We Had the Right Kind of Love // L.S.

Chapter 6. Birthdays

Two weeks later

"LOUIS!"

I jump and pull the covers over my head, "What?" I groan, blocking out the blinding light that had just flicked on.

"Come on Lou, it's your birthday!"

It's Fizzy.

"Exactly, so leave me alone." I throw the covers over my head, but she pulls them back down. "Come on dummy, mom made chocolate chip pancakes."

This perked me up, "Alright, tell her I'll be downstairs in a minute."

"Knew that would work," I hear her grumble as she runs downstairs to report back to the kitchen. "The birthday boy had awakened!" she yells, the pounding of her footsteps as she trampled down the stairs echoes through our large house.

I grab a pair of fuzzy socks for my chilly feet and throw Harry's oversized hoodie over my head before clambering downstairs to meet my family.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOUIS!" the twins shriek in unison, launching themselves at me with open arms. I catch them both up and kiss them on the head.

"Thanks, lovelies," I put them back, "I heard something about pancakes?"

The kitchen door opened, and a frazzled-looking Lottie enters with a plate full of hot cakes, "Yes your royal highness. Mom and I have been slaving over your birthday breakfast since six."

I glance at the clock, "That's only been..." I count the minutes, "An hour and forty-five minutes."

"Good job!" Mom praises, following Lottie with a handful of glasses, filled to the top with apple cider. "Starting year twelve off strong with those clock skills."

"Good morning," I walk over to hug her. My nose filled with her familiar flowery shampoo and I nuzzle into her neck, showing my gratitude for the birthday breakfast, "I love you."

"Love you too Boobear, now let's eat. I'm starving."

"Where's daddy?" Daisy asks, climbing into the seat next to Fizzy who is already shoving her plate with pancakes and strawberries.

"He's working today," she answered lightly.

"But it's Christmas Eve," Fizzy says, "He should have the whole week off."

"Don't worry about it. Daddy's fine and he'll be here for Christmas dinner."

"Harry's coming for Christmas dinner, right?" Lottie asks through a mouthful of fruit.

"Yes, they're all coming so I expect help with the cleaning today."

I'm about to speak when she adds, "Except Louis, you don't have to clean on your birthday."

The thing about having your birthday follow one of the biggest holidays of the year is that there are really cool things about it like double the presents, fantastic food, and everyone is nice to you. But the downside of it is that you can never have an ordinary birthday party because all your friends are always traveling or with family during Christmas.

I've been friends with Liam since kindergarten and Niall since fifth grade and both have never attended a birthday of mine because they were out of town or with family. This year, however, Harry would be coming over today and for all of Christmas, tomorrow which made up for all the Christmas-themed birthday decorations.

"Can I call Harry after breakfast?"

Mom nods and Phoebe tugs on my sweatshirt with her sticky maple syrup fingers, "Why are you always with Harry? Don't you want to hang with us sometimes?"