Once in a Lifetime

Epilogue.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to daddy, happy birthday to you!" There was a chorus of applause as Louis blew out the candles on his birthday cake, with a little help, of course, and smiled for the obligatory family photo his mum was taking.

"I can't believe my little boy is thirty!" Jay gushed, wiping away a stray tear as she looked at the happy family in front of her.

"They may be getting older, but they still act like teenagers!" Anne joked coming up beside her to snap her own photos of the occasion. Harry was just about to lean across to kiss his husband, when there was an inpatient cry from Harry's arms.

"Aw do you want a kissy from daddy too?" Harry cooed, gently rocking their newborn daughter, Emily Grace, in his arms. Louis leaned down to kiss her forehead as she stared up at him, the tears pooling on her cheeks as she fussed unhappily.

"Will she ever stop crying?" their 5-year-old son, Oliver Zayn, moaned as he poked his little sister's blankets.

"She will, love, but she's only a few weeks old and she's still getting used to us. You used to cry when you were a baby," Harry laughed, handing their youngest child to Jay who scooped her up and cradled her lovingly.

"You two cut the cake and nanna will sort this one out." They both knew not to argue, so they stood up together, Louis holding Oliver's hand as they sliced the cake for their family and friends.

"Can you give this one to Poppy please, Ollie?" Harry asked, handing his son a paper plate with a slice of cake on. He nodded happily, running off in search of his older cousin.

"Daddy! Auntie Gemma wants one too!" he shouted as he raced back to his parents, Harry and Louis rolling their eyes at each other as they handed him another plate to take back.

"This one's for Uncle Niall, and this is for Uncle Liam, okay?" Louis commented, watching as Oliver nodded enthusiastically and went off in search of his favourite uncles. He didn't come back after that, so it was up to the two men to distribute the remaining slices. Finally, they collapsed in the folding chairs to eat their own slices of cake, but that was when Robin came by with Emily.

"Your daughter smells just like her father. Where's her changing bag?"

"Oi, I don't smell!" Harry answered back, grabbing the bag from behind him.

"I wasn't talking about you."

"Right, well for that you can change her. And I hope it's explosive," Louis deadpanned, handing the bag of nappies and wipes to Robin who laughed as he walked away, mumbling something to his granddaughter as he went.

It was another few hours until the boys walked into their house, Louis cradling a crying Emily as Niall gave Oliver a piggy-back from the car.

"Right kiddo, Ollie brush your teeth with daddy, and I'll feed Ems, then we'll get ready for Santa, deal?" He nodded, grabbing Harry's hand and leading him into the bathroom. Louis warmed up Emily's bottle as Liam and Niall discussed their Christmas plans, Louis jumping in when he wasn't staring blissfully at his perfect daughter. When Oliver came bounding back into the kitchen, he jumped onto the stool and waited for Louis to finish with Emily.

"Do you have your letter to Father Christmas, buddy?" Liam asked, taking Oliver to his bedroom when he said he didn't have it. By the time they came back, Niall was rocking Emily and Louis was getting the milk from the fridge. Harry got a plate from the cupboard, and then Oliver helped his dad pour the milk into a glass and place a carrot and a mince pie on the plate.

"I think Santa is going to love this," Niall smiled, grabbing a mince pie himself whilst trying not to get crumbs on the little girl sleeping in his arms.