while Harry glared at him.
“I’ve always loved baking. I even worked in a bakery in high school,” Harry answered.
“See, that’s something we can do! I don’t know shit about baking, so you can tell me what you want to make and also what to do and how to do it,” Louis responded.
“Louis, you and I both know that you are absolutely useless in the kitchen.” Harry stood up from the couch and started to walk over to the kitchen.
Louis followed Harry, saying, “So, are you saying you don’t want my help? I am an absolute joy to be around, regardless of my skills, or lack thereof.”
“Okay, if you want to help so badly you can start by getting out the ingredients for banana bread,” Harry responded.
Louis stood at the edge of the counter for a bit before slowly saying, “Which are what exactly?”
“Oh my fucking God, this is what I was talking about.” Instead of answering Louis’s question, Harry just got out the ingredients on his own, while Louis sat up on the counter.
“So, how long have you been playing the guitar?” Louis asked as Harry started mixing the dry ingredients together.
“I don’t know, maybe ten years?” Harry answered.
“Wow. You any good?” Louis responded, not even trying to help anymore.
“I mean, I obviously don’t have a guitar right now, so it’s been a while, but I guess I’m okay.” Harry started mixing the wet ingredients together before mixing them in with the dry ingredients.
“Why don’t you have a guitar?” Louis asked.
Harry poured the batter into a loaf pan and said, “Because they’re expensive.”
Louis rolled his eyes before responding, “Okay, but you obviously used to have a guitar, so, what happened to it?”
“It broke and I just never replaced it.” Harry put the loaf pan into the oven and turned on the timer. “Well, now all that’s left to do is wait for the banana bread to bake, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to go back to panicking, thank you very much.”
Harry went to leave the kitchen area but Louis hopped off the counter and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
“I do mind, actually. You can’t just keep panicking over something you have very little control over.”
“It’s just so scary, you know? I can do all the right things to keep myself safe, but there’s almost nothing I can do to help protect my friends and family. I’d like to think they’re all being safe but I just can’t know,” Harry responded.
“I know, love, but you just have to keep yourself and your mind occupied so you don’t obsess over it.”
“I know, I know.”
“You should keep up this baking thing. Maybe some brownies next? I have a really good ingredient you can use,” Louis responded with a mischievous smirk.
“Louis, I am not making weed brownies!” Harry shot back.
“Why not? You could clearly use them,” Louis said. Harry grabbed a towel off the counter and hit Louis over the head with it.
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“Harry, I’m bored,” Louis pouted while laying next to where Harry was sitting on the couch.
“I know, Louis. You’ve told me three times in the past thirty minutes,” Harry responded, not looking up from his knitting.
“And yet, I’m still bored.”
“Am I supposed to do something about that?”
“Yes.”
In the past week, Harry had started knitting as a way to keep his mind occupied. Louis, on the other hand, had not done much but annoy Harry about being bored every chance he got.
“We could try an online workout video I found,” Harry suggested.
“Ew, no,” Louis answered, as Harry had suspected he would.
“Then why don’t you come up with something on your own?” Harry asked, looking down at Louis.
Louis grabbed his phone out of his pocket and opened up the app store. “I’m going to download TikTok.”
“Why?” Harry responded.
“Because I’m bored and someone won’t entertain me. You wanna watch some videos with me?” Louis proposed, looking up at Harry.
“Fine. But only because it’ll get you to shut up.” Harry put down his knitting as Louis sat up and opened TikTok. They scroll through the app for a while, watching dancing videos, comedy sketches, and cooking tutorials that pop up on the For You Page.
“We should try one of these dances,” Harry says, after a while.
“Why?” Louis asked, looking over at Harry.
“Why not? It’s not like we have anything better to do,” Harry answered.
“Yeah, I am not doing that. Have fun though.” Louis smiled sarcastically, causing Harry to pout.
“Fine. Just keep scrolling then,” Harry said. Louis laughed before doing what he was told.
They continued scrolling through the videos before Harry interrupted again, this time saying, “We should make that whipped coffee everybody's making!”
“God, how bored are you?” Louis asked with a laugh.
“Oh, fuck off. I’m making it.” Harry stood up from the couch and went into the kitchen. Louis got up to follow.
“You’re gonna make some for me too, right?” Louis asked.
“Why? You didn’t seem all too interested,” Harry answered.
“Please?” Louis responded with a pout, sitting up on the counter. Harry couldn’t resist that pout.
“Okay, fine.” Harry got out the ingredients and started mixing them together. It took a while, but eventually, it started to get the right consistency and color. Harry took out two small glasses and filled them about halfway with milk before adding in the coffee concoction. Harry then grabbed two straws from the cupboard and put them into the drinks, handing one to Louis, who was still sitting on the counter.
Louis stirred his drink before taking a sip and said, “Okay, this is actually pretty good.”
“You’re welcome, then,” Harry responded, smiling at Louis and taking a drink from his own coffee.
Maybe this wouldn’t be like the apocalypse. Maybe they would be able to get through this okay. As long as they kept busy and positive, it would all turn out just fine for them.
Chapter Text
“Maybe we should just have sex.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Louis asked, looking up from his phone in his spot on the couch next to Harry.
Harry sighed and answered, “Since we’re both bored out of our minds and miss having sex, we should just have sex with each other.”
“Is masturbating not good enough for you?” Louis retorted.
Harry groaned and said, “It’s just not the same! I miss having sex with another person!”
“And so, you want to have sex with me because I’m your only option right now?” Louis asked cheekily.
“Well, I mean not exactly - but kind of? But also not really, but like yes? But no-”
“Yeah, okay let’s have sex,” Louis said with a laugh, cutting Harry off.
“Really? Oh thank God! This could’ve gotten very awkward if you’d said ‘no,’” Harry responded.
“Just shut up and get in the bedroom.”
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“Louis, I am telling you - friends with benefits situations never work well,” Liam said through the phone to Louis.
“Okay, well not all of us were lucky enough to be quarantined with our ‘sex on legs’-looking boyfriend, Liam,” Louis shot back. “We’re both adults. We can handle this.”
“If you say so. I’m gonna go, but please be safe,” Liam responded.
“Yeah, you too.” Louis flopped back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was being friends with benefits with Harry really that bad of an idea? They were just having fun and trying to pass the time during quarantine. It’d be fine, right?
Suddenly, Harry peeked his head through the doorway and said, “Hey Lou, I’m gonna make this pasta thing I saw on TikTok, do you wanna help?”
“Uh, sure,” Louis said before following Harry out into the kitchen.
Harry started getting out the ingredients and the pots and pans they would need while Louis sat up on the counter.
“So, what are we making?” Louis asked, swinging his legs back and forth.
“Well, it’s just a pasta and vegetable dish, but it looked really good and it’s vegan!”
“Neither one of us are vegan though,” Louis pointed out.
“We can still eat a vegan meal,” Harry responded as he started chopping the vegetables. “Could you turn on the stove and put some oil in the pan?”
“But you’re closer,” Louis pouted.
“Why did you say you would help me if you’re just going to sit on the counter and distract me?” Harry asked with a smile.
“I am helping! I’m keeping you entertained,” Louis answered.
“Cooking is entertaining enough on its own, Lou.” Harry smirked as he turned on the stove himself, before coming back to the vegetables he hadn’t finished chopping.
It only took about fifteen minutes for Harry to finish the dish - with little to no actual help from Louis.
“Okay, this is actually really good,” Louis said, still sitting on the counter.
“Yeah, no thanks to you.” Harry laughed, standing next to Louis.
“Hey, I think I have a few ways to make it up to you,” Louis responded, smirking.
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“Harry, you should try playing Among Us with me,” Louis said, sitting on the couch with his legs on Harry’s lap.
“That game that you’ve been swearing at for the last three days? No thanks.” Harry responded.
“Oh come on please? It’ll be fun!”
“Okay, fine, I’ll try it.” Harry downloaded the app and joined the game Louis was playing.
“You should stick with me so we don’t die. The imposter won’t kill us if there’s a witness,” Louis advised Harry.
“Uh, okay. Wait, how do you do the calibrate distributor task? Oh, wait, I just died! Wait, you killed me! Louis, what the fuck?”
Louis couldn’t stop laughing as he vented away, off to kill his next victim.
“You took advantage of me. My naïvete. That was so fucking rude,” Harry said.
“Maybe, but I just won, so, take that!” Louis responded. “Do you want to play again?”
“No, I think you owe me.” Harry grabbed Louis by the waist and pulled him onto his lap.
“Oh really?” Louis responded as he straddled Harry and grabbed his face to kiss him.
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Louis was laying on his bed and scrolling through his phone when Harry peeked his head in, once again, saying, “Hey Lou, I’m gonna watch Legally Blonde. Do you wanna watch it with me?”
“Sure!” Louis answered, getting up from his bed. He followed Harry into his room and settled in on the bed next to him.
It didn’t take long before the boys found themselves shoulder-to-shoulder, neglecting all other space on the bed. Louis laid his head down against Harry’s shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
It wasn’t until the movie ended that Harry realized that Louis had fallen asleep. He could wake Louis and send him back to his own room. Maybe he even should do that. But he looked so peaceful and, as much as Harry didn’t want to admit it, beautiful. So, instead of waking him, Harry carefully guided him lower onto the bed so they were laying down next to each other. Harry watched Louis sleep peacefully for a few minutes before falling asleep himself.
Chapter Text
“I really don’t think I have COVID. I mean the only symptoms I really have are vomiting and occasional dizziness,” Louis told Harry, who wouldn’t stand closer than six feet.
“And fatigue! That’s another symptom!” Harry responded.
“We’re all tired, Harry! We’ve been in quarantine for three months! This is ridiculous. I’ll go get tested, but I really don’t think I have COVID.”
“Thank you.” Harry sighed. “Now, go.”
“Wait, like, right now?” Louis said.
“Yes, right now! They do walk-ins! Go!”
“Ugh, fine!” Louis grabbed his mask, wallet, and keys off the counter on his way out the door.
Louis was fairly sure he didn’t have COVID. They were so careful about not getting exposed. Louis was quite aware, however, that they weren’t quite as careful when they were having sex - especially the first few times. Nevertheless, Louis pulled into the clinic and got absolutely nose-fucked by a COVID test.
On his way home, he stopped at the drugstore and got a pregnancy test. He didn’t really want to think about it, but he also couldn’t stop thinking about it. He told himself he would only take the test if his COVID test was negative. If he really did have COVID, then that’s all it was. He didn’t have anything to worry about. Of course he had to wait two or three days before getting his results. Two or three days of trying not to think about possibly being pregnant.
Louis laughed to himself as he pulled into the parking garage. Which was worse: COVID or pregnancy? What a fucked up thing to think, Louis thought to himself. As he got out of the car, he shoved the pregnancy test into his pocket.
“Hey Haz, I’m home!” Louis called when he walked in the door.
“Go to your room!” Harry responded, coming out of his own bedroom.
“Really? You’re going to make me quarantine in my room?” Louis questioned.
“Yes! Just cause you’re sick doesn’t mean I have to get sick too,” Harry answered.
“We don’t even know if I’m sick yet or not - and I’m probably not.”
“But we don’t know! I don’t want to risk anything.” Harry frowned.
“We had sex, like, two days ago, sweetheart. If I’ve got it, I probably already gave it to you. But, whatever, I’ll go hide out in my room until I hear about my results.” Louis walked back to his room, closing the door behind him.
Harry sighed and walked into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter with his head in his hands for a minute, before starting to cook some comfort food for Louis. If he really did have COVID, Harry wanted to make sure he was as happy and comfortable as possible. Even though Louis insisted he had very few symptoms, they could worsen at any moment. They just didn’t know enough about the virus.
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“Hey Lou, I made you some mac and cheese. I’m gonna leave it outside the door, just wait a little bit before you come get it, so I can retreat,” Harry tried to joke, but he was worried. He hoped Louis couldn’t tell.
Louis did as he was told and when he opened his door he saw a bowl of homemade mac and cheese waiting for him. He smiled and pulled it into his room. He sat with his back against the door as he ate, but before he could finish his food, his phone started ringing.
“Harry, this is silly,” Louis said, answering Harry’s FaceTime.
“I know, but you’re stuck in your room, so I thought I’d FaceTime so we could still see each other’s faces,” Harry responded with a blush he hoped Louis didn’t notice. He did.
“I’m only stuck here because you won’t let me out.” Louis retorted.
“Oh come on, it’s for our own safety!”
“I know, I know, it just sucks.”
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They kept up this routine - Harry making and bringing Louis food and FaceTiming from across the apartment - for a couple more days, until Louis finally got his COVID test results.
“Your test came back negative. You do not have COVID-19.”
“Oh, thank God!” Louis sighed and hung up the phone. He then groaned and took the pregnancy test out of his bedside table. “Time for another test, then.”
Louis peeked out of his bedroom to make sure Harry wasn’t around, before sneaking into the bathroom.
“Okay, just a few more minutes, it’s fine, it’ll be fine, it has to be fine,” Louis whispered to himself as he paced around the bathroom. He tried taking some deep breaths and eventually, the timer on his phone went off.
Louis took one last deep breath before looking at the test.
Positive.
Fuck.
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hey my covid test was negative !!! :-) you should come to my room so we can talk
Louis sent the message to Harry, and flopped back on his bed. How did this happen? Okay, well he obviously knew how, but why? The timing was awful - they weren’t even dating, not to mention the worldwide pandemic, currently happening.
Louis didn’t get much time to think before Harry came into the room excitedly, laying next to Louis on the bed.
“So, do you wanna have sex to celebrate?” Harry asked, half-joking.
“Uh, no. No, I wanted to talk to you, actually,” Louis said, nervously.
“Louis, what’s wrong?” Harry said, suddenly worried.
“Um, I mean, it’s not…” Louis took a deep breath and closed his eyes, “I’m pregnant.”
“What? But… I thought you were on birth control?” Harry responded.
“I was - am.” Louis sighed, “I stopped taking it at the beginning of quarantine because I didn’t think I would be having any sex for a while and the first few times we did, it was pretty spur of the moment, I wasn’t really thinking about it. I’m so sorry.”
Harry grabbed Louis’s hand and squeezed it. “Louis, it’s okay. We got this. Whatever you want to do, I’m here. I promise.”
“I don’t really want to, you know, get rid of it, but… God, bringing a kid into this world? Right now? That doesn’t really feel right either,” Louis told Harry as he started to tear up.
“Well, think of it this way: the baby won’t actually be born for probably eight-ish months? By then, all this should be way better,” Harry responded.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. Do you really think we can do this? Have a baby?” Louis asked.
“If you want us to have a baby, then I think we can have a baby. I’ve always wanted kids - I love them. I mean, there’s a reason I’m the only instructor at my studio who teaches a kids class. And obviously, you’re great with kids - you’ve been working with them for years now. In fact, I don’t think there’s anyone more prepared than us for a surprise baby.” Harry smiled at Louis.
Louis smiled back, “Okay. Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s have a baby.”
Chapter Text
Louis sat nervously in the doctor’s office as she moved the little wand around along his tummy. Harry was standing next to him, holding his hand.
They looked at the little screen and the doctor said, “There is your little baby. It looks like you’re about seven weeks along - congratulations.”
“Oh my God, Harry. That’s our baby,” Louis started tearing up. “I’m sorry, it’s definitely just the hormones.” Louis wiped the tears from his eyes.
“It’s completely normal to be emotional about being pregnant. Especially, when it’s your first time. It’s very exciting. I’ll get some pictures for you two before you go, but you and the baby look great right now.” The doctor put the wand away and left the two of them alone while she got the pictures.
“She’s right. This is so exciting. I know you’re nervous and I am too, but, I don’t know. It’s still very exciting.” Harry couldn’t stop smiling.
“It is exciting. I’m still so nervous though. I’ve always wanted kids, but I thought I’d be more prepared. I guess I also thought there wouldn’t be a pandemic, but not much I can do about that one.” Louis laughed, trying to relieve some of his nerves.
“Hey, you work with kids everyday. You’ve got this,” Harry said.
“I work with four- and five-year-olds, not infants.”
“Okay, now you’re just looking for reasons to panic,” Harry said right before the doctor returned with the pictures.
She handed them to Louis before saying, “Don’t forget to stock up on prenatal vitamins. You don’t want to go out more than you have to. I really don’t want to scare you, but we really don’t know how the coronavirus affects pregnant people and babies in utero, so it’s best to just be as safe as possible.”
Louis took a deep breath and Harry squeezed his hand. They could do this. They could do this.
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“Harry, can you please make that mac and cheese you made me last week?” Louis said, batting his eyelashes at Harry.
“And so the pregnancy demands begin.” Harry smirked, causing Louis to glare at him. “Just joking, of course I’ll make it for you.”
Once Harry made the food, they both settled into the couch and turned on a movie. Before the movie even ended, Louis’s mind started racing with thoughts about the baby. He grabbed the remote and paused the movie, then turned towards Harry.
“Fuck me.”
“What?” Harry asked.
“I just need to not think for a while,” Louis answered.
“So you want to be my little pillow princess?” Harry whispered in Louis’s ear.
“Yes, please, daddy.”
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“I am so sick of throwing up.” Louis laid down on the couch, while Harry made them dinner. It had been a few weeks since the doctor’s appointment and Louis knew it was perfectly normal for his symptoms to worsen, but he still hated it.
“You know what? I have the day off tomorrow. Let me spoil you,” Harry said from the kitchen.
“Like, in bed?” Louis asked, sitting up.
“Well, you just threw up for the eighth time today, so probably not, no. But I can give you a massage… maybe we can have a bath…” Harry proposed.
“You’re saying things that could be sexual, while saying no sex, so no thanks. I don’t want it.”
Harry sighed and gave in, “We can maybe have sex if you’re feeling well enough - but only if you’re feeling well enough!”
“Works for me!”
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Louis laid against Harry’s chest in the warm bathtub as Harry’s hands massaged deep into his shoulders.
“Isn’t this nice? See, we don’t need to have sex,” Harry said.
“If we aren’t going to have sex, at least don’t act like a high school health teacher preaching abstinece,” Louis sassed back.
“Are you just going to complain all day?” Harry asked.
“You were supposed to scold me for being naughty.” Louis mumbled in response.
“Oh?” Harry raised his eyebrows at Louis.
“Stupid pregnancy hormones are making me fucking horny!” Louis answered.
“Yeah I got that, love.” Harry responded. He then lowered his voice, moved his lips right next to Louis’s ear, and said, “I guess we’ll have to do something about that then.”
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“Liam, you were right, this friends-with-benefits thing is bullshit.”
“I’m too mature to say ‘I told you so,’ but please elaborate,” Liam said through the phone.
“He’s amazing and sweet and he takes care of me so well. I honestly don’t know how I didn’t see it before.” Louis placed his hand on his stomach, glad he didn’t decide to FaceTime Liam. “Is it too soon to say I love him?”
“Probably, but based on the way you’re talking about him, I think you’ve had feelings longer than you’d like to admit. Be honest, you were thrilled when he wanted to have sex with you.”
“That’s just because we were in quarantine and I hadn’t had proper sex in weeks!” Louis shot back.
“I’m not buying that for a minute. You should talk to him, Louis,” Liam responded.
“It’s… a little more complicated than you think,” Louis said slowly.
“Care to enlighten me?” Liam questioned.
“Not particularly, bye!” Louis hung up the phone before he said anything else incriminating.
“Oh, I hate this,” Louis said to his ceiling.
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“Niall, I really like him. He’s so beautiful, inside and out,” Harry told his friend over the phone.
“Not to mention he’s really good in bed?” Niall questioned.
“Oh my God, he’s amazing in bed.”
“I mean, you guys are already living together and having sex together. Aren’t you basically in a relationship at this point?” Niall asked.
“I mean, kind of? I don’t know, but either way we haven’t really talked about it yet and I don’t know how to start that conversation.”
“Maybe right after a session of mind-blowing sex?” Niall proposed.
“Oh shut up, Niall.” Harry hung up the phone, before revealing more than he should. If only Niall knew what their relationship really was.
Chapter Text
Harry and Louis entered the door to their apartment after another doctor’s appointment. Louis had finally reached the end of his first trimester and they couldn’t be more excited.
“Louis, I think we should tell our parents,” Harry told Louis as they sat on the couch.
Louis sighed before responding, “You’re right, we should. This just isn’t really how my mum planned on her first grandchild coming into the world.”
“Lou, we’ve established that this isn’t what anyone planned. Regardless, it’s our reality.”
“I know, I know. I’m just glad she likes you or this would be so much worse,” Louis said while getting out his phone.
“Aw, she likes me?”
“Oh shut up. I’m calling her.” After only a couple rings, Louis’s mum answered the FaceTime call.
“Hi boobear! How are you? Is everything okay? You’re not sick are you?”
“Mum, I’m fine, don’t worry. I miss you,” Louis said, smiling at his phone.
“Oh, I miss you too. I can’t wait until this is all over and I can come see you,” Johannah said.
“Yeah, yeah, you can come visit me and Harry… and our baby.”
“What?” Johannah asked.
“I’m pregnant!” Louis said, trying to sound excited despite his nerves.
“Oh my God, boobear, congratulations! You never told me you and Harry got together.”
“Well, we aren’t exactly,” Louis responded, looking over at Harry.
“Oh, is he with you right now? Let me talk to him,” Johannah said excitedly, so Louis handed his phone over to Harry.
“Hi, Johannah!” Harry said, hoping his nerves weren’t noticeable.
“Oh Harry, you have nothing to be nervous about, I’ve always liked you.”
“Oh, um, thank you.”
“So, how’s Louis? Is he taking care of himself and the baby?”
“I’m right here!” Louis cut in.
“He’s been good and we’ve both been very safe,” Harry answered.
“I’m sure it’s scary bringing a baby into the world right now, so if you guys ever want to talk to me, you call me, okay?”
“Yes, Mum, I know.” Louis took his phone back from Harry. “We should probably go so we can call Harry’s mum, but I love you.”
“I love you too, boobear. Good luck!”
The call ended and Louis turned to Harry. “Your turn.”
Harry took a deep breath before calling his mum, who picked up after only a couple rings as well.
“Hi Mum!”
“Hi Harry! How are you? You’re not sick, right? You’re okay?”
“Yes, Mum, I’m healthy and safe, don’t worry. I actually called so I could tell you something exciting. Er, at least I think it’s exciting, you-you might not, but I think you will - I mean I hope you will-”
“Harry, what’s up?” Anne interrupted, knowing her son would only stumble over his words until someone interjected.
“Louis and I are having a baby!”
“Oh, that is exciting! This wasn’t planned though, was it?”
“No, but we can do this. We’re both ready and Louis’s already doing an amazing job with, you know, carrying the baby and all-”
“Can I talk to him? Louis?” Anne interrupted.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Harry handed his phone to Louis.
“Hi, Anne,” Louis smiled nervously.
“How are you? How’s the baby?” Anne questioned.
“So far, so good,” Louis answered.
“How far along are you?” Anne asked.
“Just reached the end of my first trimester,” Louis responded.
“That’s so exciting! This pandemic better be under control in six months so I can come see my grandbaby! Oh, you two are going to be amazing parents.”
Harry grabbed his phone back from Louis and said, “Thank you, Mum, but we should probably get going.”
“Oh, okay, I love you!”
“I love you too!”
The call ended and Harry and Louis looked at each other.
“Well, that could’ve gone a lot worse,” Harry said.
“Yeah, that went surprisingly well, actually,” Louis responded.
“So, how do we tell our friends?” Harry asked.
“Ugh, I don’t want to do another phone call, can we just text them?”
“I guess we could, but this kind of feels like bigger-than-a-text sort of news, don’t you think?”
“Yes, but I don’t care. I say we just send a message in the groupchat and be done with it,” Louis said.
“Okay, if that’s what you really want, then okay. Go for it,” Harry said, already regretting his decision.
i’m pregnant and it’s harry’s
Louis sent the text with confetti and he and Harry waited for their friends to respond. The first one to do so was Niall:
Is this a prank bro -Niall
no i’m deadass -Louis
please don’t say ur ‘deadass’ about our baby -Harry
deadass this baby’s gonna be cool af -Louis
LOUIS -Harry
Congrats!!! -Liam
🤰🤰🤰 -Zayn
y’all are gonna have one gorgeous baby, y’all both hot af -Zayn
omg so true bestie -Louis
“Well, that was much easier,” Louis said, smiling at Harry. “So, we should probably have another conversation, that’s only somewhat related to the baby.”
“What do you mean?” Harry asked.
“I think we should see if we can move into a house, instead of staying here in the apartment. I just think it’ll be easier to raise a baby in a house, and I don’t know, I’ve always imagined raising my kids in like a stupid cliché suburban house, or whatever,” Louis answered.
“That’s a great idea! Wow, look at us. Being adults. Having a baby, moving into a house.”
“Okay, slow down, we have to actually find a house first.”
“You want to start looking?” Harry asked.
“Yes,” Louis answered excitedly.
Harry immediately got up and grabbed his laptop before returning to the couch to look at houses with Louis.
Chapter Text
It wasn’t much longer until Louis started to show. Both he and Harry were extremely excited. Louis loved finally having a bump - it felt so much more real now. It felt more real to Harry too, but that feeling was mostly just causing him to be overprotective of Louis.
“Ooh, I like this one, we should visit it!” Louis said. He and Harry were sitting on Harry’s bed looking at houses online.
“We’ve already set up like four visits this week, don’t you think we should wait?” Harry asked.
“If we really like one of the ones we’ve already seen by then, we can always cancel,” Louis answered.
“I know, but I don’t want you to do too much.”
“Harry, first of all, I’m pregnant, not incapacitated. I can handle it. Second of all, all of the visits are virtual. I can sit on the couch the whole time.”
“Fine, fine, we can schedule a visit for this one too.”
They’d already virtually visited a few houses, but they hadn’t found one they really liked yet. Even if they didn’t end up really liking a house they visited, it was nice to finally have something else to do. Quarantine was seriously boring.
“Okay, I think we’ve looked at enough houses for the day, let’s watch a movie,” Harry said, closing his laptop.
“Can we watch Lady Bird? I haven’t seen it in a while,” Louis responded.
“Of course we can, love.” Harry turned on the movie Louis laid his head against Harry’s shoulder.
Despite the film being Louis’s idea, he ended up falling asleep part way through, yet again. This time, Harry realized before the movie ended, so he turned it off and laid Louis down lower on the bed, facing away from Harry. Harry wrapped his arms around Louis, resting his hand on Louis’s small bump. Harry fell asleep smiling at the thought of Louis carrying their baby.
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Over the next few weeks, Louis and Harry looked at quite a few houses, but none of them really worked. There was always something wrong, even if it was something small. They wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfect for their baby. Harry, in particular, didn’t want to settle for anything less than perfect for either of his babies.
“Maybe this one will be it,” Louis said before their call with the real estate agent who would be giving them a virtual tour of the house.
“I hope so. I’m getting kind of tired of looking at houses,” Harry responded.
“Me too. Imagine if they were in person. The physical toll on my poor pregnant body would simply be too much,” Louis said dramatically.
“Oh shut up. Oh, Cindy’s calling.” Harry’s phone started to buzz with the call from the real estate agent, Cindy.
“Hi, Cindy!” Harry said when he answered.
“Hello, boys! I’m at the house and I think you guys’ll really love it. Ready to get started?”
“Yes!” Louis said excitedly.
“Okay so when you walk in the front door there’s this lovely living room on the left. Very spacious with a lot of room for decorating and features a large fireplace. On the other side of the front door is a dining room that features this gorgeous chandelier. The dining room then leads into the kitchen, which is just beautiful. Harry, I know you like to cook, what do you think of the kitchen?”
“Is that a kitchen island? I love a good kitchen island,” Harry answered excitedly.
“Yes, it is. I also love a good kitchen island. Next to the kitchen and behind the living room is a home office, but it could easily be converted to an at home yoga studio for you, Harry or a great backdrop for your virtual classroom, Louis. Upstairs we have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The first bedroom is the master bedroom, which features an en-suite bathroom. Again, a very spacious room, with nice windows for plenty of sunlight. It also has a small walk-in closet. The en-suite bathroom is also amazing. Just look at the counter space and the shower. Oh, I love it. Okay, here is one of the other bedrooms, could be a nursery. Has a lovely carpet, very soft. In between this bedroom and the next one is a bathroom. It’s not quite as nice as the en-suite in the master, but it is still quite stunning. This is the last bedroom here, could also be a nursery. Okay, that’s pretty much everything inside the house, but let me show you the backyard real quick. There’s a nice deck area, you could have a nice party - once things get back to normal anyway. There’s also this beautiful stone firepit, absolutely perfect for bonfires. So, you know the routine, you have some time to think about it, but let me know as soon as possible. I hope you like it, talk to you soon!”
The call ended and Louis immediately turned to Harry. “Oh Harry, I love it. It’s perfect. I want it.”
“Me too. You want to buy the house?” Harry asked excitedly.
“Yes, yes, Harry, let's buy the house.”
“Oh my God, we’re buying a house. Okay, okay, I’ll text Cindy.” Harry sent a text to Cindy telling her they were going to buy the house. “This is so exciting! I love you - it, the house-”
“Did you just say you love me?” Louis asked, softly smiling.
“I- um- I just meant-”
“I love you too, Harry.”
Chapter Text
“Harry, you don’t have to pack the whole apartment. I swear I can help, it’s fine,” Louis said as Harry took the boxes he was holding out of his arms.
“I know that you can, but I don’t want you to. I want to do this for you. And the baby. Besides, your school year is going to start soon, so you’ll have more work then and should take this time to relax before then.”
“Harry, I teach nursery school, not rocket science. I think I’ll be okay.”
“Just indulge me then?” Harry proposed.
“Oh, you know I’d love to indulge you,” Louis responded, wrapping his arms around Harry’s neck and pulling him down for a kiss.
“Not quite what I meant, but it’ll do,” Harry said before kissing back.
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A few days later they were still packing and Louis was trying to help without letting Harry see. Unfortunately, he wasn’t doing as good a job at that as he wished. Currently, he had his tongue in Harry’s mouth after being caught, yet again.
Harry pulled away and said, “You can’t distract me with sex everytime I catch you packing.”
“I can try.” Louis smirked. “Seriously though Harry, I can pack my own stuff. I know you’re being overprotective because of the baby but we’re fine. I promise I would tell you if we weren’t.”
Harry sighed and responded, “Okay, okay. How about you just finish your room and I’ll do the rest? And when we move stuff in and out of the car, I’m doing all of the heavy lifting, okay?”
“Oh, honey, I wouldn’t do any heavy lifting even if I weren’t pregnant.” Louis winked and walked back to his room to finally do some packing in peace.
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“Come on Louis, let me pamper you, just a little,” Harry said, pulling Louis onto his lap on the couch.
“Okay, fine, you can give me a mani-pedi.” Louis rolled his eyes.
“Yay! What color do you want?” Harry said, moving Louis off his lap.
“How about red?” Louis responded.
“Ooh, sexy.” Harry got up to get the nail polish.
“Is it?” Louis asked as Harry came back.
“Yes. Red is a notoriously sexy color. I feel like you should know this, teaching kids about colors and all.” Harry sat down on the floor in front of Louis.
“I teach them what colors are, not what they mean. And even if I did teach them what colors meant red would be, like, angry or something.”
“Fair enough.”
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The next week, they moved into the house, with Harry doing all the heavy lifting, as promised. They were sharing the master bedroom and making the bedroom closest to it the nursery. Louis couldn’t be more excited. Oftentimes, when Harry was teaching a class and Louis was left on his own, he would just sit in the room and imagine what it would look like all decorated. He even started a Pinterest board for it.
“Hey Lou! You ready for your doctor’s appointment?” Harry called down the hallway searching for Louis, finding him in the nursery.
“You know we have to get you a chair at least if you’re gonna sit in here so often,” Harry said fondly, looking at Louis from the doorway.
“Well, we have to furnish the whole room, but yes, that would be a good place to start,” Louis responded, slightly struggling to stand up from the floor with his twenty week belly. Harry rushed over to help him.
“Thank you,” Louis said, pecking Harry’s lips.
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“You two ready to find out the sex?” The doctor, Sonja, asked.
“So ready,” Louis answered, squeezing Harry’s hand.
“Okay.” Sonja looked at the screen, “Looks like you are having a girl!”
“Oh my God, a little girl! That’s so exciting. Harry, I’m so excited,” Louis said tearfully.
“Me too, babe. Me too.”
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“Harry, can we stop at the paint store and get swatches on the way home?” Louis asked once they were in the car.
“For the nursery? Of course. What color were you thinking?”
“I’m not quite sure. Maybe a purple? Or green? What about you? What do you think?”
“I think those are lovely colors. I’ll run in and grab some swatches, okay?” Harry gave Louis a quick kiss before darting into the store.
Louis spent the rest of the car ride looking at swatches and made a decision by the time they got home.
“I want this periwinkle color.”
“Ooh that’s beautiful. You have an eye for design, babe,” Harry said. “Do you want me to go get the paint tomorrow so we can get started?”
“Yes, please. We should order some furniture too, so we don’t have to go to the store.”
“Do you want to do that now?” Harry asked.
“Sure,” Louis answered.
Harry got up to grab his laptop and the two spent the rest of the night ordering off-white nursery furniture with purple accents.
Chapter Text
It didn’t take long for Harry and Louis to start painting the nursery. Of course, Harry wouldn’t let Louis use the ladder, but between the two of them, it only took a few days to complete.
“It looks so nice! I can’t wait to add furniture,” Louis said, looking at the finished product.
“Which you won’t be helping to build, right? You’re gonna let me do that on my own?” Harry responded with his arm wrapped around Louis’s waist.
“Yes, Harry, you can do that on your own, even though I definitely could help if I wanted to.”
“I know, but I’d still rather be safe than sorry.”
“You are so overprotective.” Louis smiled.
“I don’t see you complaining.” Harry smirked.
“Yeah, yeah, I like being your baby.” Louis laid his head against Harry’s shoulder and put his hand on his growing bump. Harry put his hand on top of Louis’s when they felt a small kick.
“Did you feel that?” Louis asked excitedly.
“Yes. Oh, our little baby is already growing so fast,” Harry responded.
“I love her so much.”
“Me too, love.”
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Harry brough hot cocoa and pumpkin pie into the still unfurnished nursery where Louis was sitting on the floor.
“Everytime I see the neighbors' Halloween decorations, I think of all the cute little costumes our baby’s gonna wear,” Louis said, taking the hot cocoa from Harry.
“Really? Like what?” Harry asked, sitting next to his boyfriend.
“Maybe a fairy. Definitely a princess, at some point anyway,” Louis answered.
“Definitely a princess? What makes you say that?”
“I have five sisters. Record shows, she will want to be a princess at least once in her life.”
“Well, she’ll always be our little princess,” Harry said, leaning over to kiss Louis.
“Have you thought about names at all yet?” Louis asked Harry.
“I’ve had a list of baby names since I was nineteen, Louis. How about you?”
“Yeah, I have some ideas too.”
“Care to share?” Harry asked.
“Hmm, you first,” Louis answered.
“Okay, my top three are Olivia, Amelia, and Stella.”
“Oh, those are pretty. Mine are Adrienne, Evelyn, and Chloe. What’s your number one name?”
“Out of my list, probably Amelia, but I really like Evelyn.”
“Really? Evelyn was my number one name,” Louis said, beaming.
“You want to name our daughter Evelyn?” Harry asked excitedly.
“Yes. Oh, yes, we’re going to have a daughter, Evelyn. How about Amelia for the middle name?”
“I love it. Um, how about the last name?” Harry asked delicately.
“Oh, um, I was thinking we could hyphenate. But if you don’t want to, that's okay!” Louis answered nervously.
“No, I like it. Whose name would go first?”
“Yours. I think it sounds better.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Evelyn Amelia Styles-Tomlinson. It’s perfect.”
“Evelyn Amelia Styles-Tomlinson. It is perfect.”
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Once again, Harry and Louis were in the nursery. This time, Harry was building the furniture and Louis was sitting on the already assembled rocking chair. Harry made sure to build that one first just for Louis.
“You know I always imagined doing a maternity photoshoot for my first pregnancy,” Louis said distractedly, rubbing his hand lightly over his bump.
“Really?” Harry asked.
“Yeah. Obviously, we can’t do that because of the pandemic, but maybe next time,” Louis answered, clearly unaware of what he’d said.
“Next time?” Harry looked up from the crib he was building.
“Hm?” Louis looked at Harry.
“You said ‘maybe next time.’ You want there to be a next time?” Harry asked, smiling slightly.
“I-I’ve always wanted three or four kids, yeah,” Louis answered blushing.
“And you want them with me?”
“Yes. Oh, Harry, yes. I love you. I would love to have more kids with you, if you want.”
“I would love to have more kids with you too, Louis. I love you,” Harry said, causing Louis to blush harder and look away smiling.
“If you want, we can do an at-home photoshoot. I’ve been told I’m rather skilled with a camera,” Harry said.
“Really? You’d want to do that?” Louis responded.
“For you? I’d do anything. Hold on, let me go find my camera and tripod. Meet me in the living room?”
“Yeah, okay, I’m gonna go change first though, okay?” Louis responded.
“Okay,” Harry said, giving Louis a quick kiss before they went their separate ways.
Not long after, Louis met Harry in the living room. When Harry looked up from his camera he saw Louis in a stunning and tight dress that accentuated his bump.
“Oh, love, you look beautiful,” Harry said, giving Louis a kiss.
“Thank you,” Louis responded. “And thank you for doing this for me. It’s so sweet of you.”
“Of course. Lou, I love you. Now go pose for me.” Harry smiled as Louis excitedly got in front of the camera.
Chapter Text
“Wait! Stop right there!” Harry shouted when Louis reached the bottom of the stairs in the morning.
“What?” Louis said, stopping in his tracks as Harry came over to him from the kitchen.
“There’s mistletoe,” Harry said cheekily, wrapping his arms around Louis’s waist and bringing him in for a kiss.
“You set up the Christmas decorations?” Louis asked.
“Yes, but, I waited for you to decorate the tree,” Harry smiled.
“Okay, but let me eat breakfast first,” Louis said with a laugh.
“Let me make you breakfast.”
“You know I can do things for myself? You don’t need to be so overprotective, even if I love it.”
“Lou, this isn’t me being overprotective, you’re a disaster in the kitchen on your own, even when you aren’t pregnant.”
“Fine.”
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After Louis finished his breakfast, and a quickie in the kitchen, he and Harry started decorating the tree.
“I can’t believe next time this year we’re gonna have a little baby. Oh, it’s gonna be her first Christmas. Christmas 2021: Evelyn’s first Christmas. Think the world will still be around by then?” Louis asked.
“I hope so. At this rate, though, who knows. Let’s say the world is still around for years to come: how many kids do you think we’ll have?” Harry asked in response.
“Four,” Louis answered.
“Four?”
“Yeah. I think we’ll have a set of twins next.”
“You think so?”
“Twins run in my family. I’m just glad this one doesn’t have a twin.” Louis gestured to his large bump. “Can you imagine having two surprise babies? I think I would’ve aborted.”
“Look, it’s a good joke. It’s a great joke, even, but I need you to stop anyway,” Harry said, trying not to laugh.
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Once the two finished decorating the tree, Louis went to take a nap. A few hours later, Harry found him sitting on the window seat in the nursery, looking out the window at the falling snow.
“Hey,” Harry said, sitting opposite Louis.
“Hey,” Louis said sadly.
“You okay?” Harry asked.
“I’m just upset that I won’t be able to spend Christmas with my family this year,” Louis answered.
“Oh, Lou, I’m sorry.”
“At least I have you and Evelyn, though,” Louis said smiling. “I can’t wait for her to be here. And getting to see all her firsts? I’m so excited.”
“Me too. Her first steps, first word.”
“First holidays, first time seeing the outside world after being born during the pandemic. I’m a little worried how that’s gonna affect her, like, socially,” Louis said.
“I get that. There’s not much we can do about that though is there? Just do our best and hope the pandemic ends soon?” Harry asked.
“Yeah, I guess that’s all we really can do. Maybe she can sit in on some of my virtual classes and see other kids.”
“If classes are still online once you finish maternity leave, anyway.”
“True. If we’re lucky she’ll be able to sit in on a real class. Or she could try baby yoga with you.”
“Omg do you think I should start a baby yoga class?” Harry asked.
“I think a Mommy and Me yoga class would be a big money-maker for sure, actually,” Louis answered.
“Oh, I am so asking my boss about that,” Harry said, causing Louis to laugh.
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A couple weeks later, once more of their neighbors had put up their decorations, Harry drove Louis around and they looked at all the lights. Louis was sitting in the passenger's seat with his hand cradling his nearly full-term bump.
“Oh, Harry, look! They have a collection of rainbow reindeer in their yard!” Louis said, pointing out the window.
“Oh how nice! And gay,” Harry responded.
“Hell yeah! Gay reindeer! You hear that, Evelyn? Our neighbors have gay reindeer,” Louis said to his belly.
“She doesn’t know what any of that means, you know that, right?” Harry asked.
“Irrelevant,” Louis responded, causing Harry to laugh. “I can’t wait for you to see all the lights next year, Evelyn. I think you’ll love it.”
Harry looked fondly at Louis and reached across the center console to hold his hand.
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“Why does your gingerbread house look so much better than mine?” Louis pouted.
“Because I used to be a baker,” Harry responded, kissing Louis quickly.
“So? How is this any different from the arts and crafts I do with the kids?” Louis asked.
“Well, you only have to do crafts at about a grade two level to be the best in your class,” Harry answered.
“You twat!” Louis whacked Harry with a dish towel that was laying next to him on the counter.
“Your house still looks very nice, Louis.”
“Whatever, can we just eat them now?”
“Yeah, we can eat them now.”
Chapter Text
Louis woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon and also a kiss on the cheek.
“Happy birthday, love,” Harry said, holding a tray of breakfast for Louis.
“Breakfast in bed? How cliché. I love it, thank you.” Louis took the tray and kissed Harry. Before Louis could take a bite of his food, he felt a sharp kick in his belly. He quickly grabbed Harry’s hand and placed it on his bump, right where he’d felt the kick.
“I think she’s trying to say ‘happy birthday, Papa,’” Harry said when he felt a sharp kick himself.
“Oh, I love her so much. Only one more week, Ev, is that right? Or are you gonna be early? Or late? Please don’t be late,” Louis said to his bump.
“It’s okay if she’s late, you know,” Harry told him.
“You do this for nine months and then tell me it’s okay if she’s late,” Louis responded.
“Do you want me to?” Harry asked, suddenly serious.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want me to carry the next baby?”
“I… hadn’t really thought about it. Do you want to carry the next baby?” Louis asked.
“I think so, yeah,” Harry answered.
“Okay… bottom,” Louis teased.
“Babe, you’re literally pregnant right now,” Harry retorted, resulting in two middle fingers from Louis.
Harry laughed and asked, “Do you want your birthday gift now or later today?”
“Is it sex?” Louis asked.
“Can’t that cause you to go into labor this late in the pregnancy?”
“Yes, so, I repeat: is it sex?”
“No, no it isn’t sex.”
Louis sighed dramatically and said, “I guess you can give it to me now anyway.”
Harry laughed as he grabbed a box out of the closet and handed it to Louis. Louis opened the velvet box which revealed a stunning diamond bracelet. The bracelet had three charms, one with the initials “L.W.T.”, one with the initials “H.E.S.”, and one with the initials “E.A.S.T.”
“You can add a charm for each kid we have,” Harry said as he clipped the bracelet around Louis’s wrist.
“Oh, Harry, it’s beautiful. I love it, thank you. I love you,” Louis responded before kissing Harry.
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The next day, Harry and Louis exchanged their Christmas gifts. Louis unwrapped a box and opened it to see a mug that said “World’s Best Dad.”
“Harry! Stop! You’re gonna make me cry. Stupid hormones are so bad right now.”
“What are you gonna do in a week when you can’t use that excuse anymore?” Harry asked, smiling.
“Postpartum hormones.”
“Just admit that you’re a softie,” Harry whispered.
“Shut up and open your present,” Louis said, shoving a large box towards Harry. Harry opened up the box to find an acoustic guitar.
“Louis, it's beautiful. Thank you. I can’t believe you remembered that I played guitar.”
“Now you can play lullabies to Evelyn,” Louis said.
“I can’t wait.” Harry placed the guitar on the floor next to him and leaned over to kiss Louis.
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“I can’t believe 2020 is almost over! We made it! We survived!” Harry said to Louis as they waited until midnight.
“I can’t believe I can’t drink alcohol to celebrate this momentous occasion!” Louis joked.
“You’ll live, love. We survived 2020. We survived the worst of the pandemic. We even have the privilege of bringing a new life into the world any day now,” Harry said to Louis as Louis yawned. “You should go to bed. Evelyn clearly needs some sleep right now.”
“Yeah, you’re right. You gonna stay up?” Louis asked.
“For now. Goodnight, babe.” Harry kissed Louis. “Goodnight, Evelyn.” Harry kissed Louis’s belly, causing him to giggle before he headed upstairs.
A few hours later, it was nearly midnight when Harry walked upstairs. He crouched down on the floor in front of Louis and quietly woke him up.
“It’s almost midnight,” Harry whispered.
“And you want to kiss me?” Louis asked sleepily.
“And I want to kiss you,” Harry repeated back to him. Louis smiled as Harry kissed him.
2020 was officially over.
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A couple nights later, Louis was woken up by an intense pain in his stomach.
“You ready to see the world, Evelyn?” Louis whispered before waking up Harry. “Ah, fuck!”
“Lou, what’s wrong?” Harry asked sleepily.
“Nothing’s wrong. Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s right.” Louis smiled while the contractions were at bay. “We’re about to have a baby.”
“We’re about to have a baby!” Harry shouted, getting out of bed to grab the hospital bag. He then returned to help Louis out of bed and down the stairs and into the car.
“Let’s go have a baby, Harry.”
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Seven hours later, at 8:12 on January 3, 2021, Evelyn Amelia Styles-Tomlinson was born.
Chapter 11: Epilogue
Chapter Text
“She’s beautiful, Louis,” Johannah said through Louis’s phone.
“I made her. We made her,” Louis said tearfully, looking at Harry.
“Yeah, we did.”
“I can’t wait to meet her in person,” Anne said through Harry’s phone.
“Hopefully it won’t be too long, Mum,” Harry said.
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A couple days after bringing her into the world, Louis and Harry were able to bring her home.
“This is your nursery, Evelyn. Your Daddy built all the furniture in here all by himself. Including, this lovely little crib.” Louis gently placed her into it. He turned to Harry and leaned against his chest. “I love her so much, Harry. I’m so happy to have started my family with you. I love you.”