The Lost Boy (Harry Styles)

13

The rest of the week went quickly. Louis went to school and helped take care of Harry when he got home. He truly was the loveliest, most special little boy, and his parents wanted to show him their appreciation, in giving both boys a day out.

A surprise.

By the end of the week, Harry was just about fully recovered, thanks to Doctor Louis.

On Saturday morning, Jay got the boys up and out of bed, gave them a bath and dressed them nicely. They were expecting to just be going to Tesco to do the food shop, which they usually did, but that's the last place they would be going to.

They all got in the car and Mark drove away from their house.

Louis held Harry's hand in their seats.

"Mummy, are we going a different way today?" Louis said, noticing that they were going the wrong way.

Jay and Mark smiled at each other. "Yes love. Thought we'd go this way today." Jay replied.

"Oh ok." Louis replied, satisfied with the answer, and carried on looking out of the window, not letting go of Harry's hand.

They drove for a while before a massive sign appeared in front of them.

"Mummy look! There's tigers at Tesco!" He yelled.

Harry looked at the sign too and let go of Louis' hand so he could clap excitedly.

Mark laughed. "There must be a special offer on today."

"Can we get one Daddy? Pleeeeeease?"

Jay burst out laughing. That boy was so damn cute.

They found a parking space and Louis unclipped his seat belt, then unclipped Harry's.

"Louis...I told you not to do that didn't I?"

"Sorry Mummy, but we want a tiger before they get sold out."

Mark got both boys got out of the car. Louis took Harry's hand. Jay got his pushchair out of the boot and a picnic bag and they locked the car.

"Mummy, where is Tesco? I can't see it." He still hadn't realised they were at the zoo.

Mark knelt in front of the boys. "We're not at Tesco, boys. We're at...THE ZOO!"

Louis jumped up and down, way too happy and excited, then wrapped his arms around Mark's neck. Harry had never been to a zoo before, only seeing wild animals in books or on the TV.

"Harry! Harry! We gonna see real life tigers. Come on Mummy! Come on Daddy! Let's go!" He pulled Harry and grabbed Mark's hand, Harry taking Jay's, as she pushed the pushchair one handed.

All four were smiling and laughing as they headed into the zoo.

"Look Harry. Elephants!"  Louis said taking Harry near to the elephant enclosure. The elephants were huge, even the two babies looked massive compared to the boys.

Harry looked up, his eyes wide.

They continued walking. The saw giraffes, lions, zebras, hippos, buffalo and much more. But the two boys were desperate to see the tigers.

They stopped for lunch, choosing to sit under a tree on the picnic blanket. They ate sandwiches, fruit, crisps and cheese straws, all washed down with juice.

Harry was now in his pushchair, after so much walking, his legs were aching and he was very tired. But he wasn't going to go to sleep until he had seen the tigers.

"There they are!" Louis suddenly shouted, running.

"Louis! Stop!" Mark shouted, running after the boy. "You mustn't run away from us ok?"

"Sorry Daddy. Tigers there look." He pointed.

"I know. They're not going anywhere. No need to run."

He took Louis' hand and they walked to the tiger enclosure.

Harry got out of the pushchair, Louis taking his hand and they stood watching their favourite animals wandering around.

"Wow! They're so pretty aren't they," Louis asked.

Harry nodded, yawning.

"Roooooar!" Louis said, making Harry jump, slightly. He looked at Louis as he roared again. A smile crept onto Harry's face.

"You roar too Harry. Talk to them." Louis said. "Roooooar!"

Harry's smile dropped.

The only word he had ever spoken since he was with the Tomlinson's was 'Mummy.'

He shook his head and turned back to the tigers.

They watched them for a while, taking photos. Then Harry climbed back into his pushchair, tiredness taking over at last. He fell asleep quickly.

"I wish Harry didn't go to sleep. I wanna show him more animals." Louis said, slightly disappointed.

"He's only little though, and has been poorly. I think he's seen enough to make him happy." Mark replied. Louis nodded and said no more about it. He pushed Harry around until it was time to leave.

*****

Back home, they had fish n chips from the local takeaway, then sat altogether on the sofa watching cartoons, until it was bedtime.

"Did you enjoy today boys?" Jay asked as she tucked them into Harry's bed.

"It was the best. Thank you for taking us." Louis replied, hugging his Mum.

Harry nodded. He hugged Jay too.

"Are you reading tonight, Louis? Or shall I do it?"

Louis thought. He feels very tired. "Can you read please?"

Jay smiled. "Of course."

She pulled down the book she started the previous night and opened it to the right page.

She started to read and it wasn't long before both boys were sleeping peacefully.

This was what being a family was all about.

Days out together. Loving each other.

Here's to many more days just like this one.

*****

Bit of a shorter chapter.  Hope it was OK.

Thoughts?

All the love. L. Xx

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