Once everyone has eaten their fill, they all pitch in and make quick work putting away the leftover food and cleaning up. As Louis puts the last container in the fridge, there is a loud banging on the door to the flat.
He glances at Zayn with a cocked eyebrow and a tilt to his head. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Zayn shakes his head. “No. You?”
“Everyone I talk to is in this room, so no,” Louis answers unable to shake the bad feeling taking up residence in his stomach.
The banging continues, getting louder with each hit against the wooden door. Louis wipes his hands on a nearby rag and walks to the door, Zayn hot on his heels. Opening the door reveals Harry’s dad standing in front of them.
“Tommo? Of course. Why am I not surprised? Where’s Gemma?” Louis doesn’t move, doesn’t blink, as he stares at the man in front of him. “I know she’s here. I tracked her phone.”
Gemma walks up behind them. “I’m right here, Dad. Do you need something?”
“You didn’t come home for Christmas just so you could slut it up with this trash? Your brother’s leftovers, no less?” her dad spits out.
“Mum, would you take the kids to my room?” Louis asks his mom with barely restrained rage, his eyes never wavering from the man in front of him.
Harry’s dad continues as if Louis hadn’t spoken. “Gemma, get your things. You’re leaving. We need to find your brother.”
“I’m right here.” Harry walks up and stands behind his sister, meeting his dad’s eyes coolly. “Good job. You found me. Now, what?”
“Get your shit. There’s a helicopter waiting to take us back home. Rayne is waiting for you.” Harry’s dad eyes him from head to toe and grimaces in disgust. “And take off that God awful suit.”
“I’ve already taken the punishment for it,” Harry challenges. “Why would I leave?”
“Rayne’s threatening to sue for breach of contract if you don’t show up tonight,” Harry’s dad splutters angrily.
“Sucks to suck,” Zayn snickers from where he stands arms crossed in front of the man.
Harry’s dad turns to face Zayn and gives him a once over before turning his nose up, obviously finding Zayn irrelevant and unimportant. “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
Louis’ eyes remain trained on Harry’s dad so he feels more than sees Zayn’s body become rigid. “You’re standing in front of Tommo’s and my flat. I’m pretty sure the only people you should be speaking to would be one of us, actually. No one else here is under any obligation to speak to you.”
Harry’s dad snorts. “My children are no concern of yours. They’re mine. Now, get out of my way.”
“Last I checked, Harry and Gemma are adults. They can make their own decisions, and it sounds to me like neither have any desire to leave, especially with you. Now, if you’ll excuse us, it’s Christmas, and we have better things to do than stand around arguing with a twat like you.” Zayn pushes the door to close it but is stopped when Harry’s dad sticks his arm between the door and the frame.
“I’m not leaving without my children,” the man commands, trying to force through Zayn and Louis’ united front.
The man touches Zayn to push him aside, and Louis’ head nearly explodes. “You’d do well to keep your hands off of anyone here.” He snaps, stepping protectively between Zayn and Harry’s dad, fists clenched hard at his sides. Lifting his chin defiantly, he growls, “Are you sure you really want to do this again?”
