Baked In Style | L.S

Chapter 28

“So I told her she should come and stay with us for a few days once Jo-Anne has been born. I’m sure we’d need all the help we could possibly get.” Harry says, referring to his telephone conversation with Jay a little earlier.

Not a day has gone by without the latter calling to check in on both Harry and the baby. Louis had often pouted, saying that his mom does not even phone him to find out how he’s been doing once a week, but then smiles when harry reminds him that Jay’s probably just phoning because of the baby. It is after all her first grandchild.

“Ah, I’m sure she’d love that.” Louis smiles. “She’s always been so good with all of us.” He adds proudly.

“Yeah, and let’s not forget that neither of us would know what to do when it comes to a baby.” Harry chimes up before taking a sip of his water.

“Speak for yourself Harry Styles.” Louis tuts. “Have you forgotten that I helped raise four of my six siblings?” He asks in mock offence, hand flattened against his chest effectively adding a dramatic edge to his words.

“I meant a new born baby, Lou.” Harry is quick to defend, giggling once more when Louis raises an eyebrow before a smile takes over his face.

“I k- k- know, l- lo- love.” Louis replies, sending the younger man a playful wink and then looking down while taking a sip of his wine. “Just messing with you.” He adds and chuckles when Harry only rolls his eyes at him.

Harry takes a deep breath, about to say something when their waitress appears next to their table, two plates in her hands. “One creamy cajun chicken pasta.” She says while placing the plate in front of Harry.

“Thank you.” Harry says, a smile spreading across his face when he catches a whiff of the aroma.

“And one medium steak.” She adds, placing the plate down in front of Louis.

“Thank you.” Louis sends her a small nod and a smile. “Bon a petit.” He says to Harry when meeting his eyes. He wiggles his eyebrows while picking up his utensils and smiles when Harry doesn’t say anything but smiles instead. Louis thinks it’s adorable really. The way the younger man suddenly looks all shy. Even a bit flustered, if he’s being completely honest.

“Your veggies looks divine.” Harry compliments while looking at the food on Louis’ plate.

“You can have them, love.” Louis sends him another wink. “You know I’m not a fan.” He adds and presses his fork into the meat, pausing when Harry speaks again.

“And your steak too.” Harry licks his lips. “Looks so good.” He adds before glancing down at the chicken pasta in front of him and Louis knows what’s about to happen. Because, believe it or not, it’s been happening quite a lot lately. They will go out to dinner, they will order but once their food gets served, Harry always ends up with half of Louis’ food on his plate and Louis with half of Harry’s food on his.

So without giving it much thought, Louis glances down at the pasta dish from across the table and although he really doesn’t feel like it tonight, he can’t help himself from suggesting they go half-half. Like they’ve been doing lately. Harry happily agreeing. Obviously.

“You can just pass me your plate before the veggies gets cold.” Harry says, already holding out his plate for Louis to take and Louis doesn’t think twice before handing over his own. He smiles brightly when Harry immediately takes a bite from the creamed spinach before humming in satisfaction.

Half an hour later, Louis is bringing the last bite of pasta to his mouth. He’s smiling, externally that is. Inside he’s fucking screaming because Harry’s about to eat the last bite of his fucking steak-smiling like the damn Cheshire cat while he does.

Yes. When Louis had finished eating half of the pasta and Harry got to half the steak, the latter started pouting like a four year old who’s favourite toy just got taken away when Louis suggested they swop back.

And at first Louis tried to ignore it, because what the fuck man? It’s his fucking steak! (When he had first gotten to know Harry, the latter ate little to no red meat, yet here he is- a few months later- literally sweeping the meat from Louis’ plate.)

But then, when Harry sighed- his shoulders visibly slumping and his eyes growing impossibly big, Louis had resigned. “Never mind.” Louis piped up. “I’m actually really enjoying the pasta, would you mind if I just finish it instead?” The bright smile on Harry’s face while he eagerly nodded his head in agreement, enough to have Louis thinking that it’s completely worth it.

And God, Louis must really love Harry. Because if you know him, like really know him then you would also know that he’d rather chew you up and spit you out instead of willingly giving up his steak for a plate of pasta with fucking chicken. But here he is, watching Harry smile from ear to ear- knowing he’s got the older man wrapped around his little finger.

Well, that, and the fact that he’s busy shitting himself just a little. After what had happened this morning, he’s decided to tread lightly around the younger man- not wanting to upset him. But most of all, wanting tonight to be just perfect.

“Are you sure?” Harry asked while he forked the last piece of meat, not even waiting for an answer from Louis before popping it into his mouth.

Louis cleared his throat. His mind set on him ordering for the both of them when they go out again. “Yeah.” He croaked out, not even sure why he answered since the entire steak is gone already. “Just safe some space for desert, yeah.” He smiled before taking the last bite of pasta. Yes. Outward: smiling. Inward: loosing his fucking shit.

“Of course, Lou. You know I’m eating for two now.” Harry replied, gently running his hand over his tummy and Louis can’t find it in him to tear his eyes away. “You always order the best food.” He adds and smiles, a soft sigh indicating that he’s content.

Louis looks up and returns the gesture. His eyes drifting to Harry’s ring cladded fingers now toying with the napkin in front of him and he can’t help but swallow thickly. If everything goes according to plan (if Harry sticks to eating his own dessert instead of wanting Louis’) one of those rings would be replaced with the one currently burning a hole in Louis’ pocket.

“You folks ready to order dessert?” The waitress pipes up from next to them and Louis is the first to look up.

“You ready to order, babe?” Louis asks, his gaze fixed on Harry.

Harry nods. “I’ll have the chocolate mousse.” He replies with a smile.

Louis thinks it over for a while. For his plan to work, he’s not going to be taking any chances. “Make that two, love. Thank you.” He says and watches the waitress nod before removing their plates and disappearing once more.

It’s quiet for a moment and with his napkin now gone, Harry finds himself toying with the rings on his fingers. Louis loves them, he really does. Harry’s once told him that he only has these six rings he always wears. Each one of them comes with a story about why the younger man had bought it. One was when he finished high school and one after graduating from his confectionary school. One when he bought his first car and one when he finally opened the bakery. Another one when he bought his house and the most recent one when he found out he was pregnant. For each achievement or life-changing milestone, Harry carries a reminder in the form of a ring.

So with that in mind, Louis had decided that he won’t be breaking that tradition. He’ll only carry it forward the day he buys Harry a ring, because it won’t be just any ring, it would be the symbol, if Harry accepts it, of them starting the rest of their lives together.

“You alright, baby?” Harry draws him from his thoughts.

“Mhmmm.” Louis hums, his stomach turning because there's no turning back or chickening out now … unless he grabs Harry’s pudding when the waitress gets here and eats it instead. He won’t do it though. He’s sure about this and he’s sure about Harry. He’s sure about their future together and would do absolutely every and anything for this man in front of him. So he won’t do it. The plan is to propose to Harry tonight and even though he’s so extremely nervous, he also can’t wait to see the look on Harry’s face. Deep down he hopes for Harry to rather be emotional than smiling when he does propose because Louis wants this night to be memorable because of the occasion and not because he stuttered his way through asking a question.

“You seem a little quiet?” Harry smiles and Louis averts his eyes.

“Just excited about dessert.” Louis replies, wiggling his brows and reaching for Harry’s hand from across the table, taking it in his and running his thumb over the rings on the younger man’s fingers.

Harry seemingly accepts his answer, but then rest his free hand on top of Louis’. “I’m really sorry about this morning, Lou.” He says, his voice soft and Louis thinks Harry is just the sweetest creature to walk the face of the earth. The last thing he should be worried about is what had happened this morning.

“That’s in the past, love.” Louis assures him, effectively earning himself a bashful smile while Harry nods his head.

“Okay.” Is all Harry replies with before their waitress appears again.

She places Harry’s mousse in front of him first and the proceeds to give Louis his. “Enjoy guys.” She says and disappears once more.

It’s quiet for a moment. And Louis sees it. He sees Harry eyeing his dessert instead of eating his own and no. Hell no! It’s the same fucking dessert and Harry is about to say something (Louis can feel it), but Louis has already picked up his spoon and he’s about to stuff his face full of chocolate mousse when he looks up and meets Harry’s eyes. Their big and puppy-like but Louis has to stay strong. It’s the exact same dessert, only Harry’s bowls has a little something extra. So he ignores the eyes and the pout and takes a  big bite of the chocolate-y goodness on his spoon, throwing his head back when Harry lets out an audible sigh and he looks back up to see the younger man slumping his shoulders… again.

“What’s the matter, love?” Louis finds himself asking before he could stop himself.

Harry’s face immediately perks up, and God, it reminds Louis of a naughty five year old about to get his way. “Your cherry looks better than mine.” He replies and flutters his lashes.

Louis laughs and slowly shakes his head. Harry sure as hell will be the death of him. “You can have it, baby.” He says and spoons it onto Harry’s own dessert. “Eat up.” He encourages with a wink.

And Harry does. The satisfying sounds escaping his throat has Louis wishing they were rather at home instead of a public place, because these sounds are the same as the ones he’s grown used to in the confines of their private space.

Louis’ dessert is forgotten by the time Harry is almost finished with his and he finds himself reaching into his pocket when Harry lifts his bowl, narrowing his eyes a little as he stares at the bottom of it for a few seconds before looking up. His eyes watery when they meet Louis’.

“Harry-“ Louis starts but gets cut short.

“Oh my God.” Harry swallows hard when he looks down and sees the ring Louis is holding between his pointer finger and thumb.

Louis smiles. “Harry-“ He tries again. “I love you.”

“Oh my God.”

Louis lets out a soft chuckle. He absolutely adores Harry like this- all flustered and surprised. “More than I thought could ever be possible.” He reaches for Harry’s hands with his free one and gives them a gentle squeeze before continuing. “These past few months have been the best months of my life and getting to know you made me realize that I never want to stop getting to know you.” He swallows hard. “If you’d let me, I’d really really love to spend the rest of my life getting to know you and love you.”

“Oh my God, Lou!”

“I know it’s already written at the bottom of your bowl, but I figured asking the actual question couldn’t do any harm, right?”

“Oh my-“

“Will you marry me, Harry?” Louis asks, his smile reaching his eyes as he watches the younger man. And then a frown when Harry only mumbles a faint “Lou.” Before he turns white as a ghost and Louis thinks this has got to be the worst rejection in the history of rejections and he just wants the earth to open up and swallow him whole when he realizes that other patrons have started staring.

It’s quiet for a few beats. Both men just staring at each other before Harry breaks the silence in a way that attracts even more unwanted attention

“Fucking shit! Motherfucking SHIT!” He shouts and grabs hold of Louis’ hands, squeezing his fingers harshly. “FUCKING FUCK!” Louis’ eyes widens. Yup, definitely worst rejection in the history of rejections. He doesn’t know where to hide his face and tries to pry his hand from Harry’s insanely tight grip but the latter refuses to let go.

Harry’s breaths turns laboured. “Hospital, Lou.” His eyes grow wide. “Baby.” He manages before taking another deep breath. “FUCKING FUUUCK!” This time tears starts flowing and Louis is out of his chair and by Harry’s side in a record amount of time.

“She’s coming?” Louis feels stupid for asking what seems to be an obvious question judging by the eye roll Harry gives him.

“Yes.” Harry answers nonetheless. “Now please help me up.” He manages through the next wave of tears. “I think I’m having contractions.” He whispers. “MOTHERFUCKING FUCK!”

It takes Louis and two other men to get Harry into his car and on their way to the hospital. One of the men insisting to pay for their dinner when Louis wanted to go back to settle the account.

“LOUIIIIIIIIIS” Was the word that had him almost crying with Harry when they arrived at the hospital and the latter immediately got wheeled into the labour ward. “MOTHERFUCKER!!! YOU DID THIS TO ME!!” Was the words he heard Harry shout while angrily pointing at him before the doctor gave him something to relief the pain allowing the younger man to visibly relax.

“Are you ready?” Was the last words he remembers hearing before the doctor lowered the scalpel and everything went black.

“Baby, are you alright?” Are the first words he hears Harry asking when he comes to. He’s lying on a bed, a few feet away from Harry’s and he doesn’t know how long he’s been out for, but apparently it was long enough for Harry to have the baby and get cleaned and stitched up before he finally decided to wake up. The first thing he sees when turning his head to look at Harry is the small bundle of blankets cradled in the younger man’s arms.

And Louis doesn’t know how he does it, but he’s out of the bed and by Harry’s side in a matter of seconds, peeking at the tiny face of his daughter who's bundled in the blankets. “She’s alright?” Louis asks and looks up to meet Harry’s eyes. “Are you alright?” He quickly adds and lifts his hand to cup the green eyed man’s cheek.

“I’m fine, Lou.” Harry smiles bashfully.

“G- g- g- goo- good.” Louis stutters and Harry tries, but he’s unable to stop smiling.

“Wanna hold her?” He asks and Louis only nods while holding out his arms, carefully taking the bundle of blankets from Harry who’s still smiling. He takes a few steps back and sits down on the armchair right beside Harry’s bed.

“Sh- she’ p- p- per- perfect.” He whispers when looking back up after taking a few moments to admire the little one in his arms. She’s sleeping peacefully and Louis does not want to be the one waking her.

“You’re perfect.” Harry replies. “I’m sorry for all the shouting and cursing earlier.” He adds, a lovely blush visible on his cheeks.

“I’m sorry it took me forever to figure out what the fuck was happening.” Louis shakes his head and peeks down at a still sleeping Jo-Anne once more.

“You couldn’t have known, Lou.” Harry replies. “She was only due in three weeks’ time.” He explains and Louis seems to settle a bit after that.

It’s quiet for a bit. Harry watching the older man admiring their baby for a few more moments before he finally speaks.

“I love you too, Lou.” He says, and smiles when Louis looks up.

“I l- l- lo- love y- you t- too.” God, Louis hopes that if Jo-Anne has dimples, they won’t have this effect on him as well.

Harry lifts and holds out his hand for Louis to take, smiling when Louis complies. He finds himself staring at this man who without a doubt holds his whole heart. Well fifty percent, because said man is currently holding the person who holds the other fifty percent. “Yes.” He says after a few moments, smiling when Louis gives him a confused look. “I never got to answer your question earlier?” He says and he tries not to, but this moment (when Louis realizes what he’s referring to) is just too perfect not to smile.

“Yeah?” Louis surprises himself when the word flows from his mouth without a stutter. But it’s only a word and he’s sure he’s not been miraculously cured from the effect Harry’s smile has on him.

“Yeah.” Harry confirms, still unable to stop smiling.

Louis look down at the baby in his arm. “I really wanna kiss you right now.” He looks back up. “B- b- but I- I- I- d- d- do- don’t wa- wa- wanna wa- wake h- her.” Fucking dammit.

“You’re fine, Lou.” Harry replies, happy to just be holding his hand. “I love you.”

“L- lo- love yo- you m- mo- more.” Louis replies smiling, knowing now that he’ll get to kiss the younger man for the rest of his life.