Maybe we can (L.S.)

31

"I'm home!" Louis shouted, slamming the door behind him.

Littletle feet were heard stomping through the house and, soon enough, his youngest siblings were clinging to both his legs.

"Come here my big babies!" He said crouching down and holding them up. Doris on his left hip and Ernie on his right.

"We no babies no more!" Both children whinned at once.

"Hmm... Is that true? I must say you are definitely getting heavier" Louis hummed, letting them fall on the couch with a huff of relief.

They really were getting big. They were two already. But he couldn't help but see them as the tiny newborns he could hold in one arm. They had been so fragile then...

"Boo late" Ernie said, snapping him from his thoughts.

"I know. I'm sorry. Where's mum?" He replied, kissing them both on their heads.

Doris pointed upstairs so Louis climbed them up and reached his bedroom door to find his mum sitting on his bed, carefully folding his newly washed clothes.

"You didn't have to do that, mum. I'm a grown up now" He said while he hugged her, kissing her cheek after.

"I know. But you're still my baby. What held you? You aren't overworking yourself, are you?" She asked, folding the last shirt and patting the spot beside her for Louis to seat.

"No, don't worry. I just- I accompanied someone home" He replied.

"Someone special you haven't told me about" She said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I- um... It's- it's nothing like that. It can't be. It's Harry. He was upset. Found him crying outside the ECAC" Louis explained

"Oh! Poor man..." She said nodding her head.

"You had an appointment with him didn't you? You aren't taking his kids away are you?! He was so scared when I called him for the appointment... Please tell me you aren't. He's a great dad" Louis hurried to say, getting up and starting to pace around the small room.

" 'course I'm not. I know he is a great parent to them, even with all the circumstances. We just talked sensible topics. He was acting tough but I guess he couldn't hold it in anymore once he got out" She said with a sad smile.

"What did you talk about? He was really really upset, mum" Louis tried to bookpry, sitting down again.

"You know I can't tell you, love. You'll know the basics from the report I wrote once you read it tomorrow. I'll go reheat your lunch. You must be hungry" She replied walking out the door.

"Ugh! I know, I know. I'll reheat it myself. Don't worry. Just go sit down for a bit" Louis huffed, walking downstairs behind her.

...

When the alarm went off the next morning, Louis was already dressed. It was a strange occurrence, since he had always despised mornings, but today he really wanted to get to work. He hadn't slept much because his mind kept wondering back to Harry and today he would finally know the basics about him. Even if he didn't know him much he wanted to be able to help him as much as possible so he needed to know how to.

So. The first thing he did when he arrived was to go to his computer and search for Sam's file.

"Here it is. Styles, Samuel" He clicked, going to the folder containing all his reports and inside the one named 'social worker 1st report'.

He clicked and the file opened.

'Harry Styles, 22.
Legal guardian of Samuel and Emma Styles since February 2016.
Below the knee amputee (left) since December 2015. Has completed rehab and has high remaining functionality with and without prosthesis. Household with great habitability conditions. Recently moved to a family inherited house with Sam and 2 year old healthy sibling, Emma.
Great sociocultural background.
No income. Receives help from the children grandmother who lives in London. Relies on inherited savings. Plans on looking for a job once they are settled.
Great first impression. Shows concern about the kids wellbeing. Safe environment.
Conclusion: Fit for parenting.
Notes: follow-up for possible economic aid for prematurity and/or disability.
Recommendation: psychology assessment and tips for coping strategies.'

When he finished reading he didn't really know what to think. He still didn't know what had happened since it was just a brief report with the basics he needed to give Sam the best treatment possible but, after a while, he realised that the rest of the story was for Harry to tell if, and only if, he ever wanted to.

Once he realised that, he went to his backpack and changed into the bright orange t-shirt he had been given to work. There was a changing room but he couldn't bother going there even if anyone could walk in at any moment. Maybe it had to do with the fact that during his physiotherapy degree everyone undressed to their underwear to practice among eachother, or maybe it was because he used to sail and he was used to changing into and out his wetsuit in the van with his team. Anyway... The thing was that he didn't mind changing in front of people even if he had some insecurities about his body.

Okay, so. Time to start working. He arranged the room with what he needed for the next child to come and went to welcome them in. Today was a long day.