Apricity (l.s.)

chapter nineteen

I flinch as I hear something dropping in the kitchen, sounding like glass breaking and Liam starts shouting something right afterwards.

"For fucks sake, Niall, get out of my kitchen", he calls out.

Niall comes trotting out of the kitchen and into the living room, where I'm sitting on the couch after I, despite making use of the cookbook Harry gifted me, got sent out a few minutes prior as well.

"Ugh", Niall mutters, "They're so damn annoying. It was one glass I dropped, for fucks sake. I was the one making the pasta. I got it just right."

I chuckle, shrugging. "Don't worry about it, they'll manage just fine. Besides, the others should be here in a bit and I need you here so I won't have to witness any awkward silences."

"Sure. Only if it's Harry, you'll want me to leave, huh?"

I roll my eyes. Me and Harry didn't really talk much since our last meet up, a few texts here and there and one short call but we didn't talk much about how to label whatever we've currently got going on.

Soon after, I can hear the doorbell ring and Niall walks out of the living room to answer it. He comes back with Lewis and Shawn a little later, both smiling and greeting me.

It rings again twice and it's Amelia and then Taylor, Lizzo and Joe before finally it rings one last time and I'm pretty sure we didn't invite anyone else so it's definitely Harry.

I smile, getting up since the others are caught up in a conversation and Liam and Zayn are busy doing whatever in the kitchen.

I open the door with a broad smile on my face that somehow grows even bigger when I see Harry and Elia on his arm, immediately reaching her arms out for me when she sees me.

"Louis, hi", she calls excitedly, "Today it's the new year."

"I know, love", I say, taking her from Harry and smiling, "That's so exciting, isn't it?"

She nods and I take a step forward, using my free arm to halfway hug Harry, Elia getting squeezed between our body a little what makes her giggle and whine a little.

"Daddy, Louis, I need air", she says, giggling, pushing Harry away from me.

"Sorry, darling", I say before placing her down on the floor so they both can undress out of their street clothes. They then walk inside with me, Elia's hand in mine.

"Dinner's ready", Zayn and Liam call out in that moment so we head straight to the kitchen. There's not enough space around the table for all of us so a part of them eats in the living room while Harry, Elia, Taylor, Joe, Shawn and I stay around the table.

"Now, Elia", Taylor says, "How old are you?", Taylor asks, smiling at Elia.

"I'm this many old", she says holding up three fingers. "And I turn one more in summer."

Taylor chuckles. "That's amazing. You know, I've been trying to convince my boyfriend that we need a baby as well but he doesn't want that."

"Why not?", Elia asks, pure confusion in her voice as she stuffs a spoonful of pasta without any sauce into her mouth.

"Because we're still a little young", Joe says, subtly rolling his eyes at Taylor, "And because a baby is a lot of work. You need to take care of it for ages."

"Not so many ages", Elia says. "Only maybe one age. Because then they're so big like me and I take care of myself now. Daddy doesn't do anything only cook and cuddle me cause I'm so grown up, right daddy?"

She grins at Harry expectantly and he nods his head. "Go for it, Joe. No work at all, life's never been more chilled with a child in her despite phase."

Joe laughs turning to Taylor. "See, babe. We'll wait a little."

"If you want to try it out, I'd be happy to lend you Elia for a few hours."

"Hey", Elia shouts, glaring at Harry angrily, drawing her eyebrows together as she scoffs, "That's a mean thing to say, daddy."

"Would never give you away, my baby, you know that, don't you?", Harry asks her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "But when I'm away for work, maybe you wanna visit Taylor sometime, mhh?"

She looks at Taylor out of the corner of her eye for a few seconds where we're all quiet, trying not to chuckle at the cute face she's making.

"Kay", she then says, eyebrows still drawn together, "Taylor do you like peppa pig and dolls and sweet?"

"Oh, a lot", Taylor says, "Do you have many dolls?"

"Only two. I want more but daddy sayed that two is enough work."

We continue talking for the rest of dinner, everyone focused on Elia. It makes me pretty proud to be the one she smiles at or talks to the most, after Harry of course.

Elia tries to spot some early fireworks through the window as the others head out to go to some big new years party but, as promised, I stay inside with Harry and Elia.

We talk for some time until Elia falls asleep on Harry's lap, her forehead against his shoulder. "I'm just gonna lay her down real quick", Harry says, "Can you show me your bedroom?"

I nod, leading him to the hallway and to my bedroom. I already made the bed, knowing I'll sleep at Niall's tonight and prepared enough pillows and blankets.

"Thank you", Harry says smiling. He lays her down, kissing her cheek and brushing a bit of hair out of her forehead before covering her with a blanket. He places the baby monitor on the nightstand as takes his with him. I wait by the doorframe and leave the door opened a little before we head back to the living room, some parties starting outside are already to be heard.

It's half past eleven by now so we don't go outside in the balcony just yet but instead get comfortable on the couch again, waiting for the fireworks to start.

~~~

new years chapter soon 👀