Fake It Until You Make It Real

Seven

Sorry for the twenty days without an update. My good friend Depression is here visiting and she brought her besties Anxiety and Insomnia with her...so it's been a real party over here.

Harry was jumped wildly and spun around with his spatula in his hand ready to attack the person that decided sneaking up on him in the morning while he sang along to TLC 'No Scrub' was a good idea. However, when he was able to focus on who the person was, he saw Louis bent over laughing his ass off into his hand to keep from waking the kids that were still sound asleep. Harry glared at the younger man blushing in embarrassment as he turned back to his stove turning over his bacon.

"I could have hit you with my spatula Louis." Harry complained.

"Oh yes...that would have caused real damage." Louis teased, "The kids asleep?"

"Passed out still. I think we're good for a few more minutes." Harry said stepping away to grab a mug and hand it to Louis, "Electric kettle over there." Louis took the mug and moved over to the kettle and opened the drawer that had every tea type imaginable. Louis was still shocked Harry had so much tea and was so organized about it. Though the organized part wasn't as shocking now that he had seen Harry's entire house, everything had its place and was organized, and it was a drastic difference compared to his own place where nothing was in its proper place because he didn't remember where that proper place was anymore.

"So, our parents...how are we dealing with that?" Louis asked.

"I'm taking Halloween weekend off; I was thinking we all meet up here. My family and you family, the kids go trick or treating and us adults who want to cook stay here and make a large dinner. What do you think?"

"A large family dinner on Halloween? You're either really confident or really stupid."

"Both. What? Don't think it's a good idea? Come on this is a nice neighbor. Most of the houses give out the expensive stuff." Louis laughed as he sipped his tea, "I think it's a good idea. I always make graveyard pudding cups then let the kids pick out their top like gummy worms or tombstone chocolate models or candied ghosts. Needless to say, I am the favorite house on the block, and I have hot beverages for the parents if it's cold." Louis stared at him before he laughed.

"You're that house huh? Geesh."

"We're that house." Harry said grinning at him, "Can you get the fruit salad out of the fridge? And the smaller bowl beside it."

"Of course. How long have you been up for?" Louis asked opening the fridge pulling out the large serving bowl of cut up mixed tangerines, kiwis, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes. He set the fruit bowl on the counter then grabbed the smaller bowl that was clear-yellowish color with diced something inside of it.

"About two hours. I'm an early riser most mornings." Harry explained as he placed the pancakes on a large serving plate and the bacon and sausage on another serving plate then put them in the oven to stay warm. Harry came over to stand beside him and took the smaller bowl and poured the contents on the fruit before stirring, "Don't get your underwear in a knot it's a lemon and honey dressing that compliments the fruits with chopped mint. It adds flavor." Harry said chuckling.

"It adds flavor." Louis mocked, "You and your fancy cooking and fresh ingredients. You make me sick." Harry laughed as Louis walked away and headed to the living room to check on the kids. He decided to gently wake them up and let them know breakfast was ready relieved when they woke up in a good mood with growling bellies.

"Go wash your hands, brush your teeth, and empty your bladders if you have to then come right back down." Louis said gently watch as the groggily headed upstairs, Freddie with his overnight backpack that had his things in it. He headed back into the kitchen and grabbed the finished fruit salad bowl and set it in the middle of the square table.