Have I forgotten how to love; remind me once again

Chapter Twelve

A/N This one is a bit longer and also I was slightly tipsy when proofreading this, so I will not be taking responsibility for any mistakes that may occur. Enjoy!

At last, the road trip must come to an end, but at least Harry makes quick work of picking out a phone, making Louis promise to help set it up when they return home. Grocery shopping goes painlessly as well, even though Louis refuses to tell Harry what he is cooking for lunch - well, it will probably have to be dinner, by the time they'll be home, as Harry insists on getting ice cream, Louis not even attempting to make a believable protest.

Around three, they find themselves back in the car, Harry starting the CD over without Louis saying a word. He sings along this time too.

As promised, Louis helps Harry set up his phone when they get back and finish putting the groceries away, adding all his contacts back, reinstalling his favorite apps and marking Louis among the favorites among the list of phone numbers. Then, reluctantly, he adds the other boys as well, if only to make it easier for Harry to find.

It is possible that he blocks Simon's number - and his office phone - while Harry is getting a glass of water, but that can in no way be proved, and he will never admit to doing so, should Simon contemplate why his calls isn't going through.

When they're done, Louis suggests for Harry to go call his mom and arrange her stay. He has already roughly planned it out with her and figured she would come tomorrow or the next day, but he'll leave the details to Harry. That way he's out of the kitchen and Louis gets to really surprise him with dinner.

Of course, his boy loves the idea, and soon shuffles off to their room, Louis catching the beginning of their conversation as Harry's excited voice exclaims, "Hi mum! I got a new phone."

Content with Harry being entertained for the time being, Louis shuffles into the kitchen and begins dinner, his hopes for Harry recognizing the meal even higher on top of this wonderful day. He must have been smiling widely, going about in his own little bubble, because Zayn's appearance goes unnoticed before his friend coughs loudly, Louis not wiping his dopey smile off in time to avoid Zayn's teasing.

"Why do you look like that?" his friend says, acting extremely shocked in a completely over the top manor. "Like what?" Louis replies, squinting his eyes as if he can catch Zayn's drift before he gets teased anymore. "All happy! Almost didn't recognize you", Zayn laughs, enjoying that Louis for once is the one to walk directly into the joke.

"Oh, fuck off." Louis scoffs, knowing just as well as his friend that he deserved that one for all the teasing he has done lately. Then, in a more serious tone, Zayn adds, "Good day?", and Louis doesn't even attempt to hide the fondness dripping off his words as he replies, "Good day".

For a couple minutes, the kitchen is enveloped in a content silence, Louis busying himself with cooking his signature meal: Chicken stuffed with mozzarella, wrapped in Parma ham. All with a side of mashed potato, just like he made Harry the day they got engaged, Zayn finding his place on the counter next to the stove.

"Want any help?", Zayn inquires, but Louis shakes his head. "No. I want to do it. It has to be just right". His friend exhales on the counter, adding in a serious tone, "Good, because I wasn't serious about helping anyway". Louis rolls his eyes, but he isn't even annoyed in the slightest; The day has been far too great for that, and besides, he doesn't really mind their banter - really, it's the foundation of any great friendship and he truly appreciates the room for normalcy.

Then, he is reminded of something that isn't ideal; The meeting they're supposed to be at tomorrow with their manager. Louis doesn't really get why Simon didn't call Liam with that information, considering Louis had already forgotten, something that isn't an unusual occurrence. There's also the whole issue with Harry not knowing that they're supposed to go on tour in less than two weeks - ten days actually, when Louis counts back to Liam's phone call with their manager, who still thinks Harry is on the fast track to recovery, ready for tour any moment.